In June, YWCA Edmonton’s CEO Rachel Foley traveled to Winnipeg to attend this year’s YWCA Canada Annual Members Meeting (AMM). The AMM is the premier national gathering for the organization, uniting hundreds of staff, volunteers, and delegates from 29 local Member Associations across the country to network, elect board members, and chart a bold, feminist path forward.
Here are Rachel’s key takeaways from the event.
INDIGENOUS LEARNING & RELATIONSHIPS
Indigenous perspectives were woven throughout the event, beginning with a keynote from author and journalist Tanya Talaga, who called for sustained, meaningful action. Elders played an active role all weekend, offering teachings and guidance. A sacred bundle ceremony and visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights reinforced the importance of truth, relationships, and reconciliation.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE MOMENTUM
YWCAs across Canada are exploring social enterprise as a pathway to sustainable funding. Conversations at AMM highlighted shared interest and potential for collaboration. These discussions sparked new ideas and optimism for the future for our own local social enterprise, Camp Yowochas.
YOUTH PROGRAMMING INSIGHTS
A key takeaway was the importance of creating environments where youth want to participate. Engagement-first approaches to youth programming are critical, with opportunities to start small, test ideas, and grow programs intentionally.
NATIONAL THEORY OF CHANGE
A new shared framework for impact across Canada was approved, focusing on five areas:
- Gender-Based Violence
- Housing, Early Learning and Child Care
- Economic Equity & Wellbeing
- Youth Engagement
While helpful, more work is needed to reflect the diversity of local programming, such as YWCA Edmonton’s Disability Services.
GOVERNANCE & STRATEGIC REFLECTION
AMM provided space to reflect on governance and the future direction of the movement. There is ongoing work required to address and move beyond colonial practices — efforts that can involve tension and require careful navigation. YWCA Canada continues to balance the need for timely progress with thoughtful change. This presents a similar opportunity for us at YWCA Edmonton to reflect on our own systems and processes, and to approach any redesign with intention and care as we move forward.
Overall, it was a meaningful gathering, with a strong focus on Indigenous learning, national collaboration, and future opportunities. It reinforced our role in a larger, evolving movement — and the opportunity for YWCA Edmonton to help shape what comes next.
