Solon B. Cousins
Dublin Core
Title
Solon B. Cousins
Subject
Young Men's Christian Association of North America; Springfield College; Springfield College--Trustees
Solon Cousins; YMCA; YMCA Hall of Fame; YMCA of Chicago; YMCA of Boston; YMCA of the USA
Description
Portrait photograph of Solon B. Cousins. Solon Cousins began working with the YMCA in 1954 as the director of personnel and planning of the Chicago (Ill.) YMCA. Twelve years later, he moved to the YMCA of Greater Boston (Mass.) as the executive director. His $2.5 million capital campaign helped build a new facility, expand four older branches, and purchase a camp.
He also created an innovative program that addressed personnel, program, and facility development. In 1970, Cousins became the National Board’s associate executive director and the first executive of the Urban Group. Under his leadership, a national health insurance program was developed and the Standards of Excellence for Urban Metro YMCA’s were established. He joined the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago as its executive director in 1974. Cousins was named national executive director of the YMCA of the USA in 1980, and for 10 years led a period of dramatic change.
Under his leadership, the national system was completely reorganized under a new constitution. Dues were lowered for member associations, the budget was balanced, the national office was moved to Chicago, the Y-Mutual Insurance Company was created, the fight against tax challenges was implemented, and the dramatic expansion of YMCA child care programs was supported. Cousins was a trustee of Springfield College, George Williams College, and the YMCA Retirement Fund. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Springfield College and the University of Richmond
He also created an innovative program that addressed personnel, program, and facility development. In 1970, Cousins became the National Board’s associate executive director and the first executive of the Urban Group. Under his leadership, a national health insurance program was developed and the Standards of Excellence for Urban Metro YMCA’s were established. He joined the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago as its executive director in 1974. Cousins was named national executive director of the YMCA of the USA in 1980, and for 10 years led a period of dramatic change.
Under his leadership, the national system was completely reorganized under a new constitution. Dues were lowered for member associations, the budget was balanced, the national office was moved to Chicago, the Y-Mutual Insurance Company was created, the fight against tax challenges was implemented, and the dramatic expansion of YMCA child care programs was supported. Cousins was a trustee of Springfield College, George Williams College, and the YMCA Retirement Fund. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Springfield College and the University of Richmond
Processed;
Publisher
Springfield College
Date
1975-1995?
2010-08-03
Rights
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Relation
RG 103 YMCA Hall of Fame Papers
http://www.spfldcol.edu/homepage/library.nsf/78D4B8F1DEB9FDC38525741100498AC9/F75FFB60247BF41A85257639005F614A?OpenDocument
103
02
08
27
001
YMCA-HOF
Format
Image/jpg
Image/tiff
Type
Image
Files
Collection
Citation
“Solon B. Cousins,” Digital Commonwealth , accessed May 25, 2013, http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/items/show/12249.
Comments