Save the date for the Second Annual 5K in 5Points!

Saturday, May 19^th, 2012 will kick-off our second annual event for the 5K in 5Points! Our second annual folks, and that’s amazing! If you did not know YouthBiz, The Rotary Club of Five Points Culture District, and our 5K committee of super-hero volunteers make this event possible. Thanks to more than 300 participants and sponsors the first annual 5K in 5Points was successful.

 So what’s new this year?

Well, we are keeping the same great route through Denver’s historic Five Points Neighborhood and the race will again end at the Five Points Jazz Festival – but a few new highlights… The registration fees for the race are more affordable. Youth (under 18 years old) the registration fee is $15 and the price does not go up! But the registration fee for adults (18 years and over) start at $25 until Wednesday May 9^th and go up to $35, so remember to register early!

You can also register as a team for the 5K! Whether you are there to represent your business, support a cause, school, or you just want to sign up as a group, do it because you’ll have more fun with your friends and family!

Register now!

You can register online over here or download a mail-in registration form (no extra fees folks! right over here!

So, remember rain or shine, the 5K in 5Points is happening and be sure to bring cash for food vendors at Jazz Fest.

Questions? Contact Cate Anderson, at cate@youthbiz.org or daisy@youthbiz.org!

By Daisy Rocha, YouthBiz Youth Marketing & Fundraising Intern

Director of Development Position Overview

To: An Exceptional Candidate

Introduction

Hello! Thanks for clicking on whatever link brought you to this job description. Your instincts have served you well. This IS a great opportunity and I am glad you are investigating further.

I hope I haven’t caught you too off guard with this direct address. I know it isn’t the norm. But, hey – normal isn’t exactly what we’re about. In fact, that is why I am writing you. YouthBiz is in the midst of extraordinary times. We are staring straight into the face of a game-changing opportunity and we fully plan on seizing the moment. Our Board and staff have set aggressive goals for ourselves and each other that will push our organization beyond the boundaries of comfort into the realm of true innovation. Our ability to achieve these goals is HUGELY dependent on my ability to bring the right team of folks together, and, frankly, I am not looking for normal in this position. I am looking for exceptional.

What does exceptional look like? The right person for this position will be equal parts collaborator, educator and advocate. They will be a phenomenal communicator and a skilled listener. They must be an entrepreneurial thinker who is energized by possibility, sees challenge as an opportunity, and is committed to greatness. Most importantly, the right person will identify with our work in such a way that their job becomes a personal mission. Why do I expect so much? Because, together, we are responsible for fundamentally changing the way YouthBiz finances our core activities and ensuring that we remain well positioned to respond to a dynamic constituency well into the future.

Excited yet? I can assure you that I am. Should you be as well, I encourage you to KEEP READING!

Organizational Background

This year will mark YouthBiz’s 20^th Anniversary of providing afterschool programming to Denver’s middle and high school aged community with the intention of advancing the social and economic empowerment of youth through a focus on entrepreneurship, education and community leadership. We attribute our success to a number of factors including our dynamic Board, talented staff and remarkable youth who together, have kept us focused and relevant through two decades of service.

Perhaps most central to our organizational success is a shared set of beliefs and values that motivate and inform our actions.  Every YouthBiz stakeholder shares a belief that our young people are capable of manifesting, and actively pursuing, success for themselves and their community.  We believe in their power and potential as social and economic leaders and we envision a future where they are the driving force behind the educational, business and community initiatives shaping and improving our neighborhoods.  As such, we believe that our role is to create programs and foster environments that are efficient and conducive to the exploration and experience of leadership, and that challenge our participants to think and act entrepreneurially.

The YouthBiz Brand

YouthBiz is known throughout the youth development community for a unique approach to afterschool programming that includes the following core methodologies:

• Peer-led Instruction – We deeply value our young people. We believe in their inherent skills, abilities and tenacity so much that we engage them to lead our educational programs. We leverage their voice and perspective to deliver powerful lessons on communication, personal planning, and entrepreneurial, educational and community leadership.
• Youth Incentives and Wages – At YouthBiz, we don’t shy away from the economic realities facing our participants. We embrace the opportunity to add value to programming by providing participants with the ability to earn financial incentives, wages and profit based on program, academic and venture performance.
• Collaboration and Partnerships – YouthBiz aggressively pursues collaborative partnerships that allow us to remain laser focused on our mission, while expanding our impact. Partnerships with agencies, individuals and businesses are intentional components of our programming and provide our participants with context and application for their learning.

