“School is out for summer. School is out forever.”

Our seventh grade son is jumping around the house singing this song from my own teen years. It is difficult to believe that another school year is over, and we now have an eighth grader in the house.

Our vegetable garden is planted, and the flowers are beginning to show signs of blooming. As I anticipate the longer, slower days of summer, I also know that many of you are gearing up for mission trips, work camps, summer camp experiences, and programming that elicits a faith-filled response and challenge to our young communities.

As the NACYML Leadership Team met in Kansas City this past April, we also realized that we are readying for growth and challenge.

Leadership Transitions
Having completed their three year terms on the leadership team, we offer thanks to Terry Aiken, Alex Barraza, and Pat Howard. They have blessed us in many ways with their vision, generosity of time, and sharing of their faith and hope for NACYML. Pat Howard leaves the leadership team after seven years of service, as he was one of the original members appointed by the NFCYM Board of Directors. Pat’s vision and commitment have brought an integrity and passion to the leadership team and to NACYML that will be greatly missed on the leadership team—but certainly not on all of the task groups and committees he has committed to continue working on.

We welcomed our new leadership team members at the April meeting: Brian Hefer, from Minnetonka, Minnesota, Nancy Longo from Bellevue, California, and Joan Martinez from San Antonio, Texas. We look forward to having Joan, Nancy, and Brian take active roles in the shaping of NACYML’s future. Welcome aboard!

Within the leadership team, Joe Perdreauville of Tucson, Arizona has accepted the position of vice chair, Jim Flanagan of Boston will serve as treasurer, and Nancy Longo has accepted the position as chair of the Membership Services Coordinating Committee.

The Year Ahead
The leadership team meeting offers an opportunity to plant seeds for the year ahead. As we move forward, it is with pleasure that I share the final version of NACYML’s five year strategic plan. 23 KB)

We have formed standing committees for adult training and formation, as well as a group that will explore development of a fiscal plan and financial security for NACYML. Conversations are being held with local associations on possibilities for connection and collaboration. OnCourse has just completed the final offering for this year, with the largest group of participants to date. The 2010 membership meeting in New Orleans is already being planned.

All of this is happening with the involvement and support of a growing number of members. As we look to the future, it is with great hope and excitement as the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders engages with each other and with the greater community of lay ecclesial ministers.

The summer months hold longer, but not slower, days as we look forward together.