For the past three weeks, David Dallas has thrown himself into his new job as the chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta.
“Right now, I am getting to know the team, the staff and unit directors in our six locations,” he said.
Dallas, 49, a native of Cleveland, Mississippi, was at an open house of the Greenwood club Thursday. He replaced Larry Collins, formerly with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nashville, who served as the clubs’ chief executive officer for less than a year. Collins has since returned to the Nashville area, Dallas said.
Dallas previously served as executive director of the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the campus of Delta State University and as executive director of the Healthcare Foundation of the Tri-State Delta.
A graduate of Delta State, Dallas received a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Mississippi State University.
The community-based Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta are located in Greenwood, Grenada, Itta Bena (on the campus of Mississippi Valley State University), Jonestown, Lexington and Yazoo City.
Dallas’ responsibilities include pushing for new partnerships and recruiting even more talented staff and volunteers. He will also manage the growth and long-term sustainability for each of the clubs.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” Dallas said. “I am also learning from our Local Advisory Boards for each of our six club facilities.”
The Local Advisory Boards are made up of community leaders and volunteers, and Dallas said they play an important role. Not only do they raise money, but “they find ways to involve themselves in operations and activities at their clubs,” he said.
Dallas said Advisory Boards in other communities are still identifying potential members and developing new contacts. “Our clubs can only be as good as their community support,” he said.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of America are located in over 4,000 communities throughout the United States and at affiliated centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The clubs are led by paid, trained youth development professionals and provide a safe, affordable place for youth after school and during summer.
Dallas said staff members Sam Baker, the area director, and Stacye Allen, the director of operations, are “top-notch and incredibly dedicated to the Boys and Girls Clubs.”
“They can see the impact our programs have had on the lives of children. It’s changing lives for the better,” Dallas said.
“These young people demonstrate good character and citizenship. And they make good choices for a healthy lifestyle. Through the Boys and Girls Club they can start learning these skills at a very early age. And it is making a difference.”
Dallas pointed to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which has consistently ranked the Boys and Girls Clubs of America among the top nonprofit organizations in the country.
“Mississippi has a strong network of Boys and Girls Clubs statewide,” Dallas said. “We know the needs in the Mississippi Delta are tremendous and the challenges often greater.”
He said participants in the Boys and Girls Clubs are more likely to graduate high school and avoid problems such as gang activity and teen pregnancy. Many of them also continue their education beyond high school, he said.
“We are going to continue to work hard to strengthen the club experience for our young people,” Dallas said. “We need to succeed for their benefit and for our future. Failing to prepare children to be productive and responsible citizens creates dire economic and social consequences. This is where a local Boys and Girls Club can help.”
Those interested in getting involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta may contact Stacye Allen, operations director, at (662) 746-2322.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
