Hi-Y (High School YMCA) Manual

The National Council of YMCAs of India

I
WHAT IS THE Hi-Y FELLOWSHIP?

The name Hi-Y is a contraction for High School YMCA.
The Hi-Y is a fellowship of Youth in High School classes (Forms IV, V, VI) irrespective of
standards, religious and social background.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

1. To create, maintain and extend within and outside the School high
standards of character in accordance with the Basic Principles
of the YMCA

2. To cultivate good and wholesome fellowship among Hi-Y and YMCA
Members.

3. To demonstrate in life, Clean Speech, Clean Sportsmanship and Clean
Scholarship

EMBLEM

The Hi-Y Emblem is highly symbolic of many parts.
The two triangles, a gold triangle enclosing he familiar red triangle,
represent the symbolic unity and fullness of a whole life, which is
equally concerned for the full development of spirit-mind-body.

The field of blue represents the total area of life - the world of reality in
which every Hi-Y member lives.

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Prominently displayed in the centre of the blue is the white cross, a constant reminder that the
Christian example was an example of sacrifice.

A Hi-Y Club should seek to co-operate in every way with the Local YMCA. No Club may
conduct its activities without the full consent of the school authorities, and their approval to its
activities.

Anyone who joins a Hi-Y Club becomes a member of the regional Hi-Y organization.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. A Club shall accept the National Hi-Y Aims and Objectives.
2. A Club shall be made of Members who are enrolled as students in High Schools.
3. A Club shall participate in the Financial support of the YMCA.
4. A Club shall be Democratic.
5. A Club shall have a Senior Advisor or Advisors/a Counselor or Counselors or even both, whose

function shall be to give the Club the advantage of his mature judgment when decisions are to be
made………A Guide, Helper and Friend.
6. A Club shall meet any additional requirements established by its local YMCA.
7. There shall exist among its Members a close bond of Friendship based on the recognition of one
another's rights and privileges.
8. A Club shall Elect its own Office-Bearers and they shall normally consist of :-
President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer,
9. A Club shall have a Constitution duly approved and adopted by its Members.
10. A Club shall have a minimum of I5 and a maximum of 30 Members only.
11. A Club shall apply through the General Secretary of the Local YMCA, for its Charter
……………..of the National Hi-Y of the National Council of YMCAs of India.

MEMBERSHIP

Youth of good character enrolled in high school classes may become members.
Those who want to join the Club should fill a membership application form which may be
secured from the Secretary of the Club or YMCA. His application must be sponsored by a bonafide
member of the Club to which he is applying for membership.

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After the application has been passed on by the membership Committee, and approved by the
Executive Committee, the member shall be presented to the Club by his sponsor at the Members'
Induction Ceremony. At the Ceremony, he will receive his membership card from the National Hi-Y
Fellowship and his Hi-Y Pin.

Every member should, in as far as possible, participate in all the obligations that Club
membership involves, in terms of financial support of the Hi-Y Movement and the YMCA.

PROGRAMME

Each Club shall plan its own programme according to the needs and interests of its members,
taking special account of:
Basic problems that are facing high school youth.
Service projects within the school.
Projects that grow out of study of local, national and international affairs.
Each Club should also make provision for :
Attendance at Hi-Y Councils and Conferences.
Co-operation in the extension of the Hi-Y Movement and the YMCA.
Participation in local & National Hi-Y service projects.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHARTER

1.A Club shall have a minimum Membership of 15 students

2. A payment of an Affiliation Fee of Rs.15/- per Club to be made Annually to the
National Hi-Y of the National YMCA

3. All Clubs shall submit to the National Hi-Y a copy of the Constitution

4. All Clubs shall forward to the National H-Y the Name and Addresses of Office-
Bearers…..President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and also the Name or Names of
the Senior Advisor or Counsellor.

