8:00-9:00: Breakfast
8:00-5:00: Exhibits and Persimmon Boutique Opening
9:00-9:30: Opening Remarks
- Presenter: Casey Harden, Interim CEO, YWCA USA
9:30-10:30: Town Hall
10:45-12:15: Morning Workshop Sessions
1. The Federal Landscape for Housing, Child Care and Gender Based Violence
The FY2018 federal budget process and administration priorities will affect funding streams and program requirements that may directly impact your ability to deliver critical services. This interactive session provides an opportunity to learn about current priorities and anticipated changes related to child care, housing, and domestic violence, sexual assault, and violence prevention services.
Presenters:
- Nadine Neufville, Acting Director, DOJ Office on Violence Against Women
- Debbie A. Powell, Acting Associate Commissioner, Family and Youth Services Bureau, HHS Administration for Children and Families (invited)
- Colleen Rathgeb, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Early Childhood Development, HHS Administration for Children and Families (invited)
- Norman Suchar, Director, Office of Special Needs Assistance, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2. YWCA: Rooted in Social Justice
Our mission has always called for social change. Throughout our history, this work has often been motivated by young women and the programs that best serve them. Learn more about this YWCA legacy to gain inspiration for your social justice work today and for engaging and serving young women. This panel will include a lively discussion, sharing what we can learn from the YWCA's history that can inform our work today.
Presenters:
- Dorothea Browder, Associate Professor of History, Western Kentucky University
- Sandra Godwin, Associate Professor of Sociology, Georgia College & State University
- Cherisse Jones-Branch, Professor of History, Arkansas State University
- Yoosun Park, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Smith College School for Social Work
3. Closing the Maternal Health Gap in the United States
Reducing health disparities for women and girls of color is one of YWCA's mission impact signature platforms. Maternal mortality is an important indicator of community health, yet, the risk of maternal death in the United States is greater than all other industrialized nations in the world. Black and Latinx women face a disproportionate risk of dying from pregnancy-related conditions. While changing these disparities might seem beyond the reach of non-medical organizations, YWCAs can help improve maternal health outcomes by employing our theory of change. Through direct service, advocacy, and issue education, we can make a real difference.
This session will help you unlock your potential to address maternal health disparities and identify how your current programming may already be addressing this issue. A panel of national experts will define and explore maternal health disparities, policy developments, and direct service approaches.
Presenters:
- Jasmine Banks, Mental Health Professional and Co-Founder, Now We Rise, Arkansas
- Lindy Garnette, CEO, YWCA Greensboro
- Joia Crear Perry, M.D., President, National Birth Equity Collaborative
- Breana Lipscomb, US Maternal Health & Human Rights Campaign, Center for Reproductive Rights
- Bethany Van Kampen, J.D., MSW, Policy Analyst, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
4. Persimmon Paper: YWCA's Generational Imperative
Join us for a discussion of On a Mission: YWCA's Generational Imperative, the second installment in the Persimmon Paper Series. This paper documents YWCA's commitment to young women and young women's contributions to our movement throughout history. Further, it explores the way that progress is rooted in intergenerational women's leadership development. This requires us to wrestle with generational differences and best practices for building an intergenerational movement. This panel will introduce the paper, provide an overview of its themes and ideas, and discuss the relevance and applications of this paper to YWCA's work on the local and national level.
Presenters:
- Donte Hilliard, Director of Mission Impact, YWCA USA
- Adrienne M. Duke, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist-Adolescent Development, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University
- Micha'le Simmons, Young Women's Leadership Council, YWCA National Capital Area
- Lindsey Foss, Young Women's Leadership Council, YWCA National Capital Area
5. Board Leadership for Local Mission Work
Engaging effectively in board service is challenging, and serving on a YWCA board is no exception. This session is especially for YWCA board leaders and will feature a panel of governance experts who will provide information about the unique roles the board plays and the incredible impact you can have in your communities.
Presenters:
- Judy Freiwirth, Psy.D., Principal, Nonprofit Solutions Associates
- Joyce McNickles, Ed.D, Board Member, YWCA Central Massachusetts and Founder, McNickles & Associates.
