World YWCA Board Communiqué

The World YWCA Board representing women leaders from all regions of the world, met from November 18 to 20, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, for the first meeting since its election at the World YWCA Council in July 2011.

The meeting took place at the time YWCAs and YMCAs around the world celebrate their annual Week of Prayer and World Fellowship, affirming the Christian foundation and identity of the movement. Deborah Thomas, World YWCA President, and Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary, welcomed the Board on the first day. In her opening address, the President extended congratulations to Board members for their election and thanked the movement for the confidence placed in them.

As a new Board, members participated in an orientation programme that addressed their role and responsibilities and the work of the World YWCA movement. The purpose of the Board orientation was to start building a cohesive team among Board members, and collaborating with World Office staff, to infuse and nurture the principles of good governance.  Divided into four sessions, training topics included an introduction to the World YWCA, the role of the World YWCA Board, the Standards of Good Management and Accountability, and ways of working.

The sessions organised during the 3-day meeting were crucial as they allowed Board members to understand financial status and management of the organisation, the World YWCA Strategic Framework 2012-2015 adopted at the 2011 World Council, and effective governance practices, including ethical guidelines and management of conflict of interest.

Recognising the role of the Board outside of the annual meeting, the World Board members also met in six committees:

1. Finance and Human Resources Committee
2. Member Association Affiliation Support Committee
3. Global Governance and Constitution Committee
4. Audit Committee
5. Fund Development Committee
6. Policy and Strategy Committee

Committee terms of reference, ways of work and proposed work plans were discussed during these meetings and approved by the Board in plenary.

The World Board received the General Secretary’s report on the activities of the organisation for 2011 and the implementation of the Power to Change Fund, which reports on the grants made to Member Associations and global initiatives funded over the past year. The Power to Change Fund supports innovative programmes initiated and implemented by YWCA Member Associations, and global advocacy initiatives and training activities aimed at institutional strengthening and movement building.

Over the 2010-2011 financial year, the Power to Change Fund contributed broadly towards developing young women's leadership, opportunities for global advocacy and exposure, and strengthening YWCA leadership on the global priorities of women’s leadership, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV, and Violence Against Women. Through the Fund, 40 innovative projects were approved for funding in 2010-2011. A total of USD 770,357.00 was distributed to Member Associations to support these grassroots initiatives that empower women and girls.   The report also noted that of the 40 projects, 26 demonstrated at least 25% young women’s involvement, with many aimed specifically at young women.

The World Board received the World YWCA Council 2011 report which confirmed that the 27^th  World Council and International Women’s Summit held last July in Zurich, Switzerland, was a rich and vibrant experience for over 900 participants from 97 countries and 80 partner organisations. The YWCA-YMCA of Switzerland was commended as an outstanding host, with their network of “helping hands” and extensive preparations. The chosen theme for the week-long meeting, Women Creating A Safe World, challenged participants, YWCAs and partners to envision and work together to create a better future for women and girls around the world. The Board congratulated and thanked the previous Board, staff and volunteers for their work in delivering a successful conference. The World Board reviewed the work plan for the next World Council to be held in 2015, in Bangkok, Thailand and encouraged Member Associations to begin their own fundraising and preparation.

In addition, the Board received the World YWCA’s work plan budget for 2012. Based on a human right’s approach, the work plan draws from the Strategic Framework and resolutions passed at the World Council 2011 to define the organisation’s priorities for the coming year, namely: the promotion of women’s shared intergenerational and transformative leadership; the advancement of women’s rights through advocacy, programmes and services; and building a strong movement with good governance. In 2012, the World YWCA activities will notably include an International Training Institute on violence against women designed to strengthen the network of YWCAs working on this issue across all regions. Participation in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the International AIDS Conference will also be important spaces for YWCA lobbying and leadership development.  The Board also placed a high priority on securing the long term financial security of the World YWCA, including reviewing the approach to affiliation fees and diversifying income sources.  Deep appreciation was expressed to the many donors, partners, friends, staff and volunteers who continue to support the movement to achieve its vision.

During World Council 2011, the World YWCA launched a four-year visioning process and engaged in a movement consultation on how the YWCA should position itself as the voice of women, young women and girls in all their diversity in the future and towards defining a common vision for its work. The Board received feedback from the sessions at Council and is developing a consultation process to further engage the movement in defining a 2035 vision for the collective action of YWCAs across the globe to advance a world of peace, justice, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment through women’s intergenerational leadership. The World YWCA is looking at creative use of social media, campaigns and opportunities throughout the quadrennium to build momentum and collective ownership.

Board Members recognised the departure of a key staff member at the World Office, Jane Bennett and affirmed the outstanding and valuable contribution she has made to the World YWCA. Committing 12 years of her life to the movement as Director for Finance and Operations, Jane Bennett has been central to some of the critical actions that the organisation has taken over the last decade. Her significant contribution to investment management, the development of the Power to Change Fund, the establishment of internal controls for the organisation and gold standard audits are strong pillars for the organisation’s good governance and internal accountability.

The next meeting of the World YWCA Board has been scheduled for October 2012.