5. The application must be signed by the General Secretary of the local YMCA.

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II

MODEL CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS
FOR A LOCAL CLUB

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be …………………………………………………. Hi-Y Club
of………………………………………………………….. (School, District, Town or City), organized
under the………………………………………………………….YMCA Branch, and duly chartered by
an under the jurisdiction of the National Hi-Y Fellowship of the National Council of YMCAs of India.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTS

The objects of this Club and its Chapters shall be:

(a) To create, maintain and extend within the school and outside it high standards of character
in accordance with the basic principles of the YMCA.

(b) To cultivate good and wholesome fellowship among Hi-Y and YMCA members everywhere.

( c) To carry out by actual practice the Hi-Y Platform of "Clean Scholarship, Clean Speech, Clean
Sportsmanship and Clean Living"

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 : Any High School student of good character, irrespective of religious affiliation and social
status, who believes in and desires to develop, in himself and in others, high standards of character and
conduct and to render social service, after being accepted by the Club, in one of its regular meetings,
may become a member.

Section 2 : Membership to this Club shall not be less than fifteen (15) nor more than thirty (30);
provided that as soon as there is one or more applicants for membership after the maximum of thirty
(30) members has been reached, the last fourteen (14) members to have been accepted in the Club
shall, together with the newly accepted applicants, form a Chapter. The same shall hold true with the
new Chapter that has been created. Such Chapter or Chapters shall operate under the Charter of this
Chartered Club, and under this Constitution and Bye-laws.

Section 3: Membership to this Club and its Chapter or Chapters shall be drawn from the IV, V, VI
Form and pre-University students, the proportion to be decided by the Executive Committee of the
Club ; provided however, that at no time shall any of these Forms in the school be deprived of
representation

Section 4: Membership in a Hi-Y Club shall include membership in the Youth Division of the local
YMCA, which will decide the extent of privileges to be given.

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ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

The officers of this Club shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer who shall
enter into office as soon as they are elected, and shall serve for one year, or until their successors shall
have been duly elected and qualified. The Chapter or Chapters shall have the same set of officers under
the same terms.

ARTICLE V - COUNSELLORS OR ADVISERS

Section 1: They shall be chosen by the Club from among senior friends, who shall act as the Club Adviser
and Counsellor and who shall have direct supervision of the Club and shall work closely with the Officers
and Members in the management and promotion of the Club's projects and activities.

Section 2: There shall be a Board of Advisers which shall act as the advisory body to guide, direct and
help the Club and the Chapters in all their undertakings. This Board shall be composed of the Club
Adviser and two other adults chosen by the members of the Club, subject to approval of the Local YMCA
or National Hi-Y Fellowship.

Section 3: The Secretary of YMCA Branch under which the Club operates shall act as the official
representative of the National Hi-Y Fellowship of the National Council of Young Men's Christian
Associations of India.

Section 4: Any member whose conduct is found detrimental for the welfare of the club shall be suspended
by the Secretary of the local YMCA. He shall place the matter before the Executive Committee. This
Committee shall either restore such Membership or suspend him for a period/periods or remove him from
the Membership as the case may be. The findings of this Committee shall be final and conclusive.

ARTICLE VI - MANAGEMENT

The business affairs of this Club shall be transacted by the Executive Committee which shall consist of
the officers and the Advisers of the Club, and the Secretary of the YMCA Branch; provided that all
matters involving the financial assessment of members and other matters of particular individual interest,
in the discretion of the Executive Committee, shall be submitted to the general membership of the Club
for action. The Executive Committee shall also act on all applications for membership. The same
procedure as this shall be applicable to the Chapters under this Club.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting;
provided, notice of the proposed amendment shall have been submitted, in writing, to all members at least
three weeks prior thereto; and provided further, that the adoption of any amendment in contravention of
the purposes and policy of the National Hi-Y Fellowship of the National Council of YMCAs of India shall
operate as a forfeiture of this Club's Charter and the membership of this Club in the National Hi-Y
Fellowship shall forthwith terminate.

