Charlottean Makes History as One of the First Official Volunteers Inducted Into the National YMCA Hall of Fame
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) July 17, 2013 -- As evidenced through the 160 years that the YMCA has served to enrich the lives of Americans, the true success of the organization depends on the collaboration between staff and volunteers. To honor this fundamental partnership, the national YMCA Hall of Fame has officially deemed volunteers eligible for induction. Charlotte businessman and humanitarian, http://www..spfldcol.edu/homepage/designer.nsf/YMCA-Bio-Page?OpenPage&Name=WilliamM.Barnhardt&class=2013 [William M. Barnhardt __title__ William M. Barnhardt], made history as one of the first volunteers formally inducted into the YMCA’s National Hall of Fame on July 20, 2013 in Philadelphia.
Founded in 1985, the http://www..spfldcol.edu/homepage/dept.nsf/BC81220B343BE6788525738E005FDA74/2B2BE4B274A9F04D852576AC006F9DEE [YMCA Hall of Fame __title__ YMCA Hall of Fame]recognizes the significant accomplishments and unique contributions of leaders, who advance the Y Movement nationally and internationally, setting a standard of excellence and achievement for future generations of Y leaders. While a handful of volunteers have been inducted to the YMCA Hall of Fame on the basis of their historical significance to the organization, such as http://www..spfldcol.edu/homepage/designer.nsf/YMCA-Hall-Of-Fame [John D. Rockefeller Jr. __title__ John D. Rockefeller Jr.] who helped capitalize the YMCA Retirement Fund, contemporary inductions were formerly reserved for YMCA employees. The YMCA Hall of Fame Executive Committee’s decision to welcome and formally sanction volunteer nominations underscores the critical importance of the volunteer's role to serving the Y’s mission, honoring the spirit and tradition of YMCA founder, http://www..spfldcol.edu/homepage/dept.nsf/d02dea1c0fc6f99d45256bd800296e8c/427711b290104e3e852571b6005dabf1 [Sir George Williams __title__ Sir George Williams].
“I applaud the decision to officially recognize volunteers in the YMCA Hall of Fame,” states Andy Calhoun, President of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. “Bill stands at the vanguard of the Y Movement and represents the caliber of volunteerism that we hope to continue to welcome into the Y family.”
By design, candidates for the YMCA Hall of Fame are held to a very strict standard of excellence. Nominees must demonstrate significant influence to the future of the YMCA or exhibit influence of a profound and enduring nature to the Y Movement. Notable inductees include Nobel Peace Prize Winner, http://www..spfldcol.edu/homepage/designer.nsf/YMCA-Hall-Of-Fame [John R. Mott __title__ John R. Mott], whose leadership heralded the national Y Movement during World War I, raising $250 million for YMCA programs that supported military troops in the United States and overseas. Inductions occur every three years.
Including the class of 2013, there are only 128 inductees in the YMCA Hall of Fame, representing more than 160 years of leadership. Considering that the organization employs approximately 250,000 staff members nationwide each year, the Hall of Fame represents the most elite and exclusive group of leaders throughout the YMCA’s history.
“It’s appropriate that Bill officially becomes part of our organization’s history as an inductee to the YMCA Hall of Fame,” affirms Calhoun. “I’m proud that his legacy will be admired and echoed by future YMCA leaders.”
Among 35 proposals submitted from YMCAs across the country for the class of 2013, the YMCA Hall of Fame Selection Committee only approved fourteen nominations; nine of whom are historical figures, posthumously inducted for their contributions and accomplishments. Barnhardt is one of the remaining five present generation inductees, nationwide, to be honored during their lifetime.
Barnhardt’s father, Southeast textile titan William H. Barnhardt, introduced him to the Charlotte YMCA as a young boy. Mr. Barnhardt was renowned for both his sharp business acumen and civic leadership. Barnhardt followed in his father’s footsteps as both a textile industry leader and community activist. Serving at the helm of Southern Webbing Mills, Inc. for over forty years, he’s also a lifelong humanitarian.
Barnhardt’s legacy of volunteer leadership and support for the YMCA spans more than 50 years. His service on the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte dates back to the 1960’s. Understanding that the Y’s mission is best served through passionate people, Barnhardt committed himself to recruit and develop staff and volunteer leadership for the organization. As Chairman of the Executive Search Committee, he recruited http://www..spfldcol.edu/homepage/designer.nsf/YMCA-Hall-Of-Fame [Harry H. Brace __title__ Harry H. Brace], who was later inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame, to serve as President of the Association in 1983. As a result of that appointment and his collaboration with executive leadership throughout the years, the Y Movement surged in Charlotte. Within six years, YMCA membership grew from 46,000 in 1983 to more than 106,000 in 1999.
Barnhardt is admired by volunteers and staff who have patterned their own service after his example. A 40-year veteran of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, President Andy Calhoun regards him as a personal and professional mentor. Today, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte remains one of the nation’s most successful YMCAs, developing innovative programs such as Y Readers, a national literacy program designed to improve reading comprehension and self-confidence in the classroom.
Barnhardt’s vision to revolutionize the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly located in Black Mountain, North Carolina, is among his most enduring contributions to advancing the Y Movement. Built in 1906 as a Christian conference center, the facility was plagued by a 30-year financial crisis, operated only during the summer. Barnhardt immediately recognized the Assembly’s historical significance and its potential to serve new Y members, families and guests across the southeast region. In 1968, he spearheaded a $5,000,000 capital campaign to fund the facility’s expansion. As a result of his pioneering efforts, by 1970 the Assembly was transformed into a robust, debt-free, year-round enterprise. The 1,200 acre facility now serves over 30,000 guests annually and is an important resource to businesses, organizations, YMCAs, families and other groups throughout the southeastern United States and beyond. A critical boon for the Y Movement, the expansion also provided an economic opportunity for the region. Completed in March 2004, the Barnhardt Family Lodge was named in honor of his stalwart commitment to reinvigorate the historical YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.
Beyond volunteering his own time and enthusiastically recruiting friends, family and colleagues to join him in championing the Y’s cause, Barnhardt has generously invested his own finances to support the mission throughout the years. In fact, his altruism has been lauded by the YMCA as well as other organizations throughout the community. He and his wife Harriet were named “Philanthropists of the Year” in 1992-1993 by the Charlotte Chapter of the National Association of Fundraising Professionals. They established the William M. Barnhardt endowment, which upon his death, will continue to generate funds to support YMCA programs for future generations.
“Along with our cherished Y members and supporters, as well as the countless Charlotteans who know and love the Barnhardt family, we congratulate Bill,” asserts Calhoun. “His lifelong service to the YMCA merits historic record. This landmark induction not only brings honor to the city of Charlotte, but will hopefully inspire civic responsibility across the community.”
The YMCA Hall of Fame is located at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Springfield College is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA.
About the YMCA of Greater Charlotte
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, comprised of 19 Y branches and two resident camps, engages approximately 292,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Deeply rooted in the community for 138 years, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymcacharlotte.org.
Michelle Guinyard, YMCA Greater Charlotte, (704) 716-6284, [email protected]
Share this article