URGENT REQUEST: YWM Needs Your Support!

Submitted by brossbert on Tue, 11/24/2009 - 11:07am

A Message from Terry Carty, Executive Director

Dear YWM Member,
It has taken me a very long time to write this request. Please read all the way through this and give it prayerful consideration. Our situation is urgent and we ask for your response by the end of 2009.
 
The YouthWorker Movement has enjoyed five years of service with and for youthworkers funded by a generous grant from an anonymous donor. The grant came through the Foundation for Evangelism and was originally supplemented in our first two years by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship that founded the organization.
 
The YWM has focused on the hearts and souls of youthworkers. Membership is free because so many of us do this work for little or no pay. Just signing up as a member has provided discounts on resources and training, program ideas and books, advice from other youthworkers, and much more.
 
Now the grant is ending. The Foundation for Evangelism is no longer receiving contributions from the anonymous donor and cannot continue to support us as before. We do not have enough funding to sustain the YWM through 2010. As a grassroots organization, we are now seeking grassroots support as well as new major donors for sustaining funds. Your help is needed in these difficult times. We continue to be committed to the free memberships that benefit so many youthworkers.
 
Here are two ways you can help keep your organization funded:
  1. Give an end-of-year donation. Give whatever you can afford. If every free member could give an average of $25 we would have operating funds for 2010! There is a “Donate” button at the bottom of every page on www.YouthWorkerMovement.org, or you can click this link (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9936583) to go directly to PayPal, or you can mail a check. It is tax deductible. This is the season of giving and your gift will help other youthworkers.
  2. Think of people whom you know that could make a major contribution of $1000, $5000 or more per year. If you have been in youth ministry for a long time you may know former youth or their parents who would consider making a contribution because they highly value the work of youthworkers. If you are willing to talk with them, use the information below to let them know what YWM is, has done and is continuing to do. If you can recommend people you are willing for us to contact, please send their information to my attention at info@youthworkermovement.org.
 
Thank you for being a member of the YouthWorker Movement and for considering how you can help sustain this vital organization. If there is any way we can be helpful to you or if you would like to make suggestions for improvement of YWM, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
 
Connected with you by God’s Holy Spirit
 
Terry Carty
 
 
 
What Has The YouthWorker Movement Accomplished in the First Five Years?
 
Who We Are:
  • A network organization of 4000 adults who work with youth in Christian ministries (especially United Methodist and other Wesleyan denominations)
  • Culturally and racially diverse in membership.
  • Supports volunteers and resources smaller congregations.
  • In relationship with denominational staff and leaders of Wesleyan denominations: United Methodist, Church of the Nazarene, Churches of God General Conference, Church of God (Anderson and Cleveland), Salvation Army, Wesleyan Church, Free Methodist.
  • Partners in Ministry with a growing number of ministries to provide endorsed resources to youthworkers (publishers, training, mission organizers, colleges & seminaries, events)
 
What We Have Done:
  • Provided free online memberships which offer:
    - Access to other youthworkers across the USA
    - Social networking and Discussion streams
    - Information about quality training opportunities
    - Free books and program ideas for download
    - Good discounts on publications, training, missions and more
    - Gatherings at Youth Specialties, Group, Perkins and other youthworker events
  • Covenant Membership: a low cost intensive level of membership which offers:
    - Subscriptions to Group, Journal of Student Ministries, UM Reporter
    - New member and renewal surprise boxes
    - Annual Covenant Member gathering
    - Covenant-Member-Only training opportunities
    - Employment services
    - Personalized training or serving opportunities
    - Gifts from vendors
    - Deeper discounts for other training events.
  • Speakers Connexion: a network of endorsed speakers for youth and youthworker events.
  • Establishing “YouthWorker Movement Communities” in UM Annual Conferences (more than 20 are in various stages of organizing)
  • Developed curriculum for training from “Do No Harm’ to “Do Good”.
    - Youthworker Essentials
    - Youth Ministry Institute 1 and 2
  • Created the “YouthWorker Oasis” hospitality model for youth events.
  • Began library of downloadable youth ministry books that are out of print
    - Currently featuring Dr Ed Trimmer; soon to add John Gooch
  • Developed resources for annual conferences and congregations using a collaborative process with YWM members. This includes the recently published Five Practices of Fruitful Youth Ministry.
  • Sponsored consultation of UM Conference leaders to discuss effective youth events
 
 
The YouthWorker Movement and the Speakers Connexion are ministries of the Center for Youth Ministry Excellence, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in Tennessee. Contributions are tax deductible. Contributions can be made on www.YouthWorkerMovement.org by clicking the ‘Donate’ link to use PayPal, or by check payable to Center for Youth Ministry Excellence, P.O. Box 331927, Nashville, TN 37203.