Number 4–2015/16
The Official Publication of Y’s Men International
Taipei Beckons
INSIDE: Messages from International Officers • Taipei Awaits IC 2016 Delegates • Two Quakes, One Response: Y’s Men Lend a Helping Hand • Championing Youth Causes in YMI • A Past ISG Recalls his Predecessors • For the Record – International Conventions over the Years • Danish Y’s Men’s Spiritual Sojourn to Hong Kong • Environmental Concerns • YMI-YMCA Partnership Gets a Boost • Y’s Action News from Far and Near • Max Ediger Column on “The Earth is the Lord’s” Mission with Faith
Editor’ ge Editor’ss Pa Page Nº 4, 2015/16 Official publication of Y’S MEN INTERNATIONAL Ave Sainte-Clotilde 9, CH-1205, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 809 1530 www.ysmen.org EDITOR Koshy Mathew 222, 7C Main, First Block HRBR Layout Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru 560 043, India. Tel: +91-9845036147 Skype: Koshy.mathew367 koshym@gmail.com ASSISTANT EDITORS AFRICA Tunji Makinde (Nigeria) +234/8034064882 (M) tunjimakinde@yahoo.com ASIA Yaz Okano (Japan) +81/797881808 (O) +81/797844559 APYazOkano@gmail.com CANADA & CARIBBEAN Bill Irwin (Canada) +1/9025693187 (H) wci0909@hotmail.com EUROPE Liudmila Tyukina (Russia) +7/9122344611 (M) assorti44@yandex.ru INDIA B. Pavithran (Kerala, India) +91/9847220054 (M) pavithbb@yahoo.co.in KOREA Kim Kyun (Seoul) +82/27352395 (O) +82/27321205 ysmenkrhq@gmail.com LATIN AMERICA Ricardo Andre Cardenas Zanabria (Panama) +51/198772474 (M) randre.cardenas@gmail.com SOUTH PACIFIC Bill Schmidt (Australia) +61/344338599 (H) schmidts@bendigodomain.com.au USA Fred L. Leonard (USA) +1/5012623566 (H); +1/5012623566 fleonard@cablelynx.com DISTRIBUTION Babu Oommen 56, Royal Meridian Layout, Begur Road Bangalore, 560 068, India. +91/9901199863 (M) :: babuoomen@yahoo.com Reprinted at National Printing Press Koramangala, Bengaluru 560 095, India.
Once again, greetings from Bangalore! This is the fourth issue of Y’s Men’s World for the year 2015/16. I hope you enjoyed the previous issues. I must say that I enjoyed writing, rewriting, researching, refining and finalising them. This issue does not focus on any one story but gives a panoramic view of the many themes that stood out in this quarter – environment, preparation for the forthcoming IC at Taipei, and the disasters that struck Japan and Ecuador in April. Of course, news of Y’s activities find their regular space. I strongly urge you to share your experiences and stories of action. In many ways I am encouraged by the response to the call for submissions for the current issue. But more can be done. We had just enough for this issue. Writing a story for a newsletter is no big deal. Let me share with you the
professional recipe to write a piece for the forthcoming issues. Journalistic jargon calls it “5Ws and 1H.” If you answer ‘What’, ‘When’, ‘Where’, ‘Who’, ‘Why’ and ‘How’ you have the contours of a good report. Throw in a few high resolution pictures with appropriate captions and you are almost there! Embellish it with more details but try and avoid going overboard with a whole lot of adjectives. Give it a try and I will help you shape it into a publishable piece. Please do not forget to add your contact details at the bottom of the story so that we can get back to you for clarifications, if needed. If you are in Taipei for the IC, please do not forget to write down your impressions or click some memorable moments and send them to me. They may find a place in the next issue. Finally, let me wish all our leaders in the Districts, Regions and Areas who have taken charge of leadership for the new Y’s year the best for all their endeavours. Yours in Y’sdom, Koshy Mathew
FROM MY BOOKSHELF The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change by Adam Braun. The riveting story of how a young man turned $25 into more than 200 schools around the world and the guiding steps anyone can take to lead a successful and significant life. Adam Braun began working summers at hedge funds when he was just sixteen years old, sprinting down the path to a successful Wall Street career. But while travelling he met a young boy begging on the streets of India, who after being asked what he wanted most in the world, simply answered, “a pencil.” This small request led to a staggering series of events that took Braun backpacking through dozens of countries before eventually leaving one of the world’s most prestigious jobs to found ‘Pencils of Promise’, the organisation he started with just $25 that has since built more than 200 schools around the world. The Promise of a Pencil chronicles Braun’s journey to find his calling, as each chapter explains one clear step that every person can take to turn their biggest ambitions into reality, even if the start is with as little as $25. His story takes readers behind the scenes with business moguls and village chiefs, world-famous celebrities and hometown heroes. Driven by compelling stories and shareable insights, this is a vivid and inspiring book that will give you the tools to make your own life a story worth telling. (All proceeds from this book will support Pencils of Promise.) Cover picture: Taipei skyline with the 101 Tower dominating it
ONLY FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
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Deadline for submission of articles and pictures for next issue: 31 August 2016 Mission with Faith
FROM THE INTERNA TIONAL PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL Dear Friends I recall the IPE Night at the 71st Y’s Men International Convention on the 8th of August 2014 in Chennai, India, when I declared my theme “Mission with Faith” and revealed my dreams while preparing to lead the movement for a year. I echoed the six most powerful words uttered by Mother Teresa, “I believe in Love and Compassion.” It still rings in my ears. I believe in ahimsa (non–violence) preached by the great leader Mahatma Gandhi. It has taken hold of me and this philosophy coupled with Mother Teresa’s words guided my service term of 2015/16. Soon we will be assembling at Taipei for the 72nd Y’s Men International Convention from 4 to 7 August. Looking back, I am happy to say that as a team we have been able to push forward the major six thrusts, namely, membership drive, promoting various programmes through the TOF-GPF and the Endowment Fund, focusing on the signature project of Roll Back Malaria in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, reiterating interdependence and partnership between Y’sdom and the YMCA worldwide and redefining Vision 2022 and Towards 2022, that I had laid out as my dreams in my inaugural speech at Chennai. Throughout this Y’s year of working together with all our Areas we have been able to adhere to the profound principles of Unity, Purity, Beauty, Charity, Maturity, Accountability and Creativity. They have been the guiding principles for all leaders and members confronting various
