The unique character of an organization is defined by its membership, its policy, advocacy and its programs and services. Since the mid- 1850s, the YWCA of the U.S.A. has been an agent for change on behalf of girls and women. It has used its experience and expertise to ensure fairness, equality, empowerment and freedom for millions of girls, women and their families.

YWCA public policy is more than an evolving program addressing the needs and problems of girls and women in a changing society. It challenges the status quo and provides a channel for change consistent with YWCA commitments. Through its public policy positions, the YWCA of the U.S.A. identifies and provides needed programs and services while it works to eliminate the conditions that create the need for these services.

National Public Policy positions demonstrate the organization's mission in action in the community and in the world at large. YWCA public policy initiatives provide ways to take a stand on issues we care about most and are voted on at each National Convention.

The YWCA's founders, intent on serving women and their families whose lives had been uprooted by the Industrial Revolution, soon found that the conditions leading to unemployment, homelessness, discrimination and disease had to be fought simultaneously. YWCA public policy programs, combining service and advocacy, continue that legacy of women who dedicated their lives to making the lives of others better.

As the map of the world continues to change with unprecedented speed, the need resonates for us to apply our knowledge and expertise to the continuing problems we all face in the global community. The YWCA has always made a difference. YWCA members will continue to be vigorous advocates in Washington, DC and locally, involving themselves more than ever in services and advocacy programs that have impact on the national and international scene.

The National YWCA Public Policy Program, as adopted and amended by previous conventions, establishes the authority by which the National Board acts on matters of public policy that are important in the realization of the Mission and goals of the YWCA. The YWCA Continuing Public Policy Program provides a framework for action by associations as they accept the responsibility implicit in the YWCA Mission to work through a variety of program activities for peace, justice freedom and dignity for all people.

This YWCA Continuing Public Policy Program can be found in the Summary of Convention Action document, available on YWLink. The Program was updated after the 1994 Convention so that similar items have been consolidated and the terminology made more contemporary. The Continuing Program may be amended through the resolutions process. Please refer to your RULES BOOK.

The YWCA will be the premiere women's organization by influencing public policy, confronting racism and bias at all levels in society and building the strength of the YWCA through a strong grassroots mobilization effort within the context of our core values.

Accordingly, each of our public policy priorities is grounded in the empowerment of women and girls and the elimination of racism. As part of an international movement, we advocate these policies globally.

The Public Policy, a Continuing YWCA Pro2ram serves as a reference document that guides YWCA public policy advocacy at the international, national, state and local levels. Each convention cycle, public policy priorities are adopted. These priorities serve as the focus for national public policy work, and as guidelines for community and student associations for the convention cycle. Such prioritization does not preclude YWCA action on other public policy issues.

• Comprehensive child and dependent care policies that support affordable, accessible, high quality care and include anti-bias and anti-racism standards.
• Anti-violence policies that eliminate violence in our society that include hate crimes directed at individuals and institutions based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability and sexual orientation. These policies will identify and support alternatives to violence.
• Health care policies that promote wellness and provide for access to quality, affordable health care. Such policies will support ongoing research for women's health concerns, reproductive choice for all women, and the emotional and physical well being of women and girls.

Yes, we do. It's mandated in our Purpose and our One Imperative, which together constitute the Mission of the YWCA of the U.S.A.

Yes, we are. But we have always recognized the need to provide services while trying to change the conditions that give rise to the need for the services.

Early in its history, the YWCA's Purpose led its leaders to concern themselves with bettering the conditions under which women and girls lived and worked. They discovered their efforts at service were largely futile without changing the systems that allowed exploitation of women and children.

All YWCA programs should have a component related to advocacy, for it is virtually impossible to involve women and girls of all races, beliefs, social and economic backgrounds without becoming aware that many suffer injustice and that social, economic and political structures need reform. As one of the pioneers in the development of social work, the YWCA has been a major contributor to the philosophy of empowering people and the elimination of racism.

