| The need for nonprofit and more specifically YMCA leaders is great. Often these leaders are promoted from within their organizations and lack some of the training and knowledge necessary for the job.;This phenomenological research study explored the perceptions of leadership of current Executives in 10 YMCAs within a Midwestern State. The sample was drawn from thirty Executives within the YMCA. Interviews were done with the selected Executives and a follow-up survey sent to the Directors from the participating YMCAs.;The findings of this research demonstrate the importance of leader involvement not only in the YMCA community but the community-at-large; the importance of the organization's mission for the leadership and culture of the YMCA; the role of mentors is as one of utmost importance in the development of the leaders; and the importance of leading with honesty and integrity as the fundamental basis of leadership within the YMCA.;Implications for practice include (a) articulating the importance of mission; (b) developing and implementing a formal mentorship program; (c) providing formalized training in the area of community service; (d) integrating the values of honesty and integrity into hiring practices; (e) continuing to emphasize the importance of those virtues with employees; and (f) educating staff on the importance of the YMCA mission in decision making, evaluating, and budgeting processes. |
