{"id":14100,"date":"2023-04-11T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/?p=14100"},"modified":"2026-03-31T22:22:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T22:22:06","slug":"a-club-is-a-club-is-a-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/a-club-is-a-club-is-a-club\/","title":{"rendered":"A Club is a Club is a Club?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Owen Charters<\/span><\/span><\/a>, President & CEO, BGC Canada<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

April 11, 2023<\/p>\n

My colleagues have heard me say more than once that \u201cif you\u2019ve seen one Club, you\u2019ve seen one Club.\u201d It\u2019s a truism about the unique collection of programs, services, and facilities at each BGC Club.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n

The realities and implications of this statement create really interesting challenges and offer us unique benefits, especially in terms of operational strategy and marketing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Clubs are different. Some have pools, some don\u2019t. Some have climbing walls, some don\u2019t. Clubs that see brand images that include kids swimming are concerned it misrepresents them. Clubs with diverse populations want to see that reflected in our public material. Clubs in communities with little diversity feel these images don\u2019t represent their Clubs at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

We serve all kids\u2014especially those that need us most. What does that mean? It means we serve kids experiencing the effects of poverty, but also middle class and upper-class kids. It means we serve kids in all communities, of all races. We see the effects of marginalization, but we believe in integration.<\/span><\/p>\n

And BGC Clubs are for many ages. Our major cohort is \u2018school-aged,\u2019 meaning roughly 6 to 18. But we have lots of Clubs that offer childcare or pre-natal coaching for soon-to-be parents. We have parenting programs. We have young adults into their early twenties who use Club services. Recreational facilities, camps, homeless youth shelters. Alternative schools. Drug rehab. Counselling. Food banks. Breakfast programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is wonderful\u2014a testament to the fact that BGC Clubs tailor their services to meet the needs of their individual communities. But there are challenges. A key dictate of strategy is \u2018focus\u2019 but it\u2019s hard to provide focus to a federation that does everything. A primary tenet of branding is \u2018simplify,\u2019 but as soon as we do, we are often too reductive, and don\u2019t represent the full gamut of what our Clubs do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our common thread is the outcomes we pursue\u2014greater opportunities for youth, resilient adults, etc. This is a useful perspective, but it has its drawbacks. People want to know our story quickly, simply. Explaining outcomes can be tedious\u2014and it\u2019s not what we \u2018do\u2019 on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

At a cocktail party, imagine the answer to what you do: \u201cI provide amazing outcomes for young people.\u201d It\u2019s a creative answer, and it will likely pique the curiosity of the asker. They still want to know what you do all day, each day. We need both answers: outcomes and process.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, it\u2019s also the joy of our work\u2014we embrace the chaos, so to speak. And in the end, we help create empowered, strong, resilient youth who are on a better path to adulthood than they might\u2019ve been had our Clubs not been there for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in supporting BGC Canada<\/span>?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Donate today<\/span><\/span><\/a> or <\/span><\/span>become a BGC partner<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Read more:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n