Efforts of new leaders and old friends pull the club back from the brink, including fundraisers at several local Taco Bells.
By BETH N. GRAY
Published October 26, 2004
SPRING HILL - After nearly closing its doors because of a money crunch last fall, the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County is slowly regaining its financial footing.
The organization is even expanding - attracting more members this school year and launching a new Friday night program - as officials correct past problems.
"We are keeping much tighter reins as a board on the finances," treasurer Carol Freeman said recently. "We make sure that nothing substantial is purchased without complete board approval."
Freeman, an attorney and board spokeswoman, now signs the checks and keeps the financial records.
In September 2003, the club found itself with more expenses than income.
After an independent audit revealed that money was missing, Julie N. Rodriguez of Spring Hill, executive director since the club's founding in 1999, was forced to resign.
After a yearlong Hernando County Sheriff's Office investigation, Rodriguez was charged in September with siphoning more than $32,000 over two years from payroll and other accounts at the club, according to a sheriff's report.
Also, $17,000 donated by the Kiwanis Club of Hernando County to purchase computers for the clubhouse off Applegate Drive appeared to be missing. The computers were never purchased.
As executive director, Rodriguez was responsible for the club's finances and bookkeeping. Board members admitted their oversight was lax. They said they didn't know that Rodriguez had not performed required audits during the last two years of her tenure.
Completion of the yearlong investigation, coupled with greater involvement with the national office of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has enabled the local club to move forward, Freeman said.
"We're way better than we were a year ago, but we're being very cautious with money to make sure we get back on our feet in a very healthy way," Freeman said.
A recent benefit golf tournament at Seven Hills brought in about $4,000, which will pay for insurance premiums, Freeman said.
"It absolutely helps but, to be honest, we still need community and corporate support," she said.
Last fall, three Taco Bell restaurants in Hernando and two in Pasco County organized fundraisers for the club and plan to do so again.
From Nov. 3 to 23, the restaurants will offer Taco Bell's Bells for Kids, $1 donation for each paper bell that will be posted with the donor's name. All proceeds will go to the local club. Last year's drive raised $2,527.
Meanwhile, the board is trying to get more people involved in the club's day to day operation. Three new directors have been added: Julia DeCamp, Chris Cusker and Doug Brainard.
"Right now, we have nine. We're trying to get up to 20," said Freeman, who added that the club is looking especially for people who can bring business experience to the board. "The more people involved, the more contacts we have, and for fundraising."
Boys & Girls Club members, ages 5 through 17, primarily come from working families who pay minimal fees for before- and after-school activities. The organization relies on corporate, civic and individual donations to cover its monthly expenses of nearly $9,000.
When news of the fiscal crisis hit 13 months ago, the club had about 70 members. Membership dropped into the 40s but has since rebounded to 59, executive director Yvonne Krajcovic said.
In an effort to introduce more families to the organization, the club recently organized Kids Night Out, 6:30 to 10 p.m. the second Friday of each month at the clubhouse. The evening features a major activity - a pool tournament and a basketball tournament have been conducted - plus a light supper and free time with games, computers, athletics, reading and homework help.
Nonmembers pay a one-time $10 registration fee and a $3 door fee each evening of participation.
"Basically, it's a night out for the parents and they get baby-sitting for $3," Krajcovic said.
Night out participants also can gather at the clubhouse on school days off and during holiday breaks for $5 a day. The regular fee is $7.50.
"Basically, it's a way to get people to know about (the club)," Krajcovic said of the new offerings.
In addition to activities at the clubhouse, the organization provides 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. programs at West Side Elementary School.
-- Additional information about the club is available by calling the headquarters at 688-0068.
