ynpn 3.0 story of then, now, & what's next - condensed version
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The story of YNPN today, is the story of an active,
vibrant, impactful network.
As we move into 2012, we are a network of almost 34
chapters and 30,000 members across the
country from Boston to Little Rock to Detroit to San
Francisco.
We’ve nearly doubled in membership over the past 3 years1 and the number of
chapters we boast has grown dramatically in the
past 7 years especially.2
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1 2008 = 15,000 members2 1997 = 1 chapter; 2001 = 2 chapters, 2005=8 chapters; 2009=22 chapters; 2012=34 chapters
Everyday, through board leadership, offline
programming, and social media, we are living out
our basic mission:
To promote an efficient, viable and inclusive
nonprofit sector that supports the growth,
learning, and development of young professionals.
And we’ve grown not only in the number and type of support we provide, but in the sophistication of that
support.
So, as we move into 2012, we have much, much to be
proud of as an organization. In many
ways, YNPN has arrived.
The sector is awake to the importance of building
sustainable careers in the sector and YNPN’s critical
role.*(*YNPN named Top 10 organizations to watch in
2012; YNPN at the table for the White House Forum on Nonprofit Careers.)
More importantly, the time for our model has also
arrived.
Beyond the sector , the world has finally awakened
to a powerful idea.
The idea that you can put a basic framework around a
space, allow people to bring their best selves to that space, and they will
create something far more incredible than any one
person could have imagined.
Examples of these open, leader-full spaces include
Wikipedia and the App Store online and the 2004
Dean Campaign and Occupy Wall Street offline.
YNPN has been on the cutting edge of this idea – operating with this ethos
for our entire 15 year history.
As a result, YNPN has become more than a space for young people to build sustainable careers in the
sector…
…it is a place where untapped leaders are
awakened to their agency and given the chance to exercise their leadership
muscles.
YNPN 3.0 is about strengthening our network
infrastructure and deepening relationships across the network so
these critical opportunities are more accessible to a
greater number and more diverse range of people.
Why YNPN 3.0?
Because we believe that YNPN is entering its 3rd
major era in the 15-year history of the organization.
Our growth during each of our previous eras is marked by distinct moments where
we made the choice to think as a network and invest in infrastructure.
All this has led to the fastest growth in our
history as well as more stable, effective chapters.
So what’s next?
YNPN 3.0
What the sector (and beyond) looks like today:• Greater appreciation for supporting
emerging leadership and building sustainable careers• Exciting work like the Initiative for Nonprofit
Talent and Leadership• YNPN (chapters and national) are approached on
a weekly basis by established groups wanting to connect with young leaders
• Unprecedented numbers of young people looking to join the network. level is approached on a weekly basis
• Greater appreciation for our model of distributed network leadership
How YNPN should respond (‘YNPN 3.0’):
•Continue to support the growth and development of YNPs
•Develop into a more robust space for attracting and engaging diverse leaders
What might that look like in the coming years?• Shared membership status
across the network • Institutional memberships for
national organizations • An all-member conference •More shared technology such
as a CRM• Funding and support for
chapters that pilot programs to scale nationally
What might that look like in the coming years?•More active, organized
involvement in the advocacy and policy arena • Training Institutes
throughout the year for chapter leaders and members • Fiscal sponsorship via YNPN
National •Group purchasing
opportunities
So many exciting possibilities? Where do we
start?
We’ll start with 3 projects that are:•Ripe • Built on conversations we’ve already
begun as a network.
•Fit capacity • Can be developed/implemented with
the financial and staff resources we have now.
•Foundational• Will position us to make more
complex decisions as a network in the future
Project #1: Developing Shared StandardsDeveloping a set of shared standards will allow us to name the essence of what it means to be a chapter in our network and determine what supports and systems of accountability we’ll need to uphold these standards.
Project #2: Creating a Data CenterTogether, we’ll come up with a system for collecting and aggregating chapter level data that will create a cohesive story about YNPN, our chapters, our membership, and our collective impact.
Project #3: Setting up chapter input & decision-making structuresThis project will focus on creating a system of feedback and joint decision making for YNPN National and YNPN chapters that will create a stronger network that effectively engages the talent and perspective of all leaders.
Chapter Congress [beta]: Proposals will be developed in these three areas and decided on between now and August by members of our first-ever Chapter Congress – a “beta version” of the chapter input & decision making model .
There will be many opportunities and decisions in the coming years that will affect the direction of the network. In the short-term, the Chapter Congress will provide a clear way of hearing your ideas and implementing decisions across the network.
Chapter Congress [beta]:
Your chapter’s involvement is critical to the success of this process. We are hoping that each chapter will select a Chapter Representative for the Congress and that we achieve 100% participation across the network.
Next Steps:
Be sure to check out YNPN.org/30 for more detailed information about everything from the starting projects to how to register your Chapter Rep.
Let us know your thoughts, questions and ideas about YNPN 3.0 via the comment boxes on the website, email ([email protected]) or join the conversation via #ynpn30.
Get excited, stay excited You get to be part of an
incredible moment for the Young Nonprofit Professionals
Network! We’re looking forward to taking
this journey with you.