NAYDO Conference
by Kristi Potts on 04/16/14
April 16th, 2014
YMCA NEWS
(San Antonio, Texas)
Montgomery County Family YMCA Executive Director, Nick Zimmer, and Nancy Zimmer, a dedicated YMCA volunteers with the YMCA’s 2014 Annual Campaign “The Y. So Much More” program along with serving on the YMCA’s endowment fundraising committee “Our Future Is In Your Hands” endowment enlargement campaign recently attended the 2014 North America YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO) conference in downtown San Antonio, Texas at the Marriott Rivercenter / Riverwalk during the dates of April 9th – 12th, 2014.
NAYDO’s statement of purpose is to lead and advance the development of YMCA professionals, volunteers, and YMCA associations in the philanthropic work of their YMCA through training, education, advocacy, research, and knowledge sharing. NAYDO partners with the YMCA of the USA, YMCA Canada and the Mexican Federation of the YMCAs to advance philanthropy. Annually NAYDO hosts a major conference in North America. The NAYDO conference is the largest of the YMCA movement on an annual basis. The conference this year in San Antonio drew 1,500 conference attendees from 14 countries throughout the world that attended the 33rdt annual conference with the conference theme “Focus On Cause = Mission Impact!”.
NAYDO through the year offers several philanthropy webinars, hosts a website at www.naydo.org, partnership financial development training’s with YMCA of Canada, the Mexican Federation of the YMCAs and YMCA of the USA, quarterly “Development Newsletters”, networking, and needed referral assistance for a YMCA with a particular philanthropy need in such areas of endowment, capital and/or annual campaign programs for just some of the wonderful membership benefits of being a NAYDO member.
This year’s conference had wonderful key note general session speakers in:
· “Freedom in Forgiveness – At the Heart of Giving”, Amanda Lindhout, Founder, Global Enrichment Foundation. In 2008, freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout was in Somalia to research a story on the millions of people affected by two decades of war, drought and famine. Kidnapped by teenage criminals, Amanda sent 460 days enduring unimaginable hardships as a hostage. Following her release in November, 2009, she become an unlikely and passionate advocate for the people of Somalia, founding the Global Enrichment Foundation to ignite leadership in Somalia through education and economic initiatives. Amanda has raised millions of dollars to support development and aid in Somalia and returned to lead famine relief efforts in 2011.
· ” C.H.A.N.G.E. It’s Simpler Than You Think “ Kenston J. Griffin, Founder and CEO Dream Builders Communication, Inc, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, NC board member. Mr. Griffin shows individuals and organizations “how to dream again”.
· “Storytelling with Impact in the Digital Age” Robert Rivard, Director of The Rivard Report and The Arsenal Group. Mr. Rivard of San Antonio, Texas is a member of the Greater YMCA of San Antonio. Mr. Rivard shared and showed stories how one’s YMCA can share its stories with one’s community/area and donors.
· NAYDO is a membership organization for YMCA association’s and/or YMCA professionals as an individual that are current members of NAYDO throughout the world. NAYDO is made up of all YMCA volunteers with the exception of one full time membership/conference coordinator, part time office assistant and computer technical support assistance.
NAYDO volunteers are dedicated full time YMCA professional staff members and key volunteers throughout North America that have the passion to inspire and strengthen philanthropic culture of the YMCA. The Montgomery County Family YMCA is a member of NAYDO and Nick Zimmer just completed two successful council terms on the NAYDO Council representing the smaller market YMCA associations in the United States of general operational sizes of $2 million dollars or less. Zimmer’s council responsibilities ended on April 12th,2014. Zimmer served in total six year’s on the council.
Zimmer served on the membership/ownership committee and chaired the NAYDO Conference’s Sponsorship and Exhibit committee since 2009 to present. Prior to Zimmer taking over the Sponsorship and Exhibit Chair of the annual NAYDO conference which is held annually in April there were 30 exhibitors and sponsors with revenue to NAYDO of an estimated $40,000. Today NAYDO secure nearly 60 exhibitors and sponsors with a 2014 revenue figure of $123,000. Zimmer attributes the success of the NAYDO sponsorship and exhibitor program to continuity, attention to detail, and having 7-9 dedicated professionals from the United States and Canada that give an estimated annual 30 plus volunteer hours a year in offering the best customer service needs to NAYDO’s sponsors and exhibitors.
Nick and Nancy Zimmer with some assistance from the Montgomery County Family YMCA and their personal funding were able to attend this year’s conference. NAYDO does offer YMCA’s financial scholarships to attend the conference and the Montgomery County Family YMCA in the past has been recipients. NAYDO annually awards estimated $80,000 financial scholarships so that YMCA’s with less financial resources or first time conference attendees can attend NAYDO.
Nancy Zimmer attended various workshops, assisted Nick (her husband) with working closely with the NAYDO conference exhibitors and sponsors throughout the conference. Nancy also served on the planning committee for the NAYDO 2014 Philanthropy Live seven projects that had seven in total that drew nearly 100 conference volunteer at several projects to strengthen the community and residents of San Antonio. Philanthropy Live is just another form how the YMCA is there in one’s community brings people together.
Nick Zimmer served as a facilitator for the Thursday, April 10th, 2014 morning sessions of “Hot Topics” sponsored by the YMCA of the USA Financial Development department. Zimmer facilitated the topic of “Gift of Grain: Revenue for Small/Mid – Size Rural YMCA’s.
Nick Zimmer along with Steve Totten, YMCA of San Diego County, California, Bart Landess, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, NC and Carol Schmidt with YMCA of the USA Financial Development Department, from Minneapolis, Minnesota were honored to lead one of the conference’s Philanthropy School & Educational Tracks on Thursday, April 10th, 2014 titled” Fundamentals of a Sustainable Endowment Program for Any Size Y.
Also at this years Eagle Awards Night which was on Thursday, April 9th, 2014 a night where for 33 years the top YMCA’s in three general operational budget sizes, midsize and small financial operational wise are honored for their best practices in philanthropy – all Eagle Award winners were recognized with the 33rd year of the conference of which the Montgomery County Family YMCA won the 2009 Eagle Award for the category budget size of $2 million or less at the NAYDO conference in Dallas, Texas.
The 34th NAYDO Annual Conference on YMCA Philanthropy will be on April 22nd-25th, 2014 at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta Georgia. The conference theme for 2015 in Atlanta will be “IGNITING A SPARK”!
To learn more about how one can become a member, volunteer, program participant or donor to the Montgomery County Family YMCA, please contact Nick Zimmer, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Family YMCA at 712-623-2161 or email the YMCA at execdir@mcymca.com visit with one of the other fine YMCA staff and customer service center representative at the YMCA which is located at 101 East Cherry Street in the beautiful Red Oak Legion Park, Red Oak, Iowa. One can also visit the YMCA’s very friendly user website page at www.mcymca.com.
