Developing the Next Generation

of Conservation Leaders EJ Porth, Communications and Outreach Director, Gallatin Valley Land Trust in Bozeman, MT

October 19, 2019

#Rally2019

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Welcome

Introductions

• EJ Porth

• Bozeman, MT

• Gallatin Valley Land Trust

• Who is in the room?

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Peets Hill, GVLT’s first trail project in 1991. Photo by Louise Johns

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Agenda and Reminders

Agenda

• Define the ‘why’

• Use NextGen Advisory Board as

case study

• Create your own plan

Reminders

• I am not an expert

• I am a Millennial but I don’t speak

for all Millennials

• You can do this

• Share the air

• Think big

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Stereotypes of Millennials from Offleash PR

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The Why

Why should we include young

people?

Building a ‘why’, buy-in

My 'why'

GVLT’s ‘why’

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Discovery Walk at the Drinking Horse Trail. Photo by Kelly Kuntz

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

A message from our

NextGen Advisory Board Chair, Justin Barth

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Step by Step

• Assemble focus group

• Ask around

• Identify staff lead

• Find a champion

• Define expectations for

organization

• Build buy-in

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2017-2018 GVLT NextGen Advisory Board. Photo by Kelly Kuntz

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Find your people

• 21 young professionals, ages 25-45

• Think about your circles

> Young donors

> Children of Board Members or donors

> Younger staff at partner organizations

> Younger staff at sponsoring businesses

> Social media followers

> Local university

• What voices are missing from your

table? Invite them!

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2019-2020 GVLT NextGen Advisory Board. Photo by Kelly Kuntz

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Let them define success

• Empower group to build framework

• Promote ownership of structure and

activities

• Together we decided we wanted to:

> Provide opportunities for young

professionals to engage with GVLT

and our mission.

> Raise awareness of GVLT and our

mission in the community,

particularly with their young

professional peers

> Offer leadership development and

networking for young professionals

growing their careers and service

> Provide feedback and perspective to

the Board of Directors about the

values and interests of younger

community members

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NextGen Advisory Board and peers volunteering on new trail.

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Create a Charter

• Giving requirements

• Attendance requirements

• Volunteer commitments

• Diversity commitment

• Relationship with Board of Directors

• New member process

• Leadership structure

• Committee structure

• Terms

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NextGen Advisory Board at Pedal Parade.

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

What have they done in 3 years?

• Application numbers

• Learned about GVLT and programs

• Connected us with donors and

businesses

• Giving/ Fundraising

• Events

• Philanthropy

• Connecting with Board of Directors

• Strategic Planning

• Outreach efforts

• FUN

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NextGen Chair 2019-2020, NextGen Chair 2016-2018. Photo by Tori Pintar

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Conservation Cocktail Hour

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board Pedal Parade

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Pop Up Picnic

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Year End Giving Campaign

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

GVLT Through the Generations Dinner

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GVLT NextGen Advisory Board

Open Lands Levy Campaign

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Engaging Millennials: Tips and Tricks

• Beer

• Make it a big deal

• Use new communication tools

• Consider their lives

• Don’t treat them like a token

• Don’t underestimate their capacity

• Have fun!

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Selfie Scavenger Hunt for Orientation

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Engaging Millennials: Tips and Tricks

What if my organization:

• …is all volunteer?

• …small?

• …has no young staff?

• …is in a small town?

• …doesn’t have time?

Yes, and…

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Questions?

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Now You Try

Brainstorm:

• Who are your champions? Who else cares in your organization?

• What is your case for support, why is this important? Who needs to hear it?

• Where can you find young people (to lead or engage)?

• What capacity do you have? What are reasonable expectations?

• What could young people help you with? What are your needs?

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Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Land Trust Case Studies:

Blue Hill Heritage Trust- benefits and salary structure to support millennial staff, recruiting younger Board

Members, 40 under 40 donor campaign

Peconic Land Trust- surveying young staff members, peer to peer asks, Conservation Council

Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy- partnering with mountain bike group and providing trails

Thousand Islands Land Trust-recognizing and supporting younger staff members

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Thank you

EJ Porth

Communications and Outreach Director

Gallatin Valley Land Trust

ej@gvlt.org

406-587-8404 ext. 108

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