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IYD Chapters and Alliances with Local Programs, Agencies, and Initiatives
Youth and adults connections happen when they can have shared experiences and meaningful conversations about things that matter. This is the nature of the work – eyes to eyes, and soul to soul.
IYD supports the formation of local chapters and partnerships with allied groups so that youth and adults can come together, work together, talk together, and connect. Below is a list of the names and contact information for people who have started chapters or moved their program, agency or initiative into the work of IYD. Feel free to contact them for more information on IYD and their efforts on behalf of youth, families, and community.
Chapters typically meet, eyes to eyes and soul to soul, 6 – 12 times per year. Contact us at admin@icar-us.com if you would like more information about starting an IYD chapter in your area. The IYD chapter guidelines will answer many of your questions.
IYD is an inclusive association of people committed to the holistic development of children and youth, within connected and supportive environments. We are eager to ally with agencies, programs, and initiatives that already have legitimacy, capacity, and influence.
United States
International
IYD Allied Programs, Agencies, and Initiatives |
How do we start an IYD chapter?
Overview of an IYD Chapter
It is easy to start a chapter. All it takes is a person, or small group of committed individuals, to volunteer to become a Chapter Leader. Chapters are separate legal entities from the Institute for Community and Adolescence Resilience, and are allied groups.
Chapter Leaders are expected to:
- Organize and have regular chapter meetings that support members in integrating the principles and practices of IYD into their work.
- Keep ICAR-US informed on chapter happenings and events.
- Contribute chapter information to the IYD newsletter and website.
- Encourage chapter members to connect youth and adults in meaningful and supportive ways.
ICAR-US will support local leaders through the creation of materials and resources that are requested by local leaders. This may include such things as activities for Chapter Leaders, suggestions for topics, resources on structure of meetings, and other support material. ICAR-US will also inform members about the workings of chapters and will pass along inquiries concerning chapter membership to regional and local Chapter Leaders. In addition, ICAR-US will provide mailing lists of members, who fall within specific geographical regions, to Chapter Leaders.
Chapters are neither legally nor financially connected with ICAR-US, but are allied groups.
For information on setting up a chapter in your area, see the ICAR-US Allied Group Guidelines.
Please contact admin@icar-us.com if you would like to start a chapter or become an allied program, agency, or initiative.
IYD Chapter Guidelines
Chapter Leader Responsibilities
Chapters are established when someone from a regional geographic area volunteers to become a Chapter Leader. Chapters are separate legal entities from ICAR-US, and are allied programs, agencies, or initiatives. Chapter Leaders are expected to:
- Organize and have regular chapter meetings that support members in integrating the principles and practices of IYD into their work.
- Keep ICAR-US informed on chapter happenings and events.
- Contribute chapter information to the IYD newsletter and website.
- Encourage chapter members to connect youth and adults in meaningful and supportive ways.
ICAR-US will support local leaders through the creation of materials and resources that are requested by local leaders. This may include such things as activities for Chapter Leaders, suggestions for topics, resources on structure of meetings, and other support material. ICAR-US will also inform members about the workings of chapters and will pass along inquiries concerning chapter membership to regional and local Chapter Leaders. In addition, ICAR-US will provide mailing lists of members, who fall within specific geographical regions, to Chapter Leaders.
Chapters are neither legally nor financially connected with ICAR-US, but are allied groups.
Meeting Frequency
Chapter Leaders decide how often to convene Chapter gatherings. 6 – 12 times per year is recommended, but meeting frequency is at the discretion of the leader. (You may want to convene on the same night every month, or every other month.) To maintain continuity, strive to schedule gathering dates for three meetings into the future, in order for members to calendar them and stay informed.
Length of Gathering
Although this is the discretion of the leader and members, Chapter meetings vary between 2 and 4 hours.
Gathering Location
Below are some suggested places to convene the gathering:
1. The Chapter Leader’s home
2. In a local church or synagogue room
3. In a local school room
4. In a local agency, business, or community room
If it is necessary to pay a fee for the use of the space, it is wise to ask your members to share in the cost of the facility and other gathering expenses.
Food
Snacks and food often support a connecting atmosphere. While some chapters begin with a potluck meal, others ask members to bring a snack to share. It is the discretion of the chapter leader, to make these decisions.
Including new members
Most Chapters begin through word of mouth and personal connections of the Chapter Leader. In addition, ICAR-US will provide a mailing list for your geographic area, and we will list your chapter meetings in the IYD newsletter and on the ICAR-US website.
Connections to Other Chapters
Chapter Leaders can join the IYD Chapter Leader list serve and are encouraged to exchange ideas and thoughts about Chapter leadership and the gatherings. Each chapter is a point of connection in a youth development web that will span the globe. It is our hope that Chapters will use these connections to deepen their understanding of, and involvement in youth development. We rely upon and benefit from the uniqueness of each Chapter, and their insights into the work of Integrative Youth Development.
Poster Series
ICAR-US soon will supply graphic images, posters, and art designed to move people to think differently about the value of youth and adult connections.
The posters will be designed by ICAR-US’s Artistic Director, and will convey the following messages:
- The Rule of Five
- The Power of the Tangibles and Intangibles in the Safety Net and Dream Catcher
- The work of growing the balloon
- The work of reducing cuts to the web
- The work of protecting the anchors
- The work of the larger social norms that effect the whole system
Our Artistic Director is available, for a fee, to discuss your unique community needs and circumstances, and to create graphic images for you to use in your IYD work. For more information, contact lara@icar-us.com.
Resources you can use - NOW
We have compiled pdf and word files, for you to download, edit, improve, and use. All we ask is that you give ICAR-US a small credit, and remain faithful to the principles and framework of IYD. Once we receive your documents, we will post them on the web, for others to edit, improve, and use. Of course, we will give you credit for your contributions.
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