Branch Recruitment
The interview process is required for all individuals wishing to volunteer with Willow Youth Network. Branch leaders typically recruit during two months of the year - September and January. Here is a rough outline of our recruitment process:
Applicants submit their application package to respective WYN Branch email (in ONE PDF file)
Branch Leader(s) review applications and move forward with scheduling interviews. Some suggestions for scheduling: Doodle Poll, When2Meet, or individually set up interviews.
Read more about recruitment in our Member Manual.
Application
Branch Application Package
Invitation to Interview
During Interview
Interview Package for Branches
Post-Interview
Successful Applicant
Unsuccessful Applicant
Member Forms
Roles & Expectations
The branches are the on-the-ground Willow Youth Network programming hubs which operate independently but work cohesively under the WYN umbrella. Each one aims to meet the needs or strengths of their associated community through creative programming.
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Branch leaders oversee all activities within their community unit, including leading the executive and general member team. They are in charge of operating their branch from the ground up from creating a constitution, mitigating issues, being the figurehead for their branch, and are the main communication point with directors.
Role Specific Leaders
Role specific leaders act as individual leaders within their specific positions to aid in running the branch. This can be a financial leader to cover budgets and bank accounts to a communication leader in charge of email monitoring and social media. Their role is to support the branch leaders in the operation of their specific branch. It is in best practice for these role specific leaders to align with the roles of the Directors to optimize support and efficient communication. They hold great responsibility within each branch. Here are some examples of Executive Team Leader positions:
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Writes fundraising and donation letters to support programming. Responds to outreach emails, building partnerships with other non-profits and related organizations in local communities.
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Uses digital design software to create social media posts and writes post-specific captions. May employ research strategies to share reputable information on social media and re-post media from other social media users.
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Observes programming gaps in branch city and researches how WYN can best serve local communities. Liaises with Community Outreach Lead in diversifying programming to make it more accessible for all identities. Gathers information about communities from stakeholders and presents it to the branch team.
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Plans fundraising events in collaboration with Branch Leaders and General Members. Keeps track of incoming orders and outgoing deliveries to their local community and across the country. Executes fundraising plans and provides summaries to Branch Leaders.
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Creates programming tailored to the branch city in collaboration with the Community Outreach Lead and the Equity and Inclusion Lead. Updates programming with the Director of Programming.
Club-related
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These are WYN leaders who work directly with participants by running the weekly programming. They are in charge of programming and interacting on a personal level with participants in the branch community.
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These are volunteers who help facilitate programming, fundraising, and anything else within each branch. Their roles are defined by the branch leaders.
Read more about Branch Leader Responsibilities in the Member Manual
Conflict Management
In the event of conflict, whether it is between leaders, parents/guardians or participants, Club leaders and branch leaders must take the following steps:
The Club leader must fill in a detailed incident report with the help of their branch leader within 24 hours of the incident
Within 24 hours of the incident, the branch leader must forward the incident report to the Director of Programming.
Follow-up steps, outlined and initiated by the Director of Programming, must be followed
If there is a conflict that results in physical injury, there must also be an injury form filled out and submitted to Hamsa (she/her), the Director of Education (hamsa@willowyouthnetwork.ca, changing in 2025. If you receive no response, email dhara@willowyouthnetwork.ca).