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BYE-LAWS

ARTICLE I - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1 : The President shall preside at all Business Meetings of the Club and of the Executive
Committee; he shall appoint with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, all standing
committees; he shall appoint all special committees; and, he shall perform all, other duties ordinarily
devolving upon the office of the President.

Section 2 : In the absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice-President shall perform his duties

Section 3 : The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meeting of the Club and of the Executive
Committee; he shall conduct the correspondence of the Club; he shall keep an accurate record of the
attendance of regular and special meetings; he shall keep a complete and continually revised roll of
membership; he shall send to all members who shall have been absent without excuse from two
consecutive regular meetings, written notice; he shall send to the Secretary of the YMCA Branch under
which the Club operates, the monthly reports and to the National Executive Secretary of the National
Hi-Y Fellowship through the Secretary of the YMCA Branch, annual reports and he shall perform all
other duties ordinarily devolving upon the office of the Secretary.

Section 4 : The Treasurer shall credit all Accounts into the local YMCA. He shall make all payments
only upon the Authority of President and Secretary, or the Executive Committee of the Club, after
receiving due approval of the Secretary of the local YMCA. He shall keep an itemized account of all
receipts and expenditure and perform all other duties ordinarily devolving upon the office of Treasurer.

ARTICLE II - ELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1: The application for membership of a candidate be sponsored by a member in good standing
of the Club. Such application must be filed with the Secretary, on a form which shall show in addition
to candidate's name his age, date of birth, place of birth, the firm he is in, his home address, and the
other curricular he is engaged in, both in school and outside.

Section 2: The Secretary shall there upon transmit such form to the Membership Committee, which
shall make careful investigation to determine the eligibility of the candidate, and shall report its
findings and recommendations at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

Section 3: The Executive Committee shall thereupon vote to accept or reject such candidate and it shall
require a unanimous vote to accept. Upon acceptance of any candidate, the Secretary shall forthwith
notify the member sponsoring such candidate and the candidate himself.

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.

Section 4: The candidate upon receipt of such notice shall present himself to the Secretary of the local
YMCA.

Section 5: The sponsor shall see to it that the candidate so registered presents himself at the next
regular induction meeting of the Club, introduced by him to the members, and inducted according to
the rituals of induction of the Club. After induction the candidate shall sign the Constitution and by-
laws of the Club and thus be declared a full-fledged member.

Section 6: The same procedure in the election of members for the Chapters, as embodied in Section 1-
5 of this Article shall be followed.

ARTICLE III - DUES

Section1: A Charter and Annual Affiliation fee of fifteen rupees shall be required of the Club and
shall be payable in advance to the National Hi-Y Fellowship at the time a club is organized.

Section 2: The annual or monthly dues to the Club for each member shall be ……….. ……….payable
every …………………. (as decided by each Club).

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

Section 1: The regular meetings of the Club shall be held from…….To…… O'clock every..................

Section 2: Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, upon the giving of due notice to
each member.

Section 3: The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President or the Club Adviser, or the
Secretary of the YMCA Branch with the concurrence of the Club Adviser.

ARTICLE V - FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Any member unaccountably absent from three consecutive regular meeting, unless at the
next meeting thereafter he shall satisfactorily explain his absence to the Executive Committee, and
any member whose dues shall remain unpaid more than three months, shall forfeit his membership.
Section 2: A member so forfeiting his membership may be reinstated, only upon payment of all his
obligations.

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ARTICLE VI - ELECTION

The Officers of the Club or Chapter shall be elected by ballot and by a majority vote at the first
meeting of the Club or Chapter soon after the re-opening of the classes every school year and shall
assume office immediately after their election.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

Section 1: The President, the Club Adviser and Counsellor and the local YMCA Secretary shall be ex-
officio members of all Committees.

