Unification News - January 2012

Transition Board Determines Our Future Focus

December was a very exciting month for HI-USA, as the Transition Board made its most important unification decision to date. Culminating many months of work and research, the Board decided by unanimous vote that:

HI-USA’s primary focus will be to attract 18-30 year old independent travelers, and to provide the hostelling experience these travelers seek.  Our activities and resources -- including educational programs, community building, and the hostel stay --  will be aligned to serve this audience and build excellence in all aspects of the hostelling experience.

We will of course continue to welcome hostellers of all ages to our facilities, and will build a volunteer structure that creates opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.  But our efforts will focus first on the needs and interests of 18-30 year old independent travelers.

Why 18-30 Independent Travelers?

By focusing on this vibrant, dynamic and highly mobile audience, we can generate more overnights, develop meaningful mission activity, and partner with others – nonprofit and for profits alike -- who also focus on this age group.   Already, a majority of our customers are between ages 18-30 – they account for 57% of our overnights and revenues and 68% of our hostel activities.  If we focus our services on the needs of this market, and offer a unique, mission-driven experience, we believe we can attract many more of these travelers.

What Next?

Next, we will develop the strategies we need to guide us forward – in building and enhancing hostels, developing the right education programs, and building our community. The programs strategy development process will take about 6 months, and should be complete by mid 2012. Resource groups of staff and volunteers will be formed to provide input into each of the three program strategies.  Further details on ways to participate will be available early in 2012. 

What About Other Hostellers?

This decision does not mean a closed door to everyone else; we will continue to welcome and engage those younger and older.   But with limited financial and people resources, our new focus will help us achieve excellence in a particular area that offers great opportunity for HI-USA.;

Central Region Meets to Plan for Unification

HI-USA held its first regional unification meeting last month in Chicago, with representatives from the councils that will comprise the Central Region.  The Central Region, which includes all of the North and Central Midwest plus 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.    (You can view the full unification schedule and map here.)

“We spent a lot of time talking through the planned unification strategy, and the process steps that will bring the region together by May,” said Blaine Franz, Organizational Development Division Director, who is leading regional unification.   “Our process will provide a critical road map, but there will be deviations because each council, and hostel, is unique.  Our next step is therefore a comprehensive due diligence process, which will uncover any special circumstances that could impact the unification process. ” 

Our goal is to unify the councils under a central structure that together will be stronger than any council could be on their own.  Next steps in the formation of the Central Region include:

• Completing due diligence with each council to determine unique circumstances, assets, legal requirements, etc. 
• Recruiting a Central Region Vice President (click here for the job posting)
• Scheduling a meeting with each council board

Campaign for Hostelling

Thanks to the generosity of more than 3,000 donors, our just-concluded Campaign for Hostelling raised more than $3 million!  We are energized by the spirit and generosity of those who have stayed in the hostels and see their importance.  Funds from the campaign will help us improve the hostel network and enhance local outreach – critical needs always, but especially as we embark on unification.  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this campaign a success!

Click the link to read January's Our Hostels, Our Regions and Our People.

To view all the articles in this month's Stronger Together click here.