challenges they faced during the year. We notice the concern and creativity of Y’s men in various parts of the world in implementing projects, especially the ongoing project of Y’s Doctors Service Beyond Borders, the Area-wise interventions of Natural Disaster Emergency Relief Fund (NDERF) programme, the new training approach of the Ser vant-Leadership programme in Y’sdom – from club level to the International level – and in the creation of a satellite office for the Movement in Chiangmai to serve members more effectively. May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all members, leaders, partners in the YMCAs and the United Nations as well as all supportive organisations, office staff of all Areas, Regions, Districts and IHQ and the dignitaries of the countries where we have had the privilege to serve the communities for their cooperation to let us continue to serve. We shall have you all in our prayers. God Bless. Y’sly, Wichian Boonmapajorn IP 2015/16
Taipei, the Heart of Asia, Awaits IC 2016 Delega tes Delegates Taipei, where the old and new and the traditional and progressively modern live in harmony, awaits delegates to the 72nd International Convention. Appropriately, the theme chosen for this IC is “Living in Harmony.” Taipei is known as the “heart of Asia” and is the political, economic, educational, and cultural capital of Taiwan. It is one of the major hubs of the Chinese-speaking world and is considered to be a global city. The first Y’s Men’s Club in Taiwan was inaugurated in 1955. The Y’s Men’s Club of Taipei-Alpha became the first club in Taiwan Region having been chartered on 12 March 1995 after Taiwan was declared a Region. Taiwan Region comprises three Districts – North, Centre and South – with about 540
members at present. Yin-Tse Lin is currently the Regional Director of Taiwan. Taiwan Y’s Men have produced a number of leaders for the Movement. Notable among them are: Past International Council Members Jung-Fa Chao, Robert Lo, Austin Lin, Jimmy Liu, David Hsiao, Oliver Wu. The latter two went on to become Area Presidents. Tung-Ming Hsiao, Area President-Elect and ICMElect is currently Chairman of the Host Committee of IC 2016. Some of the major projects undertaken by Taiwan Region are tree-planting, promoting reverence for elders, organising blood donation camps, celebrating Chinese New Year with disadvantaged elders and promoting polite manners among children and young people. Pictures in this box item show the IC Host Committee at work in June 2016
Mission with Faith
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International Secretary-General Writes On Communica tion and Second Semester Woes Communication The International Headquarters (IHQ) had the most difficult time in recent years collecting information on membership for the second semester of 2015/16 mainly due to leaders’ communication problems and conflicts in some Regions. Even as I write this, we are awaiting final information of membership status for 1st February from a few Regions. That means we are not sure how many have paid their membership Dues in full for the year. We are on the threshold of implementing the Portalbuzz database system which will enable our leaders and IHQ to obtain most accurate and real-time information on membership details. But, if no data is entered, the system will not function. Even now some Regions are not updating the information with IHQ. Mid-Year Meeting (MYM) 2016 was held in Bangalore, India in February and after a lot of deliberations and brainstorming sessions with APs/ APs(E), YMI has set up a Task Force on Communications as one of the new groups within the Movement. It aims to coordinate the dissemination of relevant international information to members through appropriate media and to ensure that
those unable to use electronic formats receive hard copies in a timely manner, among other objectives. However, some leaders do not communicate with us in a timely manner. They do not have proper communication even with the RD Troika, resulting in lack of support and assistance for Regional or District management. In some worst-case scenarios, they are in conflict and, in such cases, no data or information are shared among Regional leaders. In the No. 2 issue of Y’s Men’s World, I had said that it was time to transform ourselves. Permit me to quote from that piece I wrote then: I believe it is time to transform ourselves and not keep the status quo in our operations in the organisation. In six years’ time, we will be celebrating the hundredth anniversary of our Movement. We do not need to be pessimistic at all as our servant leaders exhibit strong passion and sprit to serve the community and people. In our daily life, it is also important to care for others and, if you are committed to our Movement, let us share information as quickly as possible since the internet has made it possible for us to do so. Y’sly ISG Nishi Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19 ESV)
YMCA Leaders of Asia Pacific Re-visit the Mission of the YMCA The Mission Review Session held on 8 March 2016 prior to the Executive Committee meetings of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs in Hong Kong was a journey for the YMCA leaders to revisit the mission of the YMCAs in the present-day context of the region. Dr. Ahn Jae Woong, former General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia and former President of the National Council of YMCAs of Korea delivered the keynote address titled, “An Ecumenical and Theological Reflection: The YMCA Mission, Task and Action Revisited.” In his paper, Dr. Ahn reviewed the current global socio-economic and political trends. He specially mentioned climate change, the refugee crisis, and the bubble economy of East Asia. He pointed out some major challenges of utmost importance to be tackled urgently, especially climate change, population growth, gap between the 4
rich and the poor, and so on. Dr. Ahn highlighted the history and evolution of the ecumenical movement in his keynote address. He said that YMCA’s adoption of the motto containing the prayer of Jesus “That they may all be one,” symbolizes the unity, brotherhood and ecumenism of the World YMCA Movement. After taking the partipants through
an in-depth analysis of the Asian Ecumenical movement, he concluded with the plea to build a culture of peace. He indicated that in Asia “we live and experience multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual realities. In this multicontextual continent of Asia, we are called to be peacemakers.” Source: APAY e-News, April 2016
Dr. Ahn Jae Woong (third from left) with IP Wichian and other YMI/YMCA leaders after his address Mission with Faith
FROM THE INCOMING INTERNA TIONAL PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL
