Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead We can do more. Strong alone. Fearless together. for every woman Presentation fearlessly developed by New England YWCAs’ 30 Under 30 program graduates, with added content from YWCA Canada’s Engaging Young Women in the YWCA Toolkit and Achieve Guidance’s 2013 Millennial Impact Report .

YWCA Mission The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.. for every woman As on slide and points from page 3 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide.

YWCA Affiliation Requirement Each local Association has a written methodology to ensure the inclusion of women 30 and under in governance as well as throughout the Association, and follows it. for every woman As on slide and points from page 3 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide.

The Significance of Engaging Under 30s Building the Case: The Significance of Engaging Under 30s To energize and re-energize the movement. To strengthen and sustain our organization. To uphold the principles of transformation and inclusion. To close a growing leadership gap: Under 30s can lead the way in terms of finding a solution. for every woman As on slide and points from page 3 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

YWCAs and Young Women Through all our years, YWCAs have served and engaged young women as: Participants, clients & residents Volunteers Parents/guardians Advocates Staff members Leaders Donors for every woman As on slide and points from page 4 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

How Do We Engage Today’s Under 30s? for every woman As on slide and points from page 4 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Keys to successfully recruiting and engaging women under 30 as YWCA leaders Build a strong commitment Visibly express endorsements for the effort Ensure that all leaders are on the same page Carry out intentional efforts to build new relationships in new circles Understand the influence of peer engagement, design, and messaging And, dismantle barriers and empower prospects to lead and contribute for every woman As on slide and points from page 4 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Barriers and Myths to Tackle How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Barriers and Myths to Tackle “Young women tend to: Be transient” Lack fundraising capability” Lack experience on boards” Have limited social and donor networks” Lack financial resources” All of the above - NOT TRUE for every woman As on slide and points from page 5 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Develop a Plan Strategic Committee Assignment How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Develop a Plan Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead Strategy Choices Strategic Committee Assignment Assess Readiness   Identify and Connect with Prospects Engage Young Women Who Show Interest Provide Development and Leadership Opportunities Ensure Retention Empower Young Women Leaders Assess and Improve the Process for every woman As on slide and points from page 6 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Phases of Engagement Initial: the beginning stage of engagement How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Phases of Engagement Initial: the beginning stage of engagement Interest: young women are interested to learn more Involvement: young women have decided to become involved Commitment: young women have decided to remain involved for every woman As on slide and points from page 7 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Engagement Preparation Steps How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Engagement Preparation Steps Establish the commitment as a priority, educate all current leaders, institutionalize the commitment Create a standing committee, e.g., “Emerging Leaders,” chaired by a woman under 30 Organize a readiness assessment process “Get the house in order” Create specific leadership roles and functions for young women Take time to tune in for every woman As on slide and points from pages 7-9 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Methodologies that Work How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Methodologies that Work Serving girls and building interest in YWCA leadership Gatherings and follow-up to engage young women with the YWCA mission 3. Different types of volunteer opportunities Opportunities for group activism 5. Leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities for every woman As on slide

Practice Makes Perfect! How Do We Do Engage Under 30s? Methodologies that Work, continued 6. Pipelines 7. Processes that intentionally attract and retain young women leaders for the YWCA governing board and staff supervisory positions 8. Inclusion of Under 30’s as an integral part of the Association’s fundraising programs 9. Assessment and improvement processes to ensure that practices are truly motivating young women to get and stay involved with the YWCA. Practice Makes Perfect! for every woman As on slide

1. Serving Girls and Building Interest in YWCA Leadership Methodologies that Work 1. Serving Girls and Building Interest in YWCA Leadership Engage girls between the ages of 9-18 and build -organizational skills -YWCA mission skills -teamwork skills -leadership skills -self reliance -increased independence -self awareness -positive self esteem for every woman As on slide and points from page 11 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Sample Programs Peer Leader Programs e.g., Serving Girls and Building Interest in YWCA Leadership Sample Programs Peer Leader Programs e.g., PACT: Peer Action that Changes Tomorrow or TASK - Teen Advocates Sharing Knowledge GALS: Girls and Leadership Summer girls e!xclusive yw strive girls sharing and growing YWCA Girls in Action The EDGE Academy Young Women's Leadership Corps GUTS: Girls Using Their Strengths! for every woman Information about these and other girls programs is coming soon to the YWCA Online Resource Library – please check back often

