Amy Merritt Hired as Executive Director of The Key

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It was a tough and grueling process as the organization had a wonderful bunch of applicants for the position. After the final interview, the Key’s Youth Board locked itself in the Key and spent the next two hours without adult presence and finally came up with their choice for Executive Director. Amy Merritt will assume the position taking over for Josh Hinnenkamp by September 1st. Amy has been a long time volunteer for the organization (over 8 years!), an Art Project Coordinator for 3 years, an Adult Board member for nearly 2 years, and a Program Coordinator for about 1 year. Amy has also worked and volunteered for multiple other youth organizations within the Northfield area. The youth did not come to this decision lightly but ultimately felt she was the best fit for the organization at this time. The youth thought her knowledge of the Northfield community, her familiarity with the organization and community partners, her administrative and managements skills, and her passion to help the youth guide the organization to new places were the main factors for her being hired. The Youth Board informally but officially congratulated her late last night after sleuthing her whereabouts to the Contented Cow. And what a show that was. The Northfield Union of Youth congratulates her!

Temporary Park is Close to Completed

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The adult and skateboard crew were at it again this past Wednesday the 29th during the evening, loading near-completed ramps, boxes, a pyramid, and other skate essentials onto a long trailer to bring out to the new temporary skatepark location located next to Culver’s along highway 3. There’s still a little work to be done. The pyramid needs completion and some of the ramps need a little bracing underneath, but all in all we’re close. Once again we see how a community of adults and youth can come together for a common cause. Northfield could use a little more of this. More photos here.

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Kristoff Krane and The Key Help Summer Plus Program

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The Northfield Union of Youth teamed up with Twin Cities rapper and spoken word artist Kristoff Krane for a special educational workshop for participants of the Summer Plus program. Summer PLUS is a summer-long academic and recreational program for elementary and middle school students and part of the PRIMEtime Collaborative. Kristoff Krane led two one hour sessions, loosely titled “So you Wanna be a Rapper,” but was more focused on finding the passion to write for oneself and how to do so. About 10 members of the The Key came along to assist Kristoff in his endeavors. Many youth spoke and rapped their final piece (or their work in progress) in front of the others or had staff and members of the Key perform their pieces for them. A huge thanks to Jenny Kramm and Tim Hollinger for being such a big help in making this happen. For more photos click here.

Neighborhood Help with Temporary Skatepark

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This posted by Zach Pruitt from Healthy Community Initiative, originally found at http://northfieldhci.org/weblog/post/834/

If you heard hammers and electric screwdrivers at work on Pepper Ridge Knoll on Friday, you were listening to the sounds of a neighborhood coming together to help local youth.

Led by the amazing Jimi Brown, Mike Plank, and John Schad, neighbors on this street spent much of the day and night (and weekend!) helping to construct equipment for the temporary skate park. The adults worked side-by-side with local youth skaters. Neighbors even made food for the volunteers at work — including homemade cookies! It was a moment that made one proud to live in a town like Northfield.

The temporary park is set to open soon at Babcock Park (near Culver’s).

Many thanks to these fantastic volunteers — and to Jordan Taylor, who has been working with the youth this summer on this project!

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Check out some photos of some of the awesome volunteers at work!

Board Retreat!

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Another board retreat, another bonding experience. This year we camped at the County Park along the highway between Faribault and Northfield, grilled out with burgers, brats, and veggie equivalents, ate smores, played various games, and talked about The Key’s future goals. Not a bad showing either, especially from the new board. I’m just glad I brought my headphones.

More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekey/tags/board/

Upcoming Concerts at the Key

Come see Riley McGillivray and Friends for a Winter Solstice show, Dec. 21st at 7:00 pm! Twill be quite the event!
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Next up is Dewi Sant’s CD release show, Sunday Jan. 3rd at 7:00 pm. Feel privileged to be exposed to the greatness…..

The Key Hiring New Executive Director

Northfield Union of Youth
@ The Key

The Northfield Union of Youth/The Key is a nonprofit organization- for youth and by youth. All ideas for programs, projects and events are all generated by the youth. The mission of the Northfield Union of Youth is to provide power and voice to area youth and create a caring community. This is a unique organization where youth plan programs/events and govern, while caring adults involved in the organization listen and help guide.

Position Title: Executive Director
Full-time position

Responsibilities include:
* Organization administration: responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Northfield Union of Youth and the organization’s youth center, the Key.
* Program administration: assist staff and youth with existing and developing new after school programs; duties include recruiting volunteers, meeting with program leaders, and designing and tracking program budgets.
* Tracking and reporting information on activities, finances, program progress and attendance to grantors and key staff.
* Manage staff: train, schedule, delegate and monitor all staff and their responsibilities.
* Write grants and help lead fundraising efforts
* Assist youth in developing strategic plans and implementations according to youth board governance and mission of the organization.
* Community liaison: develop and maintain relationships with new and existing community partners to develop positive, supportive and mutually beneficial connections and activities.

Desired Qualifications:
* Experience with youth ages 12-19.
* 2-3 years of relevant non-profit experience.
* Associates or Bachelors Degree
* Excellent communication skills, able to speak and write well.
* Highly organized, able to schedule appointments and manage office in chaotic atmosphere.
* Knowledge of Northfield community
* Fundraising and grant writing experience a plus

Salary: Mid $30,000’s range

Please send cover letter and resume to:
The Northfield Union of Youth
Attn: Hiring Committee
PO Box 481
Northfield, MN 55057

Lighten Up Carleton Garage Sale Raises over $22,000!!!!!!!

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The 9th Annual Lighten Up Carleton Garage Sale raised over $22,000 during the two day sale of Thursday June 18 and Friday June 19, easily smashing its record amount by over 5 grand! The Northfield Union of Youth, Northfield Special Olympics, and Project Friendship will be cut checks of over $7000 each. The Lighten Up sale was sponsored by Acting in the Community Together (ACT), the College’s center for community service and civic engagement. They are owed an extended round of applause as are the numerous volunteers of the other organizations. Well over 700 hours were logged in by volunteers of the Northfield Union of Youth during the set up and sale. That is very impressive and a testament to the quality of the organization (at least we think so).

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An End To An Era…

On June 11th, 2009, the infamous “Brown Couch” was laid to rest by means of cremation and axe-handling. A decision was made to lay the couch to rest at the previous board meeting. As a result, there are far fewer flies roaming through the Key, and an opportunity to try out some new furniture!

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Ninth Annual Lighten Up Garage Sale begins Thursday June 18th

Carleton’s Ninth Annual Lighten-Up Garage Sale will take place in the West Gym on Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday noon to 7 p.m. is the fill-a-bag sale. Please note there will be no Saturday sale this year. The Lighten Up sale, sponsored by Acting in the Community Together (ACT), the College’s center for community service and civic engagement, is open to the public.

Volunteers from ACT and other benefiting organizations will run the sale, with all proceeds going to Project Friendship, Northfield Area Special Olympics, and the Northfield Union of Youth (The Key). Last year’s garage sale raised over $14,000 for local non-profit organizations.

The garage sale will feature clothes, linens, books, electronics, kitchenware, and other miscellaneous items donated by Carleton students following their dorm room clean-ups. This sale has thousands of items and is the Queen of garage sales. There is literally something for everyone!

The West Gym is located on the Carleton campus off Highway 19 East in Northfield. Ample parking is available in the Carleton College Stadium parking lot.