“T ogether We Can Do So Much More” “Together Dear friends, As my year as your IPE draws to a close, I look back with both pleasure and gratitude at the wonderful people and clubs that I have met along the way. Having been privileged to participate in RDE Training weekends in Canada/ Caribbean, Europe, USA, Asia/Korea/South Pacific and India, I was able to meet many upcoming leaders. These Y’s people demonstrated great passion for our Movement, a desire to learn and share with one another, and enthusiasm to set achievable goals and work to see them through. I look forward to working with these and other leaders around the globe. As June approaches, my thoughts are being focused more and more on my goals for my year as your International President. I want to make sure that I am ready to do the work you have entrusted to me. Some of these duties include: w recognising and celebrating amazing service efforts at the club, Regional and International levels; w establishing reasonable goals for membership growth/club extension and programme contributions in collaboration with Area leaders, and working with them to ensure they succeed; w working with our young leaders to more effectively engage and involve our youth and younger members in meaningful ways; w supporting our IHQ staff as they all adapt to the opening of the satellite office in Chiang Mai with our ISG based there;
w working proactively with leaders
where conflicts have occurred to develop preventative strategies so that issues can be addressed promptly and in a more amicable manner; w motivating our membership to focus on serving our Movement with integrity in whatever they do, be it service work, leadership, paying of Dues, contributing to international programmes, promoting Y’s Men, etc. Above all I want to serve our Movement humbly, honestly and proactively as I both enjoy the pleasures of being IP and deal with the challenges that come with the position. Like each of you I must “Acknowledge the Duties that Accompany every Right”. During 2016-17, I have chosen as my theme and slogan the following: “Our Future Begins Today” “Together We Can Do So Much More” I strongly believe that working together towards our common goals will see the greatest positive impact in our service work, membership growth, and recognition in the broader community, to name just a few. We must celebrate the good work we accomplish while still demonstrating personal modesty. In order to achieve these goals, I suggest we remember the following:
Mission with Faith
1. timely communications – be proactive and positive in your communications and respond promptly to others; 2. empowered and committed leadership – all members, regardless of whether they are international leaders, project workers, or somewhere in between, must be responsible to complete what they have agreed to do; 3. everyone must be involved – Y’s Menettes and Youth as well as Y’s Men are needed to see the greatest results in service and growth for our Movement; 4. act promptly in service to others – we should not wait but get fully engaged today in the work that must be done; 5. be responsible for the duties assigned to us – remember our motto and seek always to serve in whatever ways are asked of us. As we enter this new Y Service year on 1 July, I ask each and every one of you to join me in the work before us, so that we can truly see Y’s Men International show positive changes for the future. Remember, our future begins today and together we can do so much more! I look forward to seeing many of you in Taipei! Joan Wilson Incoming International President
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DISASTER & RESPONSE
Two Quakes, One Response: Y’ Y’ss Men Lend a Helping Hand April, it appears, is a cruel month. On 14 April, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake jolted the residents of Japan’s Kyushu Island. The tremor that struck in Kumamoto Prefecture occurred just before 9:30 p.m. local time and resulted in 9 deaths and over 850 injuries. An additional 44,000 people were rendered homeless. Though numerous smaller aftershocks followed, many believed that the worst was over. But, on 16 April at 1:25 a.m. local
The Y Response in Japan Kumamoto YMCA, which runs a handful of public facilities such as a gymnasium and sports facility was one of the heavily-damaged structures. Y’s Men, YMCA staff and others in the building at that time escaped, but they lost most of their property. Kumamoto YMCA is somewhat undamaged but the quake has resulted in damage to the walls and electrical fittings. It will take considerable time to return to work inside the YMCA building. In spite of the huge damage, Masuki Town officials took care of 1,200 evacuees and 600 people who stayed in the cars all day
time, the Kumamoto Prefecture was rocked by an even bigger, 7.0-magnitude earthquake. It is believed to have caused at least 41 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. Hundreds of thousands of residents went
without water or power. While people worldwide were coming to grips with this shocking events, news came of another even more powerful earthquake in Ecuador, South America.
long. As for Mihune Town, rescue workers took care of 200 evacuees although the Town Hall had considerable damage. Y’s Men and YMCA staff worked together to help the evacuees with relief materials as a temporary measure. The Kumamoto YMCA, though damaged, is working day and night to set it up to accommodate 2,000 evacuees with a place to sleep. District Governor-Elect of Kyusyu District, Ryuji Miyazaki, who is also VicePresident of Kumamoto YMCA is leading the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the area. Plans are afoot to set up refugee camps in the Mashiki Town Gym and Mihune Sports Centre. There are plans to reach out to those affected in Aso area,
an isolated part of the region, though it is far from Kumamoto YMCA. Kumamoto YMCA has also embarked on a fundcollection drive from Y’s Men and others and plan to send these funds to Kumamoto YMCA to use of their work among the evacuees. Highest priority is being accorded by the Y to treating those who are physically and psychologically affected by the quake with the help from the NGO Clinic team from Tokyo.
It will take about five years for life to return to normal for many in the town of Kumamoto. Intense efforts are needed and the Y’s Men are willing to put in hard work. Help is solicited from all parts of the world. Yours too, with gratitude.
The Y Response in Ecuadaor
Many persons affected by the disaster came to the collection centres for provisions, clothes, medicines and water. They lost everything - their homes, their jobs, and some their family members. At the last count, approximately 700 were trapped under the rubbles but 113 have been rescued. The Y’s Men and Youth of the Quito Y Service Club, with the help of partners and other organisations, will continue to work in solidarity, due,
This was the scene in many office buildings in Kumamoto soon after the quake 6
The 7.8-magnitude followed many months of smaller tremors that hit a sparsely populated coastal town at about 7:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, 16 April. The massive quake, one of the strongest to hit Ecuador in seven decades, has killed at least 350 people, injured over 2,000, and caused roads and bridges in the vicinity to buckle and collapse. In the coastal tourist town of Pedernales, 80 per cent of the buildings have been reduced to rubble.
