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TO: YWCA Leaders

FROM: YWCA USA Communications

DATE: January 11, 2017

SUBJECT: Further Details on Women's March Decision

Dear YWCA Leaders,

We have received a number of calls and emails asking for more information regarding yesterday's board decision for YWCA USA not to formally partner with the Women's March. We appreciate your candor and engagement and more information is provided in this email.

The YWCA USA board of directors did not reach a unanimous decision for YWCA USA to join as a formal partner in the Women's March. The primary concerns cited were:

1. There remains a lack of information regarding the goals and intended outcomes for the march, specifically a lack of a unifying purpose statement;
2. That formal involvement with the event would be perceived as obstructionist by the new administration and may limit YWCA's opportunity to work with the new administration;
3. That due to the grassroots organizing nature of the event, and the short time frame of the event, it has the potential to be partisan and/or poorly executed;
4. And, the potential liability of the event to include situations that may negatively impact the health and safety of attendees.

As with any challenging decision, board members carefully weighed the pros and cons and the decision reflects a conclusion that the potential liabilities listed above outweigh any potential benefits to be gained by YWCA USA as a result of participation.

We recognize that there is still interest amongst many YWCAs in attending and participating in the march. To help you coordinate with one another regardless of YWCA USA's involvement, we opened a Facebook group in mid-December. To join this group, please:

1. Submit this short online form to receive the link to the closed Facebook group.
2. Click the link to go to the Facebook group and request to join (click the "Join Group"; button). YWCA USA will respond to your request within 48 hours.

Please direct any additional questions to Casey Harden, Sr. Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Membership.

Sincerely,

YWCA USA Communications