Youth culture is ever-changing! As such any youth organisation which remains unaware of the needs and demands of young people today will quickly become ineffective. YMCA Scotland maintains a cycle of monitoring and evaluation which identifies gaps in services and youth needs which triggers new programme development. This is achieved through the weekly contact with over 12,000 young people provided by YMCAs in Scotland. Programmes are designed for the direct benefit of this local YMCA movement. This section mentions only a few of the most up-to-date programme developments which are emerging as a result of this process.

Full Board

WHAT IS FULL BOARD?

Full Board is a programme run by YMCA Scotland which provides training and

support for young people involved in Local YMCA Boards of Management and

Committees. 

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

The Programme requires participants to sign up to a two year membership of

either the Board of Management or another decision making Committee within their Local YMCA. 

WHAT DO THE PARTICIPANTS SAY?

“It was a fab environment to learn really unappealing subjects – felt totally safe to ask stupid questions.”

“ Full Board gave me the chance to attend the European Alliance of YMCAs

General Assembly in Prague”

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Full Board has been developed as a two year programme to provide training, support and personal development  for young people involved in Boards of Management or other decision making Committees in Local YMCAs. 

During the first year participants attend four residential training weekends, regular Committee / Board meetings in their Local YMCA and meet regularly with their personal Full Board mentor.   In addition participants have the opportunity to attend YMCA National Assembly and other programme opportunities. 

During the second year participants continue to work as Committee / Board members in their Local YMCA. 

Second Year opportunities include:

YMCA 4 Nations Conference, European Alliance of YMCAs General Assembly and participation in YMCA Scotland Committee’s and decision making structures.  There are also two programme support meeting arranged for second year participants. 

TRAINING PROGRAMME CONTENT

The aim of the training programme is to provide course participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate fully in Board or Committee level decision making.  The following areas of training are covered:

Residential One

•Understanding the YMCA organisation

•Christian Ethos of the YMCA

•Committees, procedures and etiquette

•Understanding constitutions

 The role of Mentors & Personal Development Plans

Residential Two

•Assessing Community Needs

•Creating Vision and writing Mission Statements

•Strategic Planning, Budgets and Funding

•YMCA Quality Review Process

Residential Three

•Employers Responsibilities, Job descriptions and staff recruitment

•The Voluntary Sector in Scotland

•Politics – Local, National & International

•Communication & Presentation Skills

•Dealing with Conflict

Residential Four

•Study visit to local project or YMCA

•Policy Development

•Health & Safety, Child Protection, Equal Opportunities

•Preparation for Final Presentation

•Monitoring & Evaluation Systems

MENTORING

During the programme each participant has a personal mentor they meet with on a regular basis.  The mentor is normally someone who has been on the Board of Management of their Local YMCA for some time and has both the skills and experience to support the Full Board participant. 

WHO CAN APPLY?

YMCA Scotland is looking for enthusiastic young people who are able to commit to attending the four residential training weekends, have good communication skills, potential leadership skills and can work as part of a team. 

You can apply to Full Board if you are 17—30, and a member or about to become a member of the Board of Management  or another decision making committee in your Local YMCA.

If you would like to speak to someone about Full Board you can call Kerry or Pam at YMCA Scotland Tel: 0131 228 1464 

Email: kerry@ymcascotland.org