Public policy positions are adopted at convention. The YWCA meets in convention as the National Association to determine policy and directions for the coming years. Convention delegates vote on public policy issues and the triennial public policy priorities. (Through the pre-convention resolutions process, YWCA member associations have the opportunity to propose items for convention action.)

Convention decisions are mandates for National Board and YWCA member association action. Member YWCAs may choose not to work on a given public policy issue, but they must not repudiate convention actions, and they have the obligation of informing their members of convention actions and interpreting them accurately.

The YWCA Continuing Public Pro2ram is the product of convention actions in the realm of public policy since 1911. It sets forth broad principles which embody our concern for national and worldwide justice and peace. It gives us the authority by which the YWCA undertakes specific actions on public issues.

1. The public policy committee should be a committee of the board of directors that includes broad community representation and reflects the YWCA commitment to diversity.
2. The Association should develop opportunities for the membership and program participants to have input into the workings of the committee, using surveys and questionnaires as ways to solicit input and assess interests.
3. The prospective public policy committee should be briefed on the Mission of the YWCA and our history of public policy activities promoting the empowerment of women and the elimination of racism.

While it is not essential that every member of the committee agree with every YWCA public policy position, it is essential that YWCA leadership understand and appreciate the collective power of the Movement. Also, YWCA leadership needs to understand that because the national public policy positions were adopted by conventions, they apply to all YWCAs. YWCA member associations have the option of choosing to focus on some issues more than others, but they should at least be aware of and able to interpret the overall YWCA public policy program.

4. Appropriate staff including the executive director should participate on the public policy committee. Also include program staff who can help the committee develop a public policy program that is consistent with and enhances ongoing program services.
5. To initiate a public policy program, the Association should begin by having the committee study the YWCA Continuing Public Policy Program and select from the public policy priorities two or three issues that are significant to members of the community, researching those issues, and recommending action strategies. We encourage YWCAs to look to their members and program participants as resources. For example, if the public policy committee focuses on domestic violence, include women from the shelter program on the committee. Similarly, teens, parents of children in the child care program, and job training participants can all enrich the work of the committee.
6. The Association should determine the appropriate action strategies for each issue. Examples of action strategies are federal and state lobbying, letters-to-the editor, public education programs, vigils, marches and rallies. The Association should also link up with organizations and coalitions that work on similar issues.
7. Along with issues of local or regional concern, the Association should participate in YWCA of the U.S.A. advocacy efforts aimed at federal legislation regarding national and international public policies. We encourage all Associations to establish a process for responding to YWCA of the U.S.A. action alerts.

Some Associations authorize staff to respond without committee or board consideration to all YWCA of the U.S.A. public policy action alerts. Other Associations authorize staff to respond to only those alerts that relate to the Association’s public policy priorities. Either way, the timeliness and short notice of action alert activities make it important that associations establish a process for participation.

8. All members of the public policy committee should have access to YWCA of the U.S.A. Public Policy Bulletins and public policy alerts in the monthly mailings.

Public policy advocacy requires planning. Here is a general outline to assist you in establishing an advocacy program on any public policy priority or concern.

• Educate the leadership on the issues and the YWCA's positions.
• Develop a plan for educating members and responding to inquiries from individuals, the media, funders and others.
• Designate an association volunteer/staff to serve as spokesperson on a given issue.
• Participate in constructive public dialogue.
• Assign an association volunteer/staff to keep abreast of the issues nationally and locally, and to coordinate the YWCA's work on that issue.
• As the plan is implemented, set up a review process for all publications, brochures, flyers for events, newsletters, and correspondence to minimize miscommunication.
• Establish a policy identifying when a member, volunteer or staff can speak on behalf of the YWCA versus only one individual.

