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Report: Jovita D’Souza,  National Secretary of YCS/YSM India

REPORT OF NTA/EXCO MEETING - 2
4-5 May 2011, Muttom – Kanyakumari

The NTA/ Exco members arrived to Muttom, Kanyakumari on the 4th May 2011. There were 20 people including 6 RYD’s, 8 EXCO’s, 4 Animators, 1 DYD and the National Chaplain. Those present were Fr. Charles Menezes, Fr. Franklin D’Souza - Karnataka, Fr. Olavo - Goa, Fr. Esthaquius - TN, Sr. Bhanumati – NE, Fr. Ranjit Minj – Orissa and Fr. Sanjay – WB, Joyce John, Alice Anthony, Jovita D’Souza, Frank Russel, Neelmoni Majhi, Sneha Kullu, Laranzia and Antony Valan. Fr. Sudeer, Janet, Emelan, Somkeswar, Sharon Raymond also represented their regions.

After the inaugural Mass at 11am they were briefed about the exposure visit. Then we all set out for the exposure visit to Tsunami hit area of Muttom. Dr. Shirley accompanied us in the visit and guided us about the havoc that played by the Tsunami. We visited several houses and interacted with them. All other groups of NSLTP also went to different places for exposure visit. In the evening all the groups shared their experiences and it moved us to think ahead with the analysis part of our methodology. Since NTA/Exco members comprises of Animators and Students it was well appreciated as regards our meetings take place in the YCS/YSM methodology.

On 5th May 2011 we all assembled in the hall of ASHOKA Foundation, Muttom Kanyakumari, to participate in the 2nd NTA/EXCO meet. 7 regions participated in the meeting that began at 9.00am. The National Convener Dymphna Joyce John presided over the meeting and welcomed everyone with the briefing of the agenda. Then all the regions presented their regional reports.

Beginning with Orissa region, Fr Sudheer shared with us how Orissa region conducted frequent YCS get together where despite of various difficulties like lack of funds and long distance, a huge number of students participated.

Next report was by Goa where Fr Olavo narrated to us how they conducted the Fellowship Day at diocesan level, Founders Day at regional level and inter regional training program at Mysore to boost up the moral of Goa YCS’ers.

Then Fr. Sanjay of Kokatta RYD sharing the reports of West Bangal said that they had General Assembly, DEXCO’s election, Christmas Gathering, Animators Training Program and Commitment Day.

The next report was presented by Miss. Laranzia,  EXCO of Tamilnadu. They are the region with the largest number of YCS‘ers with the strength of 144603. They have various programs at diocesan as well as regional level such as YCS/YSM EXCO meeting, Animators training program, Students training program and numerous social programs. They celebrated founder’s day on second week of November.

Sr Bhanumathi presented the report of North East Region. She explained the functioning of various diocesan level programs which included student’s leadership training program, Animators training program, REXCO meetings, Commitment Day. It is quite good to hear that YCS and ICYM director working together unlike other Regions.

Fr. Franklin presented the report of Karnataka. They had youth survey all over the region where there was 70% response from the age of between 15 and 20, they also had Animator training program in Gulbarga Diocese, one day seminar, regional consultation at Mangalore, regional council meeting at Harihara. Animators training program at Hassan. KRYC (Karnataka Region Youth Commission) Joint meeting and Inter Regional training program at Mysore.

M.G. Region was unable to present an official Regional report due to lack of functioning.

Though students of Andhra Pradesh were present for the NSLTP, neither RYD nor any Exco member attended the meeting.

Madhya Pradesh, Bijhan, Northern, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh were absent for the NTA/Exco meeting.

Then Fr. Charles presented the national report and briefed about the programmes conducted and regions visited by the National Chaplain.

Secretary of YCS/YSM India Jovita D’Souza read out the report of last NTA/EXCO live in meeting, which was held in Kalyani, West Bengal.

The next topic of the agenda was IYCS world council. It will be held in New Delhi at St. Michael School auditorium from 15th to 26th June 2011. Focus was mainly on finance of the whole program. Fr. Charles mentioned that India has to bear expenditure on 4 key areas, telecommunication & Translation, transportation, inaugural and concluding ceremony and preparatory meetings. It would cost us about Rs. 18 lakh. Various means were suggested by the students and RYD’s to collect the funds. Some regions have contributed their share of Rs. 5000 but all need to collect Rs. 10 per student member and a few advertisements for the Souvenir along with sponsors for several items. Receipt books were given to the units to make some collection in this regard. He informed that convener and secretary along with the National Chaplain and an Animator will attend the world council where as 30 students from all over India will participate in study session. National Chaplain showed the small cards prepared by Mangalore Diocese for the contribution of student members for IYCS world council and suggested other regions to do their best as soon as possible.

The next NSLTP in Hindi will be held in North India in October preferably at Jhansi. The regions participating will be BIJHAN, U.P., Orissa, M.P., and Maharashtra. The Inter - regional SLTP also will be held in October for WB and NE, Orissa and MP, TN and AP and requested the regional directors to do the needful in time. We also discussed about having an Animator training program in next May which will help expanding and functioning of our Movement.

Fr. Charles informed that next the National Council will be held in Shillong in North East. A proposal was made by Fr. Charles to have YCS/YSM National convention so that, approximately 800 students from all over India would come together. We also discussed whether to have National Convention along with National council to reduce expenditure of the program. Since there were different opinions, we could not come to any conclusion, though decided to intimate this idea to all the Dioceses and Regions.
Following this, we discussed a very important issue of expanding the movement to all regions. Though no concrete proposal was made, we came to the conclusion that, after having conducted various inter regional programs the course of action will be decided. Thereafter we learnt about the plight of our National Office, with regard to the present pitiful condition, which has prolonged for years. The condition of the house has forced us to take serious steps to change of venue of our National office. Due to legal complication and problems we cannot do anything now, except to support our Chaplain by our prayers. The problem is dealt with by the CBCI standing committee meeting and basing on the report next step will be taken with the support of all the RYDs.

Then we moved on to last agenda of the day. “The statutes” We swiftly discussed and decided on the various amendments that were proposed during 1st NTA/EXCO meeting. We were glad to formally announce that we have successfully completed the study of the statutes of YCS/YSM India for the 3 years term until the next National Council. Fr. Charles also informed that a few College cells will be started to reach out to the student community. The college cell members will work as part time animators under the guidance of the college Animator. They will be of great help in visiting the local units and conducting training programmes with regard to YCS/YSM, which will help them in the college curriculum. Hence, he requested the RYDs to give a thought to it in their own regions to strengthen the movement.

Our meeting ended with the vote of thanks by Joyce John. Sincere thanks to all the NEXCO’s, RYD’s, DYD’s and National Chaplain who have taken all the pain to travel from various places to participate in this meeting. Above all thanks to our National Chaplain Fr. Charles, that it’s his dream, his enthusiasm, his initiative and his determination that is leading us to lead the movement towards success.