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REPORT TO THE
COMMUNITY
90% of participants stated that the knowledge they gained was comprehensive, relevant and easily implemented in their day to day practices. • 87% of participants reported that the industry professional sessions further advanced their understanding of course material and provided insight on practical application of the theory. • 97% of mentor and protégés agreed that the group mentoring model was an important and effective component that provided a high level of support from both peers and senior executives, a safe space to share and the opportunity to build networks and learn from their peers. A new cohort of twenty-one students enrolled in the March 2018 introduction course, which makes the session three times larger than the pilot groups. Funding for the NPLDP has been made available by the Bermuda Community Foundation’s Central and Bridge Charitable Trust Funds. •
Together, YouthNet and The Centre on Philanthropy have launched the Nonprofit Leadership Development Programme (NLPD). The NLPD creates a career path and leadership track for nonprofit professionals interested in advancing their careers, and specifically in becoming executive directors. The programme also focuses on the lifecycle of nonprofit leadership. Given that having coaching and mentoring increases the achievement and completion rates of training programmes, we utilized a group mentoring model, matching groups of three participants with two mentors. The pilot was launched in February 2017, with eight participants enrolled in the introduction course and one in the management course. Mentoring groups meet once per month. In addition, participants attend a lunchtime presentation facilitated by an industry professional. The pilot was a resounding success: •
100% of participants completing the course(s) and were awarded certificates from University of Milwaukee Wisconsin and Duke.
The Importance of Mentoring
Programme Design
YouthNet’s mentoring programme component of the NLDP fosters the growth of nonprofit professionals. We match seasoned executives with entry and midlevel professionals to provide guidance on the execution of a specific tangible outcome. By introducing a mentoring component to the programme, mentors elevate and escalate “knowledge transfer,” ensuring that participants have increased knowledge of the field and their position within it. Mentees develop strategies and solutions that they can implement related to a challenge they are experiencing professionally. Mentoring contributes to employee motivation, job performance, retention rates, and helping organizations realize their goals and achieve greater social impact. These outcomes lead to the long-term health and sustainability of the nonprofit sector as a “social system”.
The NLDP programme is designed to provide a continuum of learning for nonprofit staff throughout their careers. It focuses on three stages of professional development. Our research on programme design revealed that important implementation considerations were: the professional reputation of the organization or institution; the availability of certification; Continuing Education Units (CEU); the cost and the time required for each participant. Introduction to Nonprofits: For new Executive Directors and Program Directors with 1-3 years of experience. Offered through University of Milwaukee Wisconsin. Nonprofit Management: For Executive Directors and senior level staff, with 4-7 years of experience. Offered through Duke University. Nonprofit Leadership: For Executive Directors and senior level staff with 8 or more years of experience. Offered through Duke University, Stanford University, Evans School of Public Policy and the Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations. Succession Planning and Executive Transition: Preparing leaders and organizations for a successful executive transition. Offered by TNSE (Third Sector New England) Missionworks.
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The Year In Review
The Year Ahead
YouthNet was successful in increasing its annual raffle revenue and exceeded our target with over $65,000 raised. The raffle income was important in off-setting $30,000 in deferred or declined donations. Overall, YouthNet managed to raise the funds to meet the budget.
The FY2019 year started with YouthNet and the Reading Clinic joining forces in a fundraising initiative - the Win Big Do Good Together raffle campaign. This crafted a new model for fundraising, using shared skills, a more efficient use of resources, and a broader pool of support. In addition, we hope it increased public confidence with the opportunity to support more than one organization. The raffle was successful in raising $47,000 which was shared between the two charities.
In February 2018, we secured new office space with a five year lease without incurring any additional cost. YouthNet experienced further attrition in the Reading Programme due to mentors retiring and scheduling conflicts with the schools. Additionally, we struggled to recruit new mentors into the Traditional Programme and had one less school participating in the Peer Programme. Despite these set backs, YouthNet reached 93% of our programme goal, ending the year with 464 mentoring relationships, in sixteen schools and twenty classes. Our mentors had an overall attendance of 83% which demonstrates their commitment and the importance of consistent, effective relationship management. YouthNet contracted Reach Digital Ltd. to assist with building our social media platform and to increase our online presence. To that end we were successful in building on last year’s rapid growth, raising our profile following by an additional 3%, particularly during the raffle, which achieved an increase in reach of 346% over the same period last year. We are confident in this strategy, and will continue to focus our efforts to engage a following online, to secure our recruitment and fundraising goals.
