Unification News - December 2011

Many people throughout HI-USA know that we plan to unify -- but how did we get to this point, and why we are so excited about our future? Read on to learn more!

This summer, after months of thoughtful discussion and review, volunteer leaders from HI-USA councils across the United States met at a special National Council Meeting to determine our path forward. Council delegates agreed that we need a better structure to enable a stronger hostelling future, and voted to combine our network of 26 councils and 34 related hostels into a single unified national organization. Together, we can focus on three things that matter to all of us:

• Better hostels: We will expand and improve our hostels to engage more people in our unique travelling experience.
• Better communities: We will enhance our educational programming to support our communities -- in person, and through new social media channels.
• A better world: Together, these efforts will help us build intercultural understanding, especially among young people.

While complete unification will take two years, our national office and councils are already working together under the leadership of our new transition board. Comprised of a both previous board alumni and new members with expertise and experience in areas relevant to our unification, the transition board will serve until our unification and reorganization is substantially complete.

The transition board is now leading development of an overall strategy to guide our efforts. The process to date has included interviews of HI-USA government and nonprofit partners, Internet surveys of hostellers, volunteers and staff, and an analysis of customer data and organizational strengths. We will share more details on the strategy following board review and approval in December. As part of this effort, we will soon form working groups to develop coordinated strategies in our three program areas: hostels, education, and community building. We will include both internal and external experts in these groups to support and expand on our mission strategy.

Next month, Stronger Together will provide more details on the new strategy, the strategy working groups, and the early progress of the Central Region unification. The Central Region, which includes 11 councils in the Midwest and Texas, is scheduled for full unification in the spring of 2012.

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