Blogs

April 28, 2017

We are pleased to share the following YWCA USA updates.

Get Inspired and Vote

The Association Excellence Award finalists for racial justice, advocacy, and women's empowerment have been selected. Now we need YOU to choose the winner! Each association gets one vote and you have until May 12 to cast it. Vote today!

Executive Search Update

The CEO posting is now up and available for you to view and share.

Capitol Hill Day 2017: Federal Funding to Support Our Communities

Congress will be deep in the throes of strategizing for the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget and YWCA has the power to make a difference! YWCAs across the country rely on federal funding to support local communities in the very important work to empower women and eliminate racism. Learn more about this year's Capitol Hill Day goals on our May 10 webinar and by reading more on the Intranet.

Register today for the 2017 YWCA USA National Conference and Women of Distinction Awards Gala! Have conference questions? Email NationalConference@ywca.org.

Stand Against Racism

The campaign continues through the weekend so don't slow down now! With more than 500 events in 40 states, you are making an impact in your communities. Congratulations to Connecticut and North Carolina who led the nation with 65 and 63 events statewide! Help promote our national Stand Against Racism initiatives by:

• Happening now: join the #StandAgainstRacism tweet chat!
• Taking and sharing the Stand Against Racism pledge. If you did a local pledge signing, please share your numbers with communications@ywca.org so that we can add up our full network impact.
• Take action! Tell Congress to prioritize women of color in leadership. Share the alert with your networks!

YWCA Gender-Based Violence Work

Ever wondered how YWCA came to be one of the largest domestic violence service providers in the country? Do you ever think about how our work to end gender-based violence fits in with our other services and advocacy actions? Then read this brand new mini-paper!

YWCA Blogs

• Jessica Pinckney, government relations manager, wrote yesterday about concrete policy solutions to help bring more women of color into leadership and break down barriers.
• Check out this Stand Against Racism kick off blog for great action items and more.
• Want to blog with us? Make a submission! Special consideration will be given to blogs that align with our Mission Impact Framework and policy priorities, and those that highlight personal narratives from staff or YWCA participants.

State Pilot Initiative

Thank you to those who took the time to share your interest in the YWCA USA State Advocacy Pilot Initiative. This pilot will work with three states to develop and implement a state level advocacy campaign strategy focused on ending racial profiling and criminalization of people of color. We took a three-phase approach to choose the states:

• Consultation with the directors of member services (DMS) to identify an initial list of states to consider;
• Phone interviews with DMS and two local associations in each state to create a short list of local associations and;
• Surveying all local associations on the short list to gauge interest in participating.

We have selected California, Michigan, and North Carolina as the three states that will be participating in this initial stage of the pilot. Read more about the selection process in this memo. Congratulations again to the selected states, we are looking forward to working with you!

Sanctuary Cities Win for YWCA Silicon Valley

We are thrilled that YWCA Silicon Valley's court case to stop federal government from implementing President Trump's Executive Order to deny federal funds to so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions" has been successful. Read more here.

Bi-Weekly Policy Update

Congress is back from recess and the Trump administration is approaching its first 100 days, making for a busy week in the administration and on Capitol Hill. See the latest in the bi-weekly policy update and read our press statement on President Trump's first 100 days.

Friday Flash Survey

Tell us what type of merchandise you'd like to see for sale at the 2017 YWCA USA National Conference. May 2 is the survey deadline.

Important Dates

• Stand Against Racism is happening now! Join today's tweet chat at 3 p.m. ET.
• Capitol Hill Day prep webinars are scheduled for May 10 and June 7.
• May 12 is the deadline for Association Excellence Awards voting – vote today!
• YWCA 101, an introductory webinar to the YWCA USA, will be offered webinar will now be offered on May 22, and June 27. Register your staff, volunteers and board.
• June 14 – 17: YWCA USA 2017 National Conference

Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.