Y Service Clubs International US Area
Who We Are
Our mission
YMI is an inclusive international association of affiliated clubs making positive and enduring difference in the world through fellowship, community projects in the areas of Health, Environment and Education and partnering the YMCA mission worldwide.
Our founder
Judge Paul William Alexander was a member of the first club and is known as the author of the Constitution. He presented the idea of other YMCA Clubs. Known as the founder of clubs beyond the Toledo YMCA. He was elected as the first International President while assisting with encouraging growth of new clubs. Today, the Judge would be pleased to see that the idea of Y’s Men is open for ALL and provides service in so many clubs and countries.
Our history
Utilizing the Boosters (persons donating $100 to YMCA), a small club of 17 men agreed to start a club in 1920 like the Rotary for the support of the YMCA. In 1922, this club grew in size and support. The idea of clubs for other YMCAs was presented in 1922. They were “men of and for the Y” and the name for the idea was called “Y’s Men’s Club”.
our motto
To acknowledge the duty that accompanies every right.
our vision
To be a recognized, globally oriented, voluntary service organization with a strong and committed membership that strives to enhance human values, with special focus on youth development, while upholding our motto “To Acknowledge the Duty that Accompanies every Right” and working in active service and close partnership with the YMCA, the United Nations and other worthy organizations to build a better world in which to live.
Our Objectives
STRATEGY 2032 provides a 10-year blueprint to build YMI into an organisation eminent in fellowship and community impact, collectively inspired and working collaboratively to help build an equitable and sustainable world. It affirms our desire to thrive collectively and to make an enduring and positive difference in the world as we enter our second century of existence. Tell me more!
YMCA PARTNERSHIP
Y’s Men International was established to serve the YMCA as the initial idea came from a staff member, T.C. Evans. As it has grown, it continues to serve the YMCA and the Community.
International Award
Y’s Men International Centennial Award is presented to YMCA of the USA at the YMI Centennial celebration at YMCA World Council , Aarhus. International President Dr K C Samuel presented the award to Cici Rojas , National board chair of the Y USA . (Link to Facebook)
YMCA World vision 2030
Vision 2030 World Council opening ceremony video
Our Vision 2030 Strategy was adopted at the 20th World Council, in Aarhus, Denmark July 2022.
World Council 2022 - Highlights
Y’s Men International under the leadership of ISG Jose Varghese, the Executive Officers and Staff played an integral part of the 20th YMCA World Council held in Aarhus, Denmark July 3-9, 2022
Y’s ALLIANCE
Y SEVICE CLUBS INTERNATIONAL – US AREA
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER LINKS
Y's Alliance Newsletter January 28, 2023
Our Featured Programs
100 Years of Service
In 2022, we celebrate the establishment of the International Association of Y’s Men (from one club to multiple clubs). With the help from Judge Paul William Alexander, additional clubs were founded to support the local YMCAs.
Alexander Scholarship Fund (ASF) and Dollars For Scholars Fund (DFS)
Building Fellowship (formerly Brotherhood Fund)
The Building Fellowship program began in 1931 when it was known as the “Bishop’s Fund.” From 1968 until 2022, it was known as the “Brotherhood Fund”. Its initial purpose was to promote our movement outside North America and to enable Y’s Men from other areas to attend International Conventions (always held in North America in those days).
Later it expanded to help finance inter-continental, inter-Regional and inter-Club visitations and to assist with the overseas travel expenses of International Officers and official representatives. Most income originally came from the sale of used postage stamps but was later augmented by cash contributions from local clubs.
Today
As the name suggests, its purpose is to build fellowship among club members and inspire leadership in the YMI movement.
Challenge 2022
Challenge 22 is the operational plan to strengthen our movement, which includes strategic steps for expansion to 50,000 club members in 3,000 clubs and 100 countries by 2022. Challenge 22 commits every club member to working collectively for the common good and future of our great international movement. If we are to reach the outlined goals everyone must be enthused and engaged. This is where we need your assistance.
Christian Emphasis
The concept of CE is as old as our organization. It is inherent in our YMCA heritage, integral to our founder’s legacy and embedded within our Mission and Constitution. We are a worldwide fellowship of persons working together in mutual respect and affection for the common purpose of making the world a better place.
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 neighbor as yourself. The objective of CE is to ensure that the voice and activity of our organization reflect these core values and that our mission is expressed in a code of ethics.
Community Service
YMI clubs are often defined by the motto “Service in Action” with all inductees pledging to actively contribute to meeting our six objectives, beginning with service to the YMCA and support to other worthy organizations.
Extension (EXT)
The primary objective of Extension is to charter new clubs and increasing membership in our existing clubs.
Disaster Relief Fund
When disasters strike Y Service Clubs U.S. Area is there to assist. Disasters impact our members, families, communities, and local YMCAs and we are here to help. When you make a tax-deductible donation, we are able to provide financial assistance to help recover and rebuild after a disaster.
Endowment Fund Promotion (EFP)
To provide financial aid and stability for YMI’s present and future purposes, objectives, programs, and expansion.