In response to an appeal from the State, members of the Quito YMCA and the Y’s Service Club travelled to Manta (Manabí) to help with the collection, storage, and distribution of donations. Back in Quito, other members of the Quito Y Ser vice Club assembled donation kits and participated in other relief activities. With their quick efforts, the first donations arrived the next day on 18 April.
Mission with Faith
Michihiro Endo RD in Japan West Region
Contd. on next page
YOUTH
Championing YMI’ YMI’ss Youth Force I am extremely excited to have served the Movement in my capacity as International Youth Representative (IYR, 20142016). It has been a great experience having to be the voice of all young people in YMI as Chairperson of the International Youth Committee. The IYR has non-voting rights on the International Council but does have a voice. Some milestones of this two-year tenure: w Partnering with Y Care International on the “Life Starter” project was rewarding. This was our Unified Global Project (UGP) and we were able to sponsor training programmes and buy equipment and tools to help unemployed and financially disadvantaged in volatile regions learn a skill (tailoring, mechanics, hairdressing and so on) and get start-up tools and kits. The partner-
ship with Y Care International gave us that platform to work on a beautiful life-touching project. w International Youth Project theme, “Saving the future, one young person at a time” has been successful with the overall goal to reach 10,000 young people in two years. Y’s Youth across the globe through various platforms achieved this. w The International Youth Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil gave the attendees an opportunity to visit community projects supported by YMI and the YMCA in Brazil as well as to engage in a forward planning session for the Movement. On a personal level, the memorable events are: w Attending the 42nd International Council Meeting at Kyoto, Japan in August 2015. w Attending the Asia Area Youth Convocation in Kyoto, Japan. w Attending the 37th International Peace Seminar organised by the YMCA of Hiroshima and also the 70th Memorial Anniversary ceremonies of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. w The 2nd International Youth
Forum and Latin America Youth Convocation in Sao Paulo, Brazil in May 2015. The opportunity to link up with people across different cultures and time zones on a regular basis and share notes and access to a brilliant team in the International Youth Committee has been wonderful and mind blowing in a lot of instances. As the curtain draws to a close on a beautiful term, I look forward to meeting a lot of young people in Taipei during the 16th International Youth Convocation. We will have a remarkable experience there. You can count on that. Afolabi ‘Fola’ Ajomale International Youth Representative (2014-2016)
16th International Youth Convocation Taipei, Taiwan, 1-7 August 2016 Theme: Service in Action—Dare to Lead
Two Quakes, One Response (from previous page)
Rescue workers looking for survivors
The team of young Y volunteers who led the rescue ops
in part to the support received from our brothers and them heal from the effects of this earthquake. If you wish sisters of Y’s Men International and from other clubs in to contribute, please contact CP Lili Tinoco, at lilialet@ the Region. Our next step is to work on medium- and gmail.com. César Valverde long-term activities to support these families and to help Y’s Service Club of Quitus
Mission with Faith
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FOR THE RECORD
YMI Interna tional Conventions Over the Years International Taipei would be about the 70th city to host the International Convention (IC) of Y’s Men International (YMI) in its history of 94 years. Guideline 1001 of the YMI Constitution explicitly says, “… the International Convention shall provide opportunity to disseminate information, share experiences and provide inspiration and spiritual renewal for the delegates, and to be a source of suggestions and recommendations to the International Council for consideration and possible implementation.” It is, therefore, at once a forum for fellowship and for discussing matters of common concern. Almost all service clubs and other associations of persons hold their conventions in a grand manner at various intervals – some annually, others biennially or triennially. The International Conventions of Y’s Men International were held annually for a long time – from its inception in 1922 until 1976, with the exception of three years when it could not be held for external reasons. As we get ready to assemble in Taipei, Taiwan for the 72nd International Convention, it is only appropriate that we take a quick look into the past. The first Convention was held in Atlantic City, USA in November 1922. Though designed as an annual feature, the intervening period between two ICs was increased to two years by a decision of the International Council in 1976. Understandably all the Conventions in the early years were held in North America, either in the USA or in Canada. As on date, 49 International Conventions have been hosted either by USA or Canada, the two countries where the membership grew rapidly after Paul William
Alexander founded the Movement. Mexico (1950) and Jamaica (1973) were the two other countries to have hosted the IC in the western hemisphere. The IC held in Paris in 1955, coinciding with the centennial of the founding of the YMCA movement, became the first IC to be held outside the western hemisphere. Region Denmark hosted the IC for the first time in 1970 in Copenhagen, thus marking a major shift in the growth pattern of the Movement in parts of the world other than the western hemisphere. Japan became the first Asian country to host the IC in 1975. The first IC after the decision to hold it in evennumbered years was held in Melbourne, Australia in 1978. Thereafter, almost all ICs were held either in Asia (Seoul, Korea, 1982; Kyoto, Japan, 1988; Singapore, 1994; Hong Kong, 2000; Cochin, India, 2004; Busan, Korea, 2006; Yokohama, Japan, 2010 and Chennai, India, 2014) or in Europe (Stockholm, Sweden, 1980; Aarhus, Denmark, 1986; Oslo, Norway, 1992; Helsinki, Finland, 1998; Herning, Denmark, 2008; and Stavanger, Norway, 2012). Australia hosted it once more in 2002 in Sydney, while USA hosted it in Minneapolis in 1990 and Canada in Fredricton, New Brunswick in 1996. Only thrice has the IC been cancelled – the first in 1933 due to the Great Depression in the USA and in 1943 and 1945 because of World War II. IC 2016 is a landmark event for the Movement in Taiwan for it has grown in strength over the years. Researched and scripted by Koshy Mathew
International Conventions held in this millennium
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August 3-6, 2000 HK International Convention Centre, Hong Kong, China SAR
August 1-4, 2002 Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
