Blogs

March 30, 2018

We are pleased to share the following YWCA USA updates:

Engaging Communities: Stand Against Racism

As we move into the month of April, anticipation is building for another excellent Stand Against Racism. We are working hard to build momentum at the national level – and your engagement on the ground is the true power behind this movement. Be sure to engage and register your Community Sites. Let us know if you need any additional assistance or support at standagainstracism@ywca.org.

Governance Fundamentals Webinar for Board Members

Strong board governance and staff leadership, along with a healthy board – CEO partnership, is vital to the success of a YWCA. YWCA board members are the fiduciaries steering an organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, while ensuring the YWCA has adequate resources to advance its mission and fund operations. Join us for an introductory session on Governance Fundamentals for all YWCA board members to learn more about your role and responsibilities: April 24, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Register.

Protect VAWA: Congressional Sign-On Letter for Associations

Tell Congress that you care about funding for programs that serve victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Add your YWCA’s name to the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Funding letter which will be sent to Congress with the clear message: “We can’t turn away victims in their time of need.” Review the letter and add your organization’s* name by completing this form by Friday, April 13th at 5:00pm EST. Please note: this letter is for organizations, rather than individuals. We will follow up with actions for individuals later in the Spring.

Monday Deadline: United State of Women Summit

This Monday, April 2, is the deadline to join the general YWCA delegation and to apply for an Advocacy Point of Contact spot within the YWCA delegation to the United State of Women (USOW) Summit in Los Angeles on May 5 and 6. Don’t miss this great opportunity to join former first lady Michelle Obama, former White House advisor Valerie Jarrett, and other amazing women leaders at the summit.

New from the Resource Library

The eighth posting in 2018’s Today’s YWCA Data Report series is now available: YWCA Performance Metrics: Women’s and Girls’ Health Programs and Physical Fitness, Athletics and Aquatics Programs. Find this new report along with others in the series in the YWCA Online Resource Library Reference and Contact Center section > Today’s YWCA Data Reports. Each report presents data recently gathered from all YWCAs, including service offerings, demographics, funding sources, referral channels, partnerships, curriculums, outcomes realized, and a directory to find which YWCAs provide each service.

Strategic Planning Update

As we have shared in previous virtual and live updates, we are working throughout 2018 to develop a network-wide strategic plan to set a bold and effective path forward for the YWCA. This plan will build on and incorporate findings from last year’s Local Association Listening Tour and corresponding research.

Today, we have several updates to share with you related to our 2018 Strategic Planning process.

Progress to Date

We kicked off our strategic planning efforts in early 2018. Thus far, we have:

• Assembled a Strategic Planning Committee who collectively represent local association leaders and YWCA USA board and staff leaders. This committee effectively represents the breadth of the YWCA’s work while bringing important regional, demographic, and role diversity to the committee. Members of the committee will be shared in a weekly wrap up soon!
• Launched a visioning process with the YWCA USA Board of Directors. Board members are thoughtfully considering the future direction of the organization that will further inform the work of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Process and Timeline Updates

Additionally, we have some updates related to the process and support we are using to facilitate this process. Many of you have interacted with the team from The Alford Group during this and/or our most recent strategic planning process in the early part of this decade. We have recently decided, after conducting a reassessment of our needs, to retain a different kind of counsel and support to facilitate the remainder of the strategic planning process.

The Alford Group has provided us with strong support for many years, and they have provided, and continue to provide, many of our local associations with strong support in fundraising counsel, strategic planning, and organizational development. We greatly appreciate The Alford Group’s professionalism and expertise and we trust our relationship will provide us with an opportunity in the future to collaborate on other projects and efforts.

YWCA USA will continue to prioritize this critical initiative and we will continue to provide regular updates.

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday our field engagement manager, Samantha Davis, hosted a Facebook Live featuring local youth and community organizers. They discussed gun violence, the recent March for Our Lives, and what youth of color need from their allies. Watch now!

Important Dates

• April 9 at 3 p.m. ET: Money Monday, Grant Writing Essentials: Told by a Federal Grant Reviewer
• April 24, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Governance Fundamentals Webinar Register.
• April 26 – 29: Stand Against Racism
• June 6 – 9: 2018 Leadership & Capacity Building Institute in San Antonio, TX

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