YNPN-NYC

On Sunday August 8th the YNPN-NYC board met up to discuss our goals for the upcoming year. While we spent a lot of time hammering out details about branding, meetings, and events, the emphasis was on YOU, our members.

We want to ensure that we are bringing you opportunities to connect, learn, and grow in the nonprofit sector in New York. To that end here is a list of events we have planned for September!

Membership Annual Survey
30 Summit Leadership Lunch
Kaplan Presents: Applying to Grad School What You Need to Know
Fall Kick off Party with Catch-A-Fire
Call for Writers and Nonprofit Rockstars!

Membership Annual Survey

In order to provide you with the resources you need, we are conducting our annual survey the last week of September. Please be on the look out for an e-mail from our membership committee. Questions? Email membership@ynpnnyc.org

30 Summit Leadership Lunch

On Saturday September 4that 12pm we are hosting a leadership lunch at 30 Summit, an annual gathering of young leaders from across the country. These leaders will answer the question “What will your legacy be?” to highlight the impact of their work. The summit is invitation only, however you can register for the lunch and chat with some of these innovators. Sign up soon, spots fill quickly. Questions? Email externalaffairs@ynpnnyc.org

Kaplan Presents: Applying to Grad School-What You Need to Know

Interested in grad school but don’t know where to start? Come to this informative and fun session on the techniques and tools you’ll need to master the grad school process and get into your #1 school. September 21st 630pm-830pm at the Support Center for Nonprofit Management. $5 to attend, please register. Questions? Email professionaldevelopment@ynpnnyc.org

Bonus: Paid YNPN-NYC members get a 10% discount on Kaplan courses!

Fall Kick off Party with Catch-A-Fire

On Wednesday September 22, we’ll be hosting a Fall Kick off Event in conjunction with the Catch-A-Fire Organization. The event will entail a short presentation on “A New Way to Ignite Volunteerism”. Happy Hour is from 6:30 pm to 8 pm, and includes drink and food specials. Stay tuned for more details! Questions? Email socials@ynpnnyc.org

Call for writers and nonprofit rockstars!

We’re trying to make our website more robust and would love to include the voices of our members!

Firstly, we are looking for someone to interview and feature each month. This month’s theme is Arts/Humanities. If you or someone you know is young nonprofit rockstar in that field, please email news@ynpnnyc.org to be interviewed!

We are also looking for writers! We need two types of writers: the first: someone who will attend our events, take pictures, and do write ups about them. The second: someone who will write editorials about pressing issues in the nonprofit sector in NYC, with a focus on how these issues affect young nonprofit professionals. Interested? Send an email to news@ynpnnyc.org

On Monday, Maritza Martinez–former Senior Associate of Fellows and Alumni at Echoing Green–hosted a workshop for YNPN-NYC on being a social entrepreneur.  It was fast paced and engaging presentation on what you need as an organization and as an individual to put your passion into practice.

Throughout her presentation there were five questions that stood out that budding social entrepreneurs should consider when trying to launch an organization that will make a difference:

1.  How well do you know your field? We’re often motivated to start a new organization because of a pressing  need we see in our communities not being met.  However, understanding the kinds of organizations that already exist gives you a better sense of what need there is for your organization.  Will you even need to launch a new organization?  Can you collaborate with an organization or be an “intra-preneur” within your own organization?

2.  Why you? While it is important to think about the people you serve, you have to take stock of what makes YOU capable of bringing this organization to life.  What are your strengths and weaknesses?  What skill sets do you need in partners to help your thrive?  What connections do you have?  What resources can you bring?  Finding gaps let’s you know where to focus your efforts.

3.  What is your vision? Think of the change you wish to see in the community you serve. While this may seem like an obvious question, often people’s visions are vague.  Instead of just “eliminating poverty” how about “increasing employment by 50% over the next 10 years so that this community is more economically stable.”  Consider asking yourself five whys to get at the heart of your work and your impact.

For example: Children in low income communities dont do well on tests.  Why?  Because they arent prepared.  Why?  Because their teachers dont give them enough support.  Why?  Because teachers are overwhelmed with other administrative work. Why?  Because there is little support in the classroom. Why? Because budget cuts make it hard to have classroom aides.  Solution: creating a fellowship program where aides can assist teachers in high need schools.

What image of the future is clear to you?

4.  How will you get there? Now, work backwards from that  vision and create a roadmap that is as specific as possible, highlighting what money, time, space, and other resources you need to bring your vision to life and at what phases in your organization’s development.

5.  What are you doing each day to achieve your vision? People who have passion and are excited about moving forward cannot stop talking about their idea.  Each conversation is an opportunity to gain a new supporter or a new resource.  See the possibilities in everything.

If you couldn’t make the event, check out Maritza’s presentation below which has additional resources and examples of social entrepreneurship.  And to stay up to date on future events become a member!

Thanks to everyone who came out last Friday to celebrate our 8th Anniversary! Everyone had a great time, our speakers were fantastic, and our Nonprofiteer of the Year was inspirational – who could ask for more? If you had fun, consider coming to some of our upcoming Happy Hours – they're another great opportunity to have a good time and network with other nonprofit professionals.  Or come to one of our other upcoming events!