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TO: YWCA Leaders

FROM: Casey Harden, YWCA USA Sr. Vice President

DATE: February 1, 2017

SUBJECT: YWCA Geo-Network Meetings

Dear YWCA Leaders, 

YWCA leaders across the network have a history of leading, contributing and working to shape YWCA USA to support mission work both locally and nationally. Four years ago, after over a year of thoughtful deliberation and work, the YWCA network set the bar high when we established Strong Foundation Fearless Future goals, and together we have achieved almost all of those original goals. Now is our time to envision the next chapter of the YWCA story. By pulling together our voices, we will create a path to move our movement forward and fulfill our mission promise.

In the next two months, each of the five YWCA geographic networks will meet. While the meetings will be an opportunity for us to gather, network with other YWCA leaders, and hear about YWCA initiatives, the majority of our time will be spent on the important work of gathering information that will help inform our YWCA strategic planning process.

During the geo-network meetings, the Alford Group will facilitate a process that that will:

• Gather information and points of view to inform strategic planning process design and content
• Frame, discuss, and prioritize strategic topics for consideration in forthcoming strategic planning process
• Facilitate generative interaction between local association representatives
• Inform local association representatives about national progress in key areas
• Surface and answer local association questions as they relate to progress to date and planning going forward

To prepare for our time together, visit our geo-network meeting landing page. In addition, you will receive an email prior to your meeting with information on facility and other logistics specific to your geo-network meeting. Documents on the landing page include:

• Meeting agenda
• Strong Foundation Fearless Future summary
• Annual accomplishment reports for the last four years
• Biographies and information on the Alford Group and the consultant team that will work with us

We realize there will be local associations that are unable to attend a meeting, and we want to make sure local association leaders' voices are represented. If your association cannot send a representative to a meeting, the Alford Group will follow up with a survey for each association to complete. That information will be included in a final report.

Our mission has never been more important. The time spent at the geographic network meetings will undoubtedly strengthen our network and set the stage for a collaborative strategic planning process. We are strong alone, and we are fearless together. This is our time to bring together all of our voices to envision our path toward creating communities where peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all is a reality.

Sincerely,

Casey Harden
Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Membership
YWCA USA