The struggle to fill positions in a consistently strong job market has become increasingly more challenging for organizations that provide programs for children and youth. With rising economic inequality, declining working standards, pent-up demand for a greater voice at work, and shifting pressures caused by the pandemic, supporting workers’ rights have become increasingly vital to the well-being of both nonprofit and corporate realms. With the rising tide of need, philanthropic organizations should consider reprioritizing funds to invest in the protection and advancement of rights for out-of-school time professionals.
NAA’s Convention is a time for leaders to come together to network, problem-solve, and celebrate. In 2023 we are offering two invitation-only opportunities to influencers, leaders, and key stakeholders.
I know I’m not the only one who thinks writing New Year’s Resolutions is much easier than keeping them. I always start the year off with a lot (A LOT) of good intentions that are going to make me happier, thinner, kinder, bolder, more productive – the list goes on and on. If you do, too – check out these books to help you reach those goals and stay on track for success!
National AfterSchool Association’s 2023 Convention is almost here, and we are thrilled to announce this year’s sessions! In addition to robust opportunities to network, there are over 100 more formal opportunities to learn, connect and be truly inspired by fellow out-of-school time professionals. This year, we’re focused on building a future for the afterschool profession that promotes equity and sustainability within the field, and the sessions for NAA23 reflect that momentum.
Young people want to be heard. They want adults to hear their stories, consider their ideas, and value them as partners in finding solutions for their communities’ issues. At the National AfterSchool Association, we are fortunate to have abundant opportunities to work with adults who listen with open, eager minds. Camp Fire Evaluation Manager and 2022 NextGen Leader alumni Hannah Howard is walking the walk of an afterschool leader by serving on the Amplify Youth Voice Advisory Committee for Every Hour Counts. As a part of her role, Hannah recently attended the Powered by Youth Voice in Chicago, where youth voices were centered on advancing new directions for the afterschool field.
January is National Mentorship Month! Mentorship allows people of all ages to learn from one another, providing a path to knowledge transfer for education, work, and more. Mentoring exposes young people to caring, involved role models, and while out-of-school-time professionals often serve in that role for the young people in their programs, the relationships built between mentors and mentees are important for both individuals and organizations.
Does the thought of meeting new people, public speaking, or introducing yourself in a room full of strangers give you cold sweats and heart palpitations? These standard, professional job obligations can be an anxiety trigger for many, but the art of performing comedy without a script could help ease your nerves. Improv can increase creativity, well-being, and our ability to tolerate uncertainty in a few simple ways.
NAA is teaming up with AT&T to offer you and your youth an amazing online learning resource named The Achievery.
It’s a new year ripe with different opportunities to further foster development, provide education, and encourage advocacy for the out-of-school-time community. At NAA, we have a few focal points to cover, and we want to hear from you about what you are most interested in learning and experiencing in 2023.
We have all seen it and felt it; the sense of wellbeing in adults is often closely tied to how we experience our workdays. Sources of job stress, job turnover, and job dissatisfaction among youth development professionals have been identified as things like work-life imbalances, overwhelming workloads, lack of training or professional development, and not being meaningfully recognized for the time and expertise they contribute. This new year is filled with opportunities – prioritizing how we demonstrate appreciation for out-of-school time workers will help us pursue each with better-connected employees.
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