THE YMCA CHANGE AGENTS PROGRAMME 1. RECRUITMENT. A) Qualifications . CONTACTS. Romulo Dantas Executive Secretary for Youth Empowerment

Transcription

1 THE YMCA CHANGE AGENTS PROGRAMME The YMCA Change Agent Programme is an international leadership development programme to empower YMCA young leaders and grow the ability of the movement, with special emphasis on local associations. The aim of the programme is to positively impact the lives of young people in the world and is an investment in our organisation s unity and sustainability. The programme is coordinated by the World YMCA in partnership with YMCA Area organisations and National Movements and will engage up to 400 young leaders in the next cohort ( ) in training opportunities (on line and faceto-face), local project development, mentorship/coaching and an opportunity to have valuable input and leadership roles at the YMCA s 2018 World Council.. CONTACTS Romulo Dantas Executive Secretary for Youth Empowerment World YMCA romulo@ymca.int RECRUITMENT The World YMCA will work in partnership with YMCA regional offices and National YMCAs to identify strong, dynamic candidates to serve as YMCA Change Agents on behalf of their local YMCA, National Movements and Area organisations following the below criteria. A) Qualifications Target ages: YMCA engagement: Skills/knowledge -Minimum of 2 years of service as staff or volunteer. -Actively engaged in the work of the YMCA on local level -Respected by their close young peer leaders -Demonstrates willingness for long term service to the YMCA -Proven leadership capacity and skills -Able to communicate in english or spanish and national language -Basic level training on Governance on local and national level -(Preferably) Participation in key national/international youth initiatives/networks

2 B) Selection recommendations Programme capacity: Up to 400 Change Agents will be selected. There is no minimum numbers or quotas stipulated to any local or National YMCAS Diversity: Supporting documents: Gender, age, geography, abilities (World YMCA Change Agents Programme is all inclusive) Applicants must provide: -On-line Registration Form -Copy of their Passport (Valid until at least March 2018) -Photo -Agreement letter signed by the National YMCA (President and/or National General Secretary) or Area organization and World Alliance if applicable. Important: In the case of additional selection criteria/requirements from the Area Alliances, separate communication with all details will be shared. The selection of a Change Agent is a strategic decision of each YMCA. The recommendations mentioned above are based on the experiences of previous cohorts. Exceptions to it will be accepted if based on critical strategic needs of the participating YMCA. Participants will de admitted after endorsement from their National YMCA of origin and the YMCA Area Alliance when applicable. For Latin American and the Caribbean: Change Agents is a merged programme with YGOR and is to graduate YGOR participants. C) DEADLINES Registrations and supporting documents shall be sent to the World YMCA by March 01, The on line registration system will be open to receive applications from November at

3 2. COMMITMENTS The candidates and their National YMCAs shall consider the following commitments before applying. They represent the minimum expectations for graduating as a YMCA Change Agent. Mandatory Activities For individuals A) 19 months commitment: From April 2017 to October 2018 (After July 2018, only on-line activities) B) Participation in one regional training or equivalent between May-October 2017 (up to 5 days). See attached for your corresponding region. EUROPE 1 OF 4 OPTIONS Norway: April Scotland: April France: May Switzerland: June MIDDLE EAST Egypt March ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Japan or Korea - July TBC USA Seattle: May CANADA TBC AFRICA Togo April TBC LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN TBD (immediately before Global Gathering Americas) C) Participation in one Global Gathering in Global Gathering 1A: Americas Mexico City: November 2017 Global Gathering 1B: Europe September 1-10, Setubal, Portugal Scout Style Camp

4 Participation: Exclusive for Latin America and Caribbean, USA and Canada Estimated Cost: TBD Participation: Open to all Change Agents from all areas/countries Cost: USD 650* + Flights* +Visa* + Health Travel Insurance (Tents + Full Board provided) USD 850 (Bungalows + Full Board provided) * Potentially reduced prices for European and Middle East countries who applied for Erasmus+ D) Participation at the 18 th YMCA World Council, Chiang Mai, Thailand 8-14 July 2018 Global Gathering 2: World Council 2018 USD 900 (Full board and logging) + Flights +Visa + Health Travel Insurance Important: The USD 900 is only valid for Change Agents! E) Complete the on-line trainings (basic and event preparatory trainings). F) Deliver 3 mandatory written assignments on-line. G) Complete evaluation forms related to the programme experience. H) Implement one mandatory local project (Assignment) centred on youth empowerment tom extend the reach of the YMCA to all young people. I) Actively engage with the mentor/coach (Mandatory for Change Agents from Latin American & Caribbean as well as Asia & Pacific Region). Mandatory Activities For Participating YMCAs J) Development of a simple integration plan for the Change Agents in local or national level in order to secure better outcomes from the investment of time/resources. (National YMCA to present together with agreement letter).

