How Sparta-White YMCA Connects Its Members with Constant Contact and Amilia

In the heart of rural Tennessee, the Sparta-White YMCA has been a pillar of community life since opening its doors in 1992. Housed in a historic building that once served as West Sparta Elementary School, the Y has evolved into a gathering place where generations come together to grow stronger in mind, body, and spirit. 

From early-morning workouts to afternoon youth programs, the Sparta-White YMCA is a hub of constant activity and connection. 

Empowering a small town through connection 

Sparta-White YMCA is clear in its mission: to glorify God by empowering the community to reach its full potential. Every class, event, and program supports that vision. 

“I feel like that’s a huge word here at our YMCA: empower,” says David Smith, Business Administrator. “That’s what we do. We ask: ‘Is it good for our members? Is it good for our community?’ That’s our strategy screen.”

Each day, the Y serves a changing mix of members. Early mornings bring working professionals squeezing in a workout before heading to their 7 a.m. shifts. Later in the morning and early afternoon the facility comes alive with retirees and others who gather for coffee and walking groups, before students fill the gyms after school. 

“They’re not walking around the streets, they’re here at a safe spot their parents trust,” David says. “They can have healthy conversations, do healthy competition, and stay active. It’s very humbling to see different people in different walks of life coming to one spot.”

From card stock to cloud-based systems

Before upgrading their systems, Sparta-White YMCA managed memberships on paper cards; a challenge for a growing association. 

“We don’t like to talk about it because it’s shameful,” David laughs. “But for years that’s what it was… You’d come in, we’d go through the file, check your membership on a piece of blue card stock. It was a dark time for sure.”

The transition to digital tools like Constant Contact and Amilia has transformed how the Y manages information, communicates, and connects. 

“Amilia has opened up doors for us with registration and programs,” he says. “We use activities a lot. Membership management has been huge.”

Reaching members where they are

The Y’s use of Constant Contact began with their summer day camp, sending timely updates to parents and caregivers. For Membership Director Haley Tollison, digital tools have made consistent communication much easier. 

“We send out two newsletters every month. One that’s just general updates, upcoming programs, stuff like that. The second one that we send out is for our older group, the Sunshine Gang… it’s a list of events just for them,” she says. 

Currently, their newsletter reaches an audience of over 420 subscribers, boasting an open rate around 40% and a click rate that continues to rise. Over the past year, their email list has grown by 24.33%, reflecting strong community engagement. 

In a recent 30-day period, the Y’s email performance saw continued improvement, with open rates up 1%, 3% above industry average, and click rates were also up 4% during the same period. 

The shift to email not only saves time, it also ensures that no one misses important updates, such as when a recent billing hiccup took place. David explains the organization was able to send a proactive email out to members, informing them of the issue. 

“This way we didn’t have the thousand phone calls that we would have got if we hadn’t communicated with them. So that was very helpful!” 

Smarter tools for stronger engagement

Beyond newsletters, the integration between Constant Contact and Amilia is helping Sparta-White YMCA improve communication, automate processes, and stay connected with members more efficiently. 

“When we’re sending stuff out, everything’s uniform and we’re making sure everybody who wants it is getting it,” says Haley. 

David is particularly excited about the analytics both platforms provide. 

“There’s a lot of data and analytics, which I love. I’m a numbers guy, and I love a good statistic,” David says. “Having those easily accessible is a huge benefit for us.”

Their welcome email currently sees a 5% click-through rate, and they’re now looking ahead to use automation more intentionally — sending personalized welcome messages, confirmations for new program registrations, and highlighting underused resources and programs that members may not know they have access to. 

While the team is still learning how to fully leverage both platforms, they’re already seeing how the tools simplify operations and reduce manual work. 

“Constant Contact and Amilia working together, helps smooth the ways that we communicate and the tools with which we do,” he says. “We see a lot of benefits, including a lot less time spent on tedious things.”

A community focused on growth

Even as Sparta-White YMCA looks ahead to new initiatives, their commitment to their members remains the same: taking care of the community they already serve. 

For this small-town Y, the integration of Constant Contact and Amilia isn’t just about technology; it’s about building stronger relationships, improving transparency, and ensuring that every message, event, and program reaches the people who need it most.

As David notes, “We’re more than just a gym and a swim, that’s for sure.”