The Executive Committee of YMCA Europe has vacancies for one or two people to join their Movement Strengthening (MS) Committee as a volunteer.
YMCA Europe applies Movement Strengthening as the key approach for building capacity of National Movements in areas of governance, strategic planning, impact enhancement, human resources development and creation of new YMCAs in Europe.
The main aim of the MS Committee is to oversee the strategic vision of Movement Strengthening within YMCA Europe and agree on appropriate tools, forums and processes for the benefit of National Movements. You can read the main functions of the Committee below (see Terms of Reference).
In considering whether you would wish to apply to join the Committee, the main skills and experiences we are looking for are:
- experience of strategic planning and implementation;
- knowledge and experience in organisational development/capacity building of civil society organisations;
- knowledge and experience in spheres of organisational mission and vision, democratic governance, impact, overall management;
- the capacity to devote time and energy to engage with the main functions of the MS Committee for the benefits of National Movements.
Other important criteria:
In addition to the relevant skills and experience, the Executive Committee will also consider the need for a diversity balance in the MS Committee.
The candidates should be endorsed by their National Movements. This will need to be agreed with them.
The Committee will normally meet physically (when possible) at least once a year and usually three times online.
Expenses to attend the physical meeting will be met.
If you wish to apply to join the MS Committee, please complete the application no later than 5th of July 2024.
Further information on the work on Movement Strengthening can be found here.
If you wish to have a conversation prior to submitting an application, please contact either:
Olga Lukina: Olga[at]ymcaeurope.com or
Paul Smillie: Chair of the MS Committee Paul[at]ymcaeurope.com
The final decision on the membership of the MS Committee will sit with the Executive Committee of YMCA Europe.
Terms of Reference:
Movement Strengthening Committee of YMCA Europe
1.Preambula
YMCA Europe is an umbrella organisation serving its members for the ultimate benefit of young people and their communities in Europe. Movement Strengthening has been an integrated part of strategies, programmes and projects in YMCA Europe. During the last four years it was shaped as a separate priority. The Movement Strengthening Committee was established in 2019, the designated staff position was created to support this area.
YMCA Europe believes in:
enabling capacity building,
relevant and sustainable impact approaches,
education of staff and volunteers,
networking and partnership in YMCAs.
By this, we are contributing to building a European integrated civil society for young people involving them in transformational activities, promoting positive change both locally and globally.
2. Principles of Movement Strengthening
The MSC operates to the following principles while organising the work on Movement Strengthening:
- Engaging of National Movements to the process of self-development (no intervention without permission);
- Keeping the process simple and appealing to NMs;
- Participation of key individuals in a NM, not just 1-2 leaders;
- Long term process and holistic approach;
- Coaching where needed;
- Flexibility and individual approach;
- Governance development as guarantee of sustainability;
- Youth Empowerment as a focus of human resources development and succession planning;
- Building the capacity of NMs to meet the needs of their Beneficiaries.
3. Status
3.1 The Movement Strengthening Committee of YMCA Europe (MSC) is established by YMCA Europe (YE) Executive Committee (ExCom) to fulfil the aims of YE in the sphere of its main strategic priority “Movement Strengthening”.
3.2 The leadership responsibility for the Movement Strengthening Committee rests with the respective MSC Leader appointed by YE’s ExCom.
3.3 Membership in the MSC is established by YE’s ExCom.
3.4 The MSC works together with representatives of YE Staff team to ensure the best implementation of the strategic priority.
3.5 The MSC will advise YE on any application for European institutional support to enable implementation of the Movement Strengthening strategy.
3.6 The MSC compiles two reports and submits them to the Executive Committee of YE. The reports should be sent to the YE office by 15 January, 15 July. These dates are for guidance only and may be slightly changed depending on the actual dates of the meetings. Any adjustments to the spring Reports and Operational plans must be sent to the YMCA Europe Office 8 weeks prior to the date of the General Assembly as they will be published in the Working Documents.
3.7. The MSC reports to the General Assembly by request of the Executive Committee.
4. Main Functions
4.1 To encourage National Movements and through their Local YMCAs to engage and participate in the process of Movement Strengthening.
4.2 To create a strategy and platform for Movement Strengthening with a complete package of tools to support the process.
4.3 To assist National Movements (NMs) in the early stages of their strategic planning cycle.
4.4 To analyse Health Assessment questionnaires returned from NMs and give them feedback.
4.5 To ensure the appropriate selection of the “Y Consultants” team.
4.6 To visit NMs where requested and assist them in self analysis and understanding their crucial areas for development.
4.7 To monitor and evaluate the process of Movement Strengthening and report accordingly.
4.8 The MSC can initiate and run other initiatives in the area of programmes, studies and research to ensure an efficient and collaborative process of Movement Strengthening.
4.9 To input into YE’s Executive Committee in agreeing any changes to the strategy on Movement Strengthening.
4.10 To advise YE’s Executive Committee on budgetary needs.
5. Meetings
5.1 Meetings of representatives of MSC will be organised from time to time, for instance in connection with the YE General Assembly. One yearly face-to-face meeting and up to three meetings is recommended.
5.2 Other meetings may be held at the request of the Ex Com.
5.3 YE has responsibility for all costs to attend meetings of MSC members.
6. Membership
6.1 The Movement Strengthening Committee consists of 3-5 individuals (without taking into account the coordinators from the Executive Committee, the Chair and designated Staff person).
6.2 The membership should be approved annually, in the autumn of each year, by the Executive Committee and they may remove any member at any time.
6.3 The Chair of the MS Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee and can be removed at any time.
Latest version September 2023
Approved by MS Committee of YMCA Europe on 1 October 2023
Approved by the Executive Committee of YMCA Europe on 18 November 2023
