About The Event

Join us this fall for an inspiring gathering themed “Rooted in Purpose, Growing in Unity.” Together, we’ll explore what grounds our work in the Y Movement and how collective strength helps us thrive. Through meaningful breakouts, shared stories, and time in community, you’ll leave reenergized, connected, and more deeply rooted in our mission. Whether you're a long-time leader or just beginning your journey, this is your moment to grow—together.

Event registration closes September 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm.
Hotel discounts expire September 8, 2025 at 11:59 pm.



Hotel Accomodations

Hotel discounts expire September 8, 2025 at 11:59 pm!

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
3060 S Kinney Coulee Road, Onalaska, WI 54650
608-781-3060

Wednesday, October 7: $129/night
Thursday, October 8: $129/night

CLICK HERE* TO BOOK YOUR HOTEL BY 9/8/25 at 11:59 pm. Select the dates first then use the GROUP code: YMCA2025

*If link doesn't work, go here, then click 'Book Now' on the top, then select 'La Crosse'.



Presenters & Breakouts

Thursday Keynote: Richard Kyte Finding Your Third Place

Finding Your Third Place: Your first place is home, your second place is work, and your third place is where you go to socialize. As more of our lives are spent online and in digital spaces, these often overlooked “Third Places” play a crucial role in keeping our communities vibrant. Third places ranges from a neighborhood restaurant, to a community center, to a local bookstore, coffee shop, or gym. They are the critical gathering spaces where friendships are formed, relationships are nurtured, and the tapestry of community is woven. Yet, for an ever-growing list of reasons, many people today find themselves without a third place of their own.


Friday Keynote: Pat Dwyer Chaotic Goodness: Embracing, Owning, and Celebrating the Unknown

In this empowering, interactive and often uproarious keynote, Pat Dwyer gives your attendees the tools for redefining change as a gift, rather than a hindrance. Leveraging the very chaos that comes with our day-to-day, Pat provides an easy framework for embracing the chaos in real time, using it to your advantage and making active choices that harness the goodness hidden inside.

Key Learning Objectives -

At the conclusion of this keynote, participants will have the ability to:

● See their inherent power and benefit in embracing the chaos

● Adapt more efficiently to rapid change

● Have a honed ability to remain positive in adverse situations

● More easily get to the fun side of change

● Get revved up knowing how integral they are to their future


Breakout Sessions


Thursday, October 9Friday, October 10
Next Generation Needs, Eddie Norgard
#NextGenNeeds framework is a collection of preferred workplace conditions that research shows younger generations seek from their employer.
Strengthening Child Protection, Britt Darwin-Looney
Join us for a dynamic session focused on building safer environments for youth through intentional policies, practices, and culture. We'll explore key elements of effective child protection frameworks and provide an overview of the Praesidium Accreditation process—recognized as the gold standard in abuse prevention. Whether you're just starting to strengthen your policies or pursuing full accreditation, this session offers practical guidance, lessons learned, and space for peer discussion. Come away with tools to take the next steps in protecting the children and youth you serve.
FUNderstruck for Great Leadership, Pat Dwyer

Leadership doesn’t come from a book, it doesn’t come from a lecture, it comes from practice. It comes from diving in, testing the limits and finding the parts that apply to you and your team. It comes from your ability to access the wealth of experience that got you here. During this session participants will not only dive-in to discuss what makes great leaders in today’s work place but get up on-their-feet, enjoy themselves and work the skills that get them there.
Expanding Access & Impact: Partnering with Third-Party Payors and Launching ForeverWell
Join us for an in-depth look at how our organization is strengthening sustainability and accessibility through strategic partnerships with third-party payors and direct billing relationships with insurance providers. We’ll share lessons learned, implementation strategies, and how these efforts are helping us better serve older adults through the launch of ForeverWell—a holistic approach to wellness that supports physical, social, and emotional health. Whether you're considering insurance-based partnerships or exploring new wellness initiatives, this session offers valuable insights to help guide your next steps.
From Vision to Vendor: RFPs that Deliver Value in Design and Construction
Writing a strong RFP isn’t just a formality—it’s a strategic move that can shape the success of your building projects. In this session, we’ll break down what makes an RFP effective, how to avoid common missteps, and how to craft a clear, focused ask that gets the right partners on board. You’ll leave with practical strategies to write RFPs that deliver better results and greater value from day one.


