Profile of the National Council

Introduction

The first YMCA of Sri Lanka was founded on 28 June, 1882 in Colombo. Soon afterwards the YMCAs spread to other then major cities Galle, Jaffna, Kandy, Batticaloa and Moratuwa.

The YMCAs of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was coordinated by a Council titled Council of YMCAs of India, Burma and Sri Lanka followed by a Council of YMCAs of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. In 1962 the National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka was formed independent to India and Pakistan to coordinate and liaise with the YMCAs of Sri Lanka. The National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka was incorporated by an Act of Parliament Act No. 07 of 1967 and registered with the ministry of Social Services of Sri Lanka. The Council coordinates with 38 member YMCAs spread around the country as identified in the member YMCAs pages in this site.

The Council is the official representative of the YMCA Movement of Sri Lanka and the coordinating body to the International and National Movements. The Council meets annually approving all Audited Accounts, reports and elects its Executive Committee to carry out its policies and decisions of the Council. The Council is a composition of all member YMCAs, the President and the Office Bearers are elected for a period of one year. Executive Committee members are a composition of volunteer leaders supported by professionals.

The YMCA Movement is one of the oldest Non Governmental Organization in Sri Lanka and at present there are round 15,000 registered members and over 100,000 well wishers, participants and beneficiaries.

Affiliation of the YMCA Movements

Sri Lanka YMCA is affiliated to the World body of the YMCA Movement, the World Alliance of YMCAs, which has 120 member countries and having their head quarters in Geneva. The movement is also affiliated with the Regional Body, Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, which has 24 member countries and having their head quarters in Hong Kong. Locally the Movement is a constituent unit of the National Christian Council along with the Anglican Church, Methodist Church, Church of South India, Dutch Reformed Church, Presbyterian Church, Salvation Army and Ecumenical Organizations such as Young Women’s Christian Association Students Christian Movement, Ceylon Bible Society and Christian Literature Society.

Partnerships

The Council is working in partnership with the World Alliance of YMCAs, Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, Y-Global (the International Division of the Norwegian YM/YWCAs), Northern Ireland YMCAs, International Division of USA YMCAs, German YMCAs, Y’s men International, Children house foundation, NORAD, CIDA, Japan YMCAs, Y care International UK/ Ireland, YMCA of Singapore , YMCA of Hong Kong, Australia YMCAs and Canada YMCAs.

Operating System

The YMCA Movement operates in a unique way with volunteer professional partnership. The Movement’s policies are designed in a manner that all Office Bearers and Directors need to be volunteer leaders. The administrative structure is designed to work in partnership with volunteer professional contribution to build up efficiency and effectiveness, also to maintain transparency on all its affairs. The member YMCAs elect the Board of Directors annually and a professional Secretary/General Secretary coordinates the affairs of the Movement.

The President of the member YMCA is an ex-officio member of National YMCA Executive Committee who coordinates between the Executive Committee and member YMCA for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Operational Structure

The Council operated through at committees/departmentalized system, ie: Accounts,  Christian Discipleship Committee, Youth & Young Adults Committee, Movement Strengthening Committee, Development Education & Projects Committee, Peace Reconciliation and Reconstruction Committee, Child Rights Committee, Migrant Workers Committee, Legal Committee, Personal & Conferences Committee and Business Committee.

Decision Making and accountability

All committees/departments are represented at the National Executive Committee. These committees are composed of experts on required fields. The departmental committees meet at least once in two months to monitor all programmes and projects coming under the purview of each committee.

Staff

The YMCA operating system consists of professionals and competent staffs in the Concerned fields. Presently there are full-time staff including Executives and supporting staff handling/conducting projects, programmes, finance, administration, monitoring and liaising with 38 member YMCAs in the country. All member YMCAs are administered  by General Secretary/Executive Secretary supported by team of staff totaling around 300 persons.

Infrastructure facilities

The National Council has required office facilities and equipment to coordinate and communicate with the projects and programme conducted in all part of the country. The council owns the building and the head quarters situated at 143, St. Michael’s Road, Kollupitiya, Colombo-03 and the National Training Centre at 1374, Colombo Road, Katunayake.

All member YMCA are involved in below given programmes/activities, events and offer facilities such as-

Accommodation

:; Emergency housing / shelter for men/women/youth
:; Hostel
:; Housing development/support

Camps
:; Leadership/Counselos training camps
:; Outdoor education camps
:; Sport camps

Communication

:; The Bridge Magazine
:; Sharing Newsletters
:; Drama & Art
:; Bible Study
:; Christian Discipleship regular programmes
:; Ecumenical development
:; Inter-religious dialogue

Development

:; Community development
:; Empowerment & Development Education
:; Vocational Training & Career Development
:; Personal / professional development
:; Micro Credit
:; Sustainable development
:; Empowering Women

Educational and Training

:; Computer training
:; Continuing education
:; Cultural education
:; Feeding programme
:; Firstaid / sports injuries training
:; Independent living skills
:; Language courses
:; Pre School
:; Vocational School/training centre
:; Study and exchange
:; Recreational leadership
:; Community leadership training / volunteer training
:; Communication & networking Issue oriented

Childcare / Children’s Programme

:; Day care / pre-school
:; Children’s programme
:; care during / outside school hours
:; Love & affection camp
:; Children’s right


Issue Oriented
:; Education in native languages
:; Strengthening Civil society
:; Peace and reconciliation
:; Migration/Legal Aid/ HIV Aids
:; Racism/discrimination
:; Youth rights
:; Child rights

Employment and economics

:; Employment services / counseling Youth
:; Micro credit/small business development
:; Traineeships/youth internship
:; Street children and youth/street outreach
:; Nature conservation
:; International internships
:; International partnership with other YMCAs Job bank

Health

:; Child health care
:; Community health education
:; Drugs & alcohol prevention and rehabilitation
:; HIV/AIDS/STD awareness and prevention
:; Sports, recreation and fitness

Cultures

:; Drama, Tensing,
:; Culture and arts

Others
Relief from man made and natural disasters