Strategic Opportunity

The youth that come to YouthBiz are, as mentioned, remarkable. They are smart, tenacious, resilient and determined. They strive to own businesses, not just be employed by them. They want to create the solutions to the social challenges facing them and their peers, instead of allowing themselves to be defined by stereotypes and statistics. They don’t want to just be accepted into a college, they want to lead their class in scholarships acquired. That is why, in 2012, YouthBiz will undergo a dramatic programmatic overhaul that will take our programming beyond basic skills development, into intensive leadership study and youth-led venture launch. By seizing this strategic opportunity we will benefit our youth by increasing the scope, scale and sustainability of our services, and open our organization up to new revenue streams.

Our approach to this growth is aggressive, and it is certainly not the cheapest means to an end. THAT IS WHY WE NEED YOU. A successful candidate for this position will embrace the qualities outlined in the introduction, and see themselves as not just our Development Director, but our Chief Revenue Officer. You, in collaboration with me and our incredible Board and staff team, will develop and lead a revenue strategy for the entire organization, seeking near and long term opportunities to increase income through traditional and entrepreneurial means.

Speaking of the staff, here is what we bring to the table (beyond our energy, tenaciousness, and a contagious belief in our mission, our approach and our youth):

• A most outstanding interim Development Director who, while solidly holding down the revenue front for now, is a gifted graphic artist and entrepreneur, and, whose skills would be better utilized concentrating on marketing and program development.
• The bravest, smartest Programs Director I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He is unquestionably youth-focused, has a beautiful instinct for program design and a rare ability to provide direction without stifling the leadership of his staff or the youth we serve.
• An Executive Director who believes in and relies upon her team to do what’s best, moment to moment, for our organization. I also have more experience in youth enterprise development than most and am, clearly, a direct communicator.
• A solid administrative team (including a IT manager and dedicated controller) that is charged with ensuring that our technology infrastructure, organizational processes and financial resources are sufficient to meet our current and growing demands.

We are looking for a team member who compliments us, fills our gaps and makes us stronger. We need someone who is smart, skilled in development and revenue growth, and who knows things we do not. If that person is you, do NOT wait. Leap now!! We will keep this position open only as long as it takes us to find the right candidate.

Thank you for your time. I have enjoyed sharing our story and am very much looking forward to learning more about you! Should you have questions, don’t hesitate to email me at the address below. Until then, good luck and have a magnificent day.

-  Brandy Bertram | Executive Director

Details

COMPENSATION

• This position offers a salary that works within our budget and that we believe is fair and competitive.  We anticipate that the right candidate would start somewhere between $45K-$50K and advance depending upon our ability to meet revenue goals.

 BENEFITS

• All full time YouthBiz employees have access to a comprehensive (health, dental, vision) medical benefits package as well as supplementary disability and life insurance.

LOCATION

• This position will be based at YouthBiz’s headquarters at 3280 Downing Street, Suite C, Denver, CO 80205.

ADDITIONAL

• People of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY

Please submit the following documents to brandy@youthbiz.org as soon as possible.

• Cover Letter – Please respond to the contents included in this posting by answering the following questions:
  • Why You?
  • Why YouthBiz?
  • Current Resume
    • Writing Sample – Please provide a brief example of how you would approach each of the following audiences, introducing them to YouthBiz.
      • A potential corporate sponsor
      • An individual interested in learning more about our work
      • A dear friend of yours
      • Three Relevant References

 Download Description Here >

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of YouthBiz.  It is inspiring to join an organization that was founded by entrepreneurial youth from this community in response to the very real challenges they experienced.  Carrying on the pioneering spirit of our eight young founders, I look forward to building our organizational capacity to support the development and application of entrepreneurial, educational and community leadership skills.

