Summary of Feedback on Vision and NAA Session
Pluses/Affirmations of the Vision
Establish a nationwide alumni network and represent the interests of Year Up alumni
 Alumni have something to call our own; the fact that the NAA is organized and run by alumni is very
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inspiring and motivating
Allow for open and honest communication - an online forum
All alumni getting together to brainstorm new ideas on how to keep the movement going
The national bridge between the different sites; that eventually YU will be equal; We are all One Year Up!
Promote and progress alumni development
 Having the support of the NAA and being able to help when an alumni does move to another state.
 I see myself as a mentor. Provide support, (hire) to YU alumni in a portion of a hiring manager.
 Network, like-minded people with similar values being available for support.
 I love this vision, I see myself growing and expanding my territories.
Strengthen the Year Up Community by contributing and influencing Year Up’s work and
movement
 I see myself as an advisor, mentor and friend to communicate about Year Up.
 I see myself - and fellow alums - being an integral part of our movement. It is exciting to see how far
reaching out influence is and will become
Advance Year Up’s work to close the Opportunity Divide
 What inspires/excited me about the vision is that we have an opportunity. Opportunities to change our
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perceptions. We are beyond powerful and can do anything we commit to.
This is a moment, what excites me is the prospect of employers all over the US also joining for the cause
The chance to have more professionals in my community and communities across the nation excites me. I
have become more involved in my communities youth.
What excites me about this vision is how Year Up is working to close the opportunity divide and creating
opportunities for a lot of young individuals. Seeing everyone and coming together and sharing their
stories makes me happy because to me this means the vision that the communities saw ten years ago is
coming true.
Other comments about what is inspiring about the vision
 Love it! It covers everything; I'm excited that this vision addresses every aspect of different alum. Good
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from a broad support view as well as addresses the systemic practices in place that limit us to an extent
Multiple roles; Becoming a part of a committee; continuing to serve on local boards and through Year Up.
What excites me about this vision is that the possibilities are endless
What inspires me is how determined alum are to giving back and have similar goals in mind. We are the
change!
Deltas / Suggestions about the Vision
Establish a nationwide alumni network and represent the interests of Year Up alumni
 Annually we can have a project we all can do nationally.
 Improve local board events, year up challenge, quarterly meetings with boards and NAA.
 The NAA should try to focus on larger issues and work with other organizations.
 Find ways to keep alums engaged and connected as One Year Up.
 Encourage alums to visit other sites. Find a way to help alums travel to other sites.
 Get contact information from graduates as they leave. Having a central tool where we can go to check
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updates and get informed/involved.
Create an app that everyone can stay in contact on.
Promote and progress alumni development
 Create an online system of classes available to all alumni after graduation
 Acknowledge individuals who are making major strides in their community
 Create new opportunities for alums to share their skillsets with the NAA and local boards
 Talk about education career development action steps so people don’t become complacent
 More opportunities for alumni to networking with huge companies/partners
 "Webinars" on a monthly basis
Strengthen the Year Up Community by contributing and influencing Year Up’s work and
movement
 I would like to see national events and alumni run events for raising Year Up awareness
 Extended development not only professional but also LIFE LESSONS and GOALS
 Would like to see more outreach within the community, promotion in high schools
 Create partnerships with people of influence to allow our vision to be seen
 To have a clear pipeline between the National and local board
 Increase visibility before graduation
Advance Year Up’s work to close the Opportunity Divide
 I think putting the actual systematic change in the vision would allow us to find a focus and solve it
Other suggestions about the vision
 More detail with quantitative goals (how many % of alumni engagement) How are we implementing this
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vision?
I suggest we come up with small incentives to get alum involved
To make it more realistic. Describe the "now" and "who" in further detail; to be more concise, and not
lose the influence or support
In the last paragraph, not clear about social movement if professional organization - condense
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Feedback on the session
Pluses
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The session was just wonderful, very pleasant and inviting. Glad to see things come together. WE ARE
ONE YEAR UP!!!
The plan seems to be well structured, now the hard part is to bring people together to actually work
keeps this from happening
The session was exactly what it needed to be and we are moving in a great direction
The session was to the point and inspiring
I loved how we were able to see the city in all aspects
We are anxious and excited to get started
Deltas / Suggestions
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Understand that everyone has a different outlook - so everyone has a different understanding - It's okay
to listen to different points of view
Incorporate more sessions about what we should be doing for our boards and alumni associations and
more opportunity to network with other alums from different sites
Making sure everyone gets to introduce themselves, Have bios to keep alums up to date with members.
I think it would have been more effective if the NAA team was introduced earlier in the Summit
Would love to have some opportunity for strategic planning. Chance for alumni to give more ideas with
more time. More interactions in the morning.
I don’t want to see this opportunity being taken for granted. We need to hold each other accountable to
this cause.
This session was poorly organized, plans so far are on the right track. Really like that NAA exists period, in
concept is great. Changes: needs more communication, visibility. Make sure that communication actually
reaches alums, not just local boards
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