August 12-15, 2004 Galfar Convention Centre Cochin, India
August 3-6, 2006 Hotel Lotte and BEXCO Busan, Korea
July 31-Aug. 3, 2008 Herning Congress Centre Herning, Denmark
August 5-8, 2010 Pacifico Yokohama Convention Centre, Yokohama, Japan
August 2-5, 2012 Stavanger Forum Stavanger, Norway
August 7-10, 2014 Chennai Trade Centre Chennai, India
Mission with Faith
A SLICE OF HISTORY
y-General tional Secretar Reminiscences of a Past Interna Secretary-General International Ingvar Wallin * I have never met Henry D. Grimes and those before him but the History of Y’sdom publish-ed in 1972 has some useful information. Jerry Heyl was Secretary-General when I was employed as Associate Secretary-General in 1970. Jerry took over after the death of Henry Grimes in 1962 and the office was moved to Downers Grove, Illinois (IL), USA. A financial campaign started with a goal of US$ 125,000 to build a HQ building. Land was eventually bought in Oak Brook, Illinois, and the building was built and inaugurated in 1968. Jerry was overseeing the work related to fundraising and completing the building over and above his “normal” duties as Secretary-General. When Y’s Men International decided in 1972 to move its IHQ to Geneva, Switzerland, Jerry indicated that he did not feel in a position to move – being close to retirement with all his family in the USA. He suggested that Ingvar would take over as Secretary-General and Jerry himself would stay to become Secretary-General for the US Area. He ended his closing statement to the Executive Committee meeting in February 1974 (the last one before the new International Constitution) quoting a poem: It’s the set of the sail – and not the gale That puts you towards your goal You are the master of your fate You are the captain of your soul. Björn Pedersen from Norway was my “successor and predecessor” taking over after me on 1st January 1979 – and leaving me to take over after him on 1st May 1984. When I retired, Rolando Dalmas from Uruguay became the Secretary-General on 1st January 2001. Christiane and
I were very close also to Rolando and his wife Gloria. They took over renting the apartment of my daughter, Ann, and her family. Their two sons still live in (or near) Geneva and they come back every summer to visit – not the least their grandson. As we were in southern France every summer, they stayed in our apartment in Geneva. From 1925 to 1962 the headquarters of the international organisation was located in the basement of the Massachusetts home of Henry Grimes, who first served as the volunteer secretarytreasurer of the organisation and later became the organisation’s first full-time employee. Following his death, Y’s Men International moved the headquarters to rented facilities in Downer’s Grove, Illinois, near George Williams College. The need for a permanent headquarters building was ascertained by the leadership and a capital campaign was undertaken to raise funds for the building that was eventually constructed in Oak Brook, Illinois. As the organisation grew into a worldwide operation, the leadership and members made the decision to relocate the headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland at the John R. Mott building already serving as the headquarters of the World Alliance of YMCAs. The International Headquarters remains today in Geneva, Switzerland YMCA. Source: YMI Website (Archives)
In his early years as Secretary-General Rolando had a rather tough time with continuous attacks, from some parts of our movement, and I defended him as well as I could, much to the dismay of some of the leaders. The movement was in a critical situation and it was thanks to the “statesmanship” of PIP Benson Wabule that the movement came together again. Takao “Nishi” Nishi-mura took over after Rolando on 1st September 2010. We have a good working relationship and he “picks my brain” from time to time to get the historical background on issues. *Ingvar Wallin served as International Secretary-General of YMI twice in his long distinguished career. This article is reprinted fom the PIP Newsletter (March 2016).
Past International Secretaries-General of YMI Name (Nationality)
Stationed at
THE FIRST Period
Earle F. Kuhn (USA)
Columbus, Ohio
I. Wilson Haley (USA)
Waverly, Massachusetts
Oct. 16, 1923 – Oct. 17, 1925
Henry D. Grimes (USA)
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Oct. 17, 1925 – Dec. 27, 1962
Gerald L. Heyl (USA)
Oak Brook, Illinois
Sep. 15, 1963 – Aug. 31, 1973
Oak Brook, Illinois
Apr. 01, 1969 – Apr. 01, 1971
Associate: Bruce Kimmel (USA) Associate: Ingvar Wallin (Sweden)
Nov. 17, 1922 – Oct. 16, 1923
Geneva, Switzerland
Jan. 01, 1970 – Aug. 31, 1973
Ingvar Wallin (Sweden)
Geneva, Switzerland
Sep. 01, 1973 – Jan. 02, 1979
Björn Pedersen (Norway)
Geneva, Switzerland
Jan. 03, 1979 – Mar. 31, 1984
Ingvar Wallin (Sweden)
Geneva, Switzerland
Apr. 01, 1984 – Dec. 31, 2000
Rolando Dalmás (Uruguay)
Geneva, Switzerland
Jan. 01, 2001 – Aug. 31, 2010
Note: Takao Nishimura from Japan took over as ISG on Sep. 01, 2010 and is stationed in Geneva. Source: YMI Website
Mission with Faith
RESPONSIBILITY OF A LEADER IS TO DEFINE REALITY. THE LAST IS TO SAY THANK YOU. IN BETWEEN THE LEADER IS A SERVANT - Max Depree 9
AN INTER-CUL TURAL EXPERIENCE INTER-CULTURAL
Danish Y’ Y’ss Men on a Spiritual Sojourn Ib Moller Jensen Twelve Y‘s Men from District RandersDjursland of Region Denmark embarked on a spiritually-enriching journey to Hong Kong in March 2016 to visit two of their club members, Anne Sofie and Leif Holm, who are senior volunteers at Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre. Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre is run by the Norwegian organisation Areopagos. The Centre was founded in 1930 by the Norwegian missionary Karl Ludvig Reichelt (1877-1952), who was sent to Hunan Province in China in 1904. There he gradually developed the idea to share the gospel with Buddhists and, in 1930, due to the political situation that prevailed in China at that time moved his work to Shatin, Hong Kong. The buildings at the Centre were designed by Danish architect, Johannes Prip-Moller. On 13 March 1952, Reichelt died and was buried at the Tao Fong Shan cemetery. Tao Fong Shan is a Chinese word. ‘Tao’ means God, ‘Fong’ means breath and ‘Shan’ means mountain. Put together, ‘Tao Fong Shan’ literally means “the mountain where God breathes.” The main objective of the Centre is to “foster and develop contextual Christian spirituality, art and liturgy and
From left to right: Ib Moller jensen, Karen Tvedegaard, Ninna Jensen,Anni Nielsen, Flemming Nielsen, Elin Vibe, Margit Hansen, Peter Vibe, Carl J. Christiansen, Carl E. Byskov, Eva Marie Omark, Uffe Hansen