My professional journey to YouthBiz began in 1999 at a downtown youth drop in center where I volunteered as a business coach. Within a year, I was leading a youth entrepreneurship program that provided business skill development, access to markets and critical start-up financing for young business owners ages 14-24. I knew then, as I do now, that equipping youth with the skills and experience necessary to create prosperity through entrepreneurial action, was my life’s work.

In preparation for my role as Executive Director, I have developed a continuum of cross-sector management experience that includes a practiced understanding of collaboration building, youth enterprise and financial education program implementation, financial oversight and revenue generation.   My professional training includes service as Director of Operations and Finance at Donelson Ciancio & Goodwin P.C., Chief Operating Officer at Denver Venture School, Training & Enterprise Specialist at Making Cents International, and Deputy Director at Micro Business Development.

I am deeply honored to join YouthBiz as I believe that the work we do is valuable, relevant, timely and critically needed in our community. We have experienced twenty successful years that have resulted in service to 4,400 young people and the distribution of $1.4 million into the local economy through youth incentives and wages.  Today, we are positioned to make an entrepreneurial leap in our programming that will significantly increase the scope, scale, sustainability and impact of our services.  This growth will further our ability to create meaningful social and economic impact in our communities, and to assist other urban areas as they work to increase the presence of youth leadership in their neighborhoods.

Your historical support of our work is sincerely valued as it has helped prepare us for this magnificent moment in our history. I invite you to join us now as we walk boldly forward into the future, advancing the social and economic empowerment of youth through the development of entrepreneurial, educational and community leaders.

I would love the opportunity to share our plans with you, and discuss ways we can collaborate in this growth. It promises to be very exciting! Please contact me at brandy@youthbiz.org or 720.974.5111 with any questions or if you would like to schedule a meeting.

Brandy Bertram |  Executive Director

Have you ever wondered how YouthBiz manages to stay connected with the neighborhood? Or who are the strong supporters behind our youth leaders? It takes a team… or better yet a family to make a difference in the community.

At YouthBiz, we have been blessed to work with one of the strongest women we know, who has a passion for working with and for youth and has a life-long commitment to working toward social justice. Sonya Garcia Ulibarri has been the Executive Director at YouthBiz since 2007 and will be transitioning out of the position at the end of 2011. She has made a strong presence in the community, the organization, and the lives of many individuals.

You better believe Sonya has been there for those who needed a simple smile to get their day going, for those who needed a letters of recommendation for colleges and scholarships, and has always kept her door open for the community.

Like others, I have great memories with Sonya and am sure we will continue to be friends. The time she took the youth leaders to Disneyland, the parent shout-outs at the YouthBiz graduations, the community events, Seven Falls outing, the Diamonds in the Rough Golf Tournament, Bash at the Biz, the 5k in 5points, we have all had great memories with Sonya.

Words cannot express the gratitude the YouthBiz family feels when they think about the hard work Sonya Garcia Ulibarri has done for the community and the organization itself – And for that we thank you Sonya.

We wish you the best for the future and are so grateful for your work and time at YouthBiz!

By Daisy Rocha, Youth Marketing & Fundraising Intern

“Jonathan is a small kid, but whatever the situation is, he will step up as a leader,” says Tier 2 Crew Leader Brittany. As a small youth, Jonathan will make his presence known because of his out going personality, visions for his future, and passion to learn. He plans to attend CSU Pueblo. “I want to become a pediatric because I like to volunteer and help kids with cancer.” After Tier 2 Jonathan plans to stay involved with YouthBiz anyway he can.

“I value YouthBiz because not only are the Crew Leaders there to teach, but to make sure you succeed,” he explains.

Over the twelve week course in Tier 2 Jonathan has accomplished his goal of overcoming his shyness. He was also a youth model at this years’ Bash at the Biz.

Apart from volunteering Jonathan loves to play soccer, get adventurous with his artistic side, and play video games.

By Daisy Rocha, Youth Marketing & Fundraising Intern

We all know it; interviews are one of the hardest things to do. Those straight glares from the people across the table, sweaty palms, and most importantly making those good first impressions, but that’s not the case at YouthBiz. In out tier 1 program, our youth have learned the fundamentals for a business interview.

