YNPN: Starting a Chapter in Your Community
The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, originally begun in 1997 in the San
Francisco Bay Area, is now popping up all over the country. Young nonprofit
professionals nationwide are seeking out their peers to share resources and
ideas to support professional development and to strengthen the nonprofit sector.
In addition to the San Francisco Bay Area, local YNPN groups have emerged in
Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Washington DC.
YNPN is eager to support the professional development
and career growth of young nonprofit professionals nationwide. If a local YNPN
group has not yet been established in your area, we encourage you to set one
up. Read on for resources and ideas to get you started!
YNPN Technical Assistance Resources
YNPN has developed a technical assistance packet
to help new communities start a local YNPN chapter. To receive the packet and
guidance on how to launch a local YNPN chapter in your community, please contact
the YNPN Chapter Relations Committee.
YNPN currently offers a number of tools to support
new groups as they grow and develop:
- Technical Assistance. In the form of
written materials, peer mentoring from other YNPN leaders and coaching from
YNPN veterans, we can help you establish a plan to help your local group through
the planning and start-up phase. We'll offer ideas about how to build a local
leadership body, and sample events to kick-start local networking.
- National Conference. Our first annual
conference was held in Spring, 2006 in Berkeley, CA. Network with leaders
of YNPN chapters across the United States.
- Technology Infrastructure. To help
anchor your YNPN group in your community, we'll help you establish a web site
where people can learn about your group and your activities. We'll also help
you establish an e-mail discussion list so your local network can share ideas
and resources in between YNPN events.
- Shared Programs. YNPN groups nationwide
are constantly generating exciting new tools to support their members' professional
development and career growth -- workshops, resource guides and discussion
tools are just a few examples. We'll circulate the best of these ideas from
around the country so you can bring these good ideas home to your local network.
- Well Established Identity. YNPN's name
recognition and national reputation will help grow your network and bring
credibility to your work as you get started.
- Administrative Infrastructure. As we
establish our own nonprofit, we are growing our capacity to provide fiscal
management and fundraising assistance to local YNPN groups.
Additional Resources and Stories on How to Start
a YNPN in Your Community
