November 2024 * View as Webpage

Left -- Pokagon State Park Interpretive Naturalist Aimee M. Wentworth talks of park history and the Ice Age. Right -- Members zoomed in a presentation by Norris Lineweaver and Fadi Saudan about the Jerusalem YMCA.

POTAWATOMI INN

OUR ANNUAL MEETING

Chapter members gathered at the beautiful Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park for our Annual Meeting September 4-5. Following the greetings/welcome prayer by Roy Gilliom, we enjoyed the Park Interpretive Naturalist Aimee M. Wentworth talk about the history of the park. 

Actually, it was “ancient history” including the Legacy of the Ice Age and its glaciers. It is estimated that our states were completely covered by up to a mile and a half of glacier ice. Thousands of lakes and rivers evolved as life on earth developed. It was a very interesting presentation.

Lou Drexler facilitated our Zoom meeting session featuring Norris Lineweaver, former Director General of the Jerusalem YMCA, and his presentation titled “A Fusion of Friends—Possibilities for Peace.” Norris shared insights about the Jerusalem YMCA, the conflicting status of the area, and the culture. 

We learned about the devastation of much of Western North Carolina caused by Hurricane Helene. Norris was actually in Canada during the storm days, and reported that his family living in the Ashville area are safe. His planned relocation to the area is on hold.

We were also honored to have Jerusalem YMCA CEO Fadi Snidan share his focus to facilitate the positive influence that the YMCA plays in its role for peace-making relationships.

Top -- Members enjoyed dinner at Caruso's in nearby Angola, IN. Bottom -- The weather was ideal for meeting outdoors, too.

NOTES

ANNUAL MEETING

The Chapter Annual Meeting officially began Sept. 5 with Co-President Terry Jones sharing reports on membership and finance. 

We have 68 units of membership with 110 people that includes 11 lifetime members as of Aug. 31. We have received $1,395 in contributions to the chapter from 40 members and $1,225 for National dues. 

The dues were a direct expense item on our budget along with newsletter costs, printing, postage, and meeting room expenses. 

We made $500 contributions each to support World Service and the International Service Corps. Expenses for the year showed $3,588.51 with a net loss of $633.51. The current checking account balance is $7,102.

Don Stetson moved that the chapter donate $500 to the Emergency Assistance Fund and World Service. Dale Packer seconded it and it was approved by the members.

A review of our current Constitution and By Laws was led by Don.The documents have been revised and edited and are attached for your review. We will vote on their approval at our spring 2025 gathering.

A key focus for the action was to ensure we include representation from both states on our chapter board. We currently have only Indiana leadership on the board. Click the button below to read the full document.

MEMBERSHIP

IT'S RENEWAL TIME

Membership renewal time for 2025 is now through December. Terry Jones will be sending out renewal notices to our chapter members via U.S. Mail by the end of this month. 

Our chapter dues are free again this year, but contributions to the chapter are encouraged. Chapter members must pay national YMCA Alumni dues of $25. You can renew by returning the mailed renewal form to Terry or by clicking HERE.

We would like to recognize our Lifetime Members:

Rebecca Brown, IN * Pat Fieldhouse, FL * Elaine Fortune, TX *

Roy Gilliom, IN * Carol Hemdal, IN * Max Kelly, IN

Mary Ann Louks, MI * Dorothy Reap, IN * Lynn Schlegel, IN

Gianna Sheets, MI * Don Vreeland, MI

Top -- Our Tiny Home village on the Cheyenne Sioux Reservation finds each of our four homes in various stages of completion. Bottom front row -- Hoosier-Buell volunteers Dan and Marilyn Sager and Danny and Winnie Meier. Back row -- YMCA Alumni leaders Lou Falk, Project Chair; Phill Morgan, National President and George Painter, Construction Manager.

NATIONAL SERVICE PROJECT

HEADING TOWARD COMPLETION

Construction progress on Phase 1 of our National Service Project in Dupree, SD shows our village of four tiny homes in different stages of completion on the exterior.

Continued interior work and completion of the village is planned for 2025. You may volunteer now for any of the four volunteer work waves in May and September by clicking HERE.

The project’s second phase – “twigs” – two small branches in outlying communities constructed from shipping containers, is currently in the architectural design phase.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

William Seward, Executive Director of the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing is now living in Okemos, MI.

Nancy Burger, Senior Program Director, YMCA Storer Camps, is now living in Jackson, MI.

Nancy Short, Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, continues to live in Indianapolis.

Mary Beth Carmichael, Sr. Vice President of the Greater Indianapolis YMCA, is now living in Avon, IN.

LOOKING TOWARD SPRING

HOW ABOUT INDY/NASHVILLE?

The Chapter will hold a spring 2025 meeting in the Indianapolis/Nashville area. Nancy Short and Mary Beth Carmichael have volunteered to explore options for the location and entertainment. Dates will be determined with the venue for late April or early May 2025. Our Annual Meeting is proposed to be held in Michigan for the Fall 2025.

MEMORABLE VACATIONS

STETSONS TAKE THE PRIZE

Our meeting ended with members recalling their most memorable vacations. We’re well-traveled all over the U.S. and around the world.

The most unique trip was probably Don and Ramona Stetson’s vacation plans for their graduating grandchildren. They promised them an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world. Their granddaughter chose Paris. Ah, well, they went to New York's Big Apple instead. 

2025-2026 ADVENTURES

YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB

Jan. 26-Feb. 2, 2025:

YMCA Alumni Reunion-at Sea-Cruise on

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas

June 17-July 3, 2025:

Land of the Midnight Sun Cruise on Emerald Princess

Sept. 14-24, 2025:

Majestic Canadian Rockies Globus motor coach tour

Oct. 8-18, 2025:

Istanbul to the Adriatic cruise on Explora

Feb. 21-March 9, 2026:

Charms of the Mekong River Cruise on

AMA Waterways with land extensions

Mid-May 2026:

Scenic Switzerland by Rail with Cosmos Tours

Late May 2026:

Alaska: The Last Frontier cruise on Celebrity Edge

A fourth adventure for 2026 will be

announced later this fall. 

Photos: Istanbul to the Adriatic on Explora; Switzerland by Rail

CHAPTER LEADERS

Co-Presidents: Dan Sager, Terry Jones

Vice President: Lou Drexler

Interim Treasurer: Terry Jones

Click on name in blue to send email.



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The mission of YMCA Alumni is "to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."