YMCA Canada's Role
YMCA Canada is a federation of 45 YMCAs and 8 YMCA-YWCAs who
work together to achieve common goals for improving the health of
Canadians.
YMCA Canada has three primary roles:
- To foster the development of strong member Associations and
encourage collaborative initiatives
- To protect and enhance the reputation of the YMCA, and
- To advocate on behalf of Associations regionally, nationally
and internationally
To deliver on these commitments, YMCA Canada has adopted the
following strategic initiatives for 2007-2011:
Association Support
YMCA Canada works to strengthen the capacity of each YMCA
by:
- Monitoring and supporting Association performance
- Responding to requests for assistance
- Encouraging collaborative initiatives between Associations
- Developing best practices, programs and program standards,
success measures and evaluation practices
Program Development
By coordinating the development and distribution of national
program resources, we help Associations across the country enhance
their program quality, reach out to more participants and realize
their philanthropic goals. We also pilot innovative initiatives
which allow Associations to test new models or reach new groups of
people.
Leadership and Human Resources
YMCA Canada encourages leadership development across all our
areas of focus - from child care and youth leadership programs to
adult volunteers and staff. To foster these skills, we:
- Offer a Leadership and Management Development Program for
Association staff
- Develop human resources and volunteer management tools for use
across the country
- Grant 15 annual education awards/scholarships to YMCA staff and
volunteers
- Recognize exemplary service and leadership by our staff and
volunteers to the communities they serve through the YMCA
Fellowship of Honour [link to 3.1.8]
Strategic Information Management
YMCA Canada continuously monitors the external and internal
environment to collect key national data and identify issues
relevant to our Associations. Through national research and
surveys, we monitor Canadian social trends and work with lead
Associations to deliver a national response to common local
concerns.
Movement-Wide Communications and Networking
In addition to coordinating national meetings and events, YMCA
Canada upholds the YMCA visual identity guidelines, develops key
messages on matters of national YMCA interest and manages a
national email and Intranet system to support nation-wide
collaboration.
National Representation
In keeping with our charitable focus, YMCA Canada liaises with
the federal government and national organizations to take action on
issues that present opportunities or threats to member
Associations. We also represent Associations on national coalitions
and networks, such as the National Voluntary Organizations
Coalition and the Canadian Council for International
Cooperation.
International Representation
As part of our international strategy, YMCA Canada:
- Encourages partnerships between Canadian YMCAs and overseas
YMCAs
- Promotes YMCA Peace Week, a program dedicated to teaching about
social inclusion and the many dimensions of peace to children and
youth, and recognizing local peace builders by awarding the YMCA
Peace Medallion
- Represents YMCA Canada to the World Alliance of YMCAs, area
YMCA organizations and other national movements
- Facilitates the participation of member Associations in world
YMCA events
Effecting Lasting Change
By collaborating nationally and internationally, we believe we
can do more than deliver exceptional community service that allows
people - particularly children and youth - to reach their full
potential. We believe we can also effect meaningful and lasting
social change that addresses some of our world's most serious
challenges. Together, we can create an environment that fosters
peace by supporting the development of mutual caring, honesty and
respect.
Organizational Structure
YMCA Canada is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors that
oversees national plans and priorities. Associations nominate Board
members, who have frequently served as volunteers on local
Association Boards. This ensures our Board members are well versed
in local issues, challenges and opportunities facing Canada's YMCAs
and YMCA-YWCAs. Directors serve for a three-year term that is
renewed once. Regarding national operations, the President and
Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Canada reports to the National
Board.
