2025 -- H 6260

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LC002691

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING JOSEPH PRATT ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BOYS & GIRLS

CLUBS OF NEWPORT COUNTY (BGCNC) AFTER ELEVEN YEARS OF EXEMPLARY

AND DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE

OFFICER

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Chippendale, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Abney,
Tanzi, Ajello, Fellela, Shallcross Smith, and Furtado

     Date Introduced: April 24, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, When Joseph Pratt accepted the position to serve as the Executive Director

& Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County in 2014, the

organization had only five full-time staffers, a declining membership and a $250,000 deficit.

Thanks to Mr. Pratt's tireless work ethic and outstanding leadership, today the Club has a full-

time staff of 25, serves more than 2,000 members each year and has an operational budget of $3.5

million; and

     WHEREAS, Under the astute leadership of Mr. Pratt, many important achievements and

milestones were accomplished, including steering the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County

(BGCNC) to become the first after-school childcare program on Aquidneck Island to achieve the

top 5-star rating from the educational system BrightStars; and

     WHEREAS, Other significant achievements under Mr. Pratt's leadership included

diversifying the Club's business model by attaining more earned revenue, government revenue

and diversifying its philanthropic support. He also strengthened the Club's impact by serving

youths with stronger and more effective programs through evidence-based and informed

methodologies, building partnerships and working collaboratively with Working Cities, Reading

Reaps Rewards Summer Learning, forming school partnerships with Middletown High School,

the Met School and Rogers High School, and swim programs in both Newport and Middletown.

Mr. Pratt invested in his staff by raising compensation and adding benefits, such as a 401(k)

program and professional development opportunities, making Boys & Girls Clubs an attractive

career option. He also added staff roles for family outreach, SNAP nutritional assistance,

bilingual services, and significantly invested in facilities at three locations, Camp Grosvenor,

Central Clubhouse, and North End Clubhouse; and

     WHEREAS, Joseph Pratt's extraordinary leadership was particularly evident during the

COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Pratt skillfully and adroitly worked with the Rhode Island Department

of Human Services and the Rhode Island Department of Education by collaborating effectively

with regulatory agencies to protect and reopen the BGCNC summer camp. During this period of

crisis, Mr. Pratt managed operations prudently while always prioritizing families and children,

and skillfully navigating ever-changing regulatory guidelines and restrictions; and

     WHEREAS, Thanks to Joseph Pratt's dedicated efforts, the Club has already raised close

to $15 million to expand and restore the Central Clubhouse. This expansion will allow the Club to

serve more young people, increase its impact within the greater Newport community, and foster

further growth and outreach; and

     WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding work as the leader of the Boys & Girls

Clubs of Newport County, Joseph Pratt was appointed to the National Planning Commission of

the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and served on the National Advisory Committee to

the BGCA's CEO. Mr. Pratt also served as the Chair of the Greater Newport Chamber of

Commerce in 2022 and 2023; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

congratulates Mr. Joseph Pratt on his retirement as the Executive Director & Chief Executive

Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County and thanks him for all the good work he

has done in support of so many families and young people. We furthermore wish him continued

success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Joseph Pratt.

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LC002691

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