Enabling Organisational Transformation for Kerry Community Youth Services

The Context

Kerry Community Youth Services (formerly Kerry Diocesan Youth Services) is a community-based youth work organisation committed to supporting the development and participation of all young people in Kerry.

Its services range from universal youth work activities and clubs to more targetted supports such as youth justice and intensive family support. KCYS has several youth centres across Kerry and its centre in Killarney – EurÓg – is the only accredited Council of Europe youth centre in Ireland. KCYS supports over 400 volunteers to provide youth clubs and individual mentoring activities for young people in their local communities.

Between 2019 and 2023, 2into3 provided supports in recruitment, strategy and governance to KCYS as it navigated through significant changes in its organisation and operating environment, enabling an organisational transformation.

Kerry Community Youth Services Logo

KCYS

CEO Recruitment

In early 2022, 2into3 supported KCYS to recruit a new Chief Executive Officer. Between February and April, a combined advertised and targeted search campaign attracted 47 applications, from a variety of platforms and through direct contact with 2into3’s network and database of candidates.

A total of 9 individuals undertook a screening interview with 2into3’s Head of Recruitment and 6 of these were invited to a panel interview with members of the KCYS Board. Following this rigorous process, Berni Smyth was appointed.

“I did wonder prior to the start of this process what 2into3 might bring to the table, but having gone through the process, I believe that engaging 2into3 to assist in recruiting the new CEO was one of the best decisions made by the Board. It has been most worthwhile and a big thank you to all in 2into3.”

– Shane O’Donohoe, KCYS Trustee

Strategy

With the new CEO in place, 2into3 worked closely with the Board and senior management to develop a Strategic Plan. Building on prior consultations with staff, volunteers and external stakeholders and funders, a Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 was adopted which sees KCYS strengthen its service offering for all young people in Kerry and to the wider youth work sector. It also sees the organisation embed youth participation across its work. KPIs were identified against each strategic goal to enable monitoring and evaluation.

“The thorough consultation process, led by 2into3, has resulted in a strategic plan that is both ambitious and achievable in equal measure which is a hard balance to strike and an excellent outcome. It was a great decision to defer the finalising of the strategic plan to allow me the opportunity to put my stamp on what is essentially our road map.”

– Berni Smyth, CEO, KCYS

KCYS Strategic Plan
KCYS

Governance

2into3 also supported the organisation to strengthen its governance structures and practices. These supports included a Board effectiveness exercise, support to revise the organisation’s Constitution in line with the organisation’s new Strategy and best practice ( including identifying a new charity name, clarifying the new relationship between KCYS and the Diocese of Kerry, updating the charitable objects, and updating term limit procedures).

2into3 also supported KCYS to recruit new independent Board members and developed a Board induction pack and delivered governance training to new Trustees.

The Result

KCYS’s capacity and resilience has been transformed, enabling it to have an even greater impact on the lives of young people in Kerry. KCYS’s governance structures and practices have been significantly strengthened, creating a strong foundation for its front-line work and fundraising.

Get in Touch

At 2into3, we offer a comprehensive breadth of supports to enable your organisation to have a transformative impact. If you would like to explore how 2into3 can support you with Talent Services, contact Shannon Barrett at shannon.barrett@2into3.com or for Advisory Services, contact Sheena Horgan at sheena.horgan@2into3.com.

For more information on our services, visit our webpage here.

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