- Jessica Pinckney, Government Relations Manager, YWCA USA, and Board Member, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington
12:30-2:15: Luncheon & Keynote Speaker
- Presenter: Symone Sanders, Political and Communications Strategist
2:15-2:45: Exhibits and Persimmon Boutique Open
2:45-4:15: Afternoon Workshop Sessions
1. State Level Policy and Advocacy
Change happens at the state and local level, in the communities we serve and with the people we engage. By making the most of our efforts at all levels, we can make real progress with our national agenda to improve the lives of women and girls. This discussion will help connect your state-level work to YWCA USA's policy priorities and identify concrete opportunities to organize and mobilize your networks.
Presenters:
- Janae Bonsu, National Public Policy Chair, Black Youth Project 100
- Kelley Robinson, Deputy National Organizing Director, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- Gretta Gordy Gardner, J.D., Deputy Director, DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Christian Haines, Senior Education Policy Counsel, Democratic Staff, House Committee on Education and the Workforce
2. Introducing the Racial Justice Training Manual
In response to the 2015 publication of our Mission Impact Framework, the Racial Justice Training Manual is a resource for both internal and external racial justice training and development. Further, the Racial Justice Training Manual is a robust tool and resource that can aide in developing a local strategy for accomplishing our signature outcomes. The Racial Justice Training Manual is a foundational step in increasing our overall capacity by providing the historical context, concepts, guidance, toolkits and other resources. This manual will also improve our ability to discuss and document our racial justice impact. This panel will provide a basic overview of the manual content and guidance on how to use the manual.
Presenters:
- Donte Hilliard, Director of Mission Impact, YWCA USA
Linda K. Bowen, Executive Director, Institute for Community Peace
- Gretchen Susi, Senior Consultant, Huairou Commission
3. Advancing the Philanthropic Mission of YWCAs
The mission-focused work of YWCA USA and local associations across the United States fuels philanthropy in meaningful ways. This session magnifies the role philanthropy plays in advancing direct services and advocacy. As we create and implement innovative fundraising strategies centered on economic empowerment, racial justice and health and safety of women and girls, we must forge strong external partnerships. Join us for an engaging conversation as our featured philanthropists and philanthropic strategists offer insight on how to interpret current trends, seize opportunities and build better external partnerships.
Presenters:
- Diane Lebson, CFRE, Senior Director, Orr Associates, Inc.
- Mary Snapp, Vice-President for Microsoft Philanthropies & Board Member, YWCA Seattle, King County and Snohomish County
- Lenora M. Green, Executive Director, Center for Advocacy and Philanthropy at Educational Testing Service
Handouts:
4. Public Relations on a Budget
Our work has never been more important, but budget constraints can be significant challenges to communicating our mission and impact--especially for smaller YWCAs. This session will demonstrate the importance of and opportunities for getting our messages heard at a time when our work and those we serve are under threat. A panel of experts will share examples of how our message can be communicated to gain support in ways that are affordable and effective.
Presenters:
- Jennifer R. Farmer, Managing Director for Communications, PICO National Network and Author of Forthcoming Book, Extraordinary PR, Ordinary Budget
- Dionne Clemons, Ph.D., Chief Communications Officer, Clemons Consulting, LLC
- Annette Lee, Director, Online Strategies, BluePrint Interactive
5. Nonprofit Issues Facing Today's YWCAs
Most nonprofits, including YWCAs, have an understanding of policies that directly affect their mission and those they serve. But infrastructure issues that affect the operations of many or all nonprofits must also be tracked. Restrictions on charitable giving, tax exempt status and property tax exemption are a few of the issues that continue to emerge. This session will highlight the major threats and potential opportunities for nonprofits, at federal and state levels, and the help that is available for YWCAs to stay on top of these developments.
Presenters:
- David Thompson, Vice President of Public Policy, National Council of Nonprofits
- Heather Iliff, President and CEO, Maryland Nonprofits
6:00: YWCA USA Women of Distinction Gala Registration
6:30-7:30: YWCA USA Women of Distinction Gala Reception
7:30: YWCA USA Women of Distinction Gala