Blogs

Register: Racial Justice Series with YWCA Madison and YWCA USA 

YWCA USA is partnering with YWCA Madison to offer a Racial Justice Series. This is a six-week holistic and practice-based journey for intersectional racial justice learning and unlearning. Throughout the series, participants will: 

•  Explore and reflect on the historical context of the construction of the system of racial inequity, and its ongoing impact at the personal, relational, cultural, and systemic levels. 
• Explore and reflect on the histories of resilience and resistance in the face of the ongoing violence of the system of racial inequity, and practice re-signifying their wisdom for today. 
• Practice to recognize and disrupt beliefs and behaviors at a personal/relational level, cultural norms and structures at an organizational level that perpetuate dominance and oppression dynamics, and the system of racial inequity.  

Participants must commit to attending all six sessions of four hours each. Sessions are offered virtually Mondays 12- 4 p.m. EST on February 5, Feb 12, Feb. 19, Feb.26, March 4. Register by Jan. 12, 2024 to take part in the Racial Justice Series.

Please contact LearningDevelopment@ywca.org with questions. 

New Zones & Find Your Member Services Point of Contact

In case you missed it, we’ve reorganized some of the Zones. You can see the map of the new Zones and the contact information for all Member Services team members on the intranet here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Member Services at memberservices@ywca.org. 

Applications Open: YWCA USA Executive Leadership Cohort 2024 

We are now accepting applications for YWCA USA’s first ever Executive Leadership Cohort. This year’s theme is “Reconnect to your WHY.” The cohort is a five-month program for diverse YWCA women executives (CEOs/EDs) designed to increase engagement among network administration and enrich leadership retention. There will be two tracks – one for White Ally Leaders and one for BIWOC (Black Indigenous Women of Color).

Learn more and apply today! This is your time to be refueled, engage in hi-caliber conversations, and to reconnect to your WHY. Please complete your application by close of business Jan. 15, 2024 (HERE). Final acceptances will be announced no later than Jan. 22. 

Please contact LearningDevelopment@ywca.org with questions. 

Kickoff the New Year with the Women Empowerment Series: Tips for the Perfect Pitch    

Are you a participant in YWCA’s WE360° program or another YWCA Entrepreneurship program? Are you seeking advice on how to prepare your perfect pitch to secure additional funds for your business? Join YWCA USA and Melissa Bradley, General Partner of 1863 Ventures, on Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. EST for the Women’s Empowerment Series: Tips for the Perfect Pitch. This series supports local association’s entrepreneurship programs such as WE360° through a speaker series; we encourage you to promote this opportunity to entrepreneurs and your local community. You will leave this session with pro tips and best practices on how to prepare your perfect pitch.  Register here!    

Please contact LearningDevelopment@ywca.org with questions.   

Save the Date: Until Justice Just Is 2024 and Racial Justice Challenge 

YWCA’s signature campaign Until Justice Just Is (UJJI) will take place April 1 to April 30, 2024. This year’s theme will be “Building Bridges to Equity.” The Racial Justice Challenge, which is part of UJJI, will also begin on April 1 and conclude on April 29, and will focus on the following four topics:

• Bodies 
• Women's Financial Empowerment/Caregiving 
• Gun Violence 
• Transportation 

Stay turned for more information.

Save The Date — 2024 Leadership and Capacity Building Institute “Mission Forward: Empowering Movement Leaders

YWCA USA is calling all leaders throughout the network to gather June 12-15, 2024, in Atlanta for the 2024 Leadership and Capacity Building Institute.

We are building a robust agenda that will bring subject matter experts to engage with all leaders: Executive Leaders, Board Leaders, and Mission Impact Leaders. Track-driven learning labs will focus on critical areas of impact, enhancing your knowledge base necessary for the day-to-day work. Join us for the opportunity to move the Mission Forward through trendsetting and future-forward conversations and learnings.

We are also excited to highlight the work of young women in our movement as we connect who we were to who we are now and who we will be in the future. Something new for LCBI 2024 will be a celebration event honoring individual leaders from throughout the movement and our partner organizations. LCBI will begin with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, June 12, and close out with our Annual Business Meeting on Saturday morning, June 15. 

Extension: 2024 YWCA USA Board of Directors Nominations

It’s not too late to nominate a future-focused leader! The deadline for submitting Board of Director nominations and self-nominations has been extended to Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. EST. 

Please be aware that submitting a nomination will trigger an automated email to your nominee, asking that they complete the nominee data form which includes short answer prompts. The nominee’s data form should be completed by the submission deadline extension. 

Please review the 2024 nominations packet for more information regarding responsibilities, expectations, key qualifications and the nominations process.

If you have any questions about the nominations process or form, please reach out to YWCA USA Chief of Staff Jessica Raymond at jraymond@ywca.org. 

2023 YWCA National Program Inventory and Impact Survey

The 2023 YWCA National Program Inventory and Impact Survey link was sent out to CEO/EDs Monday, Dec. 11. Our goal is 100% participation, and we are asking every Local Association to complete the survey by March 15, 2024. Your input on this survey is critical and will guide YWCA USA on how to best support the YWCA network. 

For any questions about completing the questionnaire there will be a Q&A Webinar on the following days:

• Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10 - 11 a.m. EST Register Here
• Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 4 - 5 p.m. EST Register Here

If you have any questions regarding the 2023 YWCA National Program Inventory and Impact and Survey, please contact your Director of Member Services.

If you experience any technical issues, please contact the Strategy, Impact, & Evaluation Team at strategyimpactevaluation@ywca.org

Register Now for Amazon Member Benefit Webinar in January

Register now! In partnership with Amazon, YWCA USA will host a webinar Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2 - 3 p.m. EST to introduce new member benefits through Amazon Business. The session will provide more information about the partnership, and how to register your association. Features like discount pricing are available to Local Associations today. Utilize the link here (code: TDR62W) to begin accessing benefits. A flyer with more information is available here. 

YWCA USA Employment Opportunities

Check out these featured employment opportunities and all the YWCA job openings around the country listed in our jobs center. We are also excited to share that YWCA USA will be hiring several roles over the next few months. Below you will find our current hiring roles. Interested candidates can email your resume to HR@ywca.org:

• Payroll and Accounting Manager

Important Dates for Your Calendar

• Jan. 11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
• Jan. 12 – Registration for the Racial Justice Series Closes
• Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr Day
• Jan. 15 – Executive Leadership Cohort Application Closes
• Jan. 16 – National Day of Racial Healing

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

Please follow YWCA USA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Does your local association have new staff members?

Please have them first register to access the YWCA Intranet and then sign up to receive the Weekly Wrap-Upto get all the updates from YWCA USA!