Phase One
Initiatives (July 2006-October 2007)
National
Calls
A
national monthly call-in serves to keep the network connected. During
call-ins, member organizations share the progress of local work, there is a
planning update for the annual Brave New Voices Festival, and check-ins
concerning NYSWC business. Each month there is a short presentation given by
an expert on a topic of relevance to the field, followed by an open floor
discussion.
Website and
E-newsletter
The
NYSWC website and monthly e-newsletter keep organizations throughout the
field connected to one another and facilitate the sharing of information.
Annual
Summit
July
2007 will bring the second annual summit of the NYSWC, during which time
organizations from throughout the country will come together to share
strategies, organize resources and mobilize the movement on a national
scale.
Mapping the
Movement
A comprehensive survey is
currently in distribution. The survey will help NYSWC to map the current
landscape of youth spoken word programs on a national level. The results of
the survey will lead to a report of the opportunities and gaps within the
field. The purpose of the Mapping Project is to get a clear picture of just
where the different programs and organizations are, what they need, and how
we can all better work together to make sure wešre sustaining a movement
that will be around for generations.
Coalition
Development
This
is the critical first phase of development for the coalition. During this
phase, we have identified a first and second wave of organizational
partners, developed a membership agreement and fee, hired a part-time
administrator, developed an active steering committee, conducted an initial
needs survey, and created an initial process for collaborative planning and
decision-making. We are currently in the beginning phase of creating a
strategic plan, seeking funding for a planning grant that will enable
substantial planning, and refining coalition processes.
Phase Two
Initiatives (November 2007-August 2008)
Coalition
Development
A
planning grant will enable organizations to commit the necessary time to
developing and refining the coalition standards for operation and
participate in intensive strategic planning. During this phase, we plan to
increase the administrative director position, bring the steering committee
together for several annual planning retreats, and conduct a fundraising
campaign to support operations in phase three.
Resource
Development- Online Toolkits
The
NYSWC website will serve as the central clearing house for
all coalition member organizations to access resources and support, as well
as interface with other organizations in the coalition. The goal of this
website will be to provide organizations with models and resources that will
help them sustain and grow their capacity in this national movement. Along
with providing comprehensive information about member events and regional
activities, the website will serve as a tool for organizations to access
resources that will engage existing and developing organizations in:
*Fundraising
Toolkits (foundation, fee-for-service, and individual donors)
*Curriculum
Building & Pedagogy Options
*Program Models
*Articles that
critically engage issues relevant to the field
*Consulting
Services- fee-based professional development opportunities for organizations to
develop and strengthen their capacity
Defining Standards of Excellence
As we work
towards scaling up the volume and scale of work being done throughout the youth
spoken word field, it is imperative that we focus our energies on defining the
highest standards of excellence for organizations and programmatic quality. A
published statement of standards will harness the expertise that presently
exists in the field and serve as a map for emergent groups. During this phase,
the coalition of lead organizations will develop a statement of standards based
on a current understanding of best practices and an accompanying self-assessment
tool that groups can use to gauge their own effectiveness.
Annual
Summit
The
July 2008 will continue to bring the national network together for critical
engagement with one another.
National
Calls
Monthly national calls will continue to fuel the professional development
and sustain the network of coalition partners.
Phase Three
Initiatives (September 2008-August 2009)
Annual
Summit, National Calls, Online Toolkits, Standards of Excellence and
Coalition Planning
These
vital systems will continue to grow and adapt to meet the changing needs of
organizations within the movement.
Capacity Development Re-Granting
Program
A major fundraising drive
is underway! The National Youth Spoken Word
Coalition will create two distinct fundraising pathways, with the goal of
creating sustainability for the network of programs across the country. With
specific goals to have 10 organizations with budgets over $1million dollars,
an additional 10 with budgets over $500,000, and 10 more with budgets over
$100,000 within 5 years, eventually we'd like to see all 50 programs around
the country set up as strong organizations.
The two fundraising programs
are:
1. A local program focus
that will create tools, pathways, and success in
helping programs to create ongoing fundraising programs in their own
communities, tapping the most important local resources to supporting the
work each organization does locally. Through trainings, funders briefings
and donated technical service, this project will give organizations the
tools needed to access local funding.
2.
A national fundraising drive to
create a large pool of money to be
distributed through a matching, re-granting program. Through this
program, organizations would be guaranteed a specific amount of money over a
three-year period, and given benchmarks to meet in order to access
additional funds. Growing off of fundraising pathways Youth Speaks and other
lead partners have created, major national funders will be approached on
behalf of the coalition and the goal of developing and supporting
organizations who are successfully utilizing spoken word as an artistic,
youth development, educational, civic engagement, and literacy tool.
Additional
Projects
Terrific ideas have been presented through coalition surveys, brainstorms
and discussion. Some of those ideas include the development of a media
library, an annual conference for mentor writers, youth writing residency
programs, accreditation programs, etc. The coalition planning process will
lead us to prioritize and develop a number of new resources and programs as
we move into the future.
