Y’s Times BULLETIN OF Y’S MEN INTERNATIONAL INDIA AREA Vol. 1 No. 2 “To acknowledge the duty that accompanies every right”
October 2010
From the Area President Dear Friends,
Y’s MEN INTERNATIONAL INDIA AREA 2010-11 Area President Ym Adv Philip Mathai Area Secretary Ym T. Thomas Area Treasurer Ym M. Isaac Area Bulletin Editor Ym K.C. Samuel Area Assistant Secretary Ym V.K. Joseph Area Assistant Treasurer Ym E. Jacob Kurian Associate Bulletin Editor Ym Koshy Mathew IP’s Theme
Once more we stand IP’s Slogan
Build a bridge to the future AP’s Theme
Be the light of the world AP’s slogan
Share our blessings in love
Hearty congratulations to all of you who did even what little you could to our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than us. It was no fault of theirs that they are born poor. Let our mission be that each member of our movement shares his blessings with at least one unfortunate brother, sister or child in his locality and bring cheer to that person or family. We all boast of our rich heritage. But, pause a minute and think, my friends. Is there anything to boast of when our brothers in our locality are living in bondage, in hunger, without a roof over their head, unable to educate their children and cover their half-naked bodies. Everyday we pass by them doing precious little to lift them up from the dungeon in which they live. We are very busy, living in a world of chaos, very often working hard to amass more and more wealth for our children who will, most probably, squander it before our own eyes. I am one among
you and I don’t claim to be an exception. But I am sure many of us have gradually changed for good after joining this great movement. Are we some one special in the society? I believe that every Y’s Man and his family have a special identity in the society because we try at least to acknowledge our duty. This, I am sure, will distinguish us from the ordinary people around us. Friends, we are marching “Towards 2022” when our movement will complete 100 years of glorious existence. Remember, we have miles to go to fulfill many of the dreams, aspirations and vision of our founder, Judge Paul William Alexander. He gave us a torch and we carried it so far. Let us carry it forward “To Be the Light of the World”. Let us stand once more and build a bridge to the future as exhorted by our IP Fuji San. Together let us try to make this world habitable, pollutionfree, and provide fresh air for our children to breathe by making it Green, and providing potable water for them to drink. It is our bounden duty to help the children to gain knowledge, education and a decent livelihood. I am happy to learn that our clubs are doing their best to achieve the same. Wherever we go God is with us and we are not alone. He solves every problem. Ym Adv. Philip Mathai Area President 2010-11
Associate Editor Writes Dear Y’s friends “Go Green – Get back to the earth” has been one of the pet themes of our Area President ever since he became a Y’s Man more than 30 years ago. During his tenure of leadership at the Club, District, and Regional levels, he vigorously prompted this project and the results are tangible in several parts of Kerala, where we see Y’s Mensponsored green spaces. Environment and climate change are issues that have emerged on the top of the agenda for several organisations, Y’s Men included. At the international level, we have adopted an Environment Policy, the outline of which we are highlighting in this issue. Details can be accessed on the website of YMI. We are aware that several clubs have initiated this project in response to the AP’s call and wanted to cover as many as possible in this issue, which we wish to call “green issue.” In this issue we carry images and news from three clubs that have embarked on this project. In the forthcoming issue too, we wish to dedicate one page for the “Go Green” projects carried out at the club level. So, please send your news with images to us and we’d be happy to publish them. The little efforts that we make in greening our planet now will ensure that the generations that come behind us will breathe easy. Koshy Mathew Associate Area Bulletin Editor
Y’s Times
Area Convention and Installation of New Team Y’s Men International India Area began the new Y’s year 2010-11 with the installation of the new Area team of officers under the leadership of Ym Area President Ym. Adv Philip Mathai at Hotel International, Ernakulam on 27 June 2010. Honourable Justice Cyriac Joseph, Judge of the Supreme Court of India inaugurated the Convention. In his inaugural address, Justice Joseph praised the services rendered by Y’s Men in India. He said that he was impressed by the Y’s motto, “To acknowledge the duty that accompanies every right” which is quite relevant to our nationbuilding effort, which is enshrined in the Constitution of India. Ym V.S. Bashir, Imm. Past International President, installed the officers. Ym Philip Mathai, in his acceptance speech, outlined the Area Projects for the year and sought the cooperation of all members in implementing them. PIP Ym Dr. P. Sukumaran inaugurated the “Go Green – get back the earth” project by handing a sapling each to the five Regional Directors and exhorted them to motivate the DGs and Club leaders to plant as many saplings as possible. It is the Area
DISTINGUISHED DAIS: AP-E Ym Philip Mathai, PAP and Past IT Ym B.S. Krishnan, Chief Guest Justice Cyriac Joseph, AP Ym Rajan Panicker, PIP Ym V.S. Bashir, PIP Ym Dr. Sukumaran and AP-EE Ym Isaac Palathinkal. In the back row are members of the new Area Team and incoming Regional Directors
students” and “Enrollment of members to Y’ Men Centre” were inaugurated by Past Area Presidents Ym Ipe Jacob and Ym Dr. C.K. Eapen, respectively. Scholarships were announced for a few students and one of the students received them on their behalf. Area Bulletin Editor Ym K.C. Samuel handed over the first issue of the Area Bulletin “Y’s Times” to International Treasurer-Elect Ym T.M. Mathew, who released it
Prior to the inauguration of the Convention, a pious necrology ceremony led by Ym Aby Abraham and Yw Kumari Kurias paid homage to the three Past Area
Presidents – Ym V. Narasimha Rao, Ym C.E. Mammen and Ym M.V. Gopalan – who passed away during the previous Y’s year.
