An update

We are in spring that for some still feels like winter and for others, it feels like summer is already here! I have heard from so many of the clubs about the good work that they have been doing in their communities.

In Central West, Winnipeg has had a cracker of a Christmas tree sale last December and sold out their lot of … trees. They got a lot of youth involved in this project

In the Caribbean, Mandeville and May Pen clubs have been working on three projects. They had an extremely successful 100 backyard garden in 100 days that worked with women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and provided them with vegetable seedlings, and classes on farming, nutrition and finances. This project looked at Food Security and aimed at providing communities with the wherewithal to feed themselves and their families in a sustainable way.

They also visited the Mandeville Regional Hospital and visited with persons who had been abandoned to the state, providing them with care packages, love and prayers.

And finally, they’ve been having fun! They’ve been hiking in the Blue and John Crow mountains and writing grants for further funding for their campsite. This is an ongoing project and hopes to be self sustaining as the Y’s Leaders provide a holistic campsite powered by renewable energy. The site will be a hub for training in agriculture, nature conservation techniques, personal development and mental health activities.

Time Of Fast

February was the focus month for TOF. Traditionally, clubs give up a meal and contribute the funds for this international project. How did your club raise funds this year? Was it fun, new, innovative? Were you able to get all of your club members to really buy into this concept and make a heartfelt pledge? 

The money that we donate is put in a pool from which all paid-up clubs can apply for funding for their projects. Ottawa Club has successfully won a few TOF grants. Maybe you could ask them to share their experience and success stories with you.

Alexander Scholarship Fund

Originally known as the Bishop’s Fund, ASF provides money for scholarships to YMCA staff. Application forms have been shared with your Regional Service Directors. Do you know of any YMCA personnel who could benefit? If so, why not reach out to them. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024 

Regional Directors Elect Training

This year, International Headquarters arranged a one week training in Billund, Denmark. RDs Joan and Ivan attended along with RDEs from Korea, Asia-Pacific, USA, Africa, Europe, India +2 . The training was well organized and the RDs learnt a lot, were able to network and celebrated our movement in a mood that exemplified our motto, “To Acknowledge the Duty that Accompanies Every Right.”  

 An International Council Meeting was also held to discuss changes to the constitution of YMI. I will do a separate letter to speak to the constitutional changes that were ratified at the meeting. 

Week for Waste

Earth Day is coming up! Are there any clubs that will be able to participate in our International President, Ulrik's focus on cleaning up the environment? Your Club President should have received a flyer on Week4Waste. Ask about it. I know that many clubs had said they would do this project later in the year when the temperature is a bit warmer. Please remember to send me pictures of your activities.

As an area, I have asked that we focus on three Social Development Goals of the United Nations. They are 1. Food Security, health education …..