encourage interfaith and cultural exchange and dialogue.” Apart from regular year-long diploma courses in spiritual formation and direction, the Centre conducts many seminars and is endowed with a hostel, not only for backpackers but also for people who visit to attend these seminars. The 12 Y‘s Men had an unforgettable experience in this metropolis in southern China. From their base in Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre they visited mainland China for two days, went to some churches, attended a theological seminar, and talked to some of the students there before ending the evening with a cruise on the Pearl River. In Hong Kong the group took part in a Sunday service in a church on the 75th floor (the Sky City Church in Central Plaza in Wanchai), visited a Buddhist pagoda, joined a meditation
Exchanging banners – Ib Moller Jensen and Jorence Tsang 10
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session before attempting a meditation walk. Guided by two Buddhist nuns, the group learned a beautiful meditation song, which goes thus: Breathing in, breathing out I am blooming as a flower I am fresh as the dew I am solid as a mountain I am firm as the earth I am free.
Visit with Y’ Y’ss Men A visit with the Tsim Sha Tsui Y‘s Men’s Club members in Hong Kong was part of the sojourn. District Governor Jorence Tsang hosted a reception and briefed the group about Y‘s Men’s work in Hong Kong. Banners were exchanged by Ib Moller Jensen and Jorence Tsang on behalf of Y’s Men’s Clubs of Kronjyllands-Randers and of Tsim Sha Tsui, respectively. There was a healthy discussion about differences between the two cultures and other matters. The discussion on fundraising and club meetings did not sound very different in spite of their clubs belonging to Regions located far from each other. Ib Moller Jensen is DG-E of District Randers-Djursland, Denmark Region
ENVIRONMENT AL CONCERN ENVIRONMENTAL Compost Bins ffor or Better Environment – An Upda te Update The Moratuwa YMCA in Sri Lanka has been implementing an environmental improvement project with financial assistance from the Green Team of YMI. Under the current programme, the community is being educated on handling and disposal of solid waste including composting of organic waste. The YMCA is working closely with the Moratuwa Municipal Council to ensure that the non-degradable waste is collected regularly thus benefitting the total environment. The project directly benefits 450 people, they being the recipients of 90 compost bins and with the expected overall environmental improvement the entire neighbourhood will benefit. The community was educated on separating organic waste and nondegradable waste, on the correct use
of compost bins and also they were also given some education on home garden practice. The beneficiary houses are grouped into small clusters and a trained, volunteer coordinator from the community assists them to use and maintain the bins. YMCA staff and volunteers carry out periodical inspections. Community and Y volunteers with the compost bins in a Furthermore, under This project was funded by a this project, school children are being educated on solid waste management ‘carbon offset’ grant from Y’s Men and composting in order to promote International. For more details about environmental awareness within the grants available, refer under ‘environment’ at www.ysmen.org or communities. A special committee of the contact the Green Team via email Moratuwa YMCA is monitoring the ColinLambie@ysmen.org.au Colin Lambie programme.
Pope Francis on Climate Change It was on 18 June 2015 that Pope Francis released his encyclical, “Laudato Si,” or “Praised Be,” calling for an “ecological conversion.” The 192-page encyclical argues for a new partnership between science and religion to combat humandriven climate change – a position bringing him immediately into conflict with skeptics, whom he chides for their “denial.” On the occasion of its first anniversay, we recap some key “take-aways” of that encyclical for us to reflect on: Climate change is real, and it’s getting worse. Pope Francis does not mince words when he says: “Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day,” he says. “If present trends continue, this century may well witness extraordinary climate change and an unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequences for all of us.” This has brought him into direct conflict with climate change deniers worldwide. Human beings are a major contributor to climate change. While many agree that climate change is real, some believe that human beings don’t contribute to it. The
science suggests otherwise, and Pope Francis – a trained chemist – says human beings do have an effect on the Earth: “We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will.” He has taken the rich nations to task for their greed and says, “The warming caused by huge consumption on the part of some rich countries has repercussions on the poorest areas of the world, especially Africa, where a rise in temperature, together with drought, has proved devastating for farming.” Climate change disproportionately affects the poor. Climate change’s worst impact, Pope Francis says, “will probably be felt by developing countries in coming decades. Many of the poor live in areas particularly affected by phenomena related to warming, and their means of subsistence are largely dependent on natural reserves and ecosystemic services such as agriculture, fishing and forestry.” Mission with Faith
We can and must make things better. Some of those who study climate change believe this process to be irreversible, too far gone. But the Pope says he doesn’t believe we should be robbed of hope. “Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.” There is hope, he affirms. Individuals can help, but politicians must lead the charge. Francis argues that personal responsibility is an important step toward reversing climate change, but that political and structural transformations are needed for lasting change. “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” he writes. “Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations,” he adds. The full text pf the encyclical can be downloaded from http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/ encyclical. Also listen to a TED talk by Al Gore on “The case for optimism on climate change” (filmed February 2016) on https://www.ted.com
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FROM FFAR AR AND NEAR YMCA-Y’ YMCA-Y’ss Men Partnership Gets a Boost The historical partnership between YMCA and Y’s Men International received a boost when the Presidents of the four Areas of Y’s Men International in the Asia-Pacific region, namely Asia Area, India Area, Korea Area and South Pacific Area had a joint meeting with the leaders of the APAY (Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs) during its annual Executive Committee Meeting from 8 to 11 March, 2016 in Hong Kong. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen partnership between Y’s Men and YMCA at different levels of the region, particularly in the area of youth empowerment.