2. Engaging Young Women With the YWCA Mission Methodologies that Work 2. Engaging Young Women With the YWCA Mission Organize cultivation events led by young women Highlight: What is the YWCA? Present: Impetus to Impact Racial Justice and Women’s Economic Empowerment Seminars Organize leadership discussions/Think tanks/Young women’s affinity groups Provide access to other YWCA trainings and gatherings Pave the way along the engagement continuum for young women for every woman As on slide and points from page 12 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

3. Different types of volunteer opportunities Methodologies that Work 3. Different types of volunteer opportunities Provide significant and different types of volunteer opportunities Provide ample orientation, training and ongoing check-ins Recruit widely and retain wisely Encourage participation in YWCA leadership development programs for every woman As on slide and points from pages 13-14 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Best Practice Cultivation Gateways Emerging Leader Rita’s Story: Invitation/cultivation: “The Board Vice Chair asked me to join the Marketing Committee – this aligned with my interest and skill set.” Nomination: “I was elected onto the YWCA Board of Directors.” -- Inclusion: “I felt like my board election was seen as an active position and it remained a critical learning network and stage for significant contributions to organization.” Succession: “Both my committee and overall board work led to new opportunities, the capacity to contribute to regional and national boards, committees and initiatives, and the confidence to introduce the YWCA to my colleagues.” for every woman As on slide and points from page 14 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

To connect young women with YWCA social advocacy work: Methodologies that Work 4. Group Activism To connect young women with YWCA social advocacy work: Develop and distribute “Persimmon Briefs” that summarize the YWCA’s public policy stands, plans and action, and how to get involved at the local level. Ensure that young women see YWCA position papers and news of YWCA advocacy efforts, especially via social media continues… for every woman As on slide and points from page 15 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Group Activism Invite young women to serve on the YWCA’s public policy committee and/or advocacy initiative workgroups. Recruit interns who are working for your local Association or similar nonprofits who are majoring in the fields of social work, public policy, sociology, government relations or racial justice. Create channels for young women to share information about the YWCA’s public policy stands, plans and action Create opportunities for young women to promote information sharing with their peers Create opportunities for young women to influence policy makers’ decisions and actions, e.g., Capitol Hill Day participation for every woman As on slide and points from page 15 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities Methodologies that Work Leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities Leadership development program essentials include:  Providing experiences that increase feelings of competency, motivation and the sense of belonging Giving young women authority and responsibility for committee work, events and initiatives Creating opportunities to excel in public Creating an environment of openness and support, allowing them to seek their own resources, make some mistakes, and take full ownership of their roles for every woman As on slide and points from pages 16-17 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Hearing from the organization’s young leaders Methodologies that Work Essentials of leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities, continued Hearing from the organization’s young leaders Providing networks and pathways for skill and personal development Strengthening links between volunteers and staff Ongoing training Comprehensive orientation programs Current YWCA leaders that actively encourage participation for every woman As on slide and points from pages 16-17 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Opportunities to interact with others across the organization Methodologies that Work Essentials of leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities, continued Opportunities to interact with others across the organization Encouragement to become active in local and national YWCA leadership Encouragement for community involvement, especially among staff Networking/mentoring programs for every woman As on slide and points from pages 16-17 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

6. Pipelines to Connect With and Engage Young Women Methodologies that Work 6. Pipelines to Connect With and Engage Young Women Develop targeted recruitment strategies Develop partnerships with colleges, universities and businesses for every woman As on slide and points from page 18 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Employ Partnerships with Colleges, Universities and Businesses to: Increase collaboration and advocacy reach Access new pools of volunteers and interns Access new audiences and new ideas Develop strategic program relationships Cultivate new prospects for fundraising activities and events Attract candidates to fill seats as college/business liaisons on the YWCA board, committees and initiative workgroups Organize young women-centered efforts, projects, training and affinity groups Recruit YWCA ambassadors for every woman As on slide and points from page 18 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

