BBG Red Book 2014 | Page 7

BBYO AS A LIFELONG CONNECTION TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BBYO Connect  Connect is ’s program for middle school students, aimed at creating a seamless transition from Bar/ Bat Mitzvah to high school.  Connect creates a community of Jewish teens in th–th grade and offers social and enriching experiences that serve as a gateway to continued involvement in Jewish life. Originally created as Teen Connection in the s, the program ensures continued involvement in Jewish experiences for middle school teens before they choose the  path they would like to pursue. Through valuable, fun and meaningful local programming,  Connect is designed to ultimately lead to dramatic growth in  and  membership. In -,  Connect reached the forefront of ’s priorities as a necessary way to increase membership. In -,  Connect was the fasting growing division of .  Connect participants are not yet members of  and , and therefore are not required to pay a membership fee. BBYO Friends and Alumni Network (FAN) ’s Friends and Alumni Network () is a growing movement of  communities across North America.  brings together friends and alumni of the organization to secure the resources necessary to sustain local  programs while also serving as the vehicle for lifelong involvement in the organization.  members advocate for ; network and share personal and professional news; volunteer and mentor; relive the glory days at local  events; and support the organization so that invaluable  experiences are always available for every Jewish teen. 5