YMCA SALEM

News Letter

Our President Writes..   Revolutionary or “Rebelutionary” ?   It seems as though in today’s world these words have become synonymous. We are no longer able to see the difference. How would we describe Jesus? How did he propose to establish the Reign of God? It is important for us to ask these questions because we believe that our expressly stated mission is to extend that reign. How we decide to accomplish that will depend on how we understand the methods that Jesus adopted in the fulfillment of His mission.   There is absolutely no doubt that certain areas of our lives, and the communities we live in, need drastic change, especially those that hold us back from progress. Sometimes they are traditional practices and beliefs that hinder community. Many times it seems like it is just our very way of life that is dehumanizing, and that must be changed.   There is such an outcry for change all over the world. The present young generation is restless until they see their expectation met. That is fine. But the manner in which that change is achieved makes a world of a difference. “Then how do we change the world?” you ask. “How do we break with dead tradition and bring about transformation? How do we correct the wrongs and injustices around us? How do we act on the convictions that drive us day and night?”   Even as I write this, the news headlines are screaming about the turbulence in Lebanon and the strife in Sri Lanka. East Timor, Thailand and Nepal are settling down after their share of turmoil. It is not just Asia that is going through all these troubles. This is worldwide. Sometimes it makes us wonder if there really is a future in the midst of all this. If there is what is going to look like. How do we find it? The greater question for us is “how do we create the future that we want – that God wants”? A future where peace and justice will prevail and is the normal way of life? A future where peace and justice will prevail and is the normal way of life? A future where we do not have to fight for these… a future where all these can be accomplished without conflict.   Am I being too idealistic? Do I sound too other-worldly?  No, I don’t think so. It is possible, we can make it happen. We are called to make it happen. That is the positive revolution that Christ initiated and has commissioned us to continue. That is exactly what we mean when we talk about the “reign of God” and our part in extending it on this earth.   The future no doubt is in the hands of today’s young people. But often we hear them give excuses of every kind. When God called prophet Jeremiah, he replied, “Ah Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (Jer 1:6), But God corrected him, “Do not say, I am a youth,” God gave several reasons why Jeremiah should not hesitate to accept His commission. We have thousands of young men and women today who are excusing themselves under one pretext or the other. To the young people of the YMCA today I too want to echo those same words. There is no excuse!   Yes, there will be criticism. Motives will be questioned. You may not find success in every effort. We will have to walk those steep steps to climb higher but we must persevere. We  cannot afford to give up.   We have with us the assurance of God’s constant enabling and empowering presence. His promise is both to guide us and to go with us. Because of that, I do believe we can make a difference in this world.   It is said that there are three types of people who respond to the call service:     Rowboat people – they have to be pushed wherever they go to     Sailboat people – they always go with the wind; and     Steamboat people – they make up their mind where they ought to go and go there regardless of wind or weather.      Today we need more of these highly motivated “steamboat” type of young people in the YMCA who have decided where they want to go, how to get there and are ready and willing to make it happen.   Sam Stephens Y.M.C.A SALEM   A brief Report of Programs and activities of the Salem YMCA from June to August 2009.   Founders Day Celebration & Sub_Regional Meeting   To strengthen the subregional YMCAs and to commemorate the Founders Day, an one day meeting was organized on the theme “Strengthening the Movement through Spiritual Roots and Social Concerns” for the Salem Sub Regional leaders  on Saturday the 6th June 2009 at Salem YMCA Mini Conference Hall. K.S.Prem Anand, Executive Member, National Council of YMCAs of India inaugurated the camp and gave the Key Note Address. Mr.A.Manohar Sam, and Mr.Eric Sahayam, Former Regional Secretaries handled the sessions.   