A new name for APYCO…

We need a new name.

Whilst the current name no longer adequately describes the range of different youth service arrangements across the country, last night’s executive committee meeting decided to withdraw the proposal to rename the association Association of Integrated Youth Support Services as it became clear that this name too fails to reflect all that the association is about. Today’s AGM has accepted the proposal to postpone the name change.

So - with an extra-ordinary general meeting to vote on a new name scheduled for six months from now - and few names yet on the shortlist - we need your ideas for a future name for the Association.

Add your suggestion as a comment or comment on the ideas that others have shared. Try to explain why you think the name you are putting forward really captures what APYCO is, or needs to be, about.

A shortlist of names will be brought to members in January 2009.

And the responses are in…

So this is Friday - the final day for blogging your responses to the proposed constitutional changes

Many thanks to everyone who has shared their views, concerns and suggestions. You can read the comments on these posts.

It is important to stress that one of the key reasons for the changes is to  ensure that we are able to deal at a more strategic level and with a larger body of influence alongside other national parties to promote youth work and the best interests  of those who have responsibility for its delivery as part of IYSS.
The proposed alterations to the membership categories are more inclusive than previously and if accepted would allow officers working both strategic and operationally across the full range of services for young people to become members. This  directly  reflects the way in which ADCS is  structured and is a proven very successful model.
The Executive Committee hope to have received your formal written amendments to the proposals so that they can be submitted at the AGM. Should this not be the case they will aim to reflect the views of respondants so that people can recognise that their views have been taken into account and feel more comfortable with the substantive motions.

This might be the end of the change to add your blog comment responses to the proposed constitutional changes - but it isn’t the end of this APYCO Interactive blog. Next Monday we will be live-blogging and sharing news and updates from the APYCO annual conference - and there will be more opportunities to share your comments, reflections and insights. If you are coming to the conference then I look forward to seeing you there.

Proposal 1: Name Change

As part of the proposed constitutional changes it is suggested that APYCO (Association of Principal Youth And Community Officers) should change it’s name to AIYSS (Association of Integrated Youth Support Services)

The Policy Group recommends that members think very carefully and strategically about the new name as well as the short and longer term vision for the organisation. It is important that we embrace the future, adopt an inclusive approach and think ahead. As more Heads of IYSS are appointed a network of support is emerging at the regional level which is likely to lead to some sort of national body eventually. Should this be established it will clearly have implications for APYCO, its members and our continuing ability to influence national policy for young people and to advocate for the maintenance and value of youth work within IYSS.

They therefore recommend that we be called the Association of Integrated Youth Support Services (AIYSS).

Key questions:

• What do you think about the proposed name change?
• What implications might this change of name have

You can share your views using the comments feature below.

Proposal 2: Relaunch Statement

It is proposed that APYCO (retitled AIYSS - see Proposal 1) should relaunch with the following relaunch statement - representing a renewed vision for the organization.

AIYSS represents the interests and advocates on behalf of the Heads and Senior Managers responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of IYSS including IAG (information, advice and guidance), TYS Targeted Youth Support (early intervention, prevention and support for vulnerable young people), Positive Activities and securing the overall contribution of youth work to improving outcomes for young people within IYSS . In so doing it aims to influence government policy for young people working from the principles of promoting young peoples voice, their voluntary engagement in learning experiences, their personal and social development and their positive contribution and role in their communities.

AIYSS seeks to develop partnerships with other associations who contribute to the IYSS agenda and who place the needs and aspirations of young people at the centre of their strategies. To do so individually and where appropriate jointly, to contribute to the provision of high quality integrated services for young people.

AIYSS is committed to supporting the delivery of the six key objectives of Aiming High, including positive activities for young people and the youth offer. It works in support of its partners in AYM and ACP and others to ensure the delivery of the Youth Crime Action Plan, the 14-19 Skills Agenda, the provision of Information Advice and Guidance and other policy priorities for young people.

AIYSS will prioritise and address the following specific objectives

• Empowering young people to increase their influence over the design and delivery of their services
• Increasing the number of local places for young people to go, things to do and people to talk to
• Improving the capacity and quality of services for young people
• Supporting and developing the youth workforce to employ the very best practice
• Re-balancing the public narrative about young people
• Removing barriers and supporting young people to access services

Key questions:

• What do you think about the vision for APYCO/AIYSS set out in the relaunch statement?
• What do you think about the specific priorities set out at the end of the relaunch statement?
• What practical changes would this relaunch statement lead to in the way APYCO/AIYSS works?

Proposal 3: Membership Changes

With the change in name, and with a relaunched vision statement, APYCO/AIYSS it is also proposed that there should be a change of membership structure:

At present there are three categories of membership operating. These are described as follows in the current constitution:

• Full membership of the Association shall be open to the person identified by the Local Authority as being invested with the strategic responsibility for youth work. An annual subvention laid down by the Executive Committee will be levied.
• Associate membership of the Association shall be open to regional youth work advisers, the government office lead for youth work and local authority youth work managers with operational responsibility for the delivery of youth work.
• Affiliated membership of the Association shall be open to colleagues with either strategic or operational management responsibility from our recognised partnership organisations e.g. NACP, AYM, NYA, ADCS

New criteria for membership are proposed.

The criteria for membership of AIYSS is intended to reflect the different structures which are emerging in relation to levels of management responsibility and specific roles within an IYSS.

In the first instance it is intended to offer full membership to the strategic leads and the operational leads of the component services of IYSS. This model replicates in some ways the current approach to the membership and functions of ADCS with whom we need to have a positive and increasingly influential relationship.

Associate Membership of the Association shall be open to regional youth work advisers and the government office lead for IYSS.

Key Questions

• What do you think about the proposed changes to the membership structure?
• What will the consequences of these changes be?
• What suggestions do you have for associated and affiliated membership criteria?