YouthNet looks to build upon the success of our Peer and Reading Mentoring Programmes. Additionally, we will revisit how we deliver our mentoring services and explore how mentoring supports more focused outcomes: Reading Readiness in Primary School (P1– P3) -Teachers identifying students who require reading intervention to advance to the next grade. Middle School Readiness -Peer mentors helping students successfully transition to middle school. College Readiness - Equipping students with tools and knowledge to explore and pursue higher education.
Workplace Readiness in Third Sector – Fostering the growth of nonprofit professionals.
ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR Sources of Revenue
We conducted a thorough review of our policies and procedures, ensuring the organization is fully compliant with all government regulations including AML/ATF, PIPA and Bribery Act. We continued our partnership with The Centre on Philanthropy in offering the Nonprofit Leadership Development Programme (NPLD) designed to build capacity within Bermuda’s third sector, and strengthen the field of mentoring. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire YouthNet community for their support again this year. Our mentors and mentees, our partners, schools, donors; and to each person who purchased a raffle ticket!. A special thank you to the YouthNet Board of Directors and staff.
Clare Mello Executive Director
Relationships
464
83%
Foundations Corporate Events Government Individual In-kind Other
Programmes
Reading Classes
3
20
Mentors
179
Active Schools
16
YouthNet Programme Evaluations 2018 Reading Mentors 100%
YouthnNet is committed to measuring the impact of mentoring. Each year YouthNet’s evaluations consistently support the positive outcomes for our students and mentors.
50% 0% Somewhat Agree
Strongly Agree
My experience as a mentor has been fun
80% of reading mentors felt they had a positive impact on their mentees. 67% strongly agreed that mentoring was fun and enhanced the quality of their lives.
I feel I had a positive impact on my mentee(s) I would encourage a friend to become a mentor This experience enhances my quality of life YouthNet has met or exceeded my expectations
Teachers value the benefits of having mentors in their classrooms, with 78% citing students’ improved attitude towards books and reading, and 57% citing improved reading ability. Additionally, 85% strongly agreed to the importance of building meaningful relationships and making children feel special.
YouthNet provided adequate support
Reading Teachers 100% 80% 60% 40% 20%
0% Somewhat Agree Reading comprehension
Reading ability
Making children feel special
Attitude towards books and reading
Making reading fun
Building meaningful relationships
MENTEES COMMENTS •
As seen in these evaluations, mentoring is making a meaningful difference in the lives of both our students and mentors.
MENTORS COMMENTS
I feel like dancing because she is so nice and I always bring the chair for her.
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Conclusion
Strongly Agree
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I enjoy the same thing every year...the ability to get to meet and shape some young minds - we can learn so much from them and their outlook on everything is often refreshing and humorous.
I have fun because it is fun reading and I like reading. I don't have a book at home.
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It's too much fun reading.
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From what I saw this year, the programme is building confidence in the students.
They make me feel happy and proud because I love to
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I think the program is not only making a difference in teaching kids how to read, but also assisting in teaching good manners, patience, good behavior and sharing.
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It exposes the children to people who they might not normally interact with.
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I like the break it gives me from my life and a chance to enjoy life with fun 5 yr olds! And a chance to read!
read the books with them and play with them. •
It makes me feel very good inside because she always comes on Mondays and she always says I'm doing good and she always let's me read the last page. I want to be a reading mentor.
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I liked that reading books it’s good for your mind.
Peer Mentors 100% 50%
Overall, 61% of peer mentors felt enthusiastic about the time spent with their mentee, 67% citing they felt mentoring was “cool” and plan to volunteer throughout their lives. It was surprising that 55% “somewhat agreed” that they had a positive impact on their mentees. Interestingly, their comments seem to indicate a far greater benefit. Lastly, 88% felt that through mentoring they were building a stronger community.
