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TO: YWCA Local Association Leaders

FROM: YWCA USA Member Services

DATE: May 29, 2015

SUBJECT: Important Information about the 2015 YWCA USA Annual Conference

Dear Conference Registrants,

Thank you for registering for the 2015 YWCA USA Annual Conference! We look forward to seeing you in our nation’s Capital, June 4-6th. This email contains important information for your trip, so please read carefully.

Hotel

Grand Hyatt Washington
202-582-1234

The Grand Hyatt Washington has a fitness center, restaurant and coffee shop. You can view a list of area activities and restaurants.

For your convenience, the hotel is also located directly above the Metro Center Station, which is accessible via the Red, Blue and Orange lines.

Transportation

There are many convenient ways to get around Washington, D.C. You have several options, including the D.C. Metrorail, buses and trains. Here is a full map of the D.C. Metrorail system.

For transportation options from D.C.area airports, including Washington-Reagan (DCA) and Dulles International (IAD), click here. For transportation options from Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), click here. The Super Shuttle is another affordable option; it is recommended to book the Super Shuttle ahead of time.

There are always plenty of taxi cabs in D.C., but if you are unable to hail one you can contact Checker Cab Association, (202) 398-0532, or DC Flyer Cab Association, (202) 488-7611. If you call, you will pay an extra $1.50 for each additional person. There is a $2.00 charge for radio-dispatched cabs

Attire

Conference and Business Meeting:

The dress code for the Annual Conference and Business Meeting is business casual.

Capitol Hill Day:

We are asking YWCA Capitol Hill Day participants to help us create a strong, unified and visible presence by wearing black, white, and persimmon attire. We suggest wearing black suits (pants or skirts) with white shirts/tops, and a persimmon scarf to accent your attire. Persimmon scarves will be sold at the Persimmon Table in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Please wear comfortable shoes, as Capitol Hill Day will require some walking. The weather forecast on Thursday is in the mid-80s with a slight chance of rain on Thursday and Friday.

Women of Distinction Awards Reception and Gala:

The dress code is cocktail attire.

Annual Conference and Capitol Hill Day Materials

This year, to avoid overcrowding at workshops, we ask that you sign up during registration for the workshops you are interested in attending. We have two blocks of workshops on Friday, one block in the morning and another block in the afternoon. When you pick up your conference materials at registration, please go to the bulletin board and sign up for one workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon. Please do not sign up for more than one workshop in each timeslot. With this information, we will do our best to make sure that each workshop has adequate seating. Please read the workshop descriptions online.

Are you a first time Capitol Hill Day attendee or just have questions about your meetings? Join the YWCA USA Advocacy Team on Wednesday evening from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel. You will have a chance to meet with the Advocacy Team to brush up on the 2015 legislative agenda, strategize about your Capitol Hill meetings, and receive a refresher of what to expect during your time on the Hill. If you have a smart phone, YWCA USA staff will also be available to help you download the Capitol Hill Day app and walk you through the resources and materials provided. Visit the Capitol Hill Day page to learn more and download resources. On Thursday morning, we will offer our annual Capitol Hill Day briefing.

We will post all Annual Conference and Capitol Hill Day materials, presentations, and handouts on the YWCA Intranet. While some presenters might provide handouts, a majority of the materials will be posted online, so be sure to check back!

Finally, the Annual Conference schedule is available on the intranet for your reference.

YWCA USA Business Meeting

On May 15, 2015, unique passwords and usernames were sent to the email address of each Voting Delegate identified on the Notice of Voting Delegates form. If you have not yet voted for the incoming Board of Directors candidates and the proposed YWCA USA Bylaws changes, you are welcome to place your votes ahead of our meeting on Saturday, June 6. If you are a voting delegate and you have not receive your username and password, please email secretary@ywca.org.

Please be advised that a transcript of the 2014 Annual Business Meeting is posted on the Intranet for your review.

Early Arrivals on Wednesday, June 3

Join us at 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington for a special screening and discussion of the film SHE’S BEAUTIFUL WHEN SHE’S ANGRY, a documentary which aims to inspire individuals to work for feminism and human rights.

The film covers the buried history of women who founded the modern women's movement from 1966 to 1971, and the "exhilarating, quarrelsome, and sometimes heart-wrenching glory." The film addresses controversies over race, sexual preference, and leadership: controversies that often arise when individuals work together for collective impact. This brilliant award-winning documentary has received national press coverage. The New York Times writes, "Reminds us, feminists didn't just feel as if they were changing the world - THEY CHANGED IT. Makes clear: the fight isn't over." Popcorn provided!

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Courtnee Carrigan, Director of Training, at ccarrigan@ywca.org. See you next week!

Sincerely,

Courtnee Carrigan
Director of Training, YWCA USA Communications