Staff Development | 
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› Staff Training
Cause-Driven Leadership is the YMCA’s unique leadership model for staff and volunteers to develop at the Y. It can guide your professional and personal development and help you grow as a Y leader who can bring about real, positive change in your community.
When Y leaders demonstrate cause-driven leadership, Y members become more connected, volunteers and staff become more engaged, and our communities become stronger, more equitable, and more vibrant.
The Cause-Driven Leadership journey is a three-phase expedition:
- Know Yourself as a person, as a leader—informed by your own dimensions of diversity, your values and beliefs, and your skills and competencies.
- Grow Yourself by learning and practicing the Y’s values and beliefs and our Cause-Driven Leadership competencies.
- Dedicate Yourself by putting your values, beliefs, skills, and competencies into words and actions that further our cause & purpose.
Click HERE to access Great Academy. If you do not have a Great Academy sign-on, then please speak with your supervisor.
Foundations In Preventing Abuse in Youth Facing Organizations(Great Academy) - All employees must take prior to first scheduled shift and annually in the month of September.
First Aid / CPR Training (Blended) - All full time employees must take within the first 60 days of hire.
Full Time Employee Onboarding(In Person) - All full time employees must take within the first 60 days of hire.
GREATguard Level 1(Great Academy) - All full time aquatics employees must take within the first 30 days of hire.
Youth Sports Employees(Great Academy) - All full time youth sports employees must take within the first 30 days of hire.
Distracted Driving I(Great Academy) - All full time employees must take prior to becoming an approved driver.
Distracted Driving II(Great Academy) - All full time employees must take prior to becoming an approved driver.
Click HERE to access Great Academy. If you do not have a Great Academy sign-on, then please speak with your supervisor.
Foundations In Preventing Abuse in Youth Facing Organizations(Great Academy) - All employees must take prior to first scheduled shift and annually in the month of September.
First Aid / CPR Training(Blended) - All part time employees must take within the first 60 days of hire.
Part Time Employee Onboarding(Great Academy) - All part time employees must take within the first 30 days of hire.
GREATguard Level 1(Great Academy) - All part time aquatics employees must take within the first 30 days of hire.
Youth Sports Employees(Great Academy) - All part time youth sports employees must take within the first 30 days of hire.
Click on the title to access it.
Password will be: FIESTA (all capital letters)
Click on the title to access it.
Password will be: FIESTA (all capital letters)
Click on the title to access it.
Password will be: FIESTA (all capital letters)
Click on the title to access it.
Password will be: FIESTA (all capital letters)
Master the Art of Verbal Communication
Setting Goals that Actually Work
Creating a Distraction-Free and Productive Work Environment
Boosting Resilience Through Self- Awareness
RightNow Media @ Work is a voluntary, faith-based video library designed to help you flourish in every area of life. From topics like leadership, parenting, and finances, RightNow Media @ Work is relevant to you and every member of your team. And it’s available on all devices, whenever they need it.
Click HERE to access RightNow Media @ Work. This link is for those who already have an account set up.
Don't have a sign on account yet? Click HERE.
If you have trouble accessing your account, please email Nancy Abbott at nancya@ymcasatx.org.
› YUSA Certifications / Degrees
Leadership Certification is a credentialing process specific to the Y. It supports the development of Cause-Driven Leadership® and allows you to demonstrate your abilities, experience, and commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Leadership Certification - Learning Plans. Understand each certification track and the documented steps to accomplish each certification.
- Check Your Progress Toward Certification
- Leadership Recertification Guide
- View your Progress to Recertification
Visit the Learning & Career Development Center (LCDC) to search and register for courses, check your certification status, and enter recertification credits.
The Leadership Certification is a foundational certification designed for all YMCA staff; part-time and full-time at all positions of the organization from front-desk staff through senior leadership. Designed to be experienced the first 6 months of YMCA employment
Please contact Matthew Ramirez at matthewr@ymcasatx.org with any questions.
The Team Leader Certification process inspires and motivates staff to grow their career and commit to their development as a cause-driven leader in the Y. Staff learn about the history of the Y, the Y's cause and mission, and the Y's leadership competencies.
Please contact Matthew Ramirez for more information at matthewr@ymcasatx.org
The Multi-Team Leader Certification process prepares full-time staff to serve as cause-driven leaders while leading multiple projects, processes or teams. It supports staff as they transition or are about to transition into roles such as department director, operations or specialist, associate executive or branch executive director.
Please contact Matthew Ramirez for more information at matthewr@ymcasatx.org
The Organizational Leader Certification process prepares staff that serves in senior leadership roles to serve as cause-driven leaders while leading multiple organizational-level system change, projects, processes or teams. It supports staff as they transition or are about to transition into roles such as vice president, association specialist, service delivery, or c-suite positions.
