From the Board Chair

Membership Organizations

A person can choose to be a member of several different kinds of organizations. You can decide to join Amnesty International or to be a member of the National Wildlife Federation. With these organizations, membership supports a cause. There are other organizations, which provide members some form of service. As a member of the Automobile Association of America, you get roadside assistance, travel maps with both scenic and direct routes and other travel help. AAA is an example of a member service organization. With a member service organization, members join for the assistance given them. There are also the professional organizations for members who want to keep current on developments in their field of expertise. The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders has elements of each of these types of organizations.  We have a common cause-our Catholic faith and our ministry to young people; we provide services such as this newsletter and our website; and we work to advance the field of youth ministry. However, none of this is possible without the core of NACYML, which is its membership. The membership molds, shapes, and moves the organization.  NACYML is a member-driven organization.

Member-Driven Organization

In a member-driven organization, the membership develops the vision, determines the goals, and provides the leadership to manage the work. Each member provides a significant element to the life of the organization. With the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders being an organization in its infancy, the wisdom of our members is needed to nurture NACYML’s growth. Within our membership, we have the gifts, talents, and abilities needed for the success of NACYML. Through the shared responsibility and leadership of our members, NACYML will flourish. Each NACYML member is responsible for participation in the work of the association. This can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. 

Individual Participation

Members take an active role in the work of NACYML by completing survey requests, giving feedback on projects, attending the biennial membership meeting, reading the quarterly e-newsletter, and update e-mails. Individual members may present new ideas for NACYML through project proposals.

Project Teams

Project teams are formed to accomplish specific tasks of NACYML. Currently we have two project teams-one for the e-newsletter and one for website content. As NACYML grows, there will be opportunities for members to serve on a variety of project teams.  The project teams last as long as it takes to complete the task they have been assigned. Once the task is completed, the project team is disbanded.

Coordinating Committees

The function of a coordinating committee is to oversee the projects of a specific area of work for NACYML. Members of a coordinating committee serve two-year terms, which are renewable twice. NACYML has three coordinating committees:

The Membership Services Coordinating Committee oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of projects to promote the profession and practice of Catholic youth ministry in response to the needs surfaced by the membership. Chris Weber, coordinator for youth ministry at St. Mary and Mathias Parish, Muscatine, Iowa, is the chair of the membership services coordinating committee.  cweber@mccym.net

The Marketing Coordinating Committee oversees, researches and develops, implements, and evaluates marketing strategies. The committee will target a multicultural and diverse youth ministry leadership audience in response to the vision and values of NACYML. Patrick Spedale, director of campus ministry, St. Pius X High School, Houston, is the chair of the Marketing Coordinating Committee. spedalep@stpiusx.org

The Communications Coordinating Committee oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of all member-serving resources to be published by NACYML. Pat Howard, coordinator of youth ministry, St. John Neumann Parish, Eagan, Minnesota, is the chair of the Communication Coordinating Committee. peacepat@hotmail.com

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team oversees and promotes the work of NACYML. The Leadership Team consists of 12 discerned members. The Leadership Team members serve a three-year, non-renewable term. In August, NACYML members interested in serving as a leadership team member, will have the opportunity to submit an application, and be included in the discernment of four new members who will begin their term of office in Spring, 2006.

Together, we the members of NACYML will make our association a vibrant leader in ministry organizations.