International Secretariat
The International Secretariat (IS) is the professional staff serving the international YFU community. It as a communication and resource centre, provides assistance to YFU National Organizations and plays a major part in the development of new YFU programs and the YFU community. The International Secretariat receives guidance from the Chair of the IAC. Currently, 4 people are working for the International Secretariat.
The International Secretariat works in four main categories:
- organizational development
- communication and resources
- community development
- operational support
Organizational Development
The Secretariat is in regular contact with each YFU office and thus maintains detailed knowledge of each organization. Through this knowledge, the Secretariat is able to assess the health of each organization, facilitate planning processes and make recommendations for action when necessary. It provides this support by coaching organizations and their leaders. The International Secretariat is also responsible for facilitating training opportunities. It coordinates and brokers experts, facilitators, mentors and developers to assist National Organizations. Along with the IAC and National Organizations, the Secretariat plays a key role in developing new programs and organizations. It identifies new areas, opportunities and needs; it collects and analyzes the necessary information, coordinates development initiatives, and supports implementation. The Secretariat consults organizations in the approval process for new programs, as well as in the process of admission as an YFU National Organization by the IAC.
Communication and Resources
The International Secretariat serves as a communication and resource centre for the international YFU community. It facilitates effective communication within the YFU community and provides critical information by:
- publishing regular newsletters
- sending e-mail alerts with current information to the community
- publishing the YFU International Directory (contact information of all YFU Organizations)
- publishing the Program Directory (descriptions of all hosting programs)
- sharing successes
- providing an inventory of best practices and other useful resources (Toolbox)
- maintaining a photo repository that can be used by YFU Organizations for marketing purposes
- maintaining a library of all international publications
- publishing an orientation kit for new international leaders
Community Development
The International Secretariat provides primary leadership for developing and advancing the YFU community. Secretariat staff synthesize and articulate the perspectives of the constituents of the YFU community:
- report on data, internal and external trends, market conditions and important issues to support the setting of international priorities and community wide goals
- write assessment and planning papers
- monitor and report on the strategic plan
- support regional meetings and assist in developing agendas
- develop and manage international systems, such as training and quality management
- conduct regular community quality
- design and manage deliberative processes in the international YFU community
- support the IAC in its work and in the preparation of its meetings. Additionally, they assist the IAC in planning the International Conference, and are responsible for Conference logistics.
Operational Support
The International Secretariat provides operational support to YFU organization and the community. It also performs a number of financial functions:
- administration of insurance program for multilateral students
- management of financial clearing accounts
- trademark registration and protection
Development and improvement projects within the YFU community are accomplished through the Secretariat coordinating the efforts of individuals, international teams and national organizations. It develops and distributes operational tools to YFU organizations, and it distributes orientation materials as a basis for the orientation work of new organizations. The Secretariat helps to prevent national and international crises and coordinates crisis management and intervention in the case of contingency situations. On request, the Secretariat mediates between national organizations.
Funding of the IS
The activities of both the International Advisory Council (IAC) and International Secretariat are funded by YFU National Organizations, which pay a per-student fee. Contact
YFU International Educational Services, Inc.
6400 Goldsboro Rd.
Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20817 USA
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