Baierl Family YMCA

After many years of no increases, the Baierl Family YMCA’s price for swim team registration was increased in in order to cover the rising costs needed to run the programIt is highly recommended that each youth compete in all meets, but is not mandatory and not penalizedThe only requirement is if the swimmer wants to compete at the YMCA District meet, they must have raced in at least three dual meets that seasonThe cost of each event entered is approximately $per event per swimmerThere is no charge for home meetsFamilies are also asked for a $donation one time per season for extra associated meet costsAs a 501c(3) charitable organization, we also offer many scholarships for families in hardship to cover registration and Y membershipNew for the season was the formation of a swim team parent groupThis group assists in hosting meets, creates social gatherings and organizes fundraising events for team supportThe complaint said the individual was not aware of the fee or volunteer hours, however, he was on the parent committee that developed this approachThe volunteer approach was discussed at the parent meeting that was held during the first week of practice and again in the parent meeting held in DecemberThe information was also posted on the team website for transparencyThe other parent volunteered willingly and is still currently a leader within the parent booster group, so the $fee and/or volunteer hours mentioned does not apply and was not charged in this caseAs a community partner focused on youth development, the Y would never suspend a youth swimmer; but would rather take that as an opportunity to coach the family about team support and what it means to be a part of the volunteer groupTo date, outside of the requested monthly membership draft, the complainant’s card has not been charged for any other purposeThe Baierl Family Y is overseen by six part-time coaches, two being the team’s head coaches, and all are supported by one full-time Aquatics DirectorThe team practice schedule and swim meet information is delivered by head coaches as well as posted on a team website, being sure all parents and team members are up-to-date on who is in charge and what activities are taking place whenRepresentatives from the Baierl Family YMCA have communicated with the complainant to address these concernsWe will work to improve communications concerning our volunteer efforts so there is no further misunderstanding for the parents The Y of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501c(3) charitable organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen, improving our region’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support our neighborsOur vision is a positive oneAs a result of the Y’s impact, we envision the Greater Pittsburgh community to be vibrant and inclusive, providing hope, access and belonging where all are prepared to succeed and to lead with a sense of purposeTo that end, our work is focused across three areas of priority: Closing the Achievement Gap, Eliminating Health Disparities and Food Security and Aid to Financially Struggling Families.Linda *** C***Associate Executive DirectorBaierl Family YMCA [redacted] [redacted]

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below Baierl YMCA does not address main questionThe issue of divorce and me living at different location was already discussed in January 1) YMCA knows that by court order we (myself and my ex-wife) we are to split membership and swim team feesAccording to the court order we are a family2) YMCA recognized that their "family" definition does not reflect the reality, kept us as a family (adults + boys), and charged our credit cards 50/for at least a year01/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5002/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5003/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5004/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5005/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5005/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5006/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5007/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5008/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5009/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5010/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5011/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5012/YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.503) What is so different now? Same definition for the family? Same people, same family, same kids? Regards, [redacted]

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear belowThe response does not address Main point - failure to deliver servicesBaierl YMCA swim team always had full time coachLast coach left the team in the summer 2017, and YMCA ensured parents that they are looking for a new full time coach, and we will have one, urged to stay in the team and sign for new seasonParents trusted, paid all dues as required, and after “no refund” deadline passed, parents were told the team will not have full time coach this yearInstead there will be several coaches, some are high school students, college freshmen, life guards, and they all have full time day jobs, and busy with their own livesThere was never any introduction of any of the coaches, no resume, no backgroundIf parents were told from the start that there will be no full time coach, I personally would not sign and pay $1,There is a clear difference to have a coach who answers for team, or have number of people coming on volunteer bases with no one really answering for the teamBecause the team does not have a professional coach, for the first time in all years, the team has not had a single invitational meet, there is nothing coming in the spring, no planSome parents I personally know stopped coming, still fighting for refundsThe team is broken, the number are tiny comparing to past yearsAt this point we are paying for facility, water, pool and life guardsThe fundraising fees and mandatory volunteering system was also announced ONLY after all parents already paid required dues, and again, the “no refund” deadline passedThe penalty system for not volunteering was set for $100+ per child, with a threat to kick the kids from the team if not obeyedIt is correct; I was initially selected for a parent committeeI was planning to help the team, but when I learned about penalties and new fundraising charges the YMCA decided to push thru a Parenting committee, I objectedI made myself very clear, but my objections were ignored, and I resignedI did not want to be part of the committee formed by YMCA to collect more money after parents already paid all the dues. Often fundraising fees were collected by automatic charges (other parents, friends I know)In the beginning the YMCA told parents they had to sign paper that they agree to any additional chargesParents were in shock, some signed hoping YMCA will not abuse itI declined it from the startAnd yet, they YMCA continued sending me emails with reminders that my card will be automatically billed for ruffle tickets, etcI had to write back every time to the Aquatics Director and remind her not to charge my card because I never authorized or agreed to new charged, and that I already paid all my dues at the beginningIt was ignored every timeAnother issue, nobody knows where or how all collected money (fundraising fees, penalties) were spent, or how much it was collectedNo reports, refundsBecause we are half way thru the season, it is very hard to switch kids to other activities, or just stop swimmingKids already have settled schedule, routine and it will be harsh on themBecause of that my suggestions are following: 1) Offer parents refund 50% of the annual swim team fees ($435/child) because of failed services (no full time coach, no swim meets, no prep packages) 2) Prepare a detailed report allowing each parent to check the total amount collected from fundraising, ruffle, penalties, etcBecause the policy was never disclosed to parents at signing, offer refund or compensation. 3) Provide detailed expense report (vendor, dates, amount paid, reason) showing how and where collected funds from parents were used/spent, beginning and current balance