IT-E Ym T.M. Mathew releasing the first issue of Y’s Times after having received it from ABE Ym K.C. Samuel
Elmer Crowe Award Winners from India Area
PIP Ym Dr. P. Sukumaran inaugurates the “Go Green” project by handing over a sapling to Yw D.V. Lakshmi, Regional Director, Central India Region
President’s target that during the Y’s year, at least 150,000 saplings be planted this year. The other two projects, “Adoption of poor but brilliant Page 2
for circulation. The bulletin has, since then, been circulated electronically to a wide audience worldwide, apart from ensuring that hard copies reached all Regions.
Named after Elmer Crowe who was the Regional Director of the former Pacific Region (USA) in 1937, this award is given to outstanding District Governors. Eighteen District Governors have been recognised this year – eight of them from India Area. The awardees from India are: V. Ravi Kumar Gupta (CIR) Joy Paul Vathikulam (MWIR)
M.G. Kuriakose (MWIR) Ashokan Plavadiyil (MWIR) Toneesh Thomas (MWIR) Anand Jacob Varghese (SIR) Varghese Samuel (SWIR) Philip Koshy (SWIR) Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients of the Elmer Crowe Award.
Y’s Times
International Convention 2010
Y’s Men International: Trends and Perspectives The 69th International Convention of YMI was held in Yokohama from 5 to 8 August. Ym Hirotoshi Fujii was installed International President at a solemn ceremony. The new International Secretary General, Ym Nishimura, who will take full charge from retiring ISG, Ym Ronaldo Dalmas was welcomed. Witnessing these events and participating in the IC were 50 Y’s Men from India. We give below some of the images from the IC and an extract from the comprehensive report written up by Mr. Kohei Yamada, Secretary-General of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. clear focus and visions, YMI wishes to celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2022 with the following four points: 1. More involvement of youth and women. The 69th International Convention was held with 1,300 participants. There are 32,509 Y’s Men members in 71 countries. From 2001, in 10 years, there was 22 per cent increase in members, but the increase has been mainly observed in Asia and India areas. In the other areas, especially in North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Pacific, the membership has been slightly decreasing. Especially in North America, it has dropped 21 per cent to 7 per cent in 10 years. Presently, 89 per cent of the members are in 3 areas and 11 per cent are in the remaining five areas in the
India AP Ym Philip Mathai with the national flag at the Convention
world. India alone has 10,000 members, and Korea has 6,000 members. Many of the areas have not increased the new members. It is being questioned if the programs and activities are relevant to the people and communities in many areas. Y’s Men have been seriously considering to include younger generation and women strategically. In this regard, some areas changed its name from Y’s Men to “Y Service Club”. In the last 4 to 5 years, Y’s Men International collected 5 million CHF (nearly same as USD) for various causes. With more and
2. Stronger relationship with the YMCA. 3. Stronger involvement in global issues. 4. More visibility in society. One of the concrete strategies is to focus on global issues, for which it has chosen to combat reducing Malaria in the world under the UN guidelines.
