Volunteer Opportunity – YMCA of Minneapolis

The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. This mission is our promise to the future of Minneapolis.

The YWCA of Minneapolis was founded in 1891 to work towards the health and empowerment of women and girls. In the 1940’s, almost 10 years before the start of the Civil Rights movement, the YWCA integrated its Board of Directors and facilities and began work on racial justice issues of that time. Since the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, our focus has been on the needs of the inner city: serving youth in Minneapolis Public Schools, supporting low-income families with high-quality early childhood education, and offering inclusive health & fitness opportunities in the urban core. Today, we continue our 120 year tradition of social justice through work on wellness, youth and child development, and racial justice.


GenYWCA Steering Committee

GenYWCA Steering Committee Members will help shape the future of this new young donor group, focusing on engaging young small- to mid-level potential donors with the YWCA. This committee will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the group’s financial and participation goals.

Time Commitment
- Attend monthly meeting, in person or over the phone
- Approximately 2 – 6 hours per month of additional work

Requirements
- Passionate about the YWCA’s mission
- Introduce young leaders to YWCA through GenYWCA events; donor cultivation

Preferred Skills
- Current or previous experience/relationship with the YWCA of Minneapolis (eg: Health & Fitness Member, Donor, Event Attendee, Women’s Triathlete, etc)
- Strong ability to network
- Active with online social media tools
- Event-planning experience


Circle of Women Committee

This committee manages the YWCA’s annual signature fundraiser, Circle of Women, held in late spring. The event draws over 1,200 women and men from across the Twin Cities for a luncheon, limited silent auction, and a popular purse auction. The event raises over $500,000 for the YWCA’s annual budget.

Time Commitment
- Attend six to eight full committee meetings (in person) and sub-committee meetings as scheduled (usually conference calls on bi-monthly basis)

Requirements
- Participate in the event by helping secure your organization as a Corporate Sponsor, serving as a Table Captain or attending as an individual
- Actively engage with one of the sub-committees: Corporate Sponsor, Table Captain, Silent Purse Auction, or Almost Live Silent Auction; attend sub-committee meetings and follow-up on subcommittee assignments
- Self starter, and good follow through skills


Community Marketing Committee

The Community Marketing Committee engages community members with a focus on real-time feedback. It is a sounding board for Community Feedback on YWCA Marketing and activities:

  • Health & Fitness
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Public Relations
  • YWCA Website
  • Social Media

Time Commitment
- Attend six meetings a year

Requirements
- Attendance at meetings
- Interest in sharing professional expertise

Preferred Skills
- Professional Marketing experience
- Focus that relates to one or more of the areas identified above


Finance Committee

The Finance Committee reviews and monitor the operating and overall financial position of the organization, recommend a yearly budget to the board, review the annual audit and present it to the board, and review all recommendations by the investment committee.

Time Commitment (hours per week/month and length of term)
- Attend quarterly meetings

Requirements
- Professional experience in management and finance


Investment Committee

The Investment Committee provides advice and counsel in the management of real property of the organizations, recommends a portfolio manager to the Finance committee and defines the parameters of the investment program, and reviews institutional funds and makes recommendations as to their administration.

Time Commitment
- Attend quarterly meetings

Requirements
- Professional experience in investment


It’s Time to Talk Committee

The purpose of the annual It’s Time to Talk Forums on Race event and Community Dialogues is to create a dialogue movement across Minnesota that provides a process for people to connect as they listen to and talk with each other about improving race relations. The ITT Steering Committee recruits and builds relationships with sponsors, community leaders who serve as racial justice commissioners, and new likely steering committee members.

Time Commitment
- Attend monthly meetings from January through November

Requirements
- Secure one table to attend the even


Public Policy Committee

The Public Policy committee provides advice and counsel on key policy issues selected for YWCA advocacy efforts, and on strategies and implementation of the public policy program. This actionoriented committee focuses its work in the areas of grassroots advocacy and mobilizing strategic relationships. The current policy focus of the committee is early childhood education. Specifically, the committee works to ensure that all children in Minnesota have access to quality, affordable early
childhood education.

Time Commitment
- Attend monthly meetings with a few additional engagement opportunities throughout the year

Requirements:
- Attendance at meetings
- Interest in fulfilling the YWCA mission through policy channels

Preferred Skills (optional):
- Understanding of how policy is formed, the political environment
- Understanding of the field of Early Childhood Education


Volunteer Racial Justice Facilitator

The YWCA of Minneapolis utilizes the circle format for its Community Dialogues, It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race luncheon, staff Dialogues on Race, conflict resolution, and much more. Facilitators are a core component to our circle dialogues, and this training is specifically geared toward conversations on race, racism and white privilege. This facilitation practice is flexible and can be used to ensure all people have a voice in staff meetings, topical discussions, conflict mediation, and much more.

Time Commitment
- 6 hours of training, 4 hours of facilitation
- Other opportunities for facilitation after that are optional and available.

Requirements
- Interest in YWCA mission
- Comfortable moderating conversations on difficult topics
- Must attend all 6 hours of training to facilitate

Preferred Skills
- Facilitation or training background

Please contact Sarah Raser, Development Officer, at 612-215-4167 or sraser@ywcampls.org with interest in any of the above opportunities.

2 Responses to “Volunteer Opportunity – YMCA of Minneapolis”

|
  1. Carrie Day Aspinwall says:
    January 4, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    The City of Mpls/Neighborhood & Community Relations Dept will be hosting its first annual Communtiy Connections Conference Saturday February 11th, 2012. The
    Overall Purpose of Community Connections Conferences; The City of Minneapolis’ Neighborhood and Community Relations department sees value in gathering neighborhoods on an annual basis to discuss broader neighborhood and city goals, objectives and opportunities. Such a summit will provide a forum to support broader discussions and alignment between neighborhoods, the City and other community.

    We are seeking the expertise of your “It’s time to Talk” facilitators during a working lunch format for this first time conference.

    Please contact me directly at 612-673-2243 to further discuss this opportunity/partnership.

    Carrie Day Aspinwall
    Conference Coordinator/
    Neighborhood Specialist

    Reply
|

Leave a Reply