Gaining Momentum For Your GYSD Project

Our Facilitator: Chris Wagner

• New Dad• Director of Partnerships at YSA• Born in Texas• School Teacher, Peace Corps

volunteer in Thailand, AmeriCorps and VISTA Alumni

• Email: cwagner@ysa.org• Skype: williamchristianwagner• Twitter: @wchriswagner

#GYSD

Our Speakers

• Morlan Osgood• Co-founder & President, STEMs for Youth• STEMs For Youth inspires youth in grades 2-12 to pursue their interests in

science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). • http://www.stemsforyouth.org/

• Dr. Mara Bollettieri• Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Administration, Bellmore-

Merrick CHSD• Dignity Act Coodinator & Title IX Officer

• Bradley Ferguson• Founder, Post Crashers• Post Crashers is a community effort to support veterans by refurbishing

their "Posts".• http://postcrashers.tumblr.com/

Morlan Osgood - STEMs For Youth

Our Mission: To inspire youth to

pursue STEM interests and

careers.

STEMs For Youth

We are youth

mentoring youth!

• www.STEMsForYouth.org

• @StemsForYouth

• facebook.com/stemsforyouth/

STEMs For Youth - Recruiting Volunteers

• Decide what type of volunteers:• Short term vs. long term• Schools, libraries, large groups• Ex: National Honor Society

• Energetic vs. Skilled• Training sessions

STEMs For Youth – Engaging Volunteers

• Straight-forward projects• Good communication

• Meaningful responsibilities• Explain  “why”

• Direct impact• Tangible results

• Long-term opportunities• Planning, recruiting, advertising

Dr. Mara Bollettieri -- Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

• Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (CHSD)• http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/• Long Island, Nassau County New York• “One  Voice  One  Message”

Dr. Mara Bollettieri -- Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

The concept was from the ambassadors. The students chose the goals with the administrators. It  has  been  described  as  a  “think  tank.”  • Identify district needs• Find how students can fit in: DAC/Ambassador Program• Attach to existing committee in order to make it

meaningful• Best Practices:• Finding time to bring students, teachers, administrators together• Ideas come from students, teachers and administrators• Defining goals• Structuring agenda

Dr. Mara Bollettieri -- Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

• Lessons Learned:• You serve as a resource, support, and facilitator• Listen to ideas and take something from everyone• Compliment staff and student strengths• Make sure to communicate with all stakeholders

principals, directors, parents, community organizations• Appreciation, appreciation, appreciation • Resources related to the topic of webinar:• Research on Internet• Parent/Community Center• P.R Firm

Dr. Mara Bollettieri -- Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

• Links to other organizations:• Lion’s  Club• Kiwanis Club• Rotary Club• T-Shirts/Hope House Ministries

Scott’s  Slide

• YSA/Principal Study

Bradley Ferguson-- Post Crashers

• Post Crashers, American Legion Post 295• http://www.americanlegionpost295.org/po

st-crashers.html• http://postcrashers.tumblr.com/• Northfield NJ• Mission: To assist veterans and feed those

in need.

Post Crashers: Get Your Community Involved

�Pitch Your Project to local businesses�Dunkin Donuts�Home Depot�ACUA�Peter Lumber�M&M Landscaping�Hardware store (paints, tools)�Pet Smart�Local Restaurants/business

�Include your local political offices

�Make sure you write a press release FOR EVERYTHING

Post Crashers: Find Partners for More Funding

�There are local, state and national organizations that are willing to help. You need to target those that are specific to your project.

�You must have a solid pitch�Why? Why do you need the funding – be specific�When? You definitely need to have dates of action, multiples make

it  more  desirable  as  well  as  your  project’s  sustainability�Who? Be specific who this helps and who will participate�What? Describe your goals/objectives in detail. Make them

measurable and obtainable.�Where? � How? Explain how these partners will enhance your project, make

it grow or sustain it.

Post Crashers: Examples (Besides YSA GYSD)

• Opal Apple• GenerationOn• Kiwanis• Home Depot • Katies Krops• Whole Kids

Foundation• Lowes• Wal-Mart• Samsung• Toshiba• Target

• Note: YSA lists their partner grants on its website – USE IT!– Sodexo– State Farm– Disney

Post Crashers: Expand Your Project with other Groups

• Expansion through pitching to multiple schools, for example:– New Road School– Northfield Community School– Mainland Regional HS

• Invite other clubs/classes for example– Key Club– Boy Scouts– Support our Troops– Food Ecology Class– Structured Work-based Class

(summer school)– NCS 6th Grade

• Local/State National Agencies– AtlantiCare Health

Organization– Kiwanis– New Jersey Sustainable

(http://www.sustainablejerseyschools.com/)

Sarah’s  Slide  about  Handout  

Top 10 List

1. What  are  your  partner’s  needs?  How  is  participating  in GYSD going to help them?!

2. What are your GYSD project needs? How can your partners help you? Give them options!

3. Be able to explain why you are passionate about your GYSD project in a quick, short presentation.

4. Visit your potential and established partners at their office.

5. Engage Youth! Young people can write emails, visit partners, brainstorm new partners, etc.

Top 10 List

6. Develop multiple opportunities that volunteers of most any age or skill level can participate in.

7. Think through and strategize how to continue to utilize partners after GYSD.

8. When working with schools communicate with all stakeholders: principals, directors, parents, other community organizations, etc.

9. Pitch your GYSD project to multiple potential partners including businesses, government agencies, political offices, schools, other non-profits, Churches, and community leaders.

10.

Spread the Word

Share Your GYSD Story with the WorldFriday, February 18th at 7:00 PM EST

Invite your friends and network to attend!

What’s  the  Big  PictureHow to Promote

& How to Tell Your GYSD Story

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