1. Implementing Hallmark Standards YWCA USA

2. YWCA Hallmarks Eliminating racism Advancing women’s economic empowerment

3. Hallmark History Hallmarks were central to YWCA USA 2002 Change Initiative: Need for distinct national identity Consistency across YWCA system Increase public awareness and understanding Authenticity of corporate identity Affiliation requirement

4. Hallmark Rationale Align ourselves with mission Basis for national corporate identity Become core competencies for which all YWCAs are known Reduce confusion with other organizations

5. Meeting the Standard At least one qualifying activity in each Hallmark area (Racial Justice and Women’s Economic Empowerment) OR Implementing a specific compliance plan

6. The Ultimate Goal Our intentional commitment to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women guides and informs all work and decision making of the YWCA. Adopted as part of visioning group work November 2006

7. Achieving the Goal Every local association can answer affirmatively: If you described the association’s activities to an unfamiliar person, would the connection to eliminating racism and economic empowerment be self-evident? Would an average person in the community identify the YWCA as being involved with work to eliminate racism and empower women? Do community leaders consult with or involve the YWCA in issues related to racism and economic empowerment? Are actions to eliminate racism and empower women foremost in what the association is known for doing?

8. Hallmark Definition YWCA Hallmark Programs and initiatives in racial justice and women’s economic advancement are: intentional have direct impact and measurable results create meaningful change

9. Four Hallmark Standards 1. Hallmark activities and programs must be implemented with the intention of influencing racial justice and women’s economic advancement. 2. Hallmark activities and programs must have a demonstrable and direct impact on hallmark issues within the local community.

10. Four Hallmark Standards (con’t) 3. Hallmark activities and programs must have measurable results. 4. Hallmark activities and programs must create meaningful, mission- focused change in a condition or set of conditions versus just raising awareness.

11. Assessing Compliance Local association self assessment Peer review or other regional assessment National standardization under review

12. What is a qualifying program? May be stand alone program, like financial literacy May be embedded in transitional housing, domestic violence, leadership development, etc. May be activity, initiative, collaboration, etc.

13. Help in Meeting the Standard Regional Technical Assistance Peer Review Hallmark Initiative: National Model Programs

14. 2007 Model Hallmark Programs Racial Justice Models: Getting Started in Racial Justice What’s Wrong with Different Racial Justice Dialogues Racial Justice Social Marketing Campaign

15. 2007 Model Hallmark Programs Women’s Economic Empowerment Models: New Directions Pathways to Success Women$Finances

16. Hallmark Checklist: Racial Justice Assessment Factors:YN?Required Action/ Comments 1. Intended Impact  Is the primary purpose to eliminate racism? 2. Demonstrable and direct impact  Is there a direct and logical link between initial outcomes and the reduction of racism? 3. Measurable results  Are outcomes being measured?  Are the outcomes focused on reducing racism? 4. Meaningful Social Change  Has the activity achieved its objectives?  Does the activity reduce the extent of racial bias in persons, organizations and/or society at large?  Is the type of change significant?  Is the amount of change significant?  Can the change be expected to endure over time? If a pre-launch, planning process is underway:  Is there a written plan with time frames, benchmarks, accountabilities and costs?  Are Board and Staff committed to plan implementation?  Is reasonable progress being made in accordance with the plan?  Are adequate resources and expertise invested or planned?

17. Hallmark Checklist: Economic Empowerment Assessment Factors:YN?Required Action/ Comments 1. Intended Impact  Is the primary purpose economic advancement of women? 2. Demonstrable and direct impact  Is there a direct and logical link between initial outcomes and achieving economic advancement? 3. Measurable results  Are outcomes being measured?  Are the outcomes focused on economic advancement? 4. Meaningful Social Change  Has the activity achieved its objectives?  Does the activity increase the economic status of women or their opportunities within organizations and /or society at large?  Is the type of change significant?  Is the amount of change significant?  Can the change be expected to endure over time? If a pre-launch, planning process is underway:  Is there a written plan with time frames, benchmarks, accountabilities and costs?  Are Board and Staff committed to plan implementation?  Is reasonable progress being made in accordance with the plan?  Are adequate resources and expertise invested or planned?

18. Frequently asked questions Can internally focused activities in a local association count? How much impact is required? What is the deadline for compliance? Who decides if progress is fast enough? Can advocacy count as hallmark activity? How do you measure social change? What is the definition of economic empowerment?

19. More questions Does child care qualify? Do services to immigrants qualify as eliminating racism? How can health and fitness services qualify? Do women’s leadership or domestic violence programs qualify? What about transitional housing? Do special events count? Must women’s economic empowerment activities be offered in a single gender setting? Do activities targeting other “isms” count?

20. The future Every local association is a “go to” resource for its community YWCAs achieve significant impact on eliminating racism and economic advancement of women Racial and gender justice filters are institutionalized in every facet and every level of the YWCA