5 Highly Recommended Activities K) Take part or listen to the recorded sessions of web-based trainings. L) Actively engage and foster cooperation with other Change Agents. M) Actively engage in social media activities and communication with other Change Agents. 3. TRAINING A) Curriculum The curriculum for Change Agents aims to develop and expand knowledge and is based on understanding goals around the following areas Youth Empowerment The Change Agents role Leadership Strategic planning Global realities o Employment, health, civic engagement and environment o Sustainable Development Goals & poverty o Human rights Regional realities Story telling Governance Innovation/Best practices sharing on Youth Empowerment YMCA Movement o YMCA Change Model o YMCA Christian and ecumenical identity o YMCA global governance o Regional/National priorities Diversity and inclusion Safe Spaces/dialogue Global facilitation skills Important: The curriculum will be delivered on-line and in face-to-face meetings and by National Movements, Area organisations and the World YMCA, through the regional and global gatherings and other learning opportunities. (See expanded curriculum attached.)

6 B) On Line training and webinars The on-line training opportunities will be concentrated on an e-learning platform ( where reading materials will be posted alongside with its related mandatory assignments (4 in total). Webinars are live on-line sessions and will offer a range of contents to complement the other dimensions of the training. C) Written Assignments Written assignments are activities which will help the programme leadership to assess the level of understanding of the programme s contents, as well as to inform about the progress and commitment of the participant. Written assignments will also be associated to the mentorship/coaching processes. For participants from Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, extra assignments will be added as per regional relevance. D) Regional Trainings Regional trainings focus on area level priorities and realities. They will be organised in cooperation with YMCA Area Alliances, YMCA USA and YMCA Canada and specific information will be sent out separately for the different regions. E) Global Gatherings The Global Gatherings are meeting points for Change Agents to connect as a global fellowship. At these events Change Agents will focus on strong team building, bonding, peer learning, as well as real life experiences on leadership and facilitation. The programme will include elements related to strengthening of the YMCAs through local work and how it links with the global dimension of the organisation. One of the main goals is to expand the understanding on how to achieve the Change Agents Programme Outcomes. F) Mentorship/ Coaching The Mentorship/ coaching is a support tool for leadership development offered by the programme and it is optional for the participants. The Change Agents will be matched one by one with another YMCA leader for counselling, support and motivation. One of the main roles of the mentor will be to follow up on the learning achievements related to the curriculum and project implementation. Mentors will receive special orientation to better perform their role. * For Change Agents from LACA and APAY coaching is a mandatory activity.

7 G) Local Project Development Each Change Agent shall identify and develop a project to respond to the needs of young people in their communities/country on one of the World YMCA strategic areas of employment, health, civic engagement and the environment. The Change Agent shall mobilize and lead young people and other YMCA leaders in activities related to advocacy, programme design and implementation, fundraising etc with involvement of the local or national YMCA. The project must demonstrate an international identity and some level of cooperation with other Change Agents. 4. CALENDAR Application/Registration 20 November 2017 until 1 March 2018 On line programme start 1 April 2017 Written Assignment 1 1 May 2017 Webinar sessions April and May 2017 (Several days and time options) Regional trainings April-July 2017 Global Gathering 1 September/ October 2017 Mentorship match Until October 2015 Evaluation activities November 2017 Project development (starts) October 2017 Webinar sessions November 2017 (Several days and times) Evaluation assessment year 1 December 2017 Preparation Global Gathering 2 March-May 2018 Global Gathering 2 July 8-14, 2018 (World Council, Thailand) Evaluation activities August/ September 2018 Official Certificate issued December 2018

8 The other written assignments will have deadlines stipulated when they are published and they will be for a minimum of 2 months. 5. PROGRAMME COSTS The estimated amount for Change Agents is USD 2,500 each year for two years. This amount is an average and WILL VARY DEPENDING ON THE REGION. It does NOT include the Regional trainings. This relates to average costs for flights, accommodation and meals for two international gatherings. Area Alliances, USA and Canada will share information about regional trainings in separate communication. H) Certification All registered participants with a Bachelor Degree may choose to go through a university level certification process. This will be provided in partnership with the YMCA University of Mexico. It is University Continuous Education Diploma issued after a minimum of 100 hours of activities. More information and criteria will be provided. The certification intends to provide Change Agents with future career and educational opportunities by enhancing their résumés. 6. COST RESPONSIBILITIES, FUNDRASING AND SUBSIDIES As a principle, the investment to participate in the Change Agents programme should be the responsibility of the National Movement who is sending the participant. All who can pay should pay. At the same time, we know this is not possible in all cases and we fundraise to support the costs of the ones who need it. The fundraising is an ongoing work and always uncertain. Therefore, if your YMCA believes in this programme we invite you to embark on a journey with us. World YMCA, Area Alliances, National and Local YMCAs and the participants will make their best efforts to contribute to the overall costs knowing that there is always risk of not succeeding with fundraising. Financial support will always be negotiated case by case based on the specific needs of each participant and YMCA. Participant-by-participant, we will find personalized solutions. All sides need to be ready to have very open conversations and to invest resources. None will be supported with 100% from the World YMCA and there will be no standard support as such. What

9 can be saved in one person, can be used to help another in greater need. Trust, honesty and transparency will guide all negotiations. The challenge is great, but the World YMCA its committed to do its best so that no one will be left out of the programme because of the lack of resources. All entities of the YMCA movement will invest in this effort. World YMCA is planning to invest USD 300,000 per year from its budget to coordinate the programme and offer quality training and support, follow up and evaluation. APPLICATION FORM STARTS NOVEMBER 20, 2016