• There are a broad range of advocacy and public education strategies from which to choose. Lobbying, media advocacy, voter education and issue forums are a few examples. Develop a plan that is appropriate to your community and circumstances. A good plan will include a number of different strategies, not just one or two.
• As you develop your plan, gather information on other organizations and coalitions. Participating in a coalition can minimize exposure to your association and expand your resources. Be aware of what other organizations are doing. Good ideas come from a variety of sources.
• Identify potential pitfalls and controversies which may arise as a result of your activities. Many times these can be avoided with good planning. If not, forewarned is forearmed.
• Your plan need not be "all or nothing". A controversial issue may find your association working within a coalition, perhaps in a leadership role, -or behind the scenes. Providing a meeting place or child care for rally participants are good examples of contributions which would not put your association in a compromising situation.
• Be mindful of the needs and requirements of funders. Make sure you are funding your advocacy efforts appropriately and be prepared to provide funders with detailed information regarding the use of their funds and how your advocacy efforts are funded.

Listed below are a few specific advocacy strategies. If you need any additional information, please contact the Washington Office.

• Lobbying
• Letters to Congress and state and local legislatures
• Letters-to-the-Editor
• Panel discussions and issue forums
• Marches
• Rallies
• Media Advocacy (press releases, radio/television interviews, public service announcements)
• Voter Registration/Education/Get-Out-The-Vote Activities
• Legal Advocacy (signing on to amicus curiae briefs)

The YWCA is a unique organization in that it delivers direct social services and advocates for just and equitable public policies. This may raise some questions for funders who work primarily with exclusively service-oriented organizations. The YWCA should be prepared to respond to questions about its public policy advocacy, especially on controversial issues such as reproductive choice. It is important to have in place a designated spokesperson(s) familiar with the issues.

• Establish a relationship with funders based on openness and honesty. It is important for the funder to realize and appreciate the two-pronged nature of the YWCA: service delivery and advocacy.
• Extend opportunities for funders to participate in YWCA activities so they can learn more about the YWCA's Mission, program and accomplishments.

• Be clear that the YWCA is neither for nor against abortion. Be certain you put the YWCA's reproductive choice position within the broad context of the YWCA's commitment to the empowerment of women and protection of women's constitutional rights and access to medical care, and the organization's respect for the diversity of its members.
• Be prepared to answer specific questions regarding allocations of funds. Assure the funder that their dollars are being used properly and not for activities unrelated to the purpose of the grant or gift.
• Be aware of public perception and choose cautiously among opportunities for the YWCA to express its position. Even the choice of a spokesperson could create a problem with funders. For example: it may be inappropriate for staff closely associated with a United Way funded program to take a highly visible role at a reproductive choice event.
• Consider the Association’s overall financial development and communications objectives when deciding the timing and strategy of reproductive choice activities. Explore options that will enable you to continue working on the issue while ensuring a successful fundraising drive/campaign.
• Help your funders (such as the United Way) respond to contributors regarding the YWCA’s public policy priorities. Provide assurances that program funds are being used appropriately and be prepared to show how the YWCA is a multi-funded organization that offers program services and public policy advocacy.

Federal cost principles are the main vehicle for restricting the use of federal funds for lobbying and electioneering purposes. They are general rules that govern whether and under what circumstances the government will pay for selected expenses incurred by a grantee. These cost principles apply to all federal funds and also apply equally to nonprofits that receive grants directly and those that receive grants passed through a state or locality.

These cost principles bar federal grantees from charging the government directly or indirectly for costs dealing with:

1. Attempts to influence the introduction, enactment or modification of federal or state legislation through any of the following:

• Communication with members or employees of Congress or the legislature or with government officials or employees in connection with veto decisions. Grantees may not try to persuade state or local officials to engage in lobbying for these purposes;
• Distribution or communication of publicity or propaganda urging members of the [public to contribute to or participate in demonstrations, lobbying efforts and similar activities; and
• Legislative liaison activities - attending legislative sessions or committee hearings, gathering information regarding legislation and analyzing the effect of legislation - when carried on in support of or knowing anticipation of an effort to engage in unallowable lobbying activities.

