NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES

Executive Director: Riannon Bardsley

Created By: Tara Jensen, Isabela Ordonez, Cydney

Jones, Amber French

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT NORTH-WEST YOUTH SERVICES INCLUDE?

Over-seer of the agency and day to day activities

Services to finances and everything inbetween

Collaborate with the Board of Directors

Ensure the mission and values are being

implemented in day to day operations

HOW DO YOU ACT AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR STAFF WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

Board Report: detailed explanation of programs

(progress, stories, how they are holding to their

goals)

Bring staff to Board of Directors meetings

Board of Directors works with staff on hosting and

planning events

“It’s important to us…that we bring it up

consistently”

Used in goal collaboration

Used in supervisor’s job descriptions and

responsibilities

Addressed internally among staff members on

how it can be implemented better

DO YOU FEEL YOUR MISSION IS INCLUDED IN ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR

ORGANIZATION?

Grant writing makes up ~85% of budget

Finance manager

Board of directors plans and hosts fundraiser once a year

Maintain relationships with donors

~1,000 donors – link donors to what they are passionate about

Hand-write thank you cards

“Fundraising is focused on building relationships and

implementing their donations in the right place.”

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN FUNDRAISING AND WHAT IS YOUR

MOST SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY?

Broad donor base

Flexible with programs and workers, workers are able to

be trained and work in multiple sections of the agency to

allow easier flow of services

Low admin – Executive Director and Finance Manager

Willing to cut expenses

No duplications of service

HOW WOULD NORTH-WEST YOUTH SERVICES BE PROTECTED AGAINST

POTENTIAL MARKET INSTABILITIES?

To youth: • Schools (principals and counselors)• Word of mouth• Hospitals/juvenile detention • Street outreach

To those who support:• Presentations throughout the community• Radio spot• Word of mouth• Press release• Occasionally social media - facebook

HOW DO PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT YOUR SERVICES?

Struggles• Little time• balancing personal life from professional life• Staying flexible with growth• Filling the gaps in the community and the agency

(little agency-agency collaboration since there is no duplicate services)

• Distance for Executive Director between services and youth

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH BALANCING THE MANE ROLES OF BRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?

Accomplishments• Renovated 2nd floor of building (paid for it and built

it)• Grown in Board of Directors collaboration• No loss in programs only growth and additions

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH BALANCING THE MANE ROLES OF BRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?

2009

Lost many programs for foster care, counseling,

and housing for minors

Laid off 25 staff members, leaving only 9 to run

agency

2.5 years of capacity building, finished Oct. 2012

Validate feelings

What have they done to try to fix the problem on

their own – promote self reliance (as in mission

statement)

What do they need from me – validate their

feelings or help problem solve

Bring it back to the mission – “its about the kids”

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH CONFLICT BETWEEN STAFF MEMBERS?