A long-time board member and advocate of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, Roger Poganski was inducted into Boys & Girls Club’s Greater Midwest Area Council Hall of Fame on July 20, 2023 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Roger was among seven new members enshrined into the Hall of Fame for their achievements.
The Boys & Girls Club’s Area Council Hall of Fame honors those rare individuals whose high achievements have made a mark in their local Club and have impacted the Greater Midwest Area Council (GMAC). The individuals honored have shaped and inspired local Clubs in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Hall of Fame honorees have achieved the distinction of being true champions for children and have provided innumerable accomplishments and lasting impact.
Roger has served on Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s Board of Directors since 1979. Over the past 44 years, he has been instrumental in the development and growth of the organization to serve more than 4,000 youth annually through its important mission to do whatever it takes to empower all youth to reach their full potential.
Roger’s most notable achievement as a board member was his instrumental involvement in the creation of the Finance Committee in 1994. This committee’s goal was to make the Boys & Girls Club financially stable and fiscally responsible. To that end, Roger developed the committee with CFOs who provided valuable support in finance. The committee worked together to set up balance sheets, savings accounts, depreciation funds, and more. Many of the tools that were set up in the ’90s are still used by the Club today.
“Roger’s leadership on the board and the finance committee has directly influenced the Club’s success and financial stability,” said Mary Swingle, President & CEO. She said his leadership ensured that the organization has a capable accounting department equipped with the proper tools to oversee the organization’s finances and efficiently manage all funds. “We are so grateful for his faithful dedication to the youth of our community for more than 4 decades!”
At the banquet, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s President & CEO Mary Swingle was also recognized as the CEO of the Year by the Great Midwest Area Council.