Alliance Overview

The Youth and Government Program Alliance (YGPA) is the professional network of YMCA staff that lead our Youth and Government programs across the country. This network works to provide support, resources, training, and professional development opportunities, as well as a platform for staff to connect on best practices and national programs/initiatives.

YGPA National Peer Community

Our National Peer Community is our primary communications and networking platform open to all YMCA Staff at the local, state, and national levels who lead or support the Youth and Government program in any capacity.

If you are a staff member who would like to join the peer community, please email your request to the YGPA Council at council@ymcayag.org.

In addition to our community email list, the YGPA National Peer Community also hosts monthly virtual calls for all members. Please register using the link below:

National Peer Community Call Registration
Calls occur once per month on a Thursday from 2-3 PM ET

We also encourage all members of our National Peer Community to follow and amplify our national Youth and Government social media accounts, where we’ll be sharing stories and resources for your programs, participants, and volunteers.

YGPA State Representatives

Each Youth and Government state program designates one staff member (usually an executive or director) to serve as their YGPA State Representative for all official business and state correspondence. If you have any questions about the representative for your state, please email council@ymcayag.org.

YGPA Council

The 5 members of our YGPA Council are elected during our YGPA Leadership Conference to serve for a two-year term.

The council meets virtually every two weeks to guide the work of the YGPA, facilitate our peer community, develop and steward program collaboration, and serve as the voice of the Youth and Government program to YMCA of the USA and other national partners.

2022-2024 YGPA Council
Elise Nilles (AZ)
Lindsey Pullum (DC)
Orville Lindquist (MN)
Ken Hussey (MO)
Sharon Davies (VA)

All members of our YGPA National Peer Community are eligible to run for election to the YGPA Council if their candidacy is approved by their respective YGPA State Representative.

YGPA Leadership Conference

Held every two years, the YGPA Leadership Conference is open to all members of our YGPA National Peer Community. The conference brings together staff at the local, state, and national levels of the Y movement who lead and support Youth and Government programs for collaboration, networking, and professional development.

2024 YGPA Leadership Conference
Providence, Rhode Island
TBA May 2024
Registration Coming Soon
Questions: drew@ymcayag.org

States that are interested in hosting the YGPA Leadership Conference in future years can submit a bid to be considered and voted on by our YGPA State Representatives at the conclusion of each conference.