The YWCA Princeton NEXT GEN board provides opportunities to emerging women leaders to engage, support and drive awareness of the organization’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women within the community and to develop themselves through experiential board leadership, training, mentoring, networking and professional development. It is designed to provide the resources and learning opportunities young women need to grow into leaders. Members:

• Participate in monthly board meetings, where the board collaboratively works together to determine goals, strategies and initiatives to further the NEXT GEN and YW mission
• Participate in committee meetings, where functionally-specific groups execute on board goals/initiatives
• Explore and expand their leadership capabilities by stepping into committee or board leadership roles
• Build relationships with other young professional women, the YW board and other influential members of the YW community
• Set personal and professional goals they want to get from their experience, and receive professional development and mentoring in order to achieve them

The board is made of up of a group of between 15-25 young professional women between the ages of 21-34 from across the Mercer County area. These women come from all backgrounds, including healthcare, non-profits, law, academia, athletics, science and more! NEXT GEN prides itself in its diverse board makeup to create rich cross-cultural and cross-industry experiences for all members. Click here to meet them!

As a small self-governing board, participants gain significant experience in board governance, including fiduciary responsibility, financial oversight, strategic planning, community outreach, fundraising, event planning and much more. Like any good thing in life, you get out of this experience what you put in. If you’re looking to gain board experience, it is important to attend board meetings. If you’re looking to build professional or new technical skills, its important you participate on committees who plan our events and initiatives. If you’re looking to hone your leadership acumen, you’ll need to step up into a committee leader or executive committee role. If you’re looking to make new friends or meet new people, come to NEXT GEN’s social events or attend other YW events. There are truly so many things you can get out of your experience if you put in the effort.

NEXT GEN was initially conceived and formed in 2016 to better engage young adults with the YWCA Princeton. At the time, it was one of two YWCA young women’s professional boards in the country!

Absolutely! Higher education is not a requirement for board participation, all you need is a desire to better yourself.

Women between the ages of 21-34 are welcome to participate! Most applicants are towards the beginning of their career and/or leadership journey and are eager to develop, both personally and professionally, desiring to learn ways to connect in meaningful ways, with peers and seasoned community leaders to effect positive social change in the greater Mercer County area. The ideal candidate is committed to advancing the YWCA mission, embodying the YW mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, demonstrating leadership, talent and/or passion and has ideally made contributions academically, professionally or through community service to the greater Mercer County Area.

The board term is 18 months (two terms can be served concurrently) and the time commitment is approximately 3-5 hours per month. Over the course of most months you can expect:

• 1 board meeting (2 hours)
• 1-2 committee meetings (depending on current initiatives, most meetings are 30-60 mins in length)
• 1-2 hours committee work, email and/or other board responsibilities

Note: If you would like to step up into a committee chair position or executive committee role at any time, you can expect an additional 2-3 hours per month.

They are held in-person once each month. Currently they are held the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:30pm at the YWCA Princeton’s Bramwell House. Edit: during the COVID-19 crisis, board meetings are held as usual, but on a virtual platform.

Participants must agree to an 18-month term. Board members are able to serve two terms concurrently.

Of course! If you can’t attend in person, we offer a teleconference number to call in. If you cannot call in, excused absence is acceptable as long as the secretary and president(s) are notified prior.

NEXT GEN also has a leave of absence policy: if you find yourself unable to participate with the board for a long period for any reason, just let us know and we can put you on Leave during that time.

You’ll need to:

• Complete the application online (available at www.ywcaprinceton.org/about/nextgen)
• Submit the completed application with:

• • A personal statement 
  • Your current résumé
  • One professional letter of support or two personal/professional references

If selected to move onto the next stage of the process, you will be contacted for an interview

So many! NEXT GEN members are mentored by YWCA Princeton board and staff, receive professional development/training on a variety of topics, occasionally receive discounts to major YW events and much more. It’s a tremendous opportunity to get involved in the community, invest in your own professional development, build your network and make a difference.

Absolutely! Board positions are sought after and should always be included on resumes. This is an opportunity to begin getting some board experience, so you can move on to bigger and better boards and they should all be on your resume, LinkedIn, etc. With enough board experience, you could one day end up in a paid board position!