June 14, 2019
“Not every YWCA has a pool, but we help women when they feel like they are drowning.”
—Alejandra Y. Castillo, YWCA USA CEO
Here are this week’s highlights and calls to action:
2019 National Conference
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Washington, DC, last week for our 2019 National Conference! Over 400 attendees from across the country gathered together to DARE TO BE POWERFUL, making this our highest attended National Conference to date. It was wonderful connecting, engaging with, and learning from and alongside all of you. From inspiring plenary speeches and panels and skills-building workshops, to celebratory receptions and advocating on Capitol Hill, this conference was truly a time to remember. Here are a few resources, recaps, and reminders:
- Marketing Video: We invite you to download and re-purpose the 2019 National Conference branded loop video.
- National Conference Evaluation Survey: Please complete our 2019 conference evaluation survey. We take your feedback into account when planning future events. The deadline to fill out the survey is June 28.
- Sessions Feedback: Reminder to please provide feedback about the sessions you attended directly in the 2019 YWCA National Conference app. Look for “Schedule” on the app home screen, click on a workshop session, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on “Session Feedback Questions.”
- National Conference Resources: Access resources from the conference, including marketing materials as well as session PowerPoint presentations on the Intranet. We will continue adding presentations and other materials from the conference to this page, so check back in for updates.
- Conference Recap Blog: Check out a summary of our time together in our blog post.
- Photos: Enjoy images from the conference in our photo gallery.
- Strategic Business Plan: Each local association was given a print version of the Strategic Business Plan and Reciprocity Agreement at the conference. This Strategic Business Plan, recently approved by the YWCA USA board, will advance our collective voice and galvanize the power of our movement as “one YWCA,” working to fulfill our mission and serve communities. We will continue to engage La Piana as we create the implementation plan and timelines this summer. The Strategic Business Plan, Reciprocity Agreement, Appendices, and Strategic Business Plan FAQs are all accessible online.
Thanks again to all who attended this year’s National Conference. Together, we will continue building a stronger coalition and movement, united in our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
Capitol Hill Day: We Need Your Feedback
Thank you so much for making Capitol Hill Day 2019: “Our Power, Our Congress” an incredible success! YWCA brought the power of persimmon to the halls of Congress, with over 250 advocates on Capitol Hill going to over 200 meetings with Representatives and Senators. Check out the full photo album from Capitol Hill Day. To access or keep any of the policy materials from the day, please download them from the Capitol Hill Day 2019 intranet page.
As a reminder, we need your feedback to learn about what went well and what we can do better in 2021. Go into your 2019 YWCA National Conference app and fill out the “Overall CHD Survey” to let us know your thoughts about the day in general, and complete the “CHD Meetings Feedback” to tell us more about your meetings. For additional questions, email advocacy@ywca.org.
Urge Your Senators to Support Full Funding of VAWA
On April 4th, H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (VAWA), passed the House of Representatives with a 263-158 vote. The Senate has not taken up this vital reauthorization for more than two months. Before VAWA is introduced in the Senate, take this opportunity to urge your Senators to support full funding of VAWA and to pass a substantially similar bill in the Senate. Contact your Senator TODAY!
Leveraging Results from Our Facilities and Property Survey
Thank you to those of you who completed our facilities and property survey by June 12th! As we shared with our local associations, YWCA USA has deepened its expertise in Social Impact Investing and is now in a position to be at the table for some key discussions that could have wide-ranging benefits for YWCAs. The data we received from this survey will be used immediately for our work, including an interactive map that could be used by local associations and investors to identify YWCA facilities in an Opportunity Zone. If you missed the deadline and would like to complete the survey, please contact Martha Breunig.
Two Free Resources to Strengthen Your Fundraising
- YWCA USA is pleased to announce a partnership with Penelope Burk, internationally best-selling author of “Donor-Centered Fundraising and Donor-Centered Leadership.” Your YWCA is invited to participate at no cost in the 2019 Burk Donor Survey. Your YWCA will not be required to share any donor information. You will receive a link to share with your donors, and at the close of the survey you will receive findings specific to your donors. Learn more and register as a participating YWCA today. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your fundraising!
- “Giving USA 2019,” an annual report on philanthropy, is hot off the press! Register now to join The NonProfit Times on June 18 at 2 p.m. ET for a free webinar to better understand current giving trends. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about how and where people are investing charitable dollars.
Coming Soon: “Organize Your Butterflies” Podcast
We’re excited to launch our podcast on Friday, June 27 at 12 a.m. ET. (We invite you to stay up Thursday night to celebrate the debut — or listen on your commute the following morning!) Episode by episode, we’ll discuss the ways women, including many of the amazing leaders at YWCA, are working to help women, girls and families. Topics include organizing, strategizing, and mobilizing around issues like equal pay, domestic violence, women’s entrepreneurship, and more – including how YOU can get involved.
We are thrilled to honor Dr. Dorothy Height, one of our great leaders, by naming our podcast “Organize Your Butterflies.” (Yes, we’ll explain the amazing story behind this catchy name.)
We’ll share artwork, social media resources, and more details in next Friday’s weekly wrap-up. In the meantime, we want to hear from you — what topics and guests would you like us to include in our podcast? Please email Nancy Yasharoff.
Dates to Remember
Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.
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