District Level T.T Tournament for School Students   Salem YMCA, Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu and Salem District Table Tennis Association jointly organized a District Level School Students Table Tennis Tournament on Wednesday the 15th July 2009 at the YMCA Hall. This tournament was organized to bring out the talents of the students and also to encourage their extracurricular activities. Mr.K.Thiruvasagam, District Sports Officer was the chief guest and he distributed the prizes and certificates for the winners.   State level Interschool & Colleges T.T Tournament   A two days State level inter colleges and inter schools Table Tennis Tournament was organized on 1st and 2nd August 2009 at YMCA Hall with the cooperation of Salem District Table Tennis Association. More than 130 students from different colleges and schools in Tamilnadu actively participated and given away their talents through Table Tennis. Mr.G.Venkatesan, Inspector of Matriculation Schools was the chief guest for the Inaugural Function and he inaugurated the tournament at 9.00 am. Mr.N.S.K karunai Raja, NSK Builders Trichy was the chief guest for the prize distribution function and he distributed the prizes and certificates for the winners.   Independence Day Flag Hoisting   To commemorate the India’s 62nd Independence Day, the flag hoisting ceremony was organised at our YMCA campus on 15th August 2009 at 8.00 am. Mr.Eric Sahayam, former General Secretary of Salem YMCA hoisted the national flag and gave a small message on independence. About 30 members including hostellers actively participated in this meaningful program.   Environmental Walkathon 2009   To create awareness about the importance of keeping the environment clean, an awareness rally was organised on 17th August 2009 at 9.00 am with the cooperation of Salem Tree Club, Anderson Green Club and Rotary Club of Salem Midtown. Rev.Samuel D.Stephens, President YMCA Salem chaired the program and Mr.John Nicholson, I.P.S., Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order – Salem City participated as chief guest. Ms.Marianne Clause felicitated the participants on behalf of German YMCAs. The students took the oath and the Rally was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner. About 1000 students from CSI Poytechnic College, Anderson Schools, Golden Gates and different schools from Salem participated in this Rally by holding the plug cards in their hands. The Rally was started from Anderson Compound and went up to CSI Polytechnic College Hostel at Sarada College Road. Saplings were also planted at the destination.   Special Meeting with the German YMCA Guests   A special meeting to discuss the possibilities of having exchange programs between Salem YMCA and German YMCAs, held on 15th August 2009 at 6.30 pm at YMCA Hall. Ms.Marianne Clause, Ms.Angelina from Frankfurt YMCA and our YMCA Board Members participated in this meeting. It was decided to send a group of people from our Board to Germany in the month of May 2010 and invite a youth group from Germany to Salem in the month of August 2010 for knowing and involving each other programs and projects. The meeting was concluded with a dinner sponsored by Rev.Samuel D.Stephens.   Projects     Salem Central Prison Welfare Project   Medical Camp & Sports Materials Distribution   To give special medical care for the inmates imprisoned in the Salem Central Prison and also encourage them to encage their time in sports and games activities a special program was organised on 14th August 2009 at Salem Central Prison on behalf of Independence Day. Rev.Samuel D.Stephens, President of Salem Central Prison was the chief guest, he delivered a message related to Independence Day and also he distributed the sports and games materials like Carom Boards, Chess Boards and Volley Balls.   This program was followed by a Medical Camp with the cooperation of Vinayaga Missions Medical College Hospital. A team of 30 members including Doctors, Pharmacists and attenders Conducted this camp in fantastic way and attended the prisoners health problems in General Medicine, ENT, Dental, Skin, Ortho and Eye. Medicines were also distributed for the required inmates and 200 spectacles sponsored by Sharon Hospital were also distributed for the necessary inmates.   