WORLD YMCA 68 TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MEETING REPORT Executive summary The World YMCA Executive Committee (ExCo) held their annual face-to-face meeting in April 2015. This meeting operates as a function of the governance requirements for the World YMCA and as part of their regular meeting schedule. Dates 10-14 April 2015 Venue Chair World Council of Churches Conference Centre in Bossey, Geneva, Switzerland Peter Posner Prior to the ExCo meeting commencing a number of other meetings were scheduled to occur concurrently; - Global Staff Team (GST) Movement Strengthening meeting - Investment Committee meeting - International Secretaries meeting with the GST - Officers meeting. DAY 1: FRIDAY 10 TH APRIL Peter Posner (President) opened the 68th ExCo Meeting and welcomed the attendees. An introductory session covered the governance formalities, including a review of the agenda and the program scheduled for the event. Peter noted that as the first face-to-face event for the ExCo since the World Council, this meeting is traditionally held in the World YMCAs home venue of Geneva.
DAY 2: SATURDAY 11 TH APRIL The day commenced with a devotion, led by Peter Posner (President). He used the Lord's Prayer to meditate about the needs of the World and of the World YMCA. Investment Subcommittee Presentation Patrick Geiser (Investment Committee Chair) introduced the wonderful volunteers who serve on the Investment Committee. A fascinating presentation from the Investment Committee was successfully able to communicate financial information in a way that clearly covered significant details. It also showed their commitment to realising our mission through financial support. Last year our portfolio made a fantastic result of more than 9% return. Discussion included understanding the YMCA's investment policy and ethical basis. A proposal for the purchase of an apartment in Geneva as both an investment strategy and to support the movement strengthening strategy of staff and volunteer placements was endorsed by the Investment Committee. Disbursement strategies coming from the World YMCA's investment fund (The John R Mott Fund) were presented with a long-term view to balancing operating and investment needs. ExCo orientation session A closed orientation session was conducted to assist the governance processes for the group. Visit to United Nations & John R Mott House The group were able to visit the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. Here we were able to experience the size and scale of this huge organisation, where the YMCA has enjoyed observer status since the very beginning. The group then visited John R Mott House, the headquarters of the World YMCA. For some it was the first time they had visited the offices and for others they noted the maintenance improvements of the building. Of particular interest for many was viewing the original YMCA Paris Basis.
DAY 3: SUNDAY 12 th APRIL The day commenced with a devotion, led by Secretary General, Johan Vilhelm Eltvik. A wonderful documentary reviewing the World Council from Estes Park was also played. Reports The reports from the President and the Secretary General took most of the morning to be presented and discussed. Peter Posner focussed on the rich heritage of the characters within the history of the World YMCA, of which the ExCo was now playing its part. In particular, he stressed how we must be aware of potential risks going forward, but balanced with a need to deliver our current and future strategies. He also outlined his activities on behalf of the ExCo since his election in 2014. Johan Vilhelm Eltvik s report included the key activities that have occurred since the World Council meeting of July, 2014. He noted a particular emphasis on movement strengthening as our internal focus, and a continued expanded presence of Youth Empowerment as our external focus. Johan reported on the key areas of developments in OUR WAY Strategy covering Youth Empowerment, Movement Strengthening, Resource Mobilisation and Research and Communications. There was much discussion around the future focus and next stage of OUR WAY execution. This included an update on the Change Agent Cohort (with planning for the 3 rd cohort already commenced); investment in employment schemes as one of our key advocacy areas; and the potential for fund distribution to support Areas from the John R Mott Fund. Presentation from Africa Alliance James Ekow Rhule, President of Africa Alliance of YMCAs, then made an impressive business case on the potential for Africa to become a partner in a South African University. It was an exciting proposal that Africa was asking the ExCo to consider for financial support. Subsequently, after a review from the Finance Committee and much discussion, the decision was unanimously made to offer an interest free, unsecured loan to Africa Alliance of YMCAs to invest in the mentioned University in South Africa, to be paid back within 10 years. This was a very exciting outcome.
Committee meetings There are three committees of the ExCo: Finance, Governance and, the newest one, Strategy. Each member of the ExCo is allocated to a particular group. For the rest of the afternoon these groups met and discussed their agendas, with a view to reporting back to the full ExCo with their recommendations the next day. DAY 4: MONDAY 13 th APRIL These were led by Evelyne Gueye, Vice President. Everyone enjoyed her joyful music. Committee reports Governance Pamela Davies (Chair) presented the report from the Governance Committee. This group have a long list of projects they would like to work on in the next few years. This includes reviewing many of our governance documents and processes. Their intention is to assist the ExCo to operate with the best and highest governance practices and standards. Strategy Alan Morton (Chair) presented the report from the inaugural Strategy Committee meeting. This group is considering our medium and long term strategic horizons. They will work to set the next strategic plan in place for the ExCo. They proposed a number of recommendations, each of which was endorsed, covering our advocacy work on the environment; our One Million Voices research project; and property development activity. Finance Leopoldo Moacir Lima (Treasurer) presented the Finance Committee report. This group had a number of financial recommendations, each of which was endorsed. This included the purchase of a new apartment in Geneva as a financial
investment and movement strengthening activity; the African University proposal; and disbursement of proceeds of the John R Mott investment fund. Statutory reporting surrounding the auditor s report, budgets and other financial requirement were also presented. John R Mott Foundation Report Terry Ratcliffe (President of the John R Mott Foundation) presented his report on the properties owned or rented by the World YMCA. Other Business In this section a number of topics were discussed, including potential venues for the 19 th World Council meeting in 2018 (of which no decision has yet been taken). Future meetings were also discussed and the dates and venue for the 2016 Event were confirmed. Peter closed the meeting and thanked all of the participants. In his closing statements Peter acknowledged the work of the ExCo and how they had demonstrated modern governance at the highest level. This was demonstrated through excellent discussions, good reports, committee meetings to go into depth on the issues and then plenary debate again and decision making. Peter closed the meeting commenting, It is not many people who can honestly say that what they are dealing with is touching the lives of millions of young people around the world. That summed up a brilliant experience of good and inspiring governance at the 68 th meeting of the World YMCA ExCo.