A clutch positioning assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The assembly uses a cam that can be rotated so as to position the clutch between different positions that provide for engaging or disengaging a motor from a wash basket. A leaf spring, configured as a yoke in one exemplary embodiment, provides a force to urge the clutch into a position that e.g., disengages the wash basket from the motor during e.g., wash modes while also allowing the clutch to be moved into a position that engages the wash basket with the motor during spin modes. The clutch positioning assembly can be provided as a modular unit that is connected with the appliance during manufacturing.