Observations Y’s Men’s clubs as well as other civic organizations, like Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs, have been struggling to get new members while losing identity and membership in many parts of the world in general. Y’s Men have realized the importance of women and youth in the movement. It is crucial to make relevant programs and structure to attract the new generation. In that sense, the mission of eradicating malaria along with the UN and focusing on climate change issues with youth involvement are crucial to its image. Y’s Men International alone develops over a million USD a year for various funds they have. In addition, same kinds of money are also collected in areas as well as regions and districts. However, the formal channels of communication with the YMCAs seem to be limited or not explored enough. Without much thinking, therefore, Y’s Men are supporting outside-YMCA programs and activities just because YMCAs do not approach or express their needs. More communication at the local level as well as National and area levels are necessary.
International President Ym Hirotoshi Fuji delivering his acceptance speech
YMCA should realize the importance of Y’s Men’s Clubs which are willing and interested in YMCA activities, youth development, and climate issues. This is a pool of people who are for YMCA in partnership. Through this International Con-
vention, I realized the interest among Y’s Men for the issue of climate change. Asia-Pacific Alliance of YMCAs has been trying to develop green teams in all the YMCAs, National and local levels. This is a new and equal start for the future development for both Y’s Men and YMCA.
Indian Presence in Yokohama
India Area Delegates meet on the sidelines of the Convention
On stage with new ISG and off, the A.P. gets a helping hand
On a tour of the city
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Y’s Times
Y’s Men International Environment Policy w protect, sustain and restore our natural environment.
Y’s Men International is committed to being an environmentally responsible organisation. It accepts its responsibility to reduce its environmental ‘footprint’. This is a duty that accompanies the right to be involved in Y’s Men’s activities.
Y’s Men International will demonstrate its commitment to the environment through:
Y’s Men International’s environmental policy will be to:
w Sustainable use of water – we will adopt and promote water-efficient strategies.
w act in a sustainable way; w minimise its environmental impact ; and
w Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
w Sustainable Use of Land & Resources. w Community Leadership and Advocacy.
Go Green Projects – At the Club Level
The Y’s Men’s Club of Bangalore Garden City planted 100 saplings provided by their DG Ym Mohan Sunder by in the Peenya Industrial Area, in which some of the members have their industrial units. This would ensure the protection and nurture of the saplings to be healthy and strong trees.
News in Brief ‘Vision 2020’ Renamed ‘Vision 2020’ was changed to ‘Vision 2022’ as our Movement will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022. The International Council that met in Yokohama in August approved the replacement of the wording ‘Forward Plan’ with ‘Towards 2022’. This will be the path/ plan to be followed to accomplish our vision by the year 2022.
Korea Area Formed The formation of Korea Area was another highlight of the International Council meeting, making it the ninth Area in the Y’s movement. It is a clear sign of the development and strengthening of Y’s Men around the globe. With around 6,000 members, Korea will become a new Area effective 1 July 2011. The process of electing new Council Members for Korea and Asia has already started.
Y’s Men’s Club of Bangalore Peenya carried out “Tree Plantation Drive” along with Urulichikkanahalli Panchayat, in the outskirts of Bangalore city, as part of “Go Green” project mooted by the Area President. Approximately 400 saplings were handed over by Peenya Y’s Men to the Panchayat office bearers. District Governor of Bangalore District 1, Ym Mohan Sunder inaugurated the programme by planting the first sapling.
Club in Focus : Y’s Men’s Club of New Dubai
Around 150 persons including Y’s Men, Menettes, Lings and Panchayat members enthusiastically participated in the programme. The Panchayat and the YMC of Peenya have entered into an agreement for the nurture of these saplings.
YMC of Trivandrum Sun & Sand celebrated Green Day by raising a kitchen garden in premises of BNV School. Over 100 banana plants of different varieties and four varieties of vegetables were planted. Forty students of that school have taken the initiative to take care of this garden and the Club will monitor the same once a week. Children participating in this initiative will be given certificates by the Club acknowledging their contribution.
The Y’s Men’s Club of New Dubai is a junior club, having been chartered on 01 July 2009 under the able leadership of Ym Christy John Samuel, who is also Area Service Director for International Brother Clubs. YMC of New Dubai is a constituent of the South West India Region. In the short span of 18 months, the Club has embarked on several high-value community service projects. In the picture above, Club President Yw Manju Saira John hands over a cheque for Rs. 25,00,000 to the Bishop of Mar Thoma Church for cardiac surgery of children under its care.
Y’s Times is the official bulletin of the India Area Team of Y’s Men International and is published four times during the year. Edited by Ym K.C. Samuel and Ym Koshy Mathew. Printed at the National Printing Press, Bangalore. For Private Circulation only.
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