“The most nervous part of the interview process was waiting to be called into the room because I had to apply what I learned into the mock interview,” says thirteen year old Mark Sokolaj of Tier 1. During their week of mock interview preparations the youth learned how to answer interview questions, what items to bring, confirm their interviews ahead, and how to dress for an interview.

“It’s important for the youth to learn how to do well in interviews because not only are they for important for job and career opportunities, but for future college and scholarship interviews that will help them in the future,” says Tier 1 Crew Leader Amber Roberts.

After recollecting their thoughts about their mock interviews thirteen year old Daniel Eyassu said, “I will be more confident for my next interview.”

By: Daisy Rocha, Marketing & Fundraising Intern

We need you to help us reach our goal of raising $25,000 for YouthBiz programs on Colorado Gives Day on December 6, 2011.  YouthBiz has teamed up with the Community First Foundation and FirstBank to raise millions for Colorado charities over the 24 hour period.

Download Job Description >

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

YouthBiz, Inc. is a 19-year old youth development agency headquartered in Denver’s Five-Points neighborhood. With a mission to advance the social and economic empowerment of youth through a focus on entrepreneurship, education, and community leadership, the organization serves 500 middle and high school youth each year. Utilizing a peer-led and incentive-based approach, YouthBiz provides youth with unique and effective after-school and summer programs that strengthen educational achievement, encourage entrepreneurship, and develop aware and responsible leaders.

In 2011, the organization began the implementation of a three-year strategic plan aimed at building capacity, strengthening impact, and preparing for future expansion. YouthBiz has a strong reputation as a leader in Denver’s youth development community and seeks a dynamic Executive Director to provide visionary leadership for this work.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors (currently 11 members) and provides overall leadership and management to support the vision and mission of YouthBiz, including the consistent delivery of quality programs and successfully achieving financial objectives. Working closely with the Board, the Executive Director is responsible for the implementation of the strategic plan and is responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of programs, administration, and development, while providing day to day management of the organization. The Executive Director manages a current budget of approximately $850,000 and a staff of ten.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Leadership and Accountability.

1.     Assure that the organization has a long-range strategic plan for achieving its mission and evaluate progress toward goals.
2.     Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out Board authorized policies and plans.
3.     Play a key role in revenue development, donor cultivation and stewardship. Increase and manage a portfolio of major donors and supporters of the organization.
4.     Provide visionary leadership and management toward maintaining a strong positive and inclusive organizational culture.
5.     Serve in the community as a liaison to partnerships and coalitions related to youth development issues.
6.     Maintain a working knowledge of research and trends in youth issues and development.
7.     Promote active and broad participation by Board members, supporters and volunteers in all areas of the organization.
8.     Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

Community Relations

1.     Serve as lead spokesperson for the organization in media venues and opportunities.
2.     Create and strengthen sound working relationships and cooperative agreements with program partners, neighbors, community leaders and organizations.
3.      Publicize the activities of the organization.

Team

1.     Oversee the recruitment, employment, training and release of all paid and unpaid personnel.
2.     Ensure that sound human resource practices are vigilantly used including job descriptions, annual performance appraisals, ongoing coaching, mentoring and training.
3.     Manage and support an effective management team.
4.     Encourage the professional development for staff and volunteers.
5.     Maintain a flexible climate that attracts, retains and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people who are committed to the mission.
6.     Maintain policies to ensure the legal and regulatory compliance of the organization and the safety of its constituents.

Budget and Finance

1.     Develop and maintain sound financial policies and practices.
2.     Work with the staff, Finance Committee and board in creating a board-approved budget.
3.     Operate the organization within budget guidelines.
4.     Provide sound and prudent oversight of all organizational assets.
5.     Ensure that adequate funds are available for the organization to carry out its mission and programs.
6.     Conduct official correspondence of the organization, and execute legal documents.