Environment Project Fund
The Environment Committee make up the “Green Team” – a group of Y’s Members dedicated to reducing the impact of Y’s Men International’s activities on the environment.
IGO
Welcome to iGo, a novel collaborative program of Y’s Men International and the YMCA providing short term internships to young adults aged 18 – 30 from within both organizations.
International Brother Clubs (IBC)
IBC program promotes partnership between two or more YMI Clubs in different countries which join forces in international fellowship and cooperation. Regular contact is maintained through email, social networking, letters, club bulletins, videos, online meetings, and visits.
Paul William Alexander Legacy Project
The Paul William Alexander Legacy Project is a collective effort to honor the founder of Y’s Men International in the lead up to the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2022. In addition to commemorating our origin, the collection of projects aims to consolidate a unified future, strengthening international solidarity and club members’ commitment to the vision of Paul William Alexander.
Time of Fast Fund
Time of Fast is now a popular programme where Y’s Men members all over the world, traditionally give up at least one meal (usually during the month of February) and donate the cost of that meal to the TOF fund which in turn makes the money raised in this way available to projects sponsored by both Y’s Men and the YMCAs all over the world.
Roll Back Malaria (RBM)
The RBM Partnership to end Malaria is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. Our partnership with the World YMCA is focused on social mobilization and communication aimed at changing behavior and assistance to households in endemic countries.
What we do
Our US Area Leaders
Shaju Sam
Area President
Y Service Club of Long Island – New York
Served as the Charter President
Served as the Regional Director for North Atlantic Region
Doug Jones
Area President Elect (AP in 23/25)
Information needed
Bio Link!
Nancy Libby
US Area Corporate Secretary
Bobby Stivers-Apiki
Past Area President
Immediate Past Area President 2019-2021
Hilo Y’s Men and Women’s Club/Kaimuki Y Service Club Hawaii Region
Served as Regional Director for Hawaii Region 2014—2016
David Workman
Chief Financial Officer
Current Regional Treasurer for the North Atlantic Region
What we do
Our US Region Leaders
Gerald Nehra
MidAmerica Region
The Mid America Region covers eleven states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Dan Eberly
Pacific Southwest Region
Bruce Stock
Pacific Northwest Region
Dr. Alex Mathew
North Atlantic Region
The North Atlantic Region consists of the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont. There are currently 8 clubs in this Region.
Joe Dotson
North Central Region
Joe Dotson Bio link
The North Central Region covers the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. There are five clubs with a total membership of 100.
Joe-Ann McCarthy
Hawaii Region
Kim Deal
South Atlantic Region
Conventions
YMI International Conventions are held biennially (even year) with Area Conventions held intervening year (odd year.) Conventions welcome members, their families, and guests to well planned, inspirational, fellowship and educational programs filled with entertainment, recreation, children and youth activities, tours all at affordable accommodations in cities and countries hosted by YMI members. Regions bid to host YMI and Area Conventions.
2023 Area Convention will be held in New York.
2024 YMI Convention will be in Bangalore, India
Upcoming Events
July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
New Y’s Men’s Year
June 20-24, 2023
U.S./Canada/Caribbean Joint Area Convention – New York
Get involved
There are several ways to get involved with YMI – join a club, start a club and volunteer in community service projects. Pick the path that most interests you and connect with YMI.
Become a member
We’re Y’s Men International, an active group of men and women dedicated to serving the community. And we have fun doing it!
Our Service Clubs can promise you and your family the personal pleasure of fellowship and shared values and ideals plus the satisfaction of making your community a better place to live in. The Y’s Men’s Club or Y Service Club in your area is part of a worldwide organization that works with YMCAs for community betterment in over 70 countries and territories on all continents, offering international opportunities for contacts and projects. We’re a mixed group that thrives on the variety of qualities that each of us contributes to the whole. We are male and female, of all ages, races, religions, and socio-economic levels. But in common we enjoy our shared service and accomplishments.
We place special emphasis on families as we know that the family unit provides solid foundations for healthy environments and for the better world that together, we aim to build.
Start a club
Constant membership growth is the lifeblood of the organization. It makes YMI better — better in service, better in fellowship and better in knowledge.
A dynamic expansion of membership broadens the base of the Movement across the world. And when performance improves, the organization’s stature in the world improves with it. The experience of new clubs added to the pool of knowledge already accumulated makes us increasingly capable of meeting the community’s needs — and of making membership even more stimulating and interesting. New clubs bring fresh ideas and potential future leadership.
VOLUNTEER
Giving back to and strengthening its community is the principal purpose of a Y’s Men International club. Through regular, conscientious volunteerism and targeted fundraising we are committed to making a positive and sustainable difference – not just at the local level but around the world. Become a part of something bigger than yourself. Volunteer with the YMI and help your community in direct and meaningful ways.
Donate and support YMI
When you give to Y’s Men International – YMI, you support critical programs and services that makes a positive difference in our global community and right here in the U.S. A.
Support Your
Local Y
As YMI support the Y, we together strengthen communities locally, and we grow stronger globally.