2025 NAYDO Academy for Alabama & Mississippi YMCAs
YMCA Year-Round Annual Support - and Your Role In It 

Thursday, December 4, 2025, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Central
Hosted by the AL MS YMCA Alliance Partnership

NAYDO Academy is a half day of learning and networking for association/branch leaders, program and membership directors, frontline and admin staff. Lunch included.  

Register today! Select your watch site when you register

Watch Sites
You'll receive a reminder and location info the week of the Academy

• Metropolitan YMCAs of MS | Flowood Branch
   
• MS Gulf Coast YMCA 
  
• YMCA of South Alabama  
 
• YMCA of Greater Montgomery 

• YMCA of Greater Birmingham
   
• Heart of the Valley YMCA | Huntsville
   

Agenda
9:30          Check in
10:00        Welcome and Introductions

10:10        Philanthropy and Fundraising Basics
Erin Langley, Director of Mission Advancement, and Kelly Millington, CEO | Eastern Carolina YMCA
New to the Y or new to fundraising … or need a refresher? This session is for you! You’ll learn the importance of your Y’s Annual Support Campaign and your role in its success. From articulating the purpose to creating a culture of philanthropy, you’ll leave with steps on how to integrate the Annual Support campaign into your responsibilities.
 
11:30         Lunch Break - Lunch and afternoon sessions are for ALL staff, not just new to Y or fundraising

12:00         Putting AI to Work in Operations & Philanthropy
Bill Powell, COO, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Explore how AI can support YMCA operations and philanthropy and help you work smarter. Learn how AI can help you get started with prompts and tools to support your planning, messaging and grant writing. You will leave with practical knowledge and techniques for your Y’s Annual Support goals.

12:30         Engaging in Your Year-Round Annual Campaign Plan
Rachel Bowman, Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Central Florida

This session will help you to think bigger on how to support your Y’s campaign. You’re giving members the opportunity to make a difference in the community, not asking for a donation. Gain a better understanding of your role, how best to engage with members and potential donors and how to successfully support the annual campaign at your Y.

1:50          Wrap up
2:00          End
 

Contacts:
Charles Trammell, AL MS YMCA Alliance Partnership, 205.704.1671
Kristen Obaranec, CFRE, NAYDO, 404.593.7920