0% Somewhat Agree
Strongly Agree
I had a positive impact on my mentee I feel this experience has made me more responsible I felt enthusiastic about the time I spent with my mentee I plan to continue volunteering throughout my life I would recommend mentoring to my friends I feel I have been part of building a stronger community
Peer Mentees
100% of mentees said they trusted their mentor with 97% citing they felt their mentor cared about them. 70% of mentees agreed that their mentors helped them to make good decisions and 73% of mentees felt their mentors helped them to understand middle school.
150% 100% 50% 0% I trust my mentor and had fun My mentor understands and cares about me
My mentor helped me feel more confident My mentor helped me with challenges in school
Conclusion These evaluations are a testimony to the positive power of peer mentoring for both mentors and mentees.
My mentor helped me to understand middle school My mentor helped me with my attitude and behaviour My mentor helped me make good decsions
MENTEES COMMENTS
MENTORS COMMENTS
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He guides me to do the right choice.
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My mentors were like big sisters to me for middle school.
That I can have an impact on someone and I can help someone to feel comfortable.
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I liked having someone to talk to and trust more than any of my friends.
I learned that I went through the same experience and thought the same things as my mentee.
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I learned that you have to watch what you say or do around your mentee because they basically learn from you. Always do positive things around them so they can also do positive things to others as well.
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I've never found myself to have make such a great impact on young children (before). To see their faces light up when they see me warms my heart.
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I learned that making a positive impact on others make me feel better about myself and this really helped me to grow.
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She always kept me company and when I was mad she helped me be nice.
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They taught me important lessons.
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She was always there for me if I felt concerned about anything.
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I got to let her know what I was feeling.
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I liked when he was always protecting me.
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She was always there to talk to and tell her about my day and she always made me laugh.
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I learned that just showing up every Tuesday to see my mentee could make such a difference in their day.
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It was nice having an older person to guide me through Year 7.
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What we say and do really does matter to our mentees.
YouthNet Board of Directors FY2018 JON BEARD Chairman, Saltus Grammar School JEFFREY CONYERS CARLOS LEE Bermuda Airport Authority ANDREW GRIFFITH JAMES GIBBONS Harbour International Trust Company Limited THE RT. REVD. NICHOLAS DILL Bishop of Bermuda JENNI ROWNTREE-ESTIS
Guy Carpenter & Company LLC
YouthNet Commerce Building, Suite 202, 2nd Floor 54 Reid Street Hamilton, HM 11 T: 297-5400 www.youthnetbda.com Registered Charity No. 414 YouthNet Staff: Clare Mello Allison Hansford-Smith Shana Bean Stacey Kyme
Our Partners & Donors
ABS Limited Allied World Assurance Company Appleby Arch Capital Group Ltd. Aspen Bermuda Limited Atlantic Philanthropies Fund AP Employee Designated Gift Fund Atlantic Security Ltd. Axis Specialty Limited Bacardi International Limited Bank of Bermuda Foundation Bermuda Air Conditioning Ltd. BAS Group Bermuda Brickyard Limited BF&M Insurance Group Bridge Charitable Trust Fund Chubb Charitable Foundation - Bermuda Class Act Designs Continental Trust Corporation Conyers Dill & Pearman Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation Ernst E. Stempel Foundation EY Bermuda Fidelis Insurance Bermuda FIL Limited Guy Carpenter & Company, Inc. Hamilton Re Ltd. Jardine Matheson International Services Limited Kitson and Company Ltd. Marsh Management Mazars Chartered Accountants Ministry of Education Oil Management Services Ltd. Partner Reinsurance Company Limited RenaissanceRe Charitable Fund Sompo International Insurance The Alan Oliver Sports Fund The Argo Foundation The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited Validus Holdings Wellington Management Company LLP Wesley Methodist Church XLCatlin End-to-End XL Foundation Ltd. YouthNet Board Members Private/Individual Donors A special thank you to all the companies and organizations who partnered with us for our 2018 raffle