Unification News - February 2012

Planning is Underway for Website and Tools to Support an Engaged HI-USA

Volunteer and group engagement is a key part of HI-USA’s long history and bright future.  Today, much of the networking and relationship-building needed to support on-the-ground mission delivery can happen online.  Many of our local affinity and volunteer groups are already communicating online, and members of GenY, HI-USA’s primary focus for the future, are more likely to connect virtually.  We are pleased to announce that planning is underway for our new volunteer and group engagement website.  (It needs an exciting name and tag line; please see the description of the site below, and submit your suggestions to unify@hi-usa.org !)

This new site will be our primary vehicle for promoting and supporting local engagement – both the affinity groups that exist for social and other reasons, and the volunteer groups that focus on specific events or activities in communities.   The site will include discussion boards, file sharing, calendar tools, and chat functions, all designed to keep the lines of communications open and active between those with a shared interest.

Danny Marx is serving as the project lead and the chief content editor. He will be working with a design and development team to determine the best tools and approach to build the site.  Meanwhile, Barbara Wein will be reaching out to councils and hostels (in the Central Region first) for input and to collect the content needed to make the site beta-ready by April  2012. 

Central Region Plans Are Being Realized; Two Councils Unify

The Central Region, which includes all of the former Midwest Region plus the south central states of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, is the biggest geographic region we will form and is also first in line for unification, with a target date of May 2012. (See the full unification schedule and map here.)

Following the Central Region meeting in November, we began connecting with each council to determine unique circumstances affecting unification, review legal requirements in the state, and ultimately create a timeline that culminates with council unification.

Two councils in the Central Region have already initiated the steps required to dissolve their current structure.  The Northeast Ohio Council, working with a local attorney, is completing the final legal steps of dissolution, and has begun the process of transferring cash accounts to the unified organization.  The Bluebonnet Council is based in Houston, Texas, home of the brand new Morty Rich Hostel.  Working with Blaine Franz, who is leading regional unification for HI-USA, the council has approved necessary resolutions and initiated required filings with the state, with the help of templates prepared by HI-USA’s attorneys.    “Bluebonnet Board members and volunteers look forward to continuing to promote hostelling, deliver educational programs in the community, and enhance hostellers experience at the new HI-Houston hostel with the support of regional staff,” said Blaine. “Each council is unique, and we expect that local needs will continue to bring some individual councils on board ahead of the plan.”  Both councils are targeting completion of the process by March 31, which will allow them to file one final IRS Form-990 this year. 

View of the common area at Houston’s Morty Rich Hostel

The Central Region will be managed by a Vice President who will lead hostels, engagement and resource development activities.  We have identified two finalists for this position, and plan to make a final selection in early February.   One regional volunteer and one regional hostel manager will be participating in the interview process.   “We received many strong resumes, and our aim is to select an extraordinary Vice President to launch the Central Region”, said Russ Hedge, HI-USA CEO.  We have also initiated recruitment for two Engagement Managers, with the job listing posted in mid-January.  Click here for listing. 

Strategy Development Update

Last month, we announced the leaders for our Program Strategy Committee , which will be developing coordinated strategies for hostels, education and community building across HI-USA. In early January, the committee invited nominations from staff and volunteers throughout our hostels and regions. Teams will meet virtually over the coming months to support strategy development.  “Many staff members and volunteers are stepping up to take part, and we will be forming our Resource Groups in early February,” said Danielle Brumfitt, HI-USA Strategy Manager. “The committee leaders are meeting in D.C. this week to set our processes and initial timelines, and we are eager to get the groups up and running. This is yet another move towards what I feel will be critical not just for HI-USA, but indeed for the hostelling movement across the country!” Look for another update in next month’s Stronger Together.