Rural Women Empowerment Program   New Skill Training Centre at Kondalampatti   Under Rural Women Empowerment project a new skill training centre for the empowerment of Rural Women has been started at Kondalampatti on 15th August 2009. Ms.Marianne Clause and Ms.Angeline from Frankfurt YMCA inaugurated and dedicated the skill training centre. Dr.Sundaramoorthy, President, Rotary Club of Salem Text City was the guest for the program and he felicitated the trainees. Mr.B.Joshua, one of YMCA Board member chaired the program. For this centre one sewing machine was sponsored by Rotary Club of Salem Tex City and two machines have been contributed by Rotary Club of Salem Gugai. Tailoring Certification Ceremony   The certificate distribution ceremony for the successfully completed trainees of YMCA Skill Training Centre, Ariyanoor was organised on 15th August 2009 at YMCA Skill Training Centre, Ariyanoor at 12.00 noon. Ms.Marianne Clause and Ms.Angeline from Frankfurt YMCA were the guests and distributed the certificates those who have successfully completed their 6 months course in our YMCA Skill Training Centre. Mr.B.Joshua chaired the program and the former YMCA Secretary Mr.Eric Sahayam felicitated the trainees. About 50 rural women participated in this program and 31 women received the certificates.   Extension Work   June 20th – One day workshop on YMCA administration   A one day workshop on YMCA Administration was organised on 20th June 2009 at Omalur YMCA for the Sub Regional YMCA office bearers hosted by Omalur YMCA. This program included the meaningful sessions like “YMCA Registration, Constitution, Statutory requirements, Annual Statistical Report, Membership, Documentation, Accounts, Program and fund raising”. Mr.P.G.Manuel Stephens chaired the workshop and the sessions were handled by Mr.A.Manohar Sam, Mr.Eric Sahayam former Regional Secretaries, Mr.Jose – General Secretary YMCA Salem and Mr.Gunaseelan, Cooperative audit officer, Salem.   YMCA Introductory meet at Namakkal   YMCA introductory meeting was organised at Namakkal on 14th June 2009 at Jack and Jill Primary School, Namakkal at 6.00 pm.  About 32 Christian including women and youth participated in this program. Mr.Manuel Stephens, Convener, Program and Extension Committee chaired the meeting. Mr.M.Jose, General Secretary of Salem YMCA spoke on YMCA History and its work throughout the world. Mr.A.Manohar Sam spoke on YMCA Structure and formation of new YMCA. With the interest of the participants an ad-hoc committee has been formed. Mr.Joshua, our Board Member and Mr.Gunaseelan, our YMCA member were also participated and they felicitated the new YMCA members.   YMCA Introductory meet at Palacode   YMCA introductory meeting was organised on 1st August 2009 at Literacy Mission Centre, Theerthagiri Nagar, Palacode. About 34 Christian including women and youth participated in this program. Mr.Manuel Stephens, Convener, Program and Extension Committee chaired the meeting. Mr.M.Jose, General Secretary of Salem YMCA spoke on YMCA History, its work throughout the world, YMCA Structure and the steps to be followed to form a new YMCA. With the interest of the participants, an ad-hoc committee has been formed. Mr.S.Nelson Jayakumar, Treasrer, Mr.Joshua and Mr.D.Thambi Prakasam our Board Members also participated and they felicitated the new YMCA members.   Finance and Administration   We are well managing the finance with the guidance of the convener of Finance committee Mr.S.Nelson Jeyakumar for our regular programs, special programs and the projects. As usual the hostel is fully occupied and the different program halls are being fully utilised by the different churches, prayer groups and also for the general and family programs. Since the Electricity charges crossed Rs.35000/- for two months, we took some necessary arrangements and we found good result also. (For the month of July we paid Rs.37434/- and for September it came down to Rs.29486/-) The recently developed software is functioning well and the Membership Maintenance, Hostellers Maintenance and all the receipts are being done by this software.   Regarding the staff structure some changes have been done, Mr.Appusamy has been appointed as new gardener and sweeper. Mr.Daniel Pazhani has been deputed as Day Time Security and Mrs.Rajatihi has been terminated from the part time job because of her work was not satisfactory. The bank balance as on 31st August 2009 is as follows…   ICICI Bank                 (General Fund)                       :1,85,394.02 Canara Bank              (Old project)                           :     1,499.00 Syndicate Bank          (Building Fund)                      :   27,120.29 ING Vysya Bank        (Development Fund)              :   25,494.11 Fixed Deposits at T.M.B                                             :3,14,382.00   National and International YMCA News   World YMCA/YWCA Week of Prayer and World Fellowship 2009   November 8-14 marks this year’s Week of Prayer with the theme that coincides with the upcoming YMCA World Council, “Striving for Global Citizenship for all.” In our rapidly globalising world, we face new challenges as individuals and as a Movement.  