World YWCA GUIDE TO STARTING A YWCA

The First Eleven Steps in Forming a YWCA
1. FORM an Organizing Committee of at least 10-20 members. Ideally these women should be from
varying cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and economic groups in the community. They should also be
willing to give concentrated time for further study of YWCA background materials, the process of
organizing a new association, and interesting other women in joining with them.
2. ESTABLISH contact with the World YWCA, 16 Ancienne Route, 1218 Grand Saconnex, Geneva,
Switzerland.
3. SELECT a temporary chairperson, secretary and treasurer so that minutes of all meetings and accurate
financial records can be kept until a Board or an Executive Committee is elected.
4. BANK any money received as membership dues or contributions in a custodial account in the name of
The Organizing Committee of the YWCA of
5. RECRUIT more members. Members are the nucleus of the YWCA. Usually modest annual
membership dues are charged which will be determined by either the Executive Committee or
specified in the Bye-Laws. KEEP a record of members with their addresses and phone numbers.
6. STUDY with the membership the purpose and vision of what the YWCA is and how it would work
with, and meet the needs of women and girls in your country/area.
7. DRAW UP a Constitution and Bye-Laws. Assistance may be requested from the World YWCA. The
Constitution will be presented for approval at the first Official Meeting at a later date.
8. IDENTIFY the needs of women and girls in your country and community and develop programme
plans with the Organizing Committee.
DETERMINE priorities.
9. DETERMINE the human resources needed.
DEVELOP a tentative budget for financing programmes, and
SEEK the necessary funding.
10. HOLD the first official, formal meeting. This meeting will elect the Board or Executive Committee
and accept the organization’s Constitution and Bye-Laws.
11. REGISTER the association according to your country’s laws after the formal Organizing Meeting
and acceptance of the Constitution/Bye-Laws. Thereafter a letter of request to affiliate with the
World YWCA together with the Constitution must be submitted for approval by the World YWCA
Executive Committee through the World General Secretary.
The decision to proceed will be based on commitment, leadership, members, programme and
financial plans and a Constitution.
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