Kathleen M. O’Donnell
This past year was a growth year for YNPNdc. We evaluated our work, looking at our successes and learning from one another about what we can do better. Most importantly, we established more meaningful connections with our members and the greater Washington, DC nonprofit community. This year, we formalized our signature monthly program, Inner Circles, and through those events helped over 100 of you make moves towards reaching your professional goals. We bonded together at happy hours across the city and recruited new volunteers. We shared thought leadership and told our stories here on the blog. While we’re proud of these things, we know we can do even more to support you.
We recently welcomed a new Board of Directors, who immediately got to work on building a new strategic plan, one that lays the groundwork for us to better serve our members in 2019 and beyond.
We’ll be doing plenty of work behind the scenes to ensure our organization’s growth, but here’s what we’re planning to do to enhance the YNPNdc experience for you in the coming year.
Building a Stronger Network
YNPNdc is only as strong as its membership. To that end, we’re cultivating a diverse, inclusive network that is reflective of the Greater DC young nonprofit professional community. We want to enhance our organization’s racial, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity to better support you. In 2019, we’ll apply this lens in our programming, recruitment, and partnership efforts, connecting with people who represent our current membership and our membership of the future.
Creating More Value
A membership organization is all about member value. In 2019, we’ll continue programs you’ve come to depend on like Inner Circles and happy hours. We’ll conduct a member needs assessment, getting your input on how we can improve our resources and offerings. We’ve already put together major plans for career resources and a mentorship program, which you’ll be learning more about as we refine and launch these important initiatives.
Increasing Visibility
YNPNdc is an all-volunteer organization that depends upon and thrives on efforts of our members and leadership team. In 2019, we’ll cultivate brand awareness and increase visibility by leveraging our unique skills and talents. We want to deploy our board members and engaged volunteers at sector events and conferences where they can create meaningful partnerships with organizations related to our mission. We are committed to bringing new members in to our network and collaborating with partners to provide valuable content. We will consistently communicate with our members and to the public about the important part young nonprofit professionals play in the DC community.