The Executive Committee also found a lot of commonalities and intersection with work and programmes shared by the World Alliance of YMCAs. Thus, a
strengthened partnership and cooperation with the World Alliance of YMCAs will be continued this quadrennial. Source: APAY ECM Communique, March 2016
Official group photo of the joint meeting of Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and YMI in Hong Kong, 2016
Camping Down Under The Southern District is one of three Districts in the Australia Region where most of the clubs are located in Victoria (state in southeast corner of Australia). But one club, Central Coast, is 900 kilometres away from the main cluster. This club organised the District Camp in late May at Numurkah, a small town in the northern part of the state of Victoria amid beautifully irrigated farmland and small meandering waterways. A variety of activities were offered for the 42 people who attended – golf, bowls, winery visits and local window
shopping. A river cruise attracted a group of members who travelled about 30 minutes north to the Barmah Forest – a magnificent red-gum forest on the Murray River. The sports were keenly contested with Nick Farrell, Lyn Wilson and Ted Bullow winning the golf and Ian Bennetts, John Gifford and Jennifer Jones winning the bowls. PIP Dale Fotheringham led the group in devotions on Sunday morning, focussing on some of the key elements of our Constitution. He encouraged us to continue to “build a better world for all mankind,” knowing that we
Eaglehawk Y’s Club with the Trophy for Best Club in the District 12
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are all equipped for a purpose – bearing fruit that will last! During the District Meeting, clubs explained highlights from reports. The youngest club, Bendigo South, celebrates their 10th birthday this year and although comprising mostly older retirees, continues to draw new recruits into their ranks. Eaglehawk was awarded the Best Club in the District and proudly stood together with the trophy as photos were taken. ASD LTOD Wayne Cameron spoke about the new Regional Website and the good activity on that site. RD Christine Van Der Zee, APE Russell Jones and AP Jennifer Jones spoke about such matters as the amalgamation, new Area Constitutional Guidelines, upcoming Regional Conference, celebration dinner, club insurance, MYM Meeting and APAY Meeting. A lovely BBQ lunch was served to complete the morning activities before members left to return home. Other members stayed a day or two longer, having time to relax on the banks of Broken Creek with each other and the resident bird life. A beautiful place to be together – so much so that the organising clubs have arranged the same venues for the following year. Jennifer Jones, AP South-Pacific
Running for a Cause The “Champion in Me” run is a fundraising event exclusively for children living with HIV/AIDS in Karnataka (state in south western region of India), especially those housed in the Sneha Care Home, a residential care facility in Bangalore. It also aims to make the society collectively think about the future of such children. The run, which was started four years ago, has grown into a mass-based event because of the passion for running and commitment towards
FROM FFAR AR AND NEAR
Participants warming up before the run
social causes. As in the past, the 2015 run in November was led by the Y’s Men’s Clubs of Barons, New City and Carmelaram, and supported by Bangalore District II. It was a morning to cheer and liven up the spirit of kids living with HIV/ AIDS. The run saw people of all ages – young, old, parents and children –
joining in to make this a memorable one. It was a wonderful misty morning filled with run, fun, live music and Zumba, with close to 1,000 participants joining hands to support the noble cause of HIV/AIDS-affected children at Sneha Care Home. Vimal Jayan YMC-Bangalore New City
‘Genbrug’ Shop Celebra tes 35 Years and Expands Celebrates sation that helps socially vulnerable people – and has also supported the ecclesial child and youth work in Brædstrup and around the world. The club has recently renovated the shop to give it more space for a large number of secondhand goods and will take The idea sells well – the Genbrug run by Trehøje the name ‘Bræ-dstrup Y’s Men’s Club in Vildbjerg, Denmark Genbrug’. It has more than double the space it had earlier, more goods. Brædstrup Genbrug will be open which means even second-hand furniture can every day and will be managed by about be stocked and sold. In 40 volunteers, including members of the last few years, the the club. The decor of a new shop was inshop has generated a deed big job, which was executed by profit of approximately 14,000 euro a year. volunteers. The work has gone well and Henning Jensen, chair- has created a sense of community man in charge of the se- among members of the club, who were lection of second-hand busy during the whole of January getgoods for sales, expects ting the shop ready for its opening in profits to be higher with February. Evan Johansen Volunteers working to refurbish the BrædstrupGenbrug additional space and
The concept of ‘genbrug’ (‘recycling’ or ‘second-hand’) has been in existence for quite some time in Europe, particularly in Nordiic countries. Since September 1981, Brædstrup Y’s Men’s Club has been running a second-hand shop on the main street in Brædstrup, a town in central Denmark. Over the years it sold lots of second-hand clothes, books and other items, which generated profits for the community service projects of the Club. It has given more than 150,000 euro to KirkensKorshær – an organi-
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FROM FFAR AR AND NEAR Danish Menettes Ga ther to Ref lect and Decide on Action Gather Reflect About 70 Y’s Menettes from Denmark Region of Europe Area held their Regional Conference on 28 May 2016, hosted by the Sunds Y’s Menettes Club. The Region consists of eight active clubs with about 200 members in total. Europe Area has only Denmark as a Menettes Region as there are no Y’s Menettes clubs elsewhere in Europe. It is estimated that there are between 8,000 and 10,000 Y’s Menettes around the world. In addition to Denmark, there are clubs in the United States, Canada, Australia, India and Korea. The oldest Y’s Menettes Club in Denmark is Aalborghus Y’s Menettes Club, chartered in 1955 and the club’s oldest member, now about 90 years, is still active. The Regional Director, Gerda Braad, in her report rejoiced at the high level of activity in all the clubs in the Region. The Menettes have collected 105,000 kroner to support various projects outside Denmark, the major ones being “Help for women and
