Declaration of Acceptance of Nomination

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Preamble

Article 2, Section 1, of the International Constitution sets out the Christian basis of Y’s Men International and its loyalty to the YMCA. Guideline 201 (approved July 1986) gives an interpretation of the words “based on the teachings of Jesus Christ” in Article 2, Section 1.

As the YMCA, Y’s Men International is open to all regardless of race, creed, colour or national origin, but while the YMCA has “open membership and Christian leader­ship”, Y’s Men International does not have any restrictions on its leadership. We therefore have members and leaders of other faiths than the Christian faith in our ranks.

A Task Force was appointed to study whether leadership positions at a certain level should be limited to committed Christians only. Its recommendation was that this should not be the case, but that nominees to certain leadership positions should sign a declaration of unconditional loyalty to the Christian basis of our movement and to our partnership with the YMCA.

The 13th International Council Meeting held at Aarhus, Denmark, 17-21 July, 1986 decided that all nominees to the positions of:

  • International Council Member
  • International Treasurer
  • International President-Elect
  • International Secretary General

should sign such declaration. Through signing this, the person agrees to stand for nomination and election, confirming his/her commitment to pursuing the Christian origin and purpose of Y’s Men International, regardless of his/her own personal faith.

EXTRACT OF MINUTES OF 13th INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING, 17-21 JULY, 1986

“Mot. 57

Lan/Reddy: THAT IT BE MANDATORY THAT ALL NOMINEES TO THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER SIGN THE ATTACHED STATEMENT, AND THAT IT BE RETURNED AS PART OF HIS/HER ACCEPTANCE OF NOMINATION. FURTHER THAT ANY NOMINEE TO THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL TREASURER AND INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT-ELECT MUST SIGN THE SAME STATEMENT; AND FURTHER THAT THE STATE­MENT BE SIGNED BY ANY CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY GENERAL.”

CARRIED (13 Yes, 4 No, 4 Abstentions).