CE in our movement today Paul William Alexander

CE – in our movement today • • Paul William Alexander Toledo – Tolymca – Y’s Men International Serviceclub for men of and for the Y International Constitution Guideline 201 Background in CE Manual Responsibilities Clublife and traditions in Y’s Men

Paul William Alexander Judge in Toledo, USA 1888 -1967 Founder of Y’s Men YMCA Young people – service Tolymca 1920 Y’s Men International 1922 (13 clubs/66 Y’s Men for YMCA Convention in New Jersey, November 1922!)

London – YMCA 175 • YMI presented ”Global Vision – Local Action” Frequently Asked Questions About Y’s Men International (very good alround information/PR about YMI, regarding programs, projects, clublife, organization aso – and thanks for that!) – The method is Q&A = Question – Answer! • But not one word about our traditional heritage as a movement ”based on the teachings of Jesus Christ”!! - I am very much dissapointed! It is not OK! – I ask: Why so?

INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUTION • ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES • Section 1 The International Association of Y's Men's Clubs is a worldwide fellowship of persons of all faiths working together in mutual respect and affection, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and with a common loyalty to the Young Men's Christian Association, striving through active service to develop, encourage and provide leadership to build a better world for all mankind.

Christian background – open • Persons of all faith – non-confessional • Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ – dedication and devotion to Christianity - for Christians and not-Christians as well! • Loyalty to YMCA – separated & connected • Active service – charity & emphaty • Leadership – training & education

International Constitution • GUIDELINE 201 "Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ" means that club members acknowledge what Jesus Christ has taught and that the acceptance of those teachings leads club members to be prepared to put His words into action. They become guidelines for club members' decision-making, for their mode of operation as clubs and as an international association and for the way of life of club members as individuals. (Until July 2019 used as Background for CE Manual)

Guideline for CE • • • Teachings of Jesus Christ – word & action Acknowledge & accept His words into action Decision-making Mode of operation Way of life

CE – Manual July 2019 • • Background The concept of Christian Emphasis is as old as our organization itself. It is inherent in our YMCA heritage, integral to our founder’s legacy and embedded within our Mission and our Constitution. To define the purpose of Christian Emphasis, it is essential to clarify that when we use the word “Christian” we are referring broadly to the values expressed in the teachings of Jesus Christ, such as love your neighbour as yourself. Guideline 201 of our International Constitution specifies that club members be prepared to put His words into action, using them to guide our decision making, our methods of operation and in accordance, generally adopting a righteous way of life. The objective of Christian Emphasis is to ensure that the voice and activity of our organization reflect these core values unfailingly and that our mission is expressed in a code of ethics applicable to all levels of our Movement in which service to the less fortunate is paramount. Christian Emphasis is about actively sharing our philosophy and vision; and promoting YMI as a worldwide fellowship of persons working together in mutual respect and affection for the common purpose of making the world a better place, open to any like-minded individual, regardless of race, creed, colour, national origin, religious affiliation, etc.

CE Background • Not better – but easier to understand! • Many more words, saying the same. • The teachings of Jesus Christ is being defined, but as I see it, not wide and inclusively; only as ethical teachings, and thereby missing the evangelical teachings! • Service to YMCA is not mentioned. I think it should be!

• • CE – Manual July 2019 RESPONSIBILITIES ISD ASD RSD 1. Ensure that the materials, statements, activities at your level of leadership honour mission, respect our ethics as an organization and exemplify the teachings of Jesus Christ. Suggested Approach: Suggest additional text that might tactfully reaffirm our values without relying on overt religious references; evaluate text where Christian references are made to determine their appropriateness to the readership and suggest a secular alternative where indicated to be sure that we indeed present ourselves as an organization welcoming to all. 2. Plan dialogues and workshops on working together productively in a modern, multifaith setting; stressing the core philosophies that unite us in common purpose. Suggested Approach: Provide examples of teachings from various religious books to demonstrate the similarities in key messages; share moral dilemma exercises to show the commonality in how we, as compassionate humans, address these challenges, irrespective of religious affiliation. 3. Prepare motivational statements to inspire members to a way of life that is virtuous and devoted to building a better world for all humankind as per our Mission Statement. Suggested Approach: Release these messages around major events, particularly those in which deliberation and decision-making will occur, such as Council Meetings, as well as in annual tribute to our Founder in December.

CE Responsibilities • 1) I don’t think we shall put our Christian heritage away in the words and frases we use, if that is the significant way to put it, but if we can use common words and thought, that will be quite right! But: How can we be responsible as Y’s Men? How can we be inclusive and welcoming? • 2) I have been asking for this for years. An open dialogue is evident and most needed! But we also have to use familiar terms and words. We don’t have to study other religions, if they are not present in our area! And: What can we do to improve dialogue in our area? What can be done in our training and leadership? • 3) Of course, that is what we have to do, and have done before. It is a matter of sharing the message and good examples from Y’s Men service in action! But: How can we use our occasions, events, actions, conferences, conventions and publications to be open to society and people in general? How do we remember CE in Y’s Men life and service?

CE in clublife • • • Meetingform- TM-plan Biblereading Praying Singing Devotion Church-day Participating in Church services Serving the less fortunate Community Service – CS Membership Conservation – MC

CE in our movement • • • Our badge Our logo The triangle The star The triangle in the world The Y