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Calvester R. “Cal” Stanley is stepping down from his responsibility as Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s (BGCO’s) President & Chief Executive Officer, a vigil that he has successfully stood steadfast in championing the organization’s mission since his July 1, 1992 appointment.
Incorporated in December 1938, BGCO has been led by 5 chief executives during its storied 85-year history with 3 primary members of that illustrious group each serving 20 or more years and Cal’s 31 years standing paramount. The late Marion F. Sims served for 27 (1965 to 1992) and Gilbert D. Eaton served for 20 (1941 to 1961). Cal and Marion are BGCO alumni... Cal was our Youth of the Year in 1973.
Cal’s retirement signals the end of an era, concluding a rewarding career that spans 44 years as a professional in the youth development field—his chosen field of endeavor upon which he embarked immediately after graduating from the University of the Pacific in Spring, 1979. Then, after managing Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno’s West Fresno Branch for two years, Cal returned home to BGCO in spring, 1981 and was promoted to President & CEO in 1992 succeeding Marion Sims.
With a can-do spirit and embodying the “if you can find something that you love to do and get someone to pay you to do it, then you’ll never work a day in your life” adage, Cal has often been quoted describing his career, indeed his life’s work with assertions such as “it’s work that I get to do!” and “I’ve met countless numbers of phenomenal human beings over the years, and a few of them have been adults!”
Cal’s innumerable takeaway memories from 2 generations of youth development work include: working his way through college and making the final payment on his student loans. Standing at the forefront of Cal’s memories is his direct and indirect work which enabled a cohort of dedicated professional staff team members to positively impact countless numbers of deserving student-members and families. Harnessing the considerable synergy of great groups of board volunteers; engaging his fellow Club alumni are right there too.
Cal and BGCO are forever grateful to the countless number of stakeholders whose philanthropic objectives we were able to assist with to bring about higher graduation rates from year to year and higher college matriculation rates while serving our community’s youth in greater numbers by rebuilding and modernizing the Ossian E. Carr Branch (the East Oakland Clubhouse that Cal attended in his youth), and establishing the flagship Anna Marie Whalen Branch in an underserved Oakland community where no Clubhouse previously existed.
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