World YWCA GUIDE TO STARTING A YWCA

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ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/BOARD The Legally Responsible Body The Executive Committee carries the responsibility for the legally established organization. These responsibilities are defined in the Constitution and Bye-Laws of the association, as well as the laws of each particular country. Composition of the Executive Committee The Executive Committee includes the officers (President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and General Secretary) of the association, chairpersons of the sub-committees such as Finance, Personnel, and Programme Planning, branch chairpersons and sometimes a few (rarely more than 2-3) additional members appointed for special skills needed at the time. Administrative Functions of the Executive Committee There are seven areas of administration, which are often defined as the functions of the Executive Committee. You may find others as well that are essential. All are important for the efficient operation of the YWCA. Policy decisions in these areas form the framework for the work of the association. All other decisions related to both programme and administration are made within this framework. These are: • membership development; • recruiting, training and placement of volunteer leaders and employed personnel; • developing and updating employed staff policies and practices; • programme planning and development; • financing the work; • acquisition and maintenance of property and equipment; • public relations and interpreting and communicating the purpose of the YWCA and programme to the community. To accomplish these requires a division of work into various sub-committees. The Executive Committee and Policy Making The Executive Committee sets policies which provide the framework for operation of the association, and approves all contracts, leases and agreements. It is the policy making body for all matters except those designated to the voting members by 1. the Constitution; 2. the law of the country; 3. the Executivve Committee itself. Page 9 of 15
GUIDELINES FOR DRAWING UP A NATIONAL CONSTITUTION Note: A lawyer should be consulted to determine what must be included in the Constitution according to the laws of the country. A Constitution is a basic document, written to endure but able to be changed if necessary. For that reason, it should include fundamental principles but not extraneous details. The Bye-Laws may include more detail since they are usually easier to amend. An example of what belongs in the Bye-Laws is the duties of the Officers, membership fees, the basis for calculating the annual quota from the local associations to the national, notice required for the calling of annual meetings, etc. Name: The name of the national association. Affiliation with the World YWCA: The Basis of the World YWCA must be quoted either at this point or elsewhere in the Constitution. Aim or Purpose: The fundamental reason for the existence of the association. Function: The role and activities of the association in carrying out the aim. Affiliation of Local Associations: Criteria for being affiliated with the National Association. Development of New Associations: Who is responsible for development, how assistance is requested, etc. Membership Requirements: Eligibility and categories of membership, eligibility for leadership and disaffiliation requirements. Leadership by Women: In joint YWCA-YMCA associations, attention should be given to having equal numbers of YWCA and YMCA leaders on the Executive Committee/Board. Legislative Meeting: What the legislative meeting is (e.g. Convention, Council, Assembly), how frequently it meets, who may attend, how is it called, etc. Officers: List of officers, procedures for their election, and terms of office. Executive Committee and Sub-Committees, if desired: Size, how elected, frequency of meeting and functions. Finance and Property: Sources (dues, fees, donations) and management responsibility of finance and property. Amendments to the Constitution: Procedures for amending the Constitution (e.g. special legislative meeting, quorum required, etc.) Procedures for dissolution and disposition of its resources. Page 10 of 15
Page 1 and 2: GUIDE TO STARTING A YWCA World YWCA
Page 3 and 4: FOREWORD This Guide to Starting a Y
Page 5 and 6: important responsibilities. A volun
Page 7 and 8: The First Eleven Steps in Forming a
Page 9: welfare of the association, althoug
Page 13 and 14: GUIDELINES FOR PROGRAMME DEVELOPMEN
Page 15 and 16: SAMPLE PROPOSAL FORMAT Section Titl

World YWCA GUIDE TO STARTING A YWCA

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