at the University of California, Berkeley

Mission Statement: The Mission of the YWCA at the University of California, Berkeley, is to meet the changing needs of women from diverse backgrounds on campus and in the community by empowering them to fulfill personal, career, and humanitarian goals and to support and promote the One imperative: to thrust our collective power toward elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary. (Accepted in 1983)

Objective A. Involve women of diverse groups in working towards the elimination of racism and the promotion of cultural diversity

Action Steps:

1. Solicit and evaluate information on emerging needs annually.

2. Distribute the Mission Statement to every Board member each September and prominently display it in the building.

3. Evaluate programs annually with respect to the mission statement.

Objective B. Integrate women of diverse backgrounds into every YWCA activity and structure

Action Steps:

1. Assure diversity on the staff, Board of Directors and on committees.

2. Identify new recruitment sources for potential Board members.

3. Maintain and encourage relationships with groups representing diverse populations on the campus and in the community.

Objective C. Educate women in our community about diverse cultural views and needs

Action Steps:

1. Introduce and present programs by women of diverse backgrounds.

Objective D. Advocate in the community for those issues that reflect YWCA goals. Action Steps:

1. Make every effort to use ethnically diverse or women-owned businesses for all services provided to the YWCA.

2. Make public policy stands of the YWCA visible to the community.

Objective A. Evaluate programs annually for quality and effectiveness.

Action Steps:

1. Review reports from staff, volunteers and participants on program effectiveness.

2. Continue and/or expand successful programs.

3. Create new programs that meet the needs of the community.

Objective B. Design programming reflective of the services historically provided by the YWCA.

Action Steps:

1. Assure programming that fosters the encouragement of community youth to seek higher education.

2. Assure programming that promotes community service as an integral part of the lives of university students.

3. Assure programming that promotes understanding and communication among all cultures.

Objective C. Maintain organizational efficiency and flexibility.

Action Steps:

1. Redefine, as needed, roles, relationships and responsibilities among all members of the YWCA family.

2. Encourage student/Board interaction on Board, committees and student activities.

3. Provide adequate annual recognition for volunteer activities.

4. Encourage participation on Board Committees of non-Board volunteers.

5. Encourage staff participation on Board committees as appropriate.

6. Annually hold a retreat for Board, staff and students for planning and interaction.

Objective A. Create opportunities in the YWCA for women, particularly students to develop leadership roles.

Action Steps:

1. Provide opportunities in leadership positions for students to be involved at the local and national level of the YWCA.

2. Encourage intern ships/volunteer positions to work with staff and Board committees.

3. Recruit recent graduates to become active supporters of the YWCA including Board and committee membership.

4. Encourage active participation in programs and on committees of friends of the YWCA.

Objective B. Advocate volunteer involvement in the community.

Action Steps:

1. Promote volunteer placements.

Objective C. Promote participation of women in the political process

Action Steps:

1. Network with other women's organizations, including co-sponsoring events.

2. Encourage a regular voter registration site at the YWCA.

3. Encourage active involvement through letter writing opportunities, publicizing issues, study programs and forums.

Objective D. Encourage women to develop their career potential.

Action Steps:

1. Encourage the professional development of staff through their participation in workshops and seminars.

2. Provide programs on current work-related concerns of women.

Objective E. Enrich the emotional and spiritual well-being and aesthetic needs of women.

Action Steps:

1. Provide an environment that enhances meaningful communication among women.

2. Maintain a balance of classes and activities that provides physical, practical, intellectual and aesthetic activities for women.

3. Provide an on-going venue for women artists, including student exhibitions.

Objective A. Integrate financial planning functions of the Board.

Action Steps:

1. Coordinate through the Executive Committee all committee work relating to financial planning.

2. Examine and evaluate expenditures, potential expenditures and income sources annually.

3. Determine priorities annually.

4. Review current and additional avenues of fundraising.

Objective B. Assess program and building financial needs to create an annual budget. Action Steps:

1. Solicit input from staff, committees and Board.

2. Present periodic reports and the annual budget to the Board.

Objective C. Develop and implement a plan for funding the annual budget

Action Steps:

1. Conduct the Annual Giving campaign.

2. Actively work to increase giving by current donors.

3. Achieve 100% contribution participation by Board and staff annually.

4. Sponsor special fundraising events

5. Encourage annual membership expansion

6. Assist Executive Director in establishing new avenues for grant income.

Objective D. Support and manage an endowment

Action Steps:

1. Maintain an active role in the management of the endowment fund.

2. Develop a plan to solicit ongoing contributions to the endowment.

3. Establish a deferred giving program.

Objective A. Plan balanced use of the building, taking into consideration program and income needs.

Action Steps:

1. Assess the financial and program needs of the YWCA as they relate to available space on an annual basis.

2. Set priorities for building and grounds maintenance that includes a long range list of expected needs.

3. Conduct periodic inventories and evaluation of building and equipment condition and status.

4. Evaluate and disburse building funds based on long range projections of needs as well as emergency needs.

Objective A. Communicate to the public the goals and programs of the national and local organizations of the YWCA.

Action Step:

1. Annually update marketing strategy with appropriate action steps for all programs and Board events.

Return to Table of Contents