PRESIDENT REPORT MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
DEBBIE NORMAN DEBBIE NORMAN
The YWCA Adelaide staff have dedicated their time and energy during the year to deliver significantly important projects in our community consistent with our vision and values . I congratulate the team on their achievements and dedication . I also wish to thank our members for your continued support and input to our vision of ‘ women leading change ’. We have achieved so much and changed the lives of many , as outlined in Liz Forsyth ’ s , CEO report .
Together with Liz , the Board , over the last year have been focused on strengthening our national voice and ensuring the long term sustainability of the YWCA through collaborative and positive merger discussions with our sister associations . We are seeking to create a strong , unified , national feminist organisation of women , young women and girls , working to achieve gender equality .
I am very proud to have been able to represent YWCA Adelaide during these discussions , ensuring that we both contribute to the design of the merged organisation , but also ensuring our members , staff and the women and girls we support benefit from the new organisation well into the future .
At the heart of the merger discussions is one national vision , purpose and strategy for the national organisation , which will align broadly to advancing young women ' s leadership and advocacy , and providing housing , safety and empowerment for women .
The merged organisation will ensure the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and Indigenous issues including a Reconciliation Action Plan , the inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse women , and ongoing support for and participation in the Pacific region .
The organisation will have one national skills based board with at least 30 % of directors under 31 years of age at their time of appointment and one national leadership team . We will continue to be affiliated with World YWCA .
We envisage multiple ways you can stay involved with the national organisation . Involvement may be as a member , being on board sub committees , volunteering or by attending events .
There will also be a Young Women ’ s Council of 18 members designed to advise the board and staff on the current needs of young women and the changing methods and forums in which to continue to engage with young women and girls .
ANNUAL REPORT 1951
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ANNUAL REPORT 1939