ALAMOSA — On Saturday, November 8th, Judy McNeilsmith was recognized as the Board Member Of The Year for the statewide Rocky Mountain Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs.

The Rocky Mountain Area Council represents the 17 clubs across the state of Colorado. Area councils have been a powerful force in the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement since 1944. One of the functions of the council is to support and recognize outstanding work of board members across the state.

According to National Area Council member representative, Kip Kelso, “there were several very strong nominations and it was clear who the winner of the award should be.”

McNeilsmith has been on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley for more than 20 years. She has a passion for improving her community and has been active in a variety of social improvement organizations throughout her time in the Valley. She has served as the chair or interim chair of the board on three occasions and helped to fundraise for the Alamosa building. That building opened its doors in 1999 and has built its membership and impact over the past 20 years.

To be sure, the impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs has never been more relevant.  As such, the impact of leaders like McNeilsmith has never been more important. Like any true leader, she knows that her impact is only as great as those she supports. She has hired and mentored every executive director since the Boys & Girls Clubs moved into the San Luis Valley. Through the past 20 years, that translates to over 4,000 youth who have been members of the clubs.

That type of legacy merits recognition and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley is proud to be a part of recognizing Judy McNeilsmith as the Outstanding Board Member of the Year.