YNPN 3.0

YNPN National Congress

Purpose2

Create a body that represents the network Connect Chapters to National Connect Chapters to other Chapters Create a pipeline of national-level leaders

Congress Description

Decision-making body comprised of representatives from Novice, Emerging and Affiliate YNPN Chapters

Meets to propose, discuss and, when necessary, vote on issues related to the network

Has annual terms aligned with the calendar year.

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Membership

Every chapter sends one delegate Every delegate has one vote No term limits Delegates are expected to attend all meetings

and an orientation

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Membership

An ideal delegate is someone: Who knows what is happening throughout chapter Who maintains good relationships with fellow

chapter leaders Who can make time commitment  Who has some decision-making authority for the

chapter (i.e., former National Liaison, Chair, Ex-officio

board member or other active chapter member).

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Meetings

First meeting is an orientation in January Subsequent meetings held quarterly Open to all Congress representatives and

members of the YNPN National Board of Directors

Meeting times and dates set prior to the start of the year

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Leadership and Structure

Joint leadership from Chapters and National National appoints Liaison Congress votes a chair and vice chair

Chair and Liaison set agendas, manage business between meetings and maintain roster of chapter delegates

Nominations at orientation Can set committees/task forces as needed

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Voting

Robert’s Rules apply for voting National Liaison oversees voting; does not

participate When necessary, Congress can vote via email Proposals for vote due 30 days before meeting Proposals submitted later must vote via email

or next meeting Congress has discretion to update policies for

specific situations

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Elections

Chapters may select delegate in any way they see fit

Delegates submit their name, chapter, email, phone number and picture plus other contact from chapter chair via a web form

Delegate’s name, chapter and picture will be featured on the YNPN National website  

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Transitions

Delegates expected to serve one year term If a delegate must resign, should send notice

to National Liaison Chapter has 30 days to replace delegate *It is most important that there are always

lines of communication between Congress and every chapter*

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Topics of Discussion

Congress designed to discuss: Connection between National and Chapters Funding, Membership models, Board structure, Advocacy, Communication Partnership

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Types of Decision-Making

Centralized: Congress helps define proposal; final decision applies to the entire network, requires a majority vote to move forward (eg: adopting national website platform)

Coordinated: Congress gives input on recommendation for full network; chapters encouraged to participate, but choose whether or not to opt in (eg: promoting an advocacy imitative distributed through another nonprofit)

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Types of Decision-Making

Decentralized: Congress may discuss the option, but all decisions remain with the local chapter (this is the current default method for decision-making)

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Examples of Decision-Making

Topic Example Question Approach

Connection between National and Chapters

What should be the legal relationship between chapters and the national organization?

Centralized

Funding How should national and chapters co-fundraise? Decentralized

Membership Models Should the network move to a central membership model?

Collaborative

Advocacy Should YNPN lead or sign on to an advocacy campaign?

Collaborative

Communication What is the policy for sharing information with all chapters’ members?

Collaborative

Partnership Should YNPN pursue a partnership with a specific organization?

Collaborative

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Proposed Timeline

November 30, 2012: All feedback from chapters due December 15, 2012: Final plan for Chapter Congress

submitted to chapters with schedule for first year of meetings.

January 15, 2012: All delegates submitted to National Board Liaison

January 2012: Orientation for Congress held and first Chair and Vice Chair elected

February 2012: First meeting of the YNPN National Congress

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Questions? Concerns?

The lady you talk to:

Kim Caldwell

National Board Member and American Revolution/Federalist Era Enthusiast

kimberelayne@yahoo.com

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