NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES Executive Director: Riannon Bardsley Created By: Tara Jensen, Isabela Ordonez, Cydney Jones, Amber French

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT NORTH-WEST YOUTH SERVICES INCLUDE?  Over-seer of the agency and day to day activities  Services to finances and everything inbetween  Collaborate with the Board of Directors  Ensure the mission and values are being implemented in day to day operations

HOW DO YOU ACT AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR STAFF WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?  Board Report: detailed explanation of programs (progress, stories, how they are holding to their goals)  Bring staff to Board of Directors meetings  Board of Directors works with staff on hosting and planning events

 “It’s important to us…that we bring it up consistently”  Used in goal collaboration  Used in supervisor’s job descriptions and responsibilities  Addressed internally among staff members on how it can be implemented better DO YOU FEEL YOUR MISSION IS INCLUDED IN ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR ORGANIZATION?

 Grant writing makes up ~85% of budget  Finance manager  Board of directors plans and hosts fundraiser once a year  Maintain relationships with donors  ~1,000 donors – link donors to what they are passionate about  Hand-write thank you cards  “Fundraising is focused on building relationships and implementing their donations in the right place.” WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN FUNDRAISING AND WHAT IS YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY?

 Broad donor base  Flexible with programs and workers, workers are able to be trained and work in multiple sections of the agency to allow easier flow of services  Low admin – Executive Director and Finance Manager  Willing to cut expenses  No duplications of service HOW WOULD NORTH-WEST YOUTH SERVICES BE PROTECTED AGAINST POTENTIAL MARKET INSTABILITIES?

 To youth: Schools (principals and counselors) Word of mouth Hospitals/juvenile detention Street outreach  To those who support: Presentations throughout the community Radio spot Word of mouth Press release Occasionally social media - facebook HOW DO PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT YOUR SERVICES?

 Struggles Little time balancing personal life from professional life Staying flexible with growth Filling the gaps in the community and the agency (little agency- agency collaboration since there is no duplicate services) Distance for Executive Director between services and youth WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH BALANCING THE MANE ROLES OF BRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?

 Accomplishments Renovated 2 nd floor of building (paid for it and built it) Grown in Board of Directors collaboration No loss in programs only growth and additions WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH BALANCING THE MANE ROLES OF BRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?

2009  Lost many programs for foster care, counseling, and housing for minors  Laid off 25 staff members, leaving only 9 to run agency  2.5 years of capacity building, finished Oct. 2012

 Validate feelings  What have they done to try to fix the problem on their own – promote self reliance (as in mission statement)  What do they need from me – validate their feelings or help problem solve  Bring it back to the mission – “its about the kids” HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH CONFLICT BETWEEN STAFF MEMBERS?