Ysmen Brother Clubs User Manual

Y’S
MEN
INTERNATIONAL

International

Brother Clubs

Y’S MEN INTERNATIONAL, 9 AVENUE SAINTE-CLOTILDE, 1205 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

www.ysmen.org

cl/MyDocs/M&B/IBC Manual

A programme for

international understanding

Manual prepared by Past ISD Janette Hueting.

Illustrations by Past ISD Kaj Kjellström.

Manual updated and prepared for electronic distribution by
Alan Wallington of Kingswood Y’s Men’s Club, England,
October 2002

YOUR INPUT REQUESTED

If you have any suggestions on the content of this
manual—or ideas for additional sections—please
contact IHQ or send an email to ...

[e-mail]

NOW A BROTHER CLUB QUADRANGLE?

Yes, indeed! Triangle relationships have now been extended to include a fourth partner, linking
clubs around the world. What a wonderful way to strengthen the bonds of fellowship, to broaden
our outlook, to share and care!

WHAT IS A BROTHER CLUB?

The Brother Club Programme joins in partner­ship clubs located in different countries for their
mutual benefit and better understanding. It is
designed to assist fellow Y’s Men and Women
and families to learn about and exchange ideas
between clubs, whether they are just over the
border or right across the world. Women’s clubs
may prefer to use the term “Sister Club.”

WHEN IS A RELATIONSHIP “DEAD”?

Remember that countries and their people are used to many different ways of life. Some respond
quickly while others may have a more cautious approach. So try not to be too discouraged if your
letters to your Brother Club are not being answered. Be persistent. Always hope to keep a friend!

If you are still concerned after a reasonable time, write to your Regional Service Director who will
help to find the reasons for your problem through the Area Service Directors. The club may have
died or may just be in need of encouragement. Please notify your Regional Service Director when a
relationship is dead.

Then look for another Brother Club!

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HOW DID BROTHER CLUBS START?

1947 At the Toledo Convention, USA, former SD Carl Bergstrom recommended that lapel pins

be presented to members of overseas clubs sponsored by North American clubs. Battle
Creek Club, Michigan, was first to do so with pins for visiting Y'sm. Alberta Merubia to
take to his Club in La Paz, Bolivia. The idea developed for two clubs in different countries

to adopt each other as Brother Clubs.
1948 Pacific Southwest and Oregon clubs had Brother Clubs in Japan and Korea.
1949 Rapid growth of the programme meant a committee was needed and the first Chairperson,

Gale Crosgrove, was appointed.
1950 83 partnerships were arranged.
2000 By June more than 1350 Brother Club partnerships were in place in 8 Areas all around the

world.

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