WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROMOTE PEACE?

I live in a Toronto high-rise filled with renters of all ages leading busy lives. There are 17 apartments on my floor but last year, my first in the building, I didn’t meet anyone. Our comings and goings were on different schedules. As Christmas approached, I decided to host an Open House for my floor. Although a little worried about potential outcomes (maybe someone was a felon on the run? what if no one came?), I slipped an invite under each door and, with food and drink ready, waited one Sunday afternoon. With the first knock on the door, I breathed a sigh of relief and passed a pleasant afternoon, getting to know a variety of people. In the end, I met or heard from neighbours in 14 apartments. And the only surprise was the genuine curiosity of several of them who after expressing appreciation, then asked: why are you doing this?

November 19 to 26 is YMCA Peace Week and sometimes I hear the same question: why does the YMCA do this?  A couple of weeks ago, 80 Canadians experienced some of the reasons. Under the banner of Building Global Community Together, we talked, laughed, and learned with volunteers and staff from 34 countries at the YMCA International Conference organized by YMCA Canada, YMCA Mexico and the YMCA of the USA.

The conference highlighted the deepening recognition of our power, as a global social movement for change, to truly make a difference in our communities, locally and globally. Although we may sometimes struggle to define this difference, our collective values, actions and programs demonstrate that a wish for peace is at the core. A peace that’s not just the absence of war but the true peace that comes when there is respect for human rights and the presence of adequate food, shelter, education, employment, health, and environmental sustainability.

This year, world events again remind us that making true peace is not for the faint-hearted. We see young people everywhere raising their voices in support of a world of greater equality, greater opportunity, greater environmental integrity. Their voices remind us that peacemakers are the people and organizations able to imagine creating the presence of something that wasn’t there before. Their actions remind us that peace includes struggle and to be a peacemaker is to take up the struggle, however big or small.

YMCA Peace Week offers the time and a place to be genuinely curious about our world and to talk, laugh and learn with each other. What does peace mean? What’s going on in our community that promotes peace? How are young people leading the way? In what ways is our community struggling? How do we strengthen our community, our city, our world? What can I-you-we do to promote peace?

YMCA Canada has produced a short video to start the conversation. We suggest peace is something we create together. You may have other ideas and are invited to contribute your perspective on the YMCA Peace Week Facebook page.

My neighbours wanted to contribute and to be part of my Open House in some way, even if they couldn’t attend. All YMCA leaders can tell similar stories, stories of people ready to reach out and connect, wanting to contribute however they can, eager to talk about the issues that give their lives meaning.

Why does the YMCA highlight peace and peacemakers during November? I know how I would answer this question – how about you?

Laura Palmer Korn

On Thursday September 15, Paul Bates made a presentation to the YMCA about managing in volatile economic times. He provided useful insights and relevant advice on how the YMCA can not only manage but thrive in these challenging times.

Paul advised us to focus on cash, risk (financial and reputation), growth and infrastructure.

• Cash flow is especially important during economic volatility. One way to focus on cash is match variable revenue with variable expenses while minimizing fixed costs where possible.
  

  Paul Bates

• According to Paul, the reputation of YMCAs in Canada is both an opportunity and a challenge. To leverage and manage our reputation, there is a greater need for compliance. This is a great fit with the upcoming brand refresh in 2012 and the implementation of the brand strategy.
• Paul suggested that the best decisions on growth are often made during challenging economic times because organizations are forced to plan and re-evaluate what they do and the way they do business. The development of Plan Y and its strategies represents some of the critical decisions that have been made and will continue to be made in the next five years.
• Organizations should also evaluate whether existing infrastructure and assets (physical and human) have the ability to generate revenue and make a positive contribution.

By focusing on these areas, YMCAs in Canada can assure members, donors, employees and other key stakeholders that we have operational sustainability to weather the challenges ahead.

Paul also presented the Johari Window* (Conscious Competence Model), a  model for understanding and improving self-awareness as individuals or groups. With our strong position in history and the community, the YMCA has come to operate in the “unconscious competence” where our role and impact on the community has become “second nature”. However, as the world around us changes, the YMCA needs to be wary of reverting back to the “unconscious incompetence” where we not only lack understanding or expertise but also fail to recognize this deficiency. Without open and honest dialogue about what we are doing, both at the Federation and association level, the YMCA risks “not knowing what we don’t know”. However, be assured that YMCA Canada is working hard on our Federation’s Strategic Plan to ensure that we will not become “unconsciously incompetent”.

Therefore, Paul challenged YMCA leaders to reflect and take a leadership role. Beyond Plan Y, he asked us to define our Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). According to Paul, reflection and learning can become institutionalized with leaders regularly asking “How are we doing?” Paul believes that the YMCA has the potential to become thought leaders in a post modern society by sharing our mission and commitment to Canada.

How can the YMCA become a thought leader in Canadian communities? What will you do to reflect?

