Scott City residents discuss options for joining Boys and Girls Club

After reviewing options for a Boys and Girls Club in Scott City, members Wednesday night did not officially decide whether to start its own charter or join an established club in Cape Girardeau.

Discussion on joining the Cape Girardeau club dominated the discussion, however.

Mark Branch, director of organizational development for the club, led the meeting and talked about things needed to become a part of the organization.

The Boys and Girls Club of America has 4,175 local clubs, according to its records from 2014. Nationwide, it serves 3.7 million youth and have 15 million alumni, 56,000 staff members and 25,000 volunteers.

"We're not just keeping kids safe, which is important, but we're trying to impact them while they're here," Branch said of the club's mission.

Scott City is deciding between forming its section of the club or joining with Cape Girardeau's charter. Cape Girardeau's charter has sites at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School, Franklin Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School. Cape Girardeau's executive director is Jeff Jernigan.

Branch said forming a new unit or extension to the Boys and Girls Club would cost $300,000, with additional money in the bank for security. Joining an existing charter would cost about $100,000. Even less expensive would be forming an extension, which would be about $60,000.

It was not decided which direction the Scott City club is headed, but most of the conversation at Wednesday's meeting involved partnering with Cape Girardeau.

Branch explained the difference between a Boys and Girls Club unit or extension and the requirements for each. A unit operates four hours a day, five days per week and 10 months per year. An extension is three hours per day, three days per week and nine months a year.

Deciding on the type of site is essential to forming the club's business plan and getting started.

Wednesday night's emphasis was on forming a steering committee to begin making some of those basic decisions. About a dozen interested people attended Wednesday' meeting, including teachers, school board members, chamber of commerce members and business owners.

Location and transportation also were concerns, but Branch urged the attendees to gather interested, dedicated and passionate people before planning too far ahead.

Realistically, Branch said Scott City could make its proposal to the Cape Girardeau club by fall, and the soonest Scott City could start its club would be in January. It would most likely start next summer or fall, however, depending on when the city begins taking necessary steps.

"You have to have a story to tell, so before we can do anything, we have to gather some more information for that story," Branch said.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

Scott City, Mo.