World YWCA GUIDE TO STARTING A YWCA

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Starting a YWCA 1. What is the YWCA? • The YWCA is a worldwide membership movement of women committed to the empowerment of women through education and training. • It is a volunteer movement of women and girls, active in over 100 countries. • It is an ecumenical organization not connected with any church, but working in accordance with Christian principles for the benefit of women of all faiths. • It is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a lay movement bringing together women and girls from different backgrounds into a worldwide fellowship, without distinction of race, nationality, class or religion, seeking to promote understanding and cooperation between people of different nations, races and groups. • The YWCA responds to concerns and unmet needs of women and girls through relevant programmes. • In all countries of the world, women have not been able to realize their full potential in society. Throughout its history the YWCA, as a women’s membership movement, has promoted and developed opportunities for leadership by women at local, national and international levels. • In some countries, conditions may lead to the establishment of joint YWCA-YMCA associations. In such a situation, responsible women of the YWCA should seek to identify how best they can fulfill their task as a women’s movement to maintain the identity and work of the YWCA through leadership by women while functioning within a structure which involves both men and women in policy-making decisions. 2.How is a new YWCA forrmed? • Where interest in starting a YWCA has been shown by women in a community, organization of a YWCA can begin with guidance from the World YWCA headquarters (World Office) and the World Executive Committee. • The World YWCA can provide training and resource materials for: • setting up an organizational committee, • recruiting members, • developing programme plans and preparing a budget, • writing a Constitution/Bye-Laws, • interpreting the YWCA to the community, • understanding national-local relationships and the requirements for affiliation to the World movement. 3. How does a YWCA function? • It is primarily an organization led by volunteers, although it can employ staff to work in partnership. • It has an elected volunteer National Executive Committee* which sets policies and has other Page 3 of 15
important responsibilities. A volunteer Chairperson is elected to head the National Committee and eventually, when funding is secured, a paid General Secretary or Executive Director may be appointed who will carry responsibility for the coordination of programme and direction of staff. The Executive Committee is responsible for her appointment and terms of employment. * The specific names and titles of committees, boards and leadership positions may vary in different national associations. • Members are recruited and involved in proposing and carrying out activities that address the needs of women and girls. • In keeping with the YWCA purpose, programme plans and ways to finance such are developed. • A YWCA has a Constitution and Bye-Laws so that functions and procedures are clear. The Constitution and Bye-Laws comprise the law that govern the organization. They are adopted by the membership. They assure the organization’s permanent character, stability and democratic framework. • YWCA leaders must have a clear idea of what the YWCA is and should be able to interpret the YWCA to the community. • The YWCA works in coalition with other community organizations on common goals but it keeps its own identity. 4. Does a YWCA need a building? • No, but it does need a place to meet, a mailing address, and a telephone, or access to one. These are needed to facilitate communication, establish identity and provide the means for effective administration and programme development. 5. Does an association need paid staff? • No. YWCA volunteers generally carry strong roles and responsibilities. For reasons of continuity and programme development, funding is often sought to enable the appointment of part-time or full-time paid staff. 6. How is a YWCA supported? A YWCA may be financed in several ways: • membership fees • programme activity fees • special fundraising events • government grants • funding from proposals to donors for specific project/programme activities • the World YWCA Resource Sharing Programme, through human and financial resources. 7. How does the purpose of the YWCA translate into action? The YWCA purpose translated into action means that the YWCA, at local and national level, and in response to the needs of the community, may offer appropriate programme in such areas as • leadership training, with special emphasis on young women • community development • skill-training and educational activities for all ages • health and nutrition Page 4 of 15
Page 1 and 2: GUIDE TO STARTING A YWCA World YWCA
Page 3: FOREWORD This Guide to Starting a Y
Page 7 and 8: The First Eleven Steps in Forming a
Page 9 and 10: welfare of the association, althoug
Page 11 and 12: GUIDELINES FOR DRAWING UP A NATIONA
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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