The Power of Joy in Sports, TrueSport
Discover how cultivating joy and fun in your sport community not only drives long-term success and athlete retention, but it also protects administrators and coaches against burnout. This session explores why everyone in a sport system needs to position joy as a key priority to help athletes perform better, stay committed longer, and achieve greater success.
Finding Your Third Place, Richard Kyte
At a time when our nation is facing an epidemic of loneliness, when communities are suffering from loss of trust, low levels of engagement, despair, and political polarization, what if the answer to many of our problems lies in a simple idea? What if we just need to pay attention to the places where we find ourselves? Discover your Third Place.
Saving for a Great Retirement, Y Retirement Fund
The presentation will highlight how much you need to save during your career and how you can get there utilizing both the Fund’s 401(a) Retirement Plan and the Savings Plans—403(b) Tax-Deferred, Roth Account and Rollovers—ultimately resulting in Lifetime Income! The Savings Plan’s features like loans during your working years will also be discussed.
Next Generation Needs, Eddie Norgard
#NextGenNeeds framework is a collection of preferred workplace conditions that research shows younger generations seek from their employer. This session will be tailored to management staff who work directly with this group.
Monthly Program Model, Eric Gorder
Discover how shifting to a monthly program model can drive deeper engagement, build community, and improve outcomes. In this session, we’ll explore a real-world example of how the Green Bay Y found success by offering structured, recurring monthly programming. Learn about the planning process, lessons learned, and how consistency created a stronger connection with participants. Whether you're looking to revamp existing offerings or pilot something new, this session will offer practical insights and inspiration.
FUNderstruck for Highly Effective Teams, Pat Dwyer
Leadership doesn’t come from a book, it doesn’t come from a lecture, it comes from practice. It comes from diving in, testing the limits and finding the parts that apply to you and your team. It comes from your ability to access the wealth of experience that got you here. During this session participants will not only dive-in to discuss what makes great leaders in today’s work place but get up on-their-feet, enjoy themselves and work the skills that get them there.
Onalaska YMCA Tour
Transportation is provided to tour the Houser branch of the La Crosse association, which is about 10 minutes from the conference center. Check out their childcare center, aquatics, gymnastics center, gyms, and more!
CEO Discussion
CEOs will have a space to breakout and have relevant discussions.


General Schedule


These are optional.Y-USA Trainings

Y-USA Swim Lesson Instructor v6 (Oct 8 & 9)

Project Management (Oct 8)


Thursday, October 9Leadership Conference

Conference runs 8:30 am-4:00 pm

7:30 am: Registration and Breakfast
8:30-10:30 am: Morning welcome and keynote
10:30-12:30 pm: Breakout Sessions
12:30 pm: Lunch buffet & sponsor tables
1:30-4:00 pm: Afternoon session and breakout

*Both New Y Leader programs will be having their final session on this day. MN is at Stoney Creek, WI/MI is at the Dahl YMCA.


Friday, October 10YPN Staff Rally* (see note below!)

Conference runs 8:15 am-3:30 pm

7:30 am: Registration and Breakfast
8:30-10:30 am: Morning welcome and keynote
10:30-12:30 pm: Breakout Sessions or Peer Community Meetings
12:00-1:15 pm: Lunch & Sponsor booth tour
1:30-3:30 pm: Breakout sessions or Peer Community meetings


*This year's YPN Staff Rally schedule will be different from year's past due to the large number of Peer Community groups and room constraints. After the morning welcome, keynote, and awards, Peer Community groups will be split into two "tracks". One track will have breakouts in the morning and their PC meeting in the afternoon. The other track will do the opposite and have their PC meetings in the morning and breakouts in the afternoon. 



Event Sponsors

 




 

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Attendee Information




  • Thursday Leadership Conference

    Thursday Leadership Conference

    Conference is for C-Suite, association leadership, volunteers, and sponsors. Time is approximately 8:30 am-4:00 pm. NEW Y LEADER PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS!

    Price $46.58 ($45.00 + $1.58 fee)

  • Friday YPN Staff Rally

    Friday YPN Staff Rally

    Rally is for all levels of staff and sponsors. Time is approximately 8:30 am-3:30 pm

    Price $41.40 ($40.00 + $1.40 fee)

  • Optional: Wednesday evening dinner

    Optional: Wednesday evening dinner

    For those coming in the night before the Thursday conference, join us for a group dinner (location TBD). Dinner and drinks at your own cost.

    Price $0.00

  • Optional: Thursday Bluff Pics & Dinner

    Optional: Thursday Bluff Pics & Dinner

    Transportation provided up to Granddad's Bluff for a great view of the Coulee Region. Take some photos and then travel to Blue Moon Restaurant in Onalaska for dinner. Leave at 5:00 pm return time approximately 8:00 pm. Dinner & drinks on your own cost.

    Price $0.00

This year's early registration gift for the first 150 people is an engraved wooden coaster.




Peer Community Information



Sponsor Information

A sponsor FAQ sheet is available HERE.


Presenter Information

All presenters should provide their own laptop if projection is needed.


Y-USA Trainings - optional for Y staff

Project Management
Thursday, October 9, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
Fee: $110, Click here to register in LCDC.

Y-USA Swim Lesson Instructor v6
Wednesday, October 8: 9:00 am-5:00 pm +
Thursday, October 9: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
R.W. Houser YMCA, 400 Mason St, Onalaska, WI 54650
Fee: $190, Click here to register in LCDC.



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