Why the Y
Volunteer Leadership
Support Strategic Leadership through Volunteerism
Policy volunteers play a crucial role in the strategic leadership at the Ann Arbor YMCA. While our professional staff carry out the day-to-day work, the organization is ultimately governed and guided by community members who believe deeply in the Y’s mission and values.
We seek volunteers who care about community and access, bring perspective or expertise, and are ready to lead with honesty, respect, responsibility, and care.
From setting strategic direction and stewarding financial health to ensuring safety, equity, and community impact, our volunteer leaders play a central role in shaping how the Y serves thousands of children, families, and neighbors each year.
Committee & Task Force Governance at the Y
The Ann Arbor YMCA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board fulfills its responsibilities largely through standing committees and task forces, allowing volunteers to contribute in meaningful ways aligned with their interests and expertise.
Committees & Task Forces are often the point of entry for new policy volunteers at the Y and provide a hands-on governance experience. Committees directly inform Board decisions and organizational priorities and help to build a strong pipeline of future Board members for the organization.
Getting involved: Where the work happens
Much of the Board’s work is carried out through committees, which allow volunteers to engage more deeply in specific areas aligned with their interests and expertise. Expand the options below to learn more about our current Board-level committees and Task forces.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee provides leadership, if needed, between full Board meetings and supports the President & CEO. The Executive Committee helps to ensure alignment between strategy, performance and governance responsibilities. Members of this committee are required to sit on our Board of Directors.
Facilities Task Force
The Facilities Task Force provides oversight and strategic guidance related to facilities, maintenance, capital investments, and long-term infrastructure planning in support of safe, welcoming, and functional spaces.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee stewards the financial health of the organization through oversight of budgets, financial reporting, audits and long-term fiscal sustainability. Members play a key role in balancing mission impact with fiscal responsibility.
Financial Development Committee
The Financial Development Committee advances a strong culture of philanthropy in support of the Y’s mission. The committee partners with staff and board leadership to strengthen donor engagement, stewardship, and resource development to expand access and community impact.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee oversees Board development, recruitment, orientation, evaluation and governance best practices. This committee ensures the Board remains representative and values-aligned. It is strongly preferred that members of this committee also sit on our Board of Directors.
HR Committee
The HR Committee supports policies and practices related to benefits, performance evaluation, and organizational culture, ensuring the Y remains a strong and values-driven employer.
Safety Task Force
The Safety Task Force strengthens the Y’s culture of physical, emotional, and organizational safety through policy review, risk oversight, and continuous improvement — ensuring trust for all who enter our doors.
Strategic Planning Task Force
The Strategic Planning Task Force leads the development and monitoring of the Y’s strategic priorities, helping translate mission into measurable goals and ensuring the organization remains responsive to evolving community needs.y.
Sustainability & Decarbonization Task Force
The Sustainability & Decarbonization Task Force guides efforts to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and align facilities and operations with long-term sustainability and climate responsibility goals.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee provides leadership, if needed, between full Board meetings and supports the President & CEO. The Executive Committee helps to ensure alignment between strategy, performance and governance responsibilities. Members of this committee are required to sit on our Board of Directors.
Facilities Task Force
The Facilities Task Force provides oversight and strategic guidance related to facilities, maintenance, capital investments, and long-term infrastructure planning in support of safe, welcoming, and functional spaces.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee stewards the financial health of the organization through oversight of budgets, financial reporting, audits and long-term fiscal sustainability. Members play a key role in balancing mission impact with fiscal responsibility.
Financial Development Committee
The Financial Development Committee advances a strong culture of philanthropy in support of the Y’s mission. The committee partners with staff and board leadership to strengthen donor engagement, stewardship, and resource development to expand access and community impact.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee oversees Board development, recruitment, orientation, evaluation and governance best practices. This committee ensures the Board remains representative and values-aligned. It is strongly preferred that members of this committee also sit on our Board of Directors.
HR Committee
The HR Committee supports policies and practices related to benefits, performance evaluation, and organizational culture, ensuring the Y remains a strong and values-driven employer.
Safety Task Force
The Safety Task Force strengthens the Y’s culture of physical, emotional, and organizational safety through policy review, risk oversight, and continuous improvement — ensuring trust for all who enter our doors.
Strategic Planning Task Force
The Strategic Planning Task Force leads the development and monitoring of the Y’s strategic priorities, helping translate mission into measurable goals and ensuring the organization remains responsive to evolving community needs.y.
Sustainability & Decarbonization Task Force
The Sustainability & Decarbonization Task Force guides efforts to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and align facilities and operations with long-term sustainability and climate responsibility goals.
Community Leadership in Action
Our Board of Directors
The Ann Arbor YMCA Board of Directors is made up of committed volunteers from across our community who bring diverse lived experience, professional expertise, and perspectives to the table.
The Board’s core responsibilities include:
- Setting the strategic direction of the organization
- Ensuring financial stewardship and long-term sustainability
- Upholding the Y’s mission, values, and public trust
- Supporting and evaluating the President & CEO
- Serving as ambassadors and advocates for the Y in the community
What We’re Working On Right Now:
Our volunteer leaders are actively engaged in substantive, mission-critical work that shapes both the present and future of the Ann Arbor YMCA.
Current focus areas include:
- Financial sustainability and long-term stewardship
- Building a strong culture of philanthropy and community investment
- Expanding impact across healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility
- Strengthening partnerships with schools, nonprofits, funders, and civic leaders
- Upholding a strong culture of safety and accountability
- Practicing clear, policy-driven volunteer governance
Why Serve as a Policy Volunteer?
Serving as a volunteer leader at the Y is an opportunity to make a tangible difference, apply your skills in a mission-driven setting, and help shape the future of one of our community’s most trusted institutions.
- A meaningful way to give back using your skills and experience
- Exposure to nonprofit governance and community leadership
- A collaborative environment grounded in the Y’s values
- A pathway to future Board service, if desired
You do not need prior board experience. A strong policy volunteer is one that is committed to the Y’s mission and has a willingness to engage thoughtfully.
Specific skills & professions that we currently seek (but are not limited to):
- Professional banker/accountant
- Expanded geographic representation: individuals who live or work professionally in Ypsilanti, Dexter, Brighton.
- Professional attorney/legal expertise:
- Contract law
- Labor & employment law
- Estate planning
- Youth voice – volunteer between the ages of 18-24.