Let us take this time to find guidance and encouragement from Christ’s teachings as we respond to these new challenges and barriers to ensure that global citizenship is accessible to all.   Striving for Global Citizenship for All – World Council 2010   The 17th World Council of YMCAs will take place in Hong Kong on 19-24 July 2010 to be hosted by the Council of the YMCAs of Hong Kong. About 800 participants from 124 countries are expected to join next year’s World YMCA gathering. It will engage participants in dialogue and sharing on some of the most critical challenges within and outside the Movement.  It will also be a time to worship, pray and reflect on our mission under the theme of “Striving for Global Citizenship for All”.   New NGS has been appointed for NCYI   Mr.John Varughese has been appointed as the National General Secretary of National Council of YMCAs of India by the National Board held on 11th July 2009 at Visakhapatnam. Previously he was working as the secretary, movement strengthening as well as Chief Coordinator, YMCA India Tsunami Projects. He has taken over charge of the office of the National General Secretary with effect from 1st August 2009.   YMCA National Youth & Cultural Exchange Program   YMCA Ajmer is hosting the 2nd National Youth & Cultural Exchange “SADBHAVNA UTSAV” under the aegis of National Council of YMCAs of India during 27th – 29th November 2009 at Ajmar(Rajasthan). The objective is to bring young people from all over the country at a platform and celebrate the diversity of our National Culture and youth power to showcase their respective culture through ‘folk music, dance and handicrafts’.   CAMPUS ACTIVITIES   The members and the hostellers are usefully spending their leisure time with the recreational activities of our YMCA. Especially the Table Tennis, Ball Badminton, Chess, Carom and Shuttle Badminton games are being fully utilised by youth groups. The following members and hostellers were admitted during the reported months.   Life Members     No Name Profession Purpose Religion Introduced by 1 Nagappan Krishnaraj Venkatesan Student General Hindu Mr.Ravichandran Annual Members   No Name Profession Purpose Religion Introduced by 1 M.Danny Alexander Student Badminton Christian Mr.Paul Raj 2 John Chandran Swatz Rtd. Teacher General Christian Mr.D.Thambi prakasam 3 P.Nalankilli Bank Staff Badminton Hindu Mr.K.Muthusamy 4 M.Mohan Dass Govt. Service Hostel Hindu Mr.Ravindran 5 K.Dhanabal Govt. Service Hostel Hindu Mr.J.Peter 6 Dr.K.Arun Doctor Hostel Hindu Dr.Basanth 7 M.Srinivasan A.E.O Hostel Hindu Mr.P.G.Manuel Stephens 8 A.Charles Singh Business Badminton Christian Mr.Vijayakumar 9 N.Suresh Working Badminton Hindu Mr.Vijayakumar 10 M.Gokul Business Badminton Hindu Mr.Vijayakumar 11 V.Veera Prasanth Student T.T Hindu Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 12 Anu Ramya Student T.T Hindu Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 13 Jignesh c.Modi Business T.T Hindu Mr.Pankaj Raja 14 S.Manikandan Student T.T Hindu Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 15 Rajaa Devaputhran Canniah Business General Christian Mr.P.G.Manuel Stephens 16 Abdul Rahiman.D.P Business General Muslim Mr.P.G.Manuel Stephens 17 T.Deepika Student T.T Hindu Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 18 S.Manoj Kumar Student Badminton Hindu Mr.K.Muthusamy 19 R.Karthik Student Badminton Hindu Mr.Yuvaraj 20 Syed Dannish.M Student T.T Muslim Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 21 Syed Taabish.M Student T.T Muslim Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 22 Immanuel Lakra.J Bank Staff Hostel Christian Self 23 A.Tamilarasan Student T.T Hindu Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 24 M.Obuli Suresh Student T.T Hindu Mr.S.Obuli Shankar 25 E.Jeeva Student Badminton Hindu Mr.K.Muthusamy   Hostellers   1.        M.Mohan Dass 2.        K.Dkanabal 3.        Dr.K.arun 4.        M.Srinivasan 5.        Immanuel Lakra     M. John Michel Jose General Secretary