DAVE ROGNESS

Dave Rogness was awarded the 2020 Charles Bailly Award, which is given annually at the YMCA Heritage Club Dinner, to someone who leads with courage and who is always exploring better ways of doing things. Dave is an exceptional leader who is known for his generosity, kindness, and willingness to take on any challenge – no matter what the size. His positive and effective influence has helped move the YMCA forward in immeasurable ways.

Dave officially joined the Y as a member back in the mid-80s and has continued to extended a generous hand to support the organization ever since. His involvement started when he decided to quit smoking and join the Y in an effort to improve his health. He initially worked out at the “Y on Broadway” and eventually started exercising at the Fercho and Schlossman locations. He enjoyed lifting weights and working out on the cardio equipment, but he mostly enjoyed the camaraderie among his “Y” friends.

Within a couple of years of becoming a member, Dave was asked to join a Y committee to discuss building security, as that was his area of expertise. He quickly proved to be a valuable asset to the organization and became involved in many other committee’s including the Building and Grounds Committee, Partner of Youth Annual Campaign Committee, Endowment Board, and the Board of Directors, in which he served two terms as the president. Most recently, he assisted in the planning and implementation of Family Wellness, a partnership facility between Sanford Health and the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties. The Y had wanted to expand its offerings for a long time, so Dave, along with other members of the Master Facility Task Force, evaluated the community’s needs along with the Y’s capacity to make the best decision possible for the new facility’s location and offerings. After a year of planning, the ground was broken and construction started for a full service wellness and fitness center like the community had never seen. Today, the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties and Family Wellness serve over 55,000 people annually and have continued to provide resources to improve the spirit, mind, and body of those in our community.

“The YMCA is really a part of the fabric of the community,” said Dave. “Now, more than ever, the YMCA has a community focus and is always looking for how we can move the community forward.”