CiCi Rojas was elected to a two-year term as the Y’s Chief Volunteer Officer at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s annual Board of Directors meeting on May 17, 2018. She follows Chris Kurtz, who served as Chief Volunteer Officer from 2016-2018. 

Both were recognized following the meeting at the annual celebration and Major Donor Appreciation event. 

Kurtz, who will continue to serve on the Board of Directors, was recognized for the energy and leadership to help light the way to a brighter future.

In his remarks at the event, Kurtz said the Y is needed more today than ever before.

“There is so much divisiveness in the world today…the Y cares about this community and bringing it together in a way that helps us all as we go on down the road and bring up generations behind us,” Kurtz said. 

During his tenure as Chief Volunteer Officer, the Y held four ribbon cuttings, made major advancements in fundraising, advanced our Y's board development work, and supported the addition of a diversity and inclusion director position.  

Rojas, who also serves on the national YMCA of the USA Board of Directors, said she is passionate about serving the Y.

“What is so unique about our work and our mission is we strive to meet the needs of people where they are regardless of age, socioeconomics, geography, ethnicity, and physical ability,” Rojas said.

During her term leading the Board of Directors, Rojas is looking forward to completing the fundraising for new Ys in downtown Kansas City, Mo., and downtown Kansas City, Kan., and exploring additional service areas. 

She also wants to focus on continuing diversity and inclusion efforts; expanding health care integration with the Y’s hospital partners; expanding the Young Achievers college and career preparation program to more Latino youth; and exploring one to two international coalitions with YMCA of the USA to share best practices to assist Ys in emerging countries.

Through it all, innovation will be key.

“Innovation will play a central role in our work and our organization will change and it will serve a multicultural demographic...we will need to constantly seek the best and most flexible solutions to fulfill our mission and goals while keeping sustainability at the forefront,” Rojas said.