Please contact Matthew Ramirez for more information at matthewr@ymcasatx.org
Y-USA partners with Springfield College, Cappella University and Strayer University to create opportunities for you to advance your education. Locally, we also partner with Grand Canyon University.
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE
Springfield’s Pathway to Career Advancement Degree Completion Program enables you to establish college credit through earned Y-USA Leadership Certifications and apply the credits toward earning a bachelor’s degree online. Springfield also offers an MBA in nonprofit management, as well as undergraduate, graduate, and nontraditional programs.
For more information on available opportunities, please visit the Springfield College partner page or email online@springfieldcollege.edu.
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
Through the educational partnership with Capella University, all YMCA staff and family members have tools available to help prioritize well-being and career momentum. Take advantage of significant discounts on Capella’s flexible, online education to earn your doctoral degree, master's degree, bachelor's degree or certificate, as well as professional development webinars, exclusive content and other materials designed to help you achieve your goals.
To learn more about the available opportunities and financial benefits, visit the Capella University partner page.
STRAYER UNIVERSITY
Strayer University is regionally accredited and offers online degree programs that are flexible and supported by people who know what it means to learn while working. Strayer University offers Associates degrees, Bachelor's degrees and Master's degrees.
To learn more about the available opportunities and financial benefits, visit the Strayer University partner page.
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
Grand Canyon University offers a variety of online degree programs to help you expand your knowledge. Our online courses, offered through many of our colleges, offer a curriculum developed so that you receive the education you need to position yourself for possible career advancement. Backed by the legacy of our traditional campus, GCU is an accredited university with dynamic online academic programs, informed by industry and student learning outcomes. YMCA employees receive a 10% discount but there are also scholarships available through the university.
To learn more about Grand Canyon University, contact Missy Cruz at the following:
602-247-2993 / missy.cruz@gcu.edu / https://c.gcu.edu/missy.cruz/
› First Aid / CPR Training Information
Current YMCA of Greater San Antonio CPR Instructors
American Red Cross Training Adult & Pediatric First Aid, CPR Training
Quarter 1 of 2025
Contact instructor via email for more information and to register for a class.
› Leadership Academy
Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy is a curriculum of workshops and experiences designed to cultivate leadership excellence. The workshops help staff to enhance their leadership competencies as well as develop their leadership potential.
Full Time Leadership Academy
Our Full Time Leadership Academy is an 8 week curriculum that is offered to selected staff. Each week will host a different topic that is important to the YMCA's mission. This is a great opportunity to grow as a leader, enhance your career development and meet other YMCA staff from our association.
For questions about Full Time Leadership Academy, please contact Matthew Ramirez at matthewr@ymcasatx.org.
Part Time Leadership Academy
Our Part Time Leadership Academy is a half day curriculum that is offered to nominated staff that see themselves as future Full Time employees. This half day academy will include topics and discussions to educate, empower and excite our staff about their role in the YMCA. This is a great opportunity to grow as a leader, enhance your career development and meet other YMCA staff from our association.
Part Time Leadership Academy will take place in late 2025.
› LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform for full time staff that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos.
With more than 5,000 courses and personalized recommendations, you can discover, complete, and track courses related to your field and interests. You can also choose to add these courses and related skills to your LinkedIn profile once you've completed them.
Contact Scott Baughman at scottb@ymcasatx.org or Matthew Ramirez at matthewr@ymcasatx.org for any issues concerning LinkedIn Learning.
Clicking on the links below will redirect you to the course in LinkedIn Learning.
Measure What Matters: Succeeding with Objectives and Key Results (OKS's) with John Doerr and Ryan Panchadsaram(4.9 stars) - 2 hours 28 minutes
Interpersonal Communication with Dorie Clark(4.6 stars) - 42 minutes
Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Dr. Gemma Leigh Roberts(4.8 stars) - 42 minutes
Essentials for Team Collaboration with Dana Brownlee(4.8 stars) - 32 minutes
Unconscious Bias with Stacey Gordon(4.6 stars) - 28 minutes
Communicating with Confidence with Vinh Giang(4.8 stars) - 1 hour 13 minutes
Speaking Confidently and Effectively with Pete Mockaitis(4.6 stars) - 22 minutes (audio course)
Strategic Thinking with Dorie Clark(4.7 stars) - 36 minutes
Developing Your Emotional Intelligence with Dr. Gemma Leigh Roberts(4.7 stars) - 42 minutes
Communication Foundations with Brenda Bailey-Hughes and Tatiana Kolovou(4.7 stars) - 1 hour 10 minutes
Learning Paths in LinkedIn Learning
A learning path is a curated selection of training content that guides learners through a more robust development experience. These “playlists” connect content relevant to related skill sets or career paths.
