YWCA Bylaws

The current YWCA USA Bylaws were last updated on June 11, 2022.

YWCA USA Bylaws

June 2022 Annual Business Meeting

The hybrid 2022 Annual Business Meeting was held on June 11, 2022 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile and also via video conference using Zoom.

Bylaws Amendment #3, as amended by the jointly submitted YWCA Central Massachusetts and YWCA Kalamazoo amendment, was adopted by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Local Association voting delegates.

January 2022 Special Business Meeting

A special Business Meeting was held virtually on January 19, 2022, for the purpose of considering the proposed amendments to the YWCA USA Bylaws contained in this Memorandum for Local Associations

Bylaws Amendments #1-2 and #4-13 were adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of Local Association voting delegates.

Local Associations, by unanimous consent, moved to continue the meeting at a later date. The continued meeting was later rescinded through written consent by a majority of Local Associations in order to provide time for greater understanding across the network.

2021 Proposed Bylaws Amendments

The YWCA USA Board of Directors approved amendments to the YWCA Bylaws in April 2021, as recommended by the Governance Committee. Any bylaws amendments must be approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) majority of Local Association voting delegates. 

The proposed bylaws changes were provided to the network in May 2021 and discussed in roundtable meetings with Local Associations. Based on the feedback received, voting on the bylaws by the network was moved from June to early 2022.

Supplemental Resources

Last Updated: June 22, 2022

Supplemental information and resources are collected here to provide full context for Local Associations and facilitate conversation at the Local Executive and Board level.  Materials include additional documents reviewed and proposed by the Gender Neutral and Membership Taskforce.

 Local Associations are encouraged to their Director of Member Services or ceo1@ywca.org with additional questions about the resources provided below.

Bylaws Amendment #3


Proposed Amendment to Bylaws Amendment #3

Bylaws Amendments (#1-13) Overview


January 2022 Special Meeting


Gender Neutral Taskforce


Single-Gender Policy & Risk Analysis

Bylaws and Related Resources 

YWCA USA Bylaws
The YWCA USA Bylaws exist as an exhibit within the newly updated Membership Agreement. Included in them are expectations of membership for local associations, and further guidance about bylaws inclusions that should be reflected at the local level. You’ll find more information about the Membership Agreement here. To ensure you’re prepared with required updates to your local association bylaws, please review the List of Suggested Revisions to Local Associations Bylaws (linked below)