100 Years of Service
Judge Paul William Alexander
In 2022, Y’s Men International will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In 1922, Judge Paul William Alexander started the first club in Toledo, Ohio, USA in 1922 to support the local YMCA.
Being a club member during this historic period is a great privilege – but one that comes with increased responsibility. Although our centennial is certainly a time to look backward in honour of our founder and our past accomplishments, it is more importantly a time to look forward. We have been given a wonderful legacy, but what will we pass on? It is our urgent duty to decide the architecture of our future and to lay its foundation. Together, we must build the relevance of our movement and increase our service so that the next generation of Y’s Men members inherit something solid and significant on which to construct their own history.
Challenge 22
Challenge 22 is the operational plan to strengthen our movement, which includes strategic steps for expansion to 50,000 club members in 3,000 clubs and 100 countries by 2022. Challenge 22 commits every club member to working collectively for the common good and future of our great international movement. If we are to reach the outlined goals everyone must be enthused and engaged. This is where we need your assistance.
Paul William Alexander Legacy Project
The Paul William Alexander Legacy Project is a collective effort to honour the founder of Y’s Men International in the lead up to the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2022. In addition to commemorating our origin, the collection of projects aim to create a unified future, strengthening international solidarity and club members’ commitment to the vision of Paul William Alexander.
Celebrating at the Club Level
All clubs around the world are invited to host one or more celebration activities during the Week of Celebration.
1 – 8 May 2022
Be inspired by the ‘Our 100 Years‘ brochure, provided to motivate clubs to celebrate 100 years of friendship and charity. It is our wish that every club in YMI be proud of what we have accomplished as an organisation thus far and be encouraged to continue our work into the future.