Transcript of Interview with Walter Casey

Mr. Walter Casey is a member of the Board of Directors of Binghampton Development

Corporation. He is currently serving as the Director of the Lester Community Centre. Here is an
essay on his personality and contributions, published in Binghampton Times.
Walter Casey, Binghampton Favorite Son, is Celebrated for His Work
The Lester Community Center is the first place newcomers or visitors go when they come Binghampton.
And the person they almost always come to see is Walter Casey. Why? Because not only is Casey (as he referred to
by many) the long time Center Director but he is one of the most well-known and beloved figures in Binghampton.
He grew up here, went to school here and has spent the better part of his entire life here. In many ways Walter Casey
IS Binghampton.
Speaking to a reporter last year for Memphis OTL, a local publication, Casey said, I knew I was going to
do well because the people in Binghampton love me. When they heard someone from neighborhood was running the
center they were excited.
Casey is a soft-spoken man who doesnt need to yell in order to keep the youth at the community center in
line. He is firm and the youth know to obey the rules he lays down or they will be banned from the center. It is not
uncommon to find a name taped to the door to the center, letting everybody know who would not follow the rules.
Casey aims to make sure the center is a safe and welcoming place to everybody.
Walter Casey has been honored many times over for his contributions to the Binghampton Community
during the past 36 years. The Memphis Grizzlies honored him for his contributions and dedication to Binghampton
and featured him at a game in a Saturday night, February 6, 2016.
In 2014 he received the individual adult award from the SPARK Awards because of his work with children.
The SPARK Award is given to agencies and individuals who are making a difference in the Mid-South and Casey is
definitely worthy of being recognized for his work.

1.

For how long you been on the board of BDC?

For seven years.
There are ten members on the board. They are professionals, and laymen who are living

among the community and already involved with the community in one way or the other. Expresident of the organization is also on the board.
2.

What was your personal motivator to become a member of the board of BDC?
I live in this neighborhood, and therefore I have an association with it. I can feel the pulse

of the community. For nine years I have been assisting the community in improving its life
standard. I wanted to be involved in the development of the community. Besides, I wanted to
improve myself through associating myself with the organization in this capacity. I was asked to
join the board and it is my first time to be on the board of directors of some nonprofit.

3.

How regular the board meets?

We meet monthly. But most of our meetings are on call. When the executive needs some
matters to be discussed with the board, he calls a meeting. So it depends upon individual needs,
when somebody feels need to discuss matters with board members, board meeting is called.
4.

Has BDC board been able to review and suggest changes in the mission of the

organization over time?

Yes board members are able to discuss and modify the mission of the organization.
(He seemed less interested in initiating such changes)
5.

What role does the board play in the policy matters of the organization?
Board plays a positive role. Board stands for quality life, safer community and uplift

society. With this perspective, the board tries to direct the mission and the policies of the
organization toward the goals which can ensure these ideals for the community. Executive board
represents the policy. The process of policy designing is a collaborative process. Most of the
decisions are taken through voting by board. But, since the Executive Director of the
organization has the information, policy alternatives are brought to fore by him. The Executive
Director has the discretion in taking the policy decisions.
The board members also have the necessary knowledge and ability of the policy
designing. If they do not have the necessary they seek for that information from the Executive
Director.
Despite all these, the president of the organization has the discretion to identify and
decide upon policy alternatives.
6.

How the progress and health of the organization is assessed?

7.

What methods and tools are used for the appraisal of the performance of both the

chief executive and the board itself?

We use big lens to evaluate the performance of the organization. We have regular
discussions on the performance evaluation of the organization. We see the outcomes, not the
outputs. We see the change in the neighborhood. We do not see performance against targets;
rather we see it in what has been done for the neighborhood. But financial matters are
meticulously seen into. We see how much fund is generated, from which sources it is obtained,
and how it is used.
I am satisfied with the technology BDC is using. We have a newspaper. I do not see into
how our organization does things, what I see is the outcome. I am satisfied with the outcomes.
BDC is able to get the coordination and help of other organizations. So the data and the
technology thing that you are talking about is sufficiently available to the organization. I satisfied
with the outreach to stakeholders and role-players.

8.

Does board monitor the planning process?

We do not meticulously involve into the planning process. We see what are the outcomes.

We do not evaluate the performance by looking at it against the set targets; rather we see the
overall outcome the efforts of the organization.

9.

What role does the board play in the financial management of the organization?

Board is very serious about financial audit. We have some professionals on our board,
they are lawyers, they see meticulously into the financial matters of the organization. They have
the required competence to do the task.

10.

How active role do the members play in generating funds for the organization?
We dont play any role. This is not our job. The Executive Director of the organization is

responsible for this.

11.

What role does the board play in promoting a good public image of the

organization?
All the members of the board are associated with other organizations too. They use their
own platforms and whatever fora are available to them to share information about the BDC.

12.

Does board have arrangements for its own capacity building?

They are already skilled and they are selected for their skills. They are already

community leaders and professionals. We do not have formal trainings for our own capacity
building, but individually we try to enhance our capabilities by participating into various
trainings, and through our experience in the field. We learn continuously.

13.

How committed the board is to the mission of BDC?

Totally committed.

References:

Walter Casey, Binghampton Favorite Son, is Celebrated for His Work, Binghampton Times,
Volume 13, Issue 1, p. 10