Why Work for a Nonprofit?

In theory, most people spend 40 hours a week at work. But in reality, the space that work occupies in our lives often expands far beyond the eight-hour, Monday-Friday time frame. Between the time we spend commuting to and from work, thinking about work, and talking about work—not to mention the occasional late evening or early morning—work consumes a significant amount of our physical, mental, and emotional energy. 

That's not necessarily a bad thing, particularly for those of us who are lucky enough to find fulfillment in our professional lives. But while good jobs can be incredibly rewarding and uplifting, the reverse is also true: a bad job can take a serious toll on our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.

For that reason, it's worth thinking critically about our relationships to our jobs, and how they do (or don't) serve us. And if you're looking for a field that's nestled at the intersection of fulfilling, enjoyable, and stimulating, you can't do much better than working for a nonprofit. 

The Benefits of Working for a Nonprofit

There are a lot of myths about nonprofit organizations floating around out there, such as you won't make any money working for a nonprofit, or there's no room to advance my career. On the contrary, working for nonprofits offers a lot of advantages that for-profit companies don't. Here are just a few: 

• You'll build a transferable skill set. Nonprofits need all the same skill sets that normal businesses do. What's more, because nonprofits are often run on tight budgets and employees often have extremely varied duties, you'll likely have the chance to grow your knowledge and skills, making you a more competitive candidate in the future.

• You'll get to do work that matters. Working at a nonprofit means that you get to leave work every day knowing that you made a positive difference in the world—something that can't be said for many other jobs.

• You'll have a chance to live your values. Feeling connected to your work can have a huge impact on helping you stay motivated and productive, even on the days that feel like a slog.

• You'll meet incredible people. Nonprofits are unique in their potential for attracting driven, compassionate people. What's more, working for a mission-driven organization means you're more likely to share common values with your co-workers, which can go a long way toward promoting positive work relationships. 

If you're ready to start your career in the nonprofit sector, there's no better time than the present: YWCA O'ahu is hiring! Current job offerings are available on our website. We can't wait to work with you!

YWCA O'ahu on a mission to empower women, promote peace, and eliminate racism. As one of over 300 nationwide communities, YWCA O'ahu is committed to creating opportunities for women and girls. Programs such as Dress for Success and our community-based furlough program are designed to give women the resources, expertise, and support they need to be able to thrive and make a difference. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, contact us today or consider stopping by our Monthly Benefit Clothing Sale to support our work! 

First Steps to Starting Your Own Business

Starting a business is usually difficult under the best of circumstances; if you're a first-time entrepreneur, it can be downright bewildering. While the intricacies of starting your own business will vary depending on your industry, location, and circumstances, the basics look the same for most (if not all) business owners. Here, we'll walk you through some of the first steps in how to start your own business, as well as some helpful tips for first-time entrepreneurs.

1. Do Your Research

Unfortunately, not all business ideas are created equal. Moreover, the fate of many businesses comes down to timing, location, and market. Starting a surfboard rental company might be an excellent idea in California—in Alaska, not so much. Before you commit to an idea, make sure you've done your market research to ensure that the idea is viable. You'll want to think about things like your target audience, local competition, and market trends. 

2. Create a Business Plan and Budget

Business plans effectively serve as maps for entrepreneurs, and they're an indispensable part of the entrepreneurial process. Creating a business plan will help you refine your idea and get specific about how you plan to get your business off the ground. You'll also want to get an idea of how much the startup process will cost so that you can look into financing options. 

3. Do the Paperwork

The first thing you'll want to do is choose the structure for your business. Do some research on LLCs, sole proprietorships, and corporations to see which one is the best fit for you. Depending on which one you select and whether you plan to hire employees, you may also need a federal employer identification number (EIN) for tax purposes.

Finally, look up licensing requirements for your state, county, and local governments, and make sure you submit everything you need to be in compliance. 

4. Create a Web Presence

In the modern digital age, having an internet presence is indispensable for businesses. What's more, tools like social media and Google Maps effectively amount to free online marketing, if you know how to use them. Visibility is key for new businesses, and the internet is a key tool in that regard. 

Ready to make the leap on your small business idea? We can help! Business & Leadership is one of YWCA Oahu’s Key Mission Areas. We offer a variety of support and resources for women businessowners through programs like the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership (MCBL) and the MBDA Enterprising Women of Color Center (EWOC).

YWCA O'ahu is on a mission to empower women, promote peace, and eliminate racism. As one of over 300 nationwide communities, YWCA O'ahu is committed to creating opportunities for women and girls.

