FY25 AYDC Coalition Engagement: Outreach, Retention and Engagement Activities Brainstorm by Anchorage Youth Development Coalition (AYDC)

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 20:51:24 UTC

Write 2–3 potential retention activities, using one post for each idea. Be as specific as possible when describing your ideas.

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 20:51:24 UTC

Please use this space for additional questions, curiosities, or concerns

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 20:54:35 UTC

Please share one retention and one engagement activity you’re most excited about

Member Recognition and Appreciation

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 21:49:08 UTC

Example: Recognition and Appreciation: Highlight member contributions through awards, shout-outs/spotlights, social media features/newsletter features..

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 21:49:55 UTC

Independently, review the ideas and think about how they can be grouped into categories
Together we will organize ideas into categories

Heart/like Voting (10 minutes):

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 21:51:01 UTC

Each of you will have 3 heart/like stamps for each category, Engagement Activities and Retention Activities. So 6 total heart/like stamps.
Please like/heart the activities you believe will have the most significant impact on AYDC's abilities to retain AND Engage members in the coalition. Please consider the following in your decisions..
Feasibility: Is this activity realistic given our current resources (time, budget, staff)?
Reach: How many people or organizations could this activity potentially impact?
Alignment: Does this activity clearly support the coalition’s mission, vision, and goals?

aydc1 — 2025-03-26 21:52:14 UTC

Why do you believe these activities stand out as strong options?
What obstacles might we face in implementing these activities and can we address those challenges to ensure success?

aydc1 — 2025-03-27 22:30:59 UTC

Retention has been low recently. why?

Timely Communications/Follow Up, Personalized Messages

aydc1 — 2025-03-27 22:36:38 UTC

-Following up individually coalition members on bounce back

-Doing calls instead of emails and empowering message

-Following up Individually folks who haven't been to a coalition meeting to each individual coalition members

Calendar image of Monthly Coalition Meetings

aydc1 — 2025-03-27 22:37:26 UTC

More Robust Onboarding Process

aydc1 — 2025-03-27 22:47:38 UTC

-We have the new member handbook, but can we make this in a more simple/visual way--especially in a busy world and decreasing attention span

-setting one on one with new coalition members to onboard them;

Providing Training and Professional Development

aydc1 — 2025-03-27 22:57:52 UTC

Offer workshops on coalition-relevant skills (e.g., grant writing, public speaking, DEI, trauma-informed practices).
Member Led Training and PD
- peer to peer learning opportunities
- members to share insights on projects, strategies, or challenges
- sharing a skill sharing and useable tid bits- ie grant writing, how to talk to youth about suicide, and doesn't have to be attached to our work specifically

Proactive Follow up on Orgs not currently represented

aydc1 — 2025-03-27 23:21:47 UTC

-Who is not currently here that should be here?

-What other organizations are missing?

-Can you connect us to someone else?

Community Building and Social Spaces

2025-04-08 23:00:36 UTC

Create informal spaces for relationship-building:

Virtual/ in person coffee chats
Peer Roundtable
- structured but informal gathering where coalition members (peers) come together to discuss a specific topic, share experiences, ask questions, and offer advice to one another
  - ie. Self-care, burnout prevention, and staff wellness.
Networking hour
- Make time for Networking
- Outside of the opening, I think it would be great to take time for people to connect and talk about their work. This could be formal or informal, but it would increase everyone's network and create potential partnerships.

Coalition Member Retention

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 16:39:59 UTC

Retention is about keeping members long-term and making sure they stay active, involved, and don’t drift away. Engagement helps with retention, but retention also depends on ensuring members feel valued, supported, and that their needs are met over time.

Coalition Member Enagement

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 16:42:02 UTC

These are the actions and strategies used to actively involve members in the coalition’s work, mission, and community. Engagement focuses on creating meaningful participation and connection.

Proactive Follow-Up on Attendance Gaps

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 16:52:50 UTC

Following up w/ Coalition Members who Stop Attending

Exit Interviews/Survey

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 16:57:09 UTC

-What motivated you to join initially

-What worked well for you here

-What could have improved your experience?

-What would have encouraged you to stay involved?

Could help with future recruitment and retention

Clear articulation of Different Levels of Involvement at AYDC

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 17:00:34 UTC

Tiered participation:

Active contributors (committee chairs, aydc leadership team, and other involved participation).
Light supporters (attending coalition meetings ( occasionally)
Advocacy-only (signing letters of support, sharing info ).

Make it clear that any level of involvement is valued — this prevents all-or-nothing thinking, where members leave when they can’t commit “fully.”

Regular Check-Ins on Member Goals

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 17:05:32 UTC

At least once a year (or at onboarding, then annually):

Ask members about their personal and professional goals.
Create space in meetings or surveys for members to articulate how aydc can support their work or organization.
Align coalition initiatives with member priorities when possible — so the relationship remains mutually beneficial.

Removing Barriers to Participation

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 17:08:45 UTC

Offer meeting times (coalition meetings, AYDC LT Meetings, and Committee Meetings) accessible to members needs.

Updating Regular Coalition Gatherings Format

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 17:21:01 UTC

move beyond business updates and info sharing to more coalition member interactive involvement
Include interactive segments: breakout discussions, storytelling, or reflective prompts.
Rotate meeting hosts among member organizations to spotlight their work.

Asking for member Input on AYDC Plans, Policies, and Activities

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 17:23:48 UTC

Coalition Member Participation in AYDC's Strategic Plan Development in Fall of 2025

Communications/Follow up

aydc1 — 2025-04-22 23:51:51 UTC

Coalition Outreach Activities

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:38:26 UTC

Coalition outreach activities are intentional efforts to engage, inform, and involve people or organizations in a AYDC's mission, goals, or initiatives. These activities aim to expand the coalition’s reach, build partnerships, strengthen visibility, and deepen community relationships.

Networking Event

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:41:05 UTC

Casual/informal/- Something fun like ice skating, bowling,. etc. that is sponsored by us and open to any youth-serving organization, religious org., other stakeholders, etc.

AYDC Information Session + Networking

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:41:17 UTC

-Open house-invite community members and potential partners to where they can learn about the coalition’s work, hear testimonials, and ask questions. They can bring a friend or colleague.

Casual/informal/- morning or midday coffee & bagels/ drop in.

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:41:31 UTC

Host specific networking event designed to connect to other organizations.

AYDC Participation at Partner/Community Events

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:42:53 UTC

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:43:31 UTC

Gift/Resource baskets (could be resources/swag from each AYDC member/organization) for organizations we are interested in reaching out to. It could include a one-pager about AYDC and some reasonable swag items (everyone appreciates mugs)

Tabling at Community Events

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:43:45 UTC

Participate in public events- tabling at community events to share information and connect with potential partners

Media Toolkit

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:45:09 UTC

Create Database of Current and Prospective Coalition Partners

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 20:46:46 UTC

Community Presentations

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 21:00:47 UTC

Presenting about AYDC at schools, town halls, faith groups, or neighborhood associations, Conferences/Symposia/Summits etc.

AYDC Hosted Community Events

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 21:06:57 UTC

AYDC Hosted Networking Events

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 21:43:21 UTC

Aydc hosted Community Event

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 21:51:24 UTC

Organizing community clean-ups, awareness walks, or cultural celebrations.
Aligning with national awareness months (e.g., Mental Health Awareness Month, Youth Violence Prevention Week).

Participating in Partner Events and Other Coalitions

aydc1 — 2025-05-06 21:56:26 UTC

To show support and network, attend other community events organized by our coalition partners and/or participate in other coalitions and their events.

aydc1 — 2025-05-20 00:34:10 UTC