Thursday slide deck link (PDF in the folder link below)
Friday slide deck link (PDF in the folder link below)
All other slide decks, PDFs, and materials can be found in this Google folder.
Join your colleagues, sponsors, and volunteers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and U.P. Michigan at our annual fall leadership conference. Explore new strategies, reignite your passion, and recharge by experiencing the beauty of the Coulee region along the Mississippi River.
Who is the conference for?
All YMCA associations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and U.P. Michigan are invited. We also have staffers from Y-USA, the Regional Hub, and many sponsors join us.
Where is the conference held?
The conference will be held at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, WI.
How much is it to attend?
See the 'Fees & Registration' tab below.
What's the general agenda?
Both days start with an opening keynote, announcements, two breakout sessions, and lunch. Thursday afternoon focuses on volunteer awards and Alliance updates. Friday afternoon is when Peer Communities will breakout together. Social events are offered on Thursday after the conference concludes. Fun activities are in the works, stay tuned!
Thursday, October 12 Leadership Conference: $45
Friday, October 13 YPN Staff Rally: $40
Training Add-Ons:
Wisconsin New Y Leader Program participants use discount code: NYL23
Thursday, October 12
Program: 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Welcome/Opening
Keynote 1
Breakout Session 1 | 10:30-11:20 am
Breakout Session 2 | 11:30-12:20 pm
Lunch Buffet
Keynote 2
Awards & Alliance Updates
Friday, October 13
Program: 8:45 am-3:30 pm
Welcome/Opening
Keynote
Awards & Announcements
Breakout Session 1 | 10:30-11:20 am
Breakout Session 2 | 11:30-12:20 pm
Lunch Buffet
Peer Community Breakouts | approx. 12:45-3:30 pm
Thursday, October 12:
Welcome by Suzanne McCormick, President/CEO of YMCA of the USA
Morning Keynote by Neil Ihde, Founder of iLife
~ Navigating the Ten Tensions of Leadership: As a leader you want to be effective - to get results and empower your team. You want to be friendly and approachable...but also authoritative and respected. You try to lead on a macro left, but find yourself slipping into micromanagement from time to time. You want to be relational and yet hold people accountable. If you've experienced these tensions, you are not alone. Dealing with these leadership tensions is a necessary part of developing your leadership style and increasing your self-awareness. The more you recognize the natural tensions that go along with your leadership role, the better off you will be relationally with your team and you will accelerate your ability to make efficient and effective decisions.
Afternoon Keynote by Neil Beam, Founder of the Appreciation Company
~ The Appreciation Factor: Even before the pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn, people were starving psychological safety in their work and at home. Neil will present a case-study from AT&T that required rebuilding a team after layoffs using the 7 Factors of Belonging. As we do this, we'll unlock what might be the most single most powerful untapped capability at your YMCA to improve employee and member retention while increasing fundraising potential.
Breakouts:
~ The YMCA at a Crossroads: How do we “put Christian principles into practice” in a way that honors our heritage and engages our entire community. The YMCAs Christian mission has divided Y’s into big “C” YMCAs and ‘for all’ YMCAs. This session will explore the common ground in delivering our mission without offense to anyone (mostly) and help articulate how this will energize our YMCA Movement into becoming an even more powerful force providing programs in spirit, mind and body.
~ YMCA Retirement Fund Strategic Update: This presentation will provide C-Suite Leaders and Volunteers with an overview of the unique benefit, update on the strategic priorities of the Fund including ROTH and update on trends with Contribution rates.
~ Making Decisions with a Lens of Equity: How can you ignite your passion for leading with equity in decision-making? Join us for this session on making decisions with a lens of equity. We will address and discuss topics of equity, mental models and bias, and their impact on making equitable decisions. Facilitated by Dr. Sandra Harris Howard and Janie Westbrook from YMCA of the North's Equity Innovation Center of Excellence.
~ Child Protection: Join Britt Darwin-Looney from Y-USA and she shares updates on child protection. Child Protection remains a top priority for Ys and Y-USA. As a Y leader, you plan an integral role in creating a culture of safety for your association. This session will address the enhancements to the Child Abuse Membership Qualification, include a n update on incident report trends, provide you with resources for abuse prevention and response, and address a systematic approach to keeping kids in your care safe.
~ Public Policy Tips for both Wisconsin and Minnesota: Foley & Lardner is working with Capitol Hill Associates (both lobbyist firms the Alliance uses) to share updates on state legislation and how to connect more intentionally with your elected officials.
