Our YWCA

Strategic Planning

In the near future, your local association will be receiving a self-assessment packet from YWCA USA regarding YWCA membership requirements. The self-assessment documents will ask each association to submit a strategic plan. The strategic business planning initiative will set standards for those plans and support associations in formulating plans that will help the YWCA move the needle forward on its mission.

Overall Goals of the Strategic Planning Initiative

  1. To increase mission impact of local YWCA associations
  2. To increase internal capacity of local YWCA associations 
  3. To integrate financial vitality into DNA of YWCA
  4. To strengthen YWCA internal alignment and thus the brand identity

 The interim goal for the first phase of the initiative is for each YWCA local association to have a strategic plan that charts the following course:

  1. Mission metrics have been formulated, measured, and are increasing.
  2. A fund development plan exists and includes a multi-tiered approach to fundraising including special events, individual giving, major gift solicitation, planned giving, grants from government and foundation sources, and earned income.
  3. The association’s financial performance as measured by defined ratios meets established benchmarks.
  4. The association is working to increase its collective knowledge of financial management practices.
  5. The association meets all defined membership requirements.

Assessment

The assessment process for the first round of strategic business planning will focus on infrastructure assessment for each local association, using materials already being collected in the self-assessment survey and the annual profile. As they review the data submitted, Directors of Association Services will discuss and share their findings with each local association to produce a comprehensive picture of planning at the local level. Directors will also discuss specific planning needs for each local association. Each association’s review, collective metrics, and strategic business planning all become pieces of a comprehensive, integrated approach to building association capacity.

Watch this space for updates on the strategic planning initiative.

Phase Two

The YWCA USA’s Phase Two Strategic Planning process continues with an exciting and ambitious schedule as we pursue an aggressive vision and timeline for the strategic planning for the YWCA network. We were excited to receive applications from local association leaders interested in serving on the Strategic Planning Committee, which will be comprised of YWCA USA board members and staff and local association leaders.

This month the YWCA USA board will convene to consider and frame key issues that will be addressed as the work of the strategic planning committee continues, including the findings of the Phase 1. 

Questions? 

Becky HinesPlease contact Becky Hines for additional information via email or by phone at 309-828-6140.