QUALIFICATIONS

A successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Minimum five (5) years of successful leadership in the nonprofit sector, with an emphasis in youth-related issues preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational management including finance, fundraising, operations and working with a board of directors.
• Experience leading and growing a professional staff team.
• Genuine commitment to working for the success of youth and community; ability to develop meaningful relationships with youth.
• Strong understanding of entrepreneurial education and small business development.
• Experience working in a diverse environment, with diverse constituents.
• Track-record of developing and leading successful partnerships and collaborations.
• Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Proven ability in public speaking and desire to be one the key public “face” of the organization.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

A successful candidate will be someone who:

• Is people-oriented, flexible and open to new ideas.
• Able to work under pressure, resolve conflict with ease and be open to feedback from adults and youth alike.
• A visionary thinker who understands the role of collaboration and partnership in delivering quality youth programs and services.
• Has the ability to operate independently and is self-motivated, yet recognizes the importance of teamwork, collaboration and utilizes their team when making critical decisions.
• Is resourceful and able to build strong relationships with supporters.
• Has a proven track record of achieving assigned tasks utilizing a proactive approach to problem solving and ability to influence credible change in current processes.
• Is passionate about the mission of YouthBiz and can inspire other to be as well.

EDUCATION
A Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience is preferred.

COMPENSATION

This position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes: health, dental, vision, and paid time off.

TRAVEL/OTHER REQUIREMENTS
This is a full-time position that will require occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel by car throughout the Denver metro area.

LOCATION
This position will be located at YouthBiz’s headquarters at 3280 Downing Street, Suite C, Denver, CO 80205. 

ADDITIONAL
People of color and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY
Please submit the following documents to employment@youthbiz.org no later than Friday, November 18^th by 5:00 pm MST:

• Cover Letter Highlighting Qualifications and Salary Requirements
• Current Resume
• Three Professional References
• Salary Requirements

If we find your skills match those of the position, we will contact you for an interview.

YouthBiz is dedicated to equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all of its employees and applicants for employment.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is 6:30 am and twenty eight degrees outside with only an hour and a half to go until doors open at 8:00 a.m. Wearing layers upon layers of clothing, it was going to be a long morning as the snow began to pick up around 7:30 a.m. But determined to stay warm and see him speak at my campus, it was an opportunity I was not going to pass by.

Several thousand students were all eager to hear and see President Barack Obama talk at our campus as part of his American Jobs Act tour.

There is nothing better than someone who is interested in helping us deal with our student loan difficulties. On October 26, President Obama came to Auraria Campus and spoke about the hardship he and his wife, Michelle had while paying $120,000 in student loans and still saving money for his daughters’ college fund. President Barack Obama knows what it is like to pay those dreadful loans and the importance of education.

“And the very fact — the very fact that you are here, investing in your education, the fact that you’re going to college, the fact that you’re making an investment in your future tells me that you share my faith in America’s future. You inspire me — your hopes and your dreams and your opportunities,” he shared.

In his speech, he spoke about the importance of a college education, but how it has never been more expensive. Ridiculously enough, the average college graduate leaves college with a $24,000 debt. With fewer jobs available to pay those student loans, Obama has come up with an answer to this challenge. As of 2012, maximum payments on student loans will reduce from 15 percent of their annually income to 10 percent. And give students a simple fact sheet to let then know how they can pay for college, which is going to be called, “Know Before You Owe. ” So as this action takes effect next year, it will help millions of students across the country.

But how is this relevant to the young people who come to YouthBiz? At YouthBiz, students take specific courses like College and Career Readiness. As YouthBiz alumni, I feel it is important to teach other youth in the community what they can expect through the college process. In Tier II, students research colleges, career interests, and go on job shadows. Crew Leaders prepare them for the real world and enhance how important it is to go to college. Many of our youth have dreams to become entrepreneurs, pediatricians, teachers, and lawyers. Giving them that extra background knowledge in how to academically and financially pay for college, they are equipped to succeed and pursue their dreams. Personally, taking that extra time to research and ask questions about how to pay for college goes along way. But the most valuable piece that a youth at YouthBiz can do is taking that time to invest in their future.

By: Daisy Rocha, Marketing & Fundraising Intern