“Training the trainers” and “Training for Program Developers” (TtT and TPD) is the program of YMCA Europe which was started in 1992. The program aims at preparation of leaders and trainers who can work at different levels of YMCA functioning as program developers, trainers, Board and Committees members, managers and staff. During these years this project has proved its effectiveness as a lot of TtT graduators take the highest positions in their National movements and in the YMCA Europe Staff. The course which consists of three parts covers different topics, such as developing communicational skills, conflict management, project management, all issues of trainers work, relevant topics for a good manager and program developer of YMCA. This year we celebrate 20 years of it and we have prepared a new initiative – “Y NoT”.
The working group which was elaborating the concept of “Y NoT” during three days mostly consisted of the TtT and TPD graduators from different countries and in different age. This fact shows that this idea can be an excellent tool not only for the developing of the trainers’ work but also strengthening National movements in whole Europe.
The first draft of the idea was presented at the YES meeting during the General Assembly 2011 in the Netherlands. The reaction of the group was very positive and also because of that we see that this initiative can embrace all European countries!
“Y NoT” is aimed at the uniting of YMCA trainers and creating a platform for communication and experience sharing. “Y NoT” is created for strengthening of YMCA programs through the system of leaders’ preparation. The main tasks we see at creation the system of education and support of the trainers, helping them to find the opportunity for growth and practice at their home YMCAs and abroad, making a database of the trainers with their profiles, accumulating methodological experience and discussing them at the Internet space.
“Y NoT” is created as a tool which is going to help young people to perceive themselves as trainers and share the knowledge with other people. This can be a network of YMCA trainers who have graduated from TPD, TtT and other YMCA courses of different years and who are united to the pool of professionals who can provide trainings on different topics and different languages, share the experience and prepare the leaders for YMCA programs. We see it presented at the Facebook (later at our common web-site) where any YMCA can see information about trainers and topics on which they can run seminars and trainings. The trainers should be organized for constant communication and sharing experience through web-seminars and on-line conferences.
We invite you to unite the efforts on the developing of this idea. We are waiting for your comments at the Facebook at the “Y NoT” group.
Olga Lukina
YMCA Belarus Chairperson