More information on Job Level Learning Paths will be coming soon.
› Mentoring & Job Shadowing
What is Mentoring?
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Process in which an experienced individual helps another person develop his or her goals
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Series of time limited, confidential, one on one conversations and other learning activities.
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Time to share wisdom and experiences, evolve thinking, develop a relationship and deepen mentoring skills.
The Mentoring Program will begin in Spring 2024.
What is Job Shadowing?
Job shadowing is a type of on-the-job training that allows an interested employee to follow and closely observe another employee performing the same or a different role. Job shadowing is used as a learning opportunity for employees to gain an understanding of the role requirements and the job tasks associated with the position that is being shadowed.
The Job Shadowing Program will begin in the Fall 2024.
› Documentation
Signing Up For a LINK Account
Your YMCA Account is the first step in gaining access to applications provided by YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), including the Brand Resource Center, Learning & Career Development Center (LCDC), Link, and Manage Our Y Profile, among others. Anyone can create a YMCA Account using any email address. Note: If you have an existing YMCA Account or are transferring from a YMCA, please contact Y-USA at 800-872-9622 or fulfillment@ymca.net.
1. Go to the Sign In to My YMCA Account page at https://ymca.link.net and click the Sign up now button. The Register A New YMCA Account page opens.
The Register A New YMCA Account page opens.
Fill in requested information and click CREATE. You should be able to sign on at this point. If you have trouble accessing the site after registering, please contact Matthew Ramirez at matthewr@ymcasatx.org.
In order to access the LCDC(Learning and Career Development Center), you must first have access to LINK.
From the LINK home page, click on the red ribbon titled Learning & Career Development Center.
From the LCDC home page, click on HELP to show instructions on access different areas of LCDC.
Because you can do so many different things on LCDC, this is the easiest way to find your answer. If you can not find what you are looking for, please reach out to Matthew Ramirez at matthewr@ymcasatx.org.
Diversity, Inclusion & Global Awareness | 
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› Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our Y staff and community is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure everyone—regardless of gender, income, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, or cultural background—has the opportunity to live life to its fullest. We share the values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith—everything we do stems from it.
We know that the key to effectively empowering the potential of children, improving the nation’s health and well-being, and supporting our neighbors is a passionate, experienced, and diverse array of staff, volunteers, and members who value what everyone brings to the table. Working in 10,000 U.S. communities and more than 120 countries worldwide makes strong diversity and inclusion practices paramount for the Y.
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Recognizing that a diverse and inclusive organization is foundational to developing and engaging everyone across the entire Y spectrum. Our volunteers, members, program participants, families, leaders, staff, vendors, suppliers, donors, collaborators, and the community at large all contribute to our efforts to make positive, lasting personal and social change.
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Believing we all benefit from the unique talents of our diverse staff. We encourage all Y employees to form and participate in active groups with other employees who share similar interests. These Employee Resource Groups give our 20,000+ employees opportunities to contribute, learn, network and share experiences as they progress in their careers. YMCA Affinity Groups provide invaluable input and insight to address challenges in our communities.
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Offering professional development and training programs that steward staff through a range of opportunities that build 21st-Century leadership competence and help them obtain the experience they need to lead YMCAs in all our communities.
Diversity and inclusion practices at the Y foster a high-performing learning environment where staff and volunteers are engaged, valued, and encouraged to collaborate, generate ideas, and contribute at the highest level. We are passionate about our purpose and know that our ability to achieve it begins with reflecting and partnering with all people and communities.
National Employee Resource Groups
At the Y, strengthening community is our cause and ensuring access, inclusion and engagement for all is fundamental. Nationwide, communities are rapidly changing and we are committed to recognizing and embracing all dimensions of diversity to better serve our neighbors.
To learn how you engage with the Y's National Employee Resource Groups, email DIG@ymca.net.
The San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD) is a directory of human services including nonprofit organizations, congregations, government agencies, and compassionate groups in and around San Antonio.
Click HERE to access the website.
Culture | 
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› Our Culture
Nurturing a Movement with unlimited potential to do good is a big responsibility, which is why intentionally fostering a cause-centered culture and investing in our people are so important. We’re committed to developing cause-driven leaders—guided by shared values and the Y’s Leadership Model—who inspire others to take individual and collective action to strengthen community.
The result? When people experience the Y, they know—and feel—that they belong to a charitable cause that transforms lives
The Culture Crew is a group of YMCA employees that develop and launch initiatives that help the YMCA become the best place to work!
Your Culture Crew:
Jeremy Benson Matthew Ramirez Latosha Hales
Want to join our Culture Crew? Email Matthew Ramirez at matthewr@ymcasatx.org