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The 6th NTA/EXCO meeting was held at Santhome, Chennai on 5th and 6th September 2015. The meeting began with an inaugural mass offered by Fr. Charles. After lunch the program began with a prayer followed by Bible reading by Miss. Angela (National EXCO Bijhan region).

Jimmy Pdang the National President welcomed everyone for the 6th NTA/EXCO extra-ordinary meeting, followed by which, the report of the last National meeting was read by Ms Sharon (National Secretary). The agenda was read out and it was passed by Mr. Kevin Lee (National EXCO of WB region) to which Ms Rosalia (National EXCO of Karnataka region) seconded it. The report of the 5th NTA/EXCO meeting was read by Ms Sharon, the report was accepted by all and Fr. Alex (RYD of MP region) passed it to which Ebin Navis (National EXCO of TN region) seconded it.

Decisions were taken on two NSLTPs which were to be held in the month of October. For Hindi speaking (AP, Northern Region, UP, MP, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand) regions in AICUF Bhawan, Bhopal from 16th-19th  October 2015 and English speaking in St. Anthony’s School, Kolkata from 26th-30th of October 2015. The council also finalised the number of participants in which 12 students delegates, RYD and 2 Animators from each region can participate.

Followed by this golden jubilee celebration (January 16, 2016) was planned according to the preparatory document which was discussed and clarified in the previous NTA/EXCO meeting held in Goa. It was decided to have as one day National Celebration on January 16, 2016. It was also decided to celebrate in the regional level (22nd/29th Nov, 2015) at all regions as well as in the diocesan level (10th Jan, 2016). Fr. Varghese (DYD of Chennai), Fr. Marianus (RYD of TN) had taken up full charge for the celebration at the National level. The Venue of the Golden Jubilee celebration St. Bedes School, Santhome. The expected number of students is 600, and Fr. Chetan will send invitation letter to RYD’s (copy to DYD) and to all the chairman bishop within 15 days, Fr. Chetan informed that he is getting ready with the logo and prayer which will be printed soon. Fr. Charles requested the hosting region to prepare cultural programme.

A documentary on adolescent issues will be prepared by the National Office and a book on 50 testimonies which symbolizes 50 years of YCS/YSM will also be prepared by the National office. The program will start with the Holy Eucharist at 8:00am at Santhome Cathedral, followed by breakfast An inter-religious prayer at 10:00am, Fr. Varghese suggested to extend the program till evening for cultural program. Invitees like Former National Directors, Coordinators, CBCI youth council chairman, Former and present Regional Chairman Bishops, Bishops of TN region, CCBI and CBCI youth secretary, former NEXCO’s, EX YCS/YSMers, YCS/YSM neighboring schools was decided in the meeting. The guest of honor for the program would be any IAS or IPS officer from TN region. Fr. Mari suggested to honor the former Regional/Diocesan DYD’s and animators.Fr. Charles explained every one that accommodation is only for RYD’s, NEXCO’s and Former National Chaplain’s will be provided. 

Karnataka Region put forward their proposal to take the responsibility for inter-religious prayer and was accepted by all. Presenting of the logo and the prayer will be taken up by Fr. Chetan followed by the suggestions of Fr. Charles that key-note address will be given only by one of the former National Chaplains. In the place of presentation a tableau or skit by Chennai group, documentary, regions must send clippings before October and video clipping from all former national directors shall be taken. The NTA/EXCO also decided to honor the former national Chaplain’s, former National convener and present NEXCO’s. Suggestions to cancel the honoring of 50 students and planting 50 samplings was accepted but Badges of RS: 10 each and Flags will be given to the participants and will be put to sale. Books on 50 testimonies will also be prepared. NE, TN, Karnataka will have-6 each. MP, MG, AP, WB, UP, Patna, Jharkhand, Northern, Orissa, and Goa- 4 each. The testimonies will be sent to National Office for compilation and present on the Golden Jubilee celebration. Oath taking and YCS/YSM anthem will be done on the celebration day.

There will be the presentation of chart in the way of getting inside the program hall by the hosting region and the food and the ice-cream stalls will be provided. In case any problem with the venue, Santhome Raphael’s School will be approached. Venue, guest of honor will be finalized by end of September, Fr. Charles clearly mentioned that TA will be provided only for the former national chaplains. Tentative budgets for the program was also discussed. For the diocesan GJ celebration Northern region will prepare the liturgy. Fr. Charles then bring to our notice that November 13 will be celebrated as IYCS world day.

The Alumni meeting which will be held from 6th-8th Nov, 2015 was also discussed. The venue is confirmed at Pastoral Center, Mangalore and Fr. Charles informed that Fr. Vincent Montero and Mr. James Sylvester will be the moderators of the program. The theme: “BACKS TO THE ROOTS” is taken. It was also decided that membership is open to all EX-YCS/YSM. A committee  was formed which included Fr. Charles, Mr. Leo, Mr. Deepak, Ms Jovita and decided that NEXCO’s can join the program.

The preparatory document for the National Council was read by Roshan and Angela. Fr. Chetan confirmed the dates and the venue (16th-22nd May, 2016) at Sattal, Himachal Pradesh. Some of the suggestions and clarifications from the members regarding selection of delegates, that language should not be a barrier and any student belonging to other faith can be a delegate. All the regions were asked to hold regional council before the end of November and elect the NEXCO and sent the names to the national office. The number of participants from every regions remains the same expect for TN which reduce to 24 (17 students, 3 animators and 4 NEXCO’s) since officially they have only 17 dioceses. Clarification for the selection of the NEXCO was done and that RYD must take it seriously in selecting future NEXCOs. The schedule of the council study session, guidelines for the regional reports and responsibilities was read as decided in the 5th NTA/EXCO meeting.

The day ended with a prayer.

The second day of the council meeting started with the Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr Deepak (Secretary CBCI Office for Youth). During the Mass Fr. Deepak who came on behalf of the chairman bishop conducted the handing over the responsibility to the New National chaplain. After Breakfast, Jimmy Pdang welcomed Fr. Chetan as the new National Chaplain and immediately re-organizing the national office and activities of the movement was discussed, after the discussion Fr. Chetan informed everyone that National part time coordinator and one person to look after the office at Chennai is required. Fr Charles then informed that there is no project for the office staff so payment would be a problem. Ebin Navis offered to help as a part time office staff from 3pm-6pm, 4 days per week in which he willingly accepted to volunteer the work. The NTA/EXCO then decided to pay for his travel. For national part time coordinator an invitation was already given but the national office didn’t receive any response. Fr. Chetan then informed that he had suggested and offered the post to a girl from Delhi. The NEXCO’s also decided and promised that they would take the challenge and do justice towards their own responsibilities to expand the movement to college level and other dioceses and promised to send articles, reports, and get subscription for search from each dioceses by mid of November. Soft copy of the search magazine will be sent only to the subscribers. 

The co-ordination with the like-minded movement was also discussed and suggestions were proposed to invite representation of others movement to the programs of YCS/YSM movement. Soon after the study session, felicitation and valedictory program to Fr. Charles who was elected as IYCS Chaplain was organized by the NEXCO members. During this session all the NEXCO’s came forward and shared their personal feelings and expressed towards Fr. Charles followed by the sharing from RYD’s, Animators, Ex-NEXCO’s, and DEXCO’s of Chennai diocese. Resolutions by the NEXCO’s were written in the balloons were busted by Fr. Charles. Fr. Charles in his address thanked everyone who helped him in his ministry, since he took the charge of the movement.

The Program ended with a vote of thanks from Fr. Chetan and with prayer and YCS/YSM clap the meeting concluded.