After many years of no increases, the Baierl Family YMCA’s price for swim team registration was increased in 2016 in order to cover the rising costs needed to run the program. It is highly recommended that each youth compete in all meets, but is not mandatory and not penalized. The only requirement...

is if the swimmer wants to compete at the YMCA District meet, they must have raced in at least three dual meets that season. The cost of each event entered is approximately $5 per event per swimmer. There is no charge for home meets. Families are also asked for a $10 donation one time per season for extra associated meet costs. As a 501c(3) charitable organization, we also offer many scholarships for families in hardship to cover registration and Y membership. New for the 2017 season was the formation of a swim team parent group. This group assists in hosting meets, creates social gatherings and organizes fundraising events for team support. The complaint said the individual was not aware of the fee or volunteer hours, however, he was on the parent committee that developed this approach. The volunteer approach was discussed at the parent meeting that was held during the first week of practice and again in the parent meeting held in December. The information was also posted on the team website for transparency. The other parent volunteered willingly and is still currently a leader within the parent booster group, so the $100 fee and/or volunteer hours mentioned does not apply and was not charged in this case. As a community partner focused on youth development, the Y would never suspend a youth swimmer; but would rather take that as an opportunity to coach the family about team support and what it means to be a part of the volunteer group. To date, outside of the requested monthly membership draft, the complainant’s card has not been charged for any other purpose. The Baierl Family Y is overseen by six part-time coaches, two being the team’s head coaches, and all are supported by one full-time Aquatics Director. The team practice schedule and swim meet information is delivered by head coaches as well as posted on a team website, being sure all parents and team members are up-to-date on who is in charge and what activities are taking place when. Representatives from the Baierl Family YMCA have communicated with the complainant to address these concerns. We will work to improve communications concerning our volunteer efforts so there is no further misunderstanding for the parents.  The Y of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501c(3) charitable organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen, improving our region’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support our neighbors. Our vision is a positive one. As a result of the Y’s impact, we envision the Greater Pittsburgh community to be vibrant and inclusive, providing hope, access and belonging where all are prepared to succeed and to lead with a sense of purpose. To that end, our work is focused across three areas of priority: Closing the Achievement Gap, Eliminating Health Disparities and Food Security and Aid to Financially Struggling Families.Linda [redacted] C[redacted]Associate Executive DirectorBaierl Family YMCA[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
 
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Baierl YMCA does not address main question. The issue of divorce and me living at different location was already discussed in January 2017. 1) YMCA knows that by court order we (myself and my ex-wife) we are to split membership and swim team fees. According to the court order we are a family. 2) YMCA recognized that their "family" definition does not reflect the reality, kept us as a family (2 adults + 3 boys), and charged our credit cards 50/50 for at least a year. 01/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5002/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5003/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5004/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5005/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5005/17 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5006/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5007/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5008/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5009/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5010/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5011/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.5012/15 YMCA OF GREATER PITTSB WWW.YMCAPGH.O PA $52.503) What is so different now? Same definition for the family? Same people, same family, same kids?
Regards,
[redacted]