CHANGE AGENTS TRAINING THE YMCA AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE TODAY

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E-LEARNING

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THE YMCA TODAY

YMCA PRESENCE IN THE WORLD 119 COUNTRIES

58 MILLION PEOPLE REACHED

To better understand the YMCA numbers, read the “YMCA Blue Book”

We, the World YMCA, are a federation of 119 independent national YMCA organisations and a vast network of related agencies and groups working towards a common goal: Empowering Young People.   Our motivation to face and tackle injustice originates from our Christian and ecumenical identity.   The 11,200 YMCA branches all over the world are working with a diverse range of programmes and activities including our 4 global strategic areas - employment, health, civic engagement and environment- all of them, focusing on young people.   The work of our almost 100,000 staff alongside millions of volunteers is reaching 58 million people in all continents of the world.  

We are the YMCA

  The World YMCA is a federation structure registered as an association in Geneva, Switzerland. National YMCA organisations are members of the World YMCA and subscribe to its constitution. The World YMCA Secretariat provides leadership and coordination to the federation based on a strategic plan approved during its highest governance activity, the World Council of YMCAs.

The WORLD YMCA (World Alliance of YMCAs)

HOW IS THE WORLD YMCA GOVERNED?

HOW IS THE WORLD YMCA GOVERNED? 1.  WORLD COUNCIL

Every 4 years the World YMCA movement comes together to be inspired, work together and plan for the next period. The World Council is where this all happens. It may be helpful to remember that the World Council is like a General Assembly in your local YMCA, except that it addresses the global level.

HOW IS THE WORLD YMCA GOVERNED? 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EXCO)

The Executive Committee has the responsibility of carrying out the general policy and specific instructions of the World Council. They work on all matters committed to their charge and act with all power of the World Council for the 4-year period until the next World Council session. They are elected during the World Council.

EXCO – ELECTION QUOTAS

  The YMCA movement also has regional independent organisations, which are federations on their own. A ‘Governance Policy Agreement’ approved in 2002 regulates the relationships and responsibilities of those bodies. AFRICA ALLIANCE OF YMCAS (AAYMCA)– Nairobi, Kenya LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN ALLIANACE OF YMCAS (LACA) – Cancun, México ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ALLIANCE OF YMCAS (APAY) - Hong Kong, S.AR. China YMCA EUROPE (YE) – Prague, Czech Republic There is also a “Middle East Committee”, YMCA Canada and YMCA USA which are considered “areas” by the World YMCA for governance purposes.

YMCA Area Organisations

  WAIT A MINUTE!

HOW DO NATIONAL YMCAs RELATE TO THE WORLD YMCA AND THE AREA ORGANISATIONS?

A national YMCA can be a member of both the World YMCA and an Area Alliance! The ‘Governance Policy Agreement’ tells us how this relationship works and the levels of responsibility of the World YMCA and Area Alliances in relation to your National YMCA.

IT’S SIMPLE. DOUBLE MEMBERSHIP!

 

WHAT ABOUT THE “Vast network of related agencies and groups working towards a common goal: Empowering Young People.”? The YMCA is a movement of freedom, therefore YMCA leaders have created networks, agencies and other forms of organisation to help us all deliver our mission. Examples include: The YMCA World Urban Network www.ymcawun.org YCare International www.ycareinternational.org Y’s Men International www.ysmen.org

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YMCA  Mission  Network  YES  Group  (Europe)  Social  Prac;ces  Network  (LACA)  NAYDO  (North  America)  Global  Alterna;ve  Tourism  Network  (APAY)  Interna;onal  Secretaries  Etc…    

HOW DO WE KEEP ALL THOSE STRUCTURES

AND ALL THESE PEOPLE COORDINATED?

ITS NOT EASY!!! BUT THE WORLD YMCA IS WORKING TOWARDS IT BY:

a) SEEKING UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT ARE OUR

COMMON CHALLENGES;

b) BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING COMMON FOCUS AND SHARED MESSAGING;

c) IMPLEMENTING A COMMON GLOBAL STRATEGY APPROVED BY THE WORLD COUNCIL.

Challenge Yourself! In how many countries is the YMCA today? Can a national YMCA be members of both the World YMCA and an Area Organisation? What is the World Council? What is the function of the World YMCA Executive Committee? What document regulates the relationships between national YMCAs, World YMCA and Area Organisations?

Think about… After this presentation are you able to explain who we are globally and how we govern ourselves?

What are the things you do not understand about our global governance?

Are you aware of how your national/local YMCA is governed?

www.ymca.int