Gallaway, well respected throughout Chautauqua County, is a licensed and master’s prepared social worker with a background in community organizing and social administration. She has managed several leadership positions within the last year at the club and worked diligently to expand the club’s impact throughout the community and made mental health programming fun and accessible to all members. Gallaway’s dedication to improving workplace culture, staff professional development, and leadership growth, have proven to be extremely effective.

“It is an honor to be chosen as the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County,” Gallaway said. “I love interacting with children, staff, and our community. It has always been my vision to create a safe and nurturing place that children enjoy and community leaders, along with parents, rely on and trust. Our club is re-building and moving in a stronger and positive direction; we have nothing but potential, and will continue to grow and be successful.”

For the past three months, Gary Schutrum has acted as interim executive director of the club. Schutrum has been the chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of East Aurora for more than 35 years. He has offered his expertise to the local club in order to expand programming, embark on development and fundraising campaigns, while strengthening day-to-day operations. Schutrum will stay on for several hours each week for the next six months to further the Club’s mission and assist in training the new executive director.

“It is a privilege and an honor to have acted as interim executive director,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to assist this amazing organization and working with Mrs. Gallaway.”

Gary Schutrum

Throughout Schutrum’s career at the club in East Aurora and the Western New York Boys & Girls Club Collaborative, he has been recognized for his commitment to:

¯ Organizational growth — Being a part of unprecedented growth in membership, average daily attendance, and financial resources

¯ Program impact — Developing impactful and meaningful programs and services that meet the needs of youth and families

¯ Club safety — Creating and establishing policies and procedures to maximize the safety of club children and employees

¯ Support to clubs in the region — sharing of best practices that enable Clubs to thrive and positively impact the lives of children.

Abbigail Wolcott

In addition to Gallaway’s appointment as executive director, Abbigail Woolcott has been promoted to site director. In a short duration of time with great accuracy and proficiency, Woolcott has coordinated and updated the club’s donor database, worked as a Youth Development Professional, and ensured that member safety arrival and dismissal procedures are adhered to on a daily basis.

Woolcott has a long history with the Boys & Girls Club of America, from being the mini-leader in an Art Room in addition to a Learning Center, to becoming the Manager of a Club Snack Store. She also was honored as the Franklin/Newman Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year. This prestigious recognition is a Club’s signature effort to recognize and foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global, and integrated world economy.

Woolcott will be graduating from SUNY Fredonia in May with a bachelor of science in education, and a concentration in mathematics. The new site director said, “It is my hope to give to our youth the experiences and leadership that was given to me as a B&G Club member.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County is a United Way community partner that receives funding from several grantors, the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Capacity Lab of Chautauqua County, and generous gifts from individual donors. The club is committed to its mission of empowering all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. For more information about the organization, visit https://www.bgcofncc.org/, call 716-366-1061, or email Gallaway at jeannieg.bgc@gmail.com. In addition, board members John D’Agostino, president, is at jdagostino@observertoday.com or Kelly Borrello, vice president, is at kborrello@sunsetbayusa.com for comments and questions.