Changes to the YES family

The Y‑12 Employees’ Society (YES) will undergo a board member change in August when one of the founding members and current president, Ala Montgomery, retires. She will leave YES in the capable hands of Lisa Harris, a board member of YES since 2004.

Did you know that the YES board members have established discounts with local vendors to help employees save money on various items and services? Board members also have planned trips at discounted prices for employees to take advantage.

Many employees don't know the origin of YES. According to Montgomery, “When BWXT won the Y‑12 contract, then president and general manger John Mitchell asked for volunteers to take on the responsibility of creating an employee association. I volunteered. John had come from another plant that had a very active employee club, and he wanted that for Y‑12.”

Montgomery and Alice Brandon of Public Affairs and Communications set to work on creating a Y‑12 employee association. “We placed a call for volunteers. As a result of folks volunteering, the original board of directors was formed. The board voted on what to call our club, and YES was born!,” Montgomery said.

The original members of the board established a charter, by‑laws, funding, incorporation with the State, elect officers, etc.

“YES was established to enhance employee moral. My goal in establishing the association was to help employees become a closer Y‑12 family unit,“ Montgomery explained.

As Montgomery prepares for her retirement, Harris gets ready to “fill those mighty big footsteps of Ala’s and carry on the efforts she established for the program.”

Both Montgomery and Harris think YES is important to employees. Harris said, “YES provides great opportunities to gather together outside of work. If employees, who aren’t familiar with YES or haven’t participated in a YES-sponsored event, would take a trip with us, join a sports team or attend the annual holiday celebration or egg hunt, they would realize how much fun we have in sharing time with our co‑workers outside of the work environment.”

Montgomery added, “Knowing more about your co‑workers and their families help make Y‑12 a better place to be; if you know your fellow employees, you enjoy working with them more. You develop common interests and life long friendships.”

So while Montgomery may not be on‑site, she will still keep in touch with YES-those members of her extended family. In fact, she and her husband Bob of Quality Assurance are going to be two retirees joining YES in New York City in September. After that trip, the future is undetermined. “Bob and I plan to find something we can do to give back to the community. We don't know exactly what that is, but we are sure that the right opportunity will come along.”

As a retirement gift, Montgomery asks that “Y-12 employees keep my ‘baby’ alive by jumping in and taking an active roll in YES and helping it grow. YES is a great organization, but it can be so much better if more folks will get involved. If you have something you want done, volunteer to be a part of the committee to make it work.”

Contact Harris for more information about YES.

Other tidbits about YES

• The Y‑12 holiday celebration is coordinated by the members of the YES board and other committee volunteer members.
• All work with YES is strictly volunteer. There are no paid positions.
• YES is open to all current employees at no charge.
• Retirees and associates of Y‑12 are eligible to be members for a small annual fee.
• YES helps local charities through volunteer participation in angel tree, soup and cracker drive, coats for the cold (along with United Way) and others.