In January at its annual meeting, the NFCYM membership unanimously approved (some with reservation) the formation of the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders. The NFCYM Board of Directors appointed the initial leadership team for the association. The leadership team consists of members from the original task group:
- Pat Clasby, parish youth ministry coordinator (San Diego)
- Ann Marie Eckert, NFCYM collaborator (Buffalo, New York)
- Pat Howard, parish youth ministry coordinator (Eagan, Minnesota)
- Mary Mueller, diocesan director (Kansas City, Missouri)
- Patrick Spedale, campus ministry director (Houston)
- Chris Weber, parish youth ministry coordinator (Muscatine, Iowa)
- Ben Weisse, diocesan director (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Grace Cassetta, diocesan director (Las Vegas)
and new members:
- Greg Cabrera, parish youth ministry coordinator (Riverside, California)
- Mary Harrison, diocesan director, (Albany, New York)
- Dee Hawthorn, parish youth ministry coordinator (Balitmore)
- Megan Shepherd, campus ministry director (Chicago)
The executive committee includes:
- Grace Cassetta, chair
- Megan Shepherd, vice chair
- Ben Weisse, secretary-treasurer
- Pat Howard, coordinator for membership services
- Patrick Spedale, coordinator for marketing
Since January, the leadership team has been formulating the plan to launch the Association at the 2004 National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry. The first step was to generate revenue to fund the Association’s budget. A campaign was initiated to raise the seed money for the Association. Interested individuals were invited to be Inaugural Members of the Association. The Inaugural Members will serve as consultants to the leadership team and receive a special three-year membership to the Association. Over 75 members registered by the April 1, 2004 deadline.
The Association will be announced in the NCCYM Registration Brochure. Readers will be invited to be Charter Members of the association by registering for the Association using the NCCYM Registration form. The Charter Members will receive a reduced membership fee for the first five years of the association and will be invited to a special preconference gathering at NCCYM.
The leadership team met the weekend of April 2-4. Their work for that meeting included:
- revising the mission statement, vision statement, and values
- promotion of the Association
- eveloping Standard Operating Procedures
- identifying expectations of members
- the development of a website
- planning the gathering at NCCYM
- developing the “benefits” of association membership
For more information on the Association, see the special page on the NFCYM website or contact one of the Leadership Team members.
National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders
Mission and Vision Statement
Mission Statement
The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders promotes the profession
and practice of Catholic youth ministry.
Vision Statement
The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders is a membership-driven,
professional organization of Catholic youth ministry leaders serving in dioceses,
parishes, schools, and youthserving agencies. In promoting Catholic youth ministry
as an integral ecclesial ministry, we
- serve as a network to support those serving the young Catholic Church;
- provide professional development, ministry formation, and personal spiritual growth in light of the Competency-based Standards for Lay Ecclesial Youth Ministry Leaders;
- advocate for the vocation and profession of youth ministry leaders
- promote a comprehensive approach to youth ministry as articulated in Renewing the Vision;
- collaborate with the U.S. Catholic bishops, the NFCYM, and local ministry leaders for the promotion of youth ministry and the professional development of youth ministry leaders.
Values
In response to the Gospel and in pursuit of our mission and vision, we act in
accord with these values:
- our baptismal call to be disciples of Jesus Christ;
- the wisdom of shared leadership;
- the professional and pastoral competence of all ministers;
- the spiritual growth of all ministers;
- the giftedness of the ecclesial community;
- the richness of diversity.