~ CVO/Board Member Discussion: Board members are encouraged to join this session and learn more about strategic planning, as well as open discussion on any questions from a board member perspective. Facilitated by Jon Agnew, CEO of the Upper Midwest Alliance of YMCAs and Joe Swanson, Past CVO of the Upper Midwest Alliance of YMCAs.
Friday, October 13:
Keynote by Tom Thibodeau (back by popular demand!) The Positive Power of Servant Leadership
Breakouts:
~ The YMCA at a Crossroads: How do we “put Christian principles into practice” in a way that honors our heritage and engages our entire community. The YMCAs Christian mission has divided Y’s into big “C” YMCAs and ‘for all’ YMCAs. This session will explore the common ground in delivering our mission without offense to anyone (mostly) and help articulate how this will energize our YMCA Movement into becoming an even more powerful force providing programs in spirit, mind and body.
~ Saving for a Great Retirement: The presentation will highlight how much you need to save during your career and how you can get there utilizing both the Fund’s 401(a) Retirement Plan and the Savings Plans—403(b)Tax-Deferred, Roth Account and Rollovers—ultimately resulting in Lifetime Income! The Savings Plan’s features like loans during your working years will also be discussed.
~ Pickleball - it's for ALL: Head downstairs to the North Hall to learn and try out pickleball!
~ Child Protection: Join Britt Darwin-Looney from Y-USA and she shares updates on child protection. Child protection remains a top priority for Ys and Y-USA. This session will provide Y professionals with information on trends in child abuse (from Y-USA reporting and Praesidium's helpline data); tools and resources to help Ys prepare for the enhancements to the Child Protection and Aquatic Safety Membership Qualification; tips for preparing and engaging in Praesidium Accreditation; and idea sharing on how to continue to elevate this topic to create a sustainable culture of safety for the youth in our communities.
~ Advocacy and You: Foley & Lardner is working with Capitol Hill Associates (both lobbyist firms the Alliance uses) to share how advocacy is applicable at all YMCA staff levels.
~ The Appreciation Factor: In this breakout, we'll revisit and expand upon The Appreciation Factor keynote by diving into six changes Neil made within AT&T's Social Media Customer Service Team that retained 100% of the staff after a major restructuring. If time allows, we'll have the chance to use a free version of The Appreciation Company's service apply the 7 Factors of Belonging in our personal and professional lives.
Hotel discounts have expired. You can call any of the hotels listed below to see if there is availability, or any other local hotel.
Home2Suites: $139/night | Wednesday & Thursday - ALL ROOMS ARE BOOKED
Fairfield by Marriott: $149/night | Wednesday & Thursday
Courtyard by Marriott: $144/night | Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Also check out AirBnB and Vrbo!
reCHARGE at Pettibone
Thursday, October 12
6:00-11:00 pm
Campfire, s'mores, lawn games...or just sit and relax overlooking the river and listen to music. Pettibone Resort is a 3-minute drive or beautiful 20-minute walk across the Mississippi from the La Crosse Center. Make your way over after dinner to spend some time catching up with others. Light appetizers and open bar available.
Walking Brewery Tour
Thursday, October 12
6:00 pm (check the mobile app for updates to start time)
Join the group and walk to a few local establishments near downtown La Crosse. Stops may include Turtle Stack Brewery, La Crosse Distilling, and 4Sisters Wine & Tapas. Drinks are on your own, but we will have Chris Stenberg from the Alliance staff leading the group!
Pickelball Tournament
Thursday, October 12
3:45-5:00 pm
All skill levels are welcome to sign up and join us for a recreational pickleball tournament held at the La Crosse Center (downstairs in the North Hall). See what the rage is about across the nation. Sign up during conference registration (preferred) or when you arrive Thursday morning if there is room. Hosted by Matt Lund.
Peer Community groups will meet in person on Friday at the YPN Staff Rally from 12:45-3:30 pm. Leaders are putting together an agenda. If you have specific questions on what your group is doing or would like to help, please contact these Co-Chairs:
If you'd like to complete one of the following Y-USA trainings in conjunction with the conference, please register using the links below in the Learning & Career Development Center (LCDC).
If you register for a Y-USA training, you should not register for the Thursday Leadership Conference. These two are separate offerings for the conference.
Scan the QR code or click here.
Questions on this event or to volunteer to help behind the scenes, contact Julia Wohlt.
