Youth Advisory Committee of the Board

Program Description

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is a small group of committed volunteers who review, advise and make recommendations to the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Board of Directors about issues of importance to young people living in the GTA. It provides young leaders aged 21-30 years old an opportunity to engage in the governance of a charity. The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. For over 170 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors.

Major Duties

• Gather research and insights on the needs/wants/experiences of young people in the GTA, acting as advocates as the Association continues to serve as many young people as possible in the best possible way;
• Provide strategic advice to the Board of Directors based on research or insights gathered and from the perspective and lived experience of young people living in the GTA, whether they have or have not participated in YMCA programs and services;
• Represent and advocate for the YMCA of Greater Toronto at international, national, provincial, and local forums as well as community events.

Qualifications

• Age Range: 21 to 30 years of age.
• Volunteer Experience: Other volunteer experience within the community or non-profit organizations. 
• Leadership: Able to demonstrate leadership abilities learned in other roles at school, work, or other volunteer experiences.
• Governance & Learning: Interest in learning about governance of a large charity; life-long learner at heart.
• Community Connection: Have a relationship to and/or lived experience with specific populations of young people in the GTA (particularly Indigenous communities and equity-deserving groups).
• Critical & Strategic Thinking: Able to think critically and strategically about issues that youth in the GTA care about.
• Teamwork: Enjoy working with peers and in groups.
• Passion & Alignment: Passion for YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Mission and personal alignment with YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• People Skills: We value emotional intelligence, open-mindedness, compassion, cultural sensitivity, inclusiveness, and civic awareness.
•  Diversity Champion: Commitment to the YMCA’s DEIB mission to reduce gaps in access for communities facing discrimination and promote equitable opportunities for everyone is essential, through the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-colonialism, and anti-racism. 

  
  

Committee Member Skills:

In light of upcoming vacancies, we're especially keen to bring on individuals who can contribute their knowledge and skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Program participant, volunteer or employee of the YMCA. Please note that current employees of the YMCA GTA are not eligible to apply as YAC is a Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Residing in neighbourhoods served by the YMCA GTA
• Knowledge, experience or background in cybersecurity or AI; urban planning, engineering, or property development; finance, accounting, commerce, business or legal sectors.

Time Commitment: 

• Approx. eight to ten meetings in a year, 1^st or 2^nd Monday of the month from 6-8 pm. A schedule of in-person and online meetings will be provided.
• Eight to ten hours of work between meetings to complete individual initiatives or sub-group projects. This may include visiting YMCA youth program sites, working with a small team on sub-group projects or attending a community event.
• Attendance at select, scheduled YMCA GTA Board of Director meetings. A schedule of dates, times and locations will be provided.  
• Attendance at all-day, yearly Board Retreats: YAC Retreat (date below) and two YMCA of Greater Board of Directors Retreats (usually June and December).
• Must be available to attend the YAC Retreat on Saturday, April 12th, 2025 (location TBC but most likely downtown Toronto)
• Position duration: Minimum of 2 years

Benefits

• Opportunity to give voice to issues that concern young people in the GTA.
• Network with other young leaders, YMCA senior staff and Board members.
• Develop important employability skills such as leadership, governance, fundraising, communications, etc. 
• Access to personal or professional development opportunities.
• Participate in community events with senior staff and Board members.
• Some YAC members have gone on to join the YMCA Board, other charities’ boards and advisory groups and travelled nationally and internationally on behalf of the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
  • Each year, YAC develops a work plan. Some examples of what YAC has done in the past include:
  • Creating the Behind the Y Podcast (research and interviews with YMCA and industry experts on a range of topics including mental health, housing and harm reduction)
  • Championing fundraising efforts (2024 YMCA Charity 5K), and 
  • Conducting research to advise the YMCA of Greater Toronto Board of Directors (on topics such as the future of AI, advocating for childcare and DEIB).

How to apply

Complete the online volunteer application. You will need to provide the position title and location information of this position during step 3 of the application.

Looking for a Different Role?

Check out the full list of our volunteer opportunities.

Why Volunteer for the Y?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto aspires to be a great place to volunteer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. Guided by our shared values — kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism — the YMCA provides thousands of volunteers with meaningful positions and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits, and growth opportunities.

Our Commitments

The YMCA of Greater Toronto values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association.

We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

About YMCA of Greater Toronto

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. As outlined in our 2020–2025 strategic plan, Ignite the Light, we are focused on boosting well-being and promoting equity across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In the future we see for our region, everyone will have opportunities to shine their brightest.

Mirroring the diversity we’re privileged to have in the GTA, our YMCA offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of our communities. For 170 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. When you donate to the YMCA of Greater Toronto, you help ensure more people get access to these vital programs that help them connect, grow, and reach their full potential.