Regional Conference in session
children in Syria and northern Iraq” and “Widows and poor women in rural India” in addition to 375,000 kroner available as aid to be used by the eight clubs in local areas. As next year’s Regional project, the Menettes have opted to support YWCA’s Social Work, especially with trafficked women. YWCA’s social work was the theme for a subsequent session on the theme “Where there is hope, there is life” by Birgitte Hjort Graakjær. She was Chair
Inter -School Kids Fest Inter-School An Inter-School Kids Fest was organised by Cosmopolitan Ys Men’s Club along with District IV of MidWest India Region over four days in November 2015. This image-building project attracted more than 5,000 students from 300 different schools in
the area. Competitions were conducted for 25 different items at different venues in the city. Competitions were held in various events such as recitation, general knowledge, story-writing, hand-writing, essay writing, memory, spelling bee, patriotic song (group), elocution, news reading, light music, colouring, story-telling and so on. The events were designed to bring out the talent of boys and girls in lower primary, upper primary and high school and were held in
Colouring competition for primary school children 14
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of YWCA Social Work in Denmark for 15 years. The organisation operates, among others, safe houses (‘nests’) for distressed women. It was a poignant and topical talk challenging the senses of all those present. The Regional Conference ended with a service in Gjellerup Church, with Birgitte Hjort Graakjær as pastor, and the day was rounded off with a banquet, where a handful of Y’s Men performed the task as waiters. Text and photo by K.E. Hansen
different venues of the city in both the local language (Malayalam) and English. Children’s Day, celebrated nationwide on 14 November each year to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was dedicated to children enrolled in the kindergarten section of the schools in the city. The competitions on the last day were held at the Town Hall and its premises, and about 1,000 children aged one to 12 years took part in competitions such as baby smiles, action songs, etc. Thousands of parents and other spectators took back a slice of Y’sdom in their hearts or as prizes for their little ones as the fest drew to a close on 15 November with a grand prizedistribution ceremony. Pavithran B. Assistant Editor for Area India
MANTRA FOR
THE S OUL SOUL
Max Ediger*
The Earth is the Lord’ Lord’ss “We sometimes need to cut a forest tree down for wood to build our house or for firewood, but before we cut it we speak to the tree. We tell the tree why we need it and we thank the tree for providing us with this wood which will help us survive. Then we ask the tree and all the nature around it for forgiveness because we know that our duty is to protect and care for the forest, not exploit it. All life is precious and we know that not only does the tree have life, but there are many animals and insects that survive because of the tree. We have deep respect for this environment that God has given us as a responsibility.” These words, from an indigenous woman, were shared recently at a conference here in Cambodia on “Our Faith Listens to the Earth.” Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Muslims and Indigenous people gathered for the two-day conference to reflect on what we, as people of faith, should be doing and saying about the destruction of the forests in Cambodia for the economic benefits of a few. The most passionate voice came from the Indigenous participants and their stories echoed what I have heard from other Indigenous people around Asia. Last year, in the School of Peace, two Indigenous women from North America (they call it Turtle Island) shared the same sentiments when talking about the tradition of Indigenous people to “walk softly on Mother Earth and do not pollute Father Sky.” Buddhist monks attending the conference shared how they sometimes ordain trees as monks to prevent “developers” from chopping them down to make way for another golf course or a banana plantation. A Muslim participant quoted words from the Koran teaching us that all the environment is sacred and must be treated with dignity. Planting trees, he said, is an act of charity and we are called upon by Allah to allow all people and animals to eat freely of the fruit of the tree because it is a gift to all the world. A Catholic nun spoke of the creation story, emphasizing that God was the Creator, and thus the owner, of all the universe and it is our responsibility to make sure this universe is clean and protected. As I listened to all of these voices the words of Psalms 24:1 kept going through my thoughts: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too.” That is a beautiful verse and I remember learning it as a small child in Sunday School. But I don’t think I really thought deeply about its meaning until this short conference.
We seem to have become a very possessive people. “This is my land.” “These are my trees.” “These are my natural resources.” And so we feel it is our right to cut, chop, dig, blow up, hew down and sell off anything that is on “our land.” But Psalms 24: 1 would challenge us on that. All of this actually belongs to the Lord and we have no right to exploit it just for our sole economic benefit. The trees are needed, not just for building our houses, but for the birds, the insects and the various animals. They were all created by God and we are responsible to care gently for them. The voices of the Indigenous Peoples reflect deeply an understanding that we are not the owners of God’s creation, but rather its protectors. When they speak to the tree before cutting it down, they are not worshiping the tree, rather they are worshiping the Creator, thanking the Creator for giving us all that we need and seeking forgiveness for when we show disrespect for all the bounty provided for us. We must learn from the Indigenous voices. They can, and must, teach us how to recognize that “The earth is the Lord’s.” *Max Ediger directs the School of Peace from Cambodia. Reprinted with permission of PeaceSigns, the online publication of the Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA, www.mennolink.org/peace
On this World Environment Day, I urge people and governments everywhere to overcome indifference, combat greed and act to preserve our natural heritage
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for the benefit of this and future generations. – UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon in his 2016 Environment Day message 15
Mission with Faith