2. Attempts to influence the outcome of any federal, state or local election, referendum, initiative or similar procedure through in-kind or cash contributions, endorsements, publicity or similar activities; and
3. Establishing, administering, contributing to or paying the expenses of a political party, candidate, political action committee or any other organization established to influence the outcome.

The cost principles are designated to preclude any element of an unallowable cost from being passed on to the federal government. Unallowable costs such as those above cannot be charged directly to a federal grant, nor may they be included in an organization's indirect cost pool for calculating the indirect cost rate charged to a federal grant. In addition, unallowable costs must be treated as a direct cost and signed a proportional share of the organization's indirect cost to ensure that the government does not pay indirectly for any portion of the overhead costs of supporting an unallowable cost.

Moreover, even if a cost is not allowable under these cost principles, it may nevertheless still be unallowable for other reasons. A grantee may insure that the cost is necessary, reasonable and related to the federally-sponsored activity. Grantees may also, in addition to remaining subject to the federal grant rules, be subject to state or local rules. In the case of federal block grants, nonprofits are covered by state rules, not federal rules.

The cost principles s- and the restrictions on lobbying and electioneering- are enforced through audits by the grantee agency, the agency’s Inspector General, and by the General Accounting Office.

For more information, please contact Patrick Lester, Office of Management and Budge, 1742 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009 or call 202.234.8494.

PUBLIC ADVOCACY AND POLICY TERMINOLOGY

PUBLIC POLICY — any laws, rules, regulations passed by a government entity

YWCA PUBLIC POLICY POSITIONS* — positions adopted on public policy issues by the delegates at a YWCA National Convention. Delegates represent local YWCAs. A position can be rescinded only by action taken by delegates at Convention.

YWCA PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES** — because there are approximately 150 YWCA public policy positions, delegates at Convention also adopt public policy priorities for the triennium.

ADVOCACY — speaking out on an issue as an individual or on behalf of a specific constituency. Different ways to speak out on an issue include public education campaigns, petitions, participating in a rally, offering a forum on the issue, writing an "op ed", a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, etc.

LOBBYING — the IRS definition is: 1) to ask a policyrnaker to support or oppose a specific piece of legislation (a law, rule, regulation that is being considered); 2) to ask members to ask a policymaker to support or oppose a specific piece of legislation; 3) to ask voters, in the case of a referendum, to support or oppose the referendum.

Examples of lobbying are: urging support of bill by writing to your legislator, visiting him/her, testifying in person or signing on to a coalition letter. All of these means must be stated in this specific format: "We ask you, Senator, to support/oppose bill #…"

It is not considered lobbying: if you speak/write on an issue and not to specific legislation. An example of not lobbying is: "Senator ....as an organization which empowers women we ask that child care be a priority on your agenda. Strong policies on child care will enable women to..."

IRS has two rules on lobbying for nonprofits. They (nonprofits) can choose which rule to come under: 1) the substantial rule or 2) the financial accountability rule (associations must apply to come under the latter rule*).

Substantial rule: a nonprofit cannot engage in substantial lobbying activity. To measure "substantial" the IRS can review all agency records, both financial and non-financial and if the organization is in violation, it can lose its nonprofit status.

Financial Accountability rule: a nonprofit cannot engage in specific lobbying activities as defined by the IRS (the 3 areas noted in the definition) beyond a certain dollar amount. The spending limits and consequences are clearly defined. To measure if an organization is in compliance, only its financial records are reviewed. (Associations must apply for this status. The YWCA of the U.S.A. applied and comes under this rule.)

Historically, no YWCA has been out of compliance, and the National Office doesn’t know of any associations that are engaging in the degree of lobbying activities that could put them in jeopardy. However, as a YWCA becomes more active in lobbying, it is recommended that they apply to come under the financial accountability rule.

ELECTIONEERING — to support or oppose a candidate running for office. Nonprofits cannot electioneer. If they engage in electioneering, they can lose their nonprofit status.

* Available at the YWCA of the U.S.A. Washington Office

** Available on YWLink