YWCA ambassador characteristics: Demonstrated interest in the YWCA mission and local Association services Leadership skills High visibility as proactive leaders of their campus or business community Connected to strong networks for the YWCA to tap into An advocate for both the campus/business and for the YWCA for every woman As on slide and points from page 18 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

7. Appointing young women leaders to the YWCA governing board and Methodologies that Work 7. Appointing young women leaders to the YWCA governing board and staff supervisory positions Encourage young women already involved to involve others Employ outreach, use developed pipelines, and maintain lists of potential young women candidates Sell prospects on the YWCA mission and work of the local Association and intentionally facilitate progress along the engagement continuum Ensure that recruitment efforts are a concerted and continual effort on the part of the entire board, as well as the nominating/board development committee and staff leaders for every woman As on slide and additional points from pages 19-21 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Sustain a vibrant organization and stimulating experiences Methodologies that Work Appointing young women leaders to the YWCA governing board and staff supervisory positions, continued Ensure ample diversity and cultural competency throughout the organization Sustain a vibrant organization and stimulating experiences Ensure that it is obvious that voices of young women are heard and that young women have authority to implement suggestions and ideas Encourage connections with the community Create ownership in the organization for every woman As on slide and additional points from pages 19-21 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

For Both Volunteers and Staff, Provide Mentoring, e.g., Board Recruitment and Hiring Processes For Both Volunteers and Staff, Provide Mentoring, e.g., Invite young women to sit in on meetings spanning a wide range of operations and planning processes Share relevant resources and opportunities Integrate mentor assignments into job descriptions Make visible women of diverse racial and social backgrounds serving as mentors Appoint a mentor or organization veteran for each volunteer and new staff member that can serve as a “buddy.” for every woman As on slide and additional points from pages 19-21 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

For the recruitment and retention of young women volunteer leaders: Board Recruitment and Hiring Processes For the recruitment and retention of young women volunteer leaders: --The board president needs to set the tone for recruitment and consideration of young women for board and committee seats --Ensure that recruitment of young women leaders is for the governing board, not a “Junior” board --Nominating committee membership should include at least two Under 30s for every woman As on slide and additional points from pages 19-21 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

For recruiting young women for staff supervisory positions, provide: Board Recruitment and Hiring Processes For recruiting young women for staff supervisory positions, provide: --Competitive salaries and benefits: --Programs for advancement --Consistently applied human resource policies and procedures --Constructive performance feedback on an ongoing basis Connections with the community --Leadership continuity for every woman As on slide and additional points from pages 19-21 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Association’s fundraising programs Methodologies that Work Include Under 30s as an integral part of the Association’s fundraising programs Build giving relationships by engaging emerging leaders through: Inspiration Peer to peer engagement Organizational transparency Monthly giving programs for every woman As on slide and additional points from page 22 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Include in fundraising plans: Contribution requests that focus on how the gift will benefit the recipients Fundraising via Millennials’ preferred channels Establishment of monthly giving programs for every woman As on slide and additional points from page 22 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

Improvement Processes Methodologies that Work Assessment and Improvement Processes Ensure that the nominating/governance committee and staff supervisors are recruiting and developing volunteers and staff in ways that ensure progress on established goals. Review board development and hiring practices to ensure they are reflective of area demographics Measure results of the effort as a whole Invite feedback on an ongoing basis, hold exit interviews with volunteers and board and staff members and integrate information for continuing improvement. for every woman As on slide and additional points from page 23 of the Paving the Way for Young Women to Lead guide

We Are Here To answer the call for able leadership. We look forward to hearing from you! for every woman

RETAIN Assess DEVELOP ENGAGE Improve CONNECT ENSURE READINESS for every woman Improve CONNECT ENSURE READINESS