Everything You Need To Know About Midterm Voting

The voting process can be bewildering, particularly if you're a first-time voter in your area. With midterm voting day fast approaching, it's a good idea to make a plan for how, when, and where to vote in order to be able to prepare appropriately. Here, we've put together a voting checklist guide with everything you need to know about how to vote in midterms.

What Are Midterm Elections?

Midterm elections are general elections that are held in the middle of a president's four-year term. Depending on which state you live in, midterm elections may include elections for Representatives, Senators, governors, or other local officials (such as mayors). In the 2022 midterms, all 50 states will participate in elections for Representatives, 34 states will participate in Senate elections, and 36 states will elect governors.

When Are Midterm Elections Held?

This year, midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

How Do I Become Eligible to Vote?

In order to vote, you must first register to vote.

Before registering to vote in Hawaii, make sure you meet the following requirements:

• you are a US citizen

• you are a resident of Hawai'i

• you are at least 18 years old

• Voter registration can be completed in several different ways, including:

• printing the voter registration application, completing it, and returning it to the County Elections Division

• using Hawaii's online voter registration system (requires a Hawaii driver's license or state ID card, and your social security number)

• completing the same-day registration process at voter service centers

Where Do I Vote?

In Hawaii, you have the option to vote either in-person or by mail.

All registered voters will receive a ballot at the address associated with their voter registration. To vote by mail, follow the instructions on the ballot you receive in the mail, then put it in the mail or drop it off at a designated ballot deposit place. Keep in mind that ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day to be counted, so if you intend to mail your ballot in, make sure you adequately account for postage time.

To vote in person, you must go to a designated voter service center. It's wise to bring a copy of your ID and voter registration card, just in case.

You can find a list of ballot drop boxes and voter service centers here.

Which Elections or Candidates Can I Vote For?

To see which races you'll be voting in and view candidates ahead of time, you can use the Office of Elections website.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

YWCA O'ahu is on a mission to empower women, promote peace, and eliminate racism. As one of over 300 nationwide communities, YWCA O'ahu is committed to creating opportunities for women and girls. Programs such as Dress for Success and our community-based furlough program are designed to give women the resources, expertise, and support they need to be able to thrive and make a difference. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, contact us today or consider stopping by our Monthly Benefit Clothing Sale to support our work!

Hawai‘i Governor and Lt. Governor Candidate Forums

On July 7 and 13, 2022, YWCA O‘ahu had the opportunity to hear the perspectives of the candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Governor, respectively, on issues facing the women of Hawai‘i. Candidates responded to a variety of questions on subjects ranging from reproductive rights to substance abuse.

Mahalo to our partners AAUW Honolulu, the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, and the Women's Fund of Hawai‘i for making this event possible!

To hear their answers and proposed solutions click on the videos below.

Virtual Panel-Reversal of Roe v. Wade: How it Impacts Hawai‘i

On Monday, August 29, 2022, YWCA of Hawai‘i Island, YWCA of Kaua‘i, and YWCA O‘ahu will be hosting a virtual webinar discussing if and how the Supreme Court’s recent rulings will impact abortion access in Hawai‘i. Journalist Yunji de Nies moderated this event and the panel included women from a wide variety of sectors. These panelists include:

• Corianne W, Lau, Parter at Denton’s US LLP

• Dr. Reni Soon, M.D. at the Women’s Option Center

• Khara Jabola-Carolus, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women

• Representative Della Belatti, Hawai‘i House Majority Leader

These panelists explored abortion legality and access in Hawai‘i as well as what next steps need to be taken to protect women’s reproductive healthcare in Hawai‘i.

“We felt like it was important for all three YWCA organizations across the state to come together to provide a space to talk about the Supreme Court’s recent decision on abortion rights and how that decision impacts us here in Hawai‘i. We’ve already seen an alarming flurry of legislative activity calling to restrict or simply strip away women’s reproductive healthcare rights on the mainland, leaving many in Hawai‘i concerned that those actions may eventually spill over to our state. This event is an opportunity to open up the community conversation and provide information about how abortion is safe and legal in Hawai‘i as well as what we need to do going forward to ensure it stays that way.”  Jen Wilbur, Director of Advocacy at YWCA O‘ahu  

Resources:

On August 31, 2022, the Hawai‘i Abortion Collective published the first official guide to abortion rights and resources for all islands.
Click HERE to read the guide