- Laura

*Read more about the Johari Window: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_96.htm

As a country, the time has come for us to work together with our partners in First Nations communities to close educational achievement gaps once and for all for First Nation children and youth.  Completing high school gives youth choices and opens doors to opportunity, individual wellbeing, and access to jobs.  It is fundamental to continuous learning and growing.  It is fundamental to the Canada we want, and the YMCA we need.

As a result of our work in Canada over the past 160 years, the YMCA has deep roots in education and in programs and services that impact other determinants of health.  Less visible has been our growing involvement with First Nation peoples. In fact, just over one-half of all YMCAs in Canada have an existing relationship with First Nations communities, Aboriginal organizations and friendship centres.

The Role of the National Panel

As Chair of the National Panel, I am leading an engagement process that includes 8 provincial and 1 national roundtable sessions, visits to First Nation schools and key meetings with students, parents, educators and other stakeholders across the country. To date, the panel has visited five provinces in the lead-up to the roundtable sessions and received extensive briefings from a wide range of experts. The Panel will be engaged in an intensive process of regional visits starting on Labour Day that will culminate in a national roundtable in mid-November and the tabling of a final report by year-end. We will be involving YMCA member associations in these regional visits where possible.

A Focus on the Future

Pow Wow (SK)

I have had some amazing experiences so far. There was the opportunity to participate in a cultural sweat lodge ceremony at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park near Saskatoon and to be part of the Grand Entry at the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow in Saskatchewan. These “chance of a lifetime” opportunities reinforced the rich culture of First Nation people and the need for Canadians and First Nations to work together to ensure that we put students first.

Grand Entry to the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow

response to the recommendations that will emerge from the Panel in the coming months.  In turn, I invite all YMCA staff across the country to share their own experiences and suggestions with me from your work with First Nations children, teens and young adults, by leaving a comment below.

This week the National Panel heads to Edmonton where we will hold the final key meetings prior to the start of our Regional Roundtables.

YMCA Connections

Last week, Steve Butz, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, Denis Gagnon, VP Association Services, Marty Reynolds, Past Chair of the YMCA Canada Board and I flew to Prince George where we met Mark Miller, CEO who took us on a tour of the YMCA of Prince George including the downtown youth centre, the community school and the main health, fitness and recreation centre. We were very impressed with the wide range of services offered to the people of Prince George, focused on strengthening the foundations of community.

As a group, the next morning we took a one hour flight to Terrace and then drove 1 ½ hours further north to the Nass Valley, home to the Nisga’a people and the YMCA of New Aiyansh. The YMCA of New Aiyansh was introduced by an Anglican missionary in the early 1880s and the Nisga’a have kept the concept alive through oral tradition and without any contact with the Canadian YMCA. While they have been offering a variety of programs for children and youth throughout their history with a particular emphasis on sports (especially basketball), the YMCA is more than program delivery…it is a big idea that integrates Christian and traditional Nisga’a values with a particular focus on respect for self and others. It is a unique YMCA and we were impressed by all that they shared with us.

Do you have an experience or suggestion you would like to share with me as a result of your work with First Nations children, teens and young adults?

I welcome your thoughts and ideas.

Scott

I am thankful to Marty for his dedication to YMCA Canada and the leadership he brought to the Board. We are fortunate that although his term as Chair has come to an end, he will remain on the Board and we will continue to benefit from his energy and expertise.

At the 2011 AGM, we started a new chapter with Marilyn Kapitany as Chair, YMCA Canada’s Board of Directors. I am excited to begin working with Marilyn in her new role, and am confident that with her leadership, we will achieve our ambitious goals.

Scott

This year’s AGM included a vote on whether our federation would move forward with PLAN Y, and I was so pleased that the vote resulted in a unanimous “yes”!

I am happy to share the discussion I had with Susan Wright (Consultant) and Stephane Vaillancourt (YMCAs of Quebec) about the federation’s strategic plan and how it will impact Canada’s YMCAs in the future.

Is there an element of PLAN Y that has you especially excited?

Scott

The YMCA/YWCA of New Aiyansh (in northern BC) is unique and impactful, serving the needs of its community in a multitude of ways. I was so pleased to welcome Alvin Wright, Garrett Davis Jr., and Arthur Johnson Jr. to this year’s AGM. Their willingness to share their ideas and information spurred rich discussion.

Marty Reynolds (Past Chair, YMCA Canada Board) was able to meet with Alvin, Garrett and Arthur to hear their thoughts about this year’s AGM and we are pleased to share this video with you.

Was there a conversation you had during the AGM that has inspired new thoughts or ideas?

Scott

In advance of YMCA Canada’s 2011 Annual General meeting (AGM), more than 50 young leaders from Member Associations across the country attended a Young Leaders Forum. They participated in one and a half days of learning, sharing and idea generation. The dedication and enthusiasm they showed was an inspiration to all.

LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER

Following the Young Leaders Forum, the entire group of 50+ participated in the AGM. They were part of every workshop, keynote and group activity and we all benefited from their attendance. I had the pleasure of speaking with Devlin Williams (YMCA of Regina), Jennifer Drost (YMCA of Fredericton) and Chris Carther-Krone (YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg) about their experiences.

YMCAs in Canada have long been dedicated to supporting and involving youth in all aspects of our work. At this AGM, we committed to involving young leaders in even more ways so they are able to develop and contribute their leadership in each and every Member Association.

What did you take away from the contributions made by young leaders at this year’s AGM?

Scott

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Over 285 people attended the event, including more than 50 young leader delegates. The energy was high, and it was a remarkable opportunity for YMCA staff members and volunteers to gather.  As a group we were able to look back on accomplishments in 2010 as well as focus forward into the future. This AGM had a historic element, with a unanimous vote to move forward with a federation-wide strategic plan – PLAN Y.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

I had the pleasure of speaking with many people during the AGM and am happy to share their insights and ideas with you over the next few days through the videos we filmed.

Today I am happy to share a conversation I had with Jim Loyer (YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario), Marva Wisdom (YMCA-YWCA of Guelph) and Germain Pitre (YMCAs of Quebec) about their experience at the 2011 Annual General Meeting.

What key learning and/or experiences did you take away from the 2011 annual general meeting?

Scott

I recently had the pleasure of joining 1300 YMCA colleagues at the 30th Annual NAYDO (North American YMCA Development Organization) Conference. This conference, focused on YMCA Philanthropy, was held April 27th – 30th, 2011 in Anaheim, California.

Participating in the conference this year were 154 Canadian YMCA representatives! We had the opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and network with our colleagues from around the world.

During the conference, I had a chance to speak with the following people about their experience at NAYDO:

• George Rodger, Canada East MRC (one of the founding members of NAYDO 30 years ago)
• Bryan Webber, VP, Financial Development at the YMCA of Hamilton/ Burlington/Brantford (Current Chair of NAYDO)
• Amber Giffen, Manager, Philanthropy & Association Advancement at the YMCA of Simcoe-Muskoka (member of the NAYDO Young Professionals Program)
• Marty Reynolds, Chair of the Board of YMCA Canada
• Rev. Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, Secretary General, World Alliance of YMCAs

Click here to view the embedded video.

I hope you enjoy hearing from them as much as I did!

Scott

From March 7-9th I had the pleasure of spending time with all 53 YMCA and YMCA-YWCA CEOs at our 2nd annual CEO Forum. Building on the incredible work started during our “Case for Change” CEO Forum one year ago, this meeting focused on having rich discussions regarding our ambitious plan for the future.

Working Together

Leading up to the Forum, 95% of our associations held workshops with boards/senior staff and young leaders, welcoming feedback about the future of Canada’s YMCA. In total over 1000 people committed their time and effort by attending, with 1/3 of participants being 30 years of age or younger. This level of participation is remarkable and speaks volumes about our capacity to work together! Plan Y will be enriched as a result of the information that was collected.

Benefits of Collaboration

During the forum, I was pleased to hear Stephane Vaillancourt (CEO, YMCAs of Québec) share his thoughts about our vision to strengthen Canada’s YMCA. He stated that the Plan Y goals will require time and effort from all of us, but he believes the outcomes will be worthwhile. He noted how much his association has benefited from CEO colleagues in the recent past, and given the enthusiasm in the room during the forum I am confident we will all see many more benefits in the future.

Creating Lasting Change

Over the YMCA’s history we can identify times when our communities and country had great needs, and in turn, the YMCA responded. The creation of regional MRCs and the development and implementation of Priority SAM are two examples that come to mind readily. Both initiatives have proven to be methods of creating lasting change.

This group of YMCA leaders is experiencing one of these special times; I sense we are at a flex point that comes once in a generation. We have an opportunity to create an increased level of collaboration among Canadian YMCAs and the communities which we serve, which is so important as our regions are ever more interconnected.

Envisioning the Future

I was so impressed by the picture painted by Medhat Mahdy (CEO, YMCA of Greater Toronto) when he imagined looking back on the work we are considering today:

“A group of concerned and committed women and men leaders… led a renewal that had great impact and we see the results today. More children, youth and families live a life of quality filled with meaning and a sense of community… fulfilling their dreams and giving generously to others…. The work was not easy. It was difficult but it was worth it. It required courage, collaboration, commitment to a cause, risk taking and innovation. We know the organization today as Canada’s YMCA.”

The development of Plan Y will continue to be a collaborative process. Investments of time, effort and financial resources will be needed. The resulting plan will be one that is co-created, one that we all own, is sustainable and achievable. This innovative federation strategic plan will position the YMCA in alignment with what we say and what we do; we will truly be strengthening the foundations of community.

When thinking about our future, what excites you?

Scott