Section 2: One week after assuming office, the President shall appoint, with the advice and consent of
the Executive Committee, the Chairman and Members of the following Standing Committees :

(a) Meetings and Programme Committee, which shall have charge of the programme for regular and
special meetings of the Club :

(b) House Committee, which shall have charge of the arrangements and preparation of the meeting
place of the Club.

(c) Service Activity Committee, the duties which include the enlistment of boys in service tasks and
the promotion of a wholesome social life among the boys of the school.

(d) Public Relations Committee, which shall take charge of the publicity and the relationship of the
Club with the other existing organizations in the school .

(e) Membership Committee, which shall pass on all applications and make recommendations to the
Executive Committee, after careful investigation, of the eligibility or non-eligibility of the applicant
for membership.

ARTICLE VIII - QUORUM

Section 1: Three members of the Executive Committee, aside from the President, shall constitute a
quorum.

Section 2: One-half of the members of the Club or Chapter shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IX - INDEBTEDNESS

No debt shall be incurred by the Club and its Chapters

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

The Bye-laws may be amended by a majority of the members present at any regular meeting, provided
written notice of the proposed amendment shall first have been given to all members.

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III

MEMBERS' INDUCTION CREMONY

The following induction ceremony should be made as solemn and as impressive as possible. It should
convey to the candidates as well as to the members the meaning of Hi-Y Fellowship. The occasion
should be made to leave on each and everyone present a lasting impression. It will be good to carry out
one or two rehearsals before the actual induction, to be sure that the ceremony will go on smoothly.

Parents, friends and teachers may be invited to these inductions.

President: "I congratulate you upon your selection for membership into the Hi-Y Club of the
...…………….High School. You have been selected because the membership of this
Club feels that you will be a worthy exponent of the ideals and aims of the Club and
will strive always to keep its purpose actively before you. Will you take suggestions
from your fellow members with cheerfulness and good spirit?”

Candidates: "We will."

President: "Will you strive to help each one of us, as we will you, in overcoming personal
weakness, and developing a strong all-round life in true fellowship? "

Candidates: "We will."

President: "Will you strive to make your life one of service to others?”

Candidates: "We will."

President: "By signifying your willingness to become an active member of Hi-Y Fellowship, you
have taken the first step towards full membership in this organization. I know that as
you hear more of the meaning and purposes of our organization, you will better
appreciate just why it has meant so much down through the years."

Vice-President: "The first plank in our platform is CLEAN SPEECH, A fellow's speech usually tells of
his inner self.”As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he"

"The second plank in our platform is CLEAN SPORTSMANSHIP, It means much in
building up a boy into a man, it develops courage, will power, self-reliance, fair-play,
team work and self-sacrifice. The fellow who plays clean in athletics will play clean in
the game of life".

"The third plank in our platform is CLEAN SCHOLARSHIP. Nobody can get any
lasting benefit for himself by any kind of cheating. You get out of your education only
what you put into it. You may fool your teacher but you never can fool yourself."

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President: "The fourth plank in our platform is CLEAN LIVING. A man is made by his habits.
What you do speaks more loudly than what you say. Habits can make or break a boy, and
as you build good habits into your life now, just so true a character will you have later
on."

"The purpose of the Hi-Y Club is to develop, maintain and extend in the school and
outside it high standards of Christian Conduct. Will you make this your purpose too?

"One hundred and nineteen years ago in London a 17-year-old boy was working in a cloth
shop. He saw thousands of others of his age wasting their lives all around him. With the
inspiration of the Cross before him, he determined to follow in the footsteps of his
Master-Friend and won the friendship of another boy. Then there were two. These two
won a third, the third won a fourth. Each of these in turn won another until there were
twelve. Thus was born the Young Men's Christian Association Movement, now serving in
eighty-two countries. There has been drawn together in our High School a group of boys
willing to give their lives for a great cause, to create, maintain and extend throughout the
school and community, high standards of Christian character. We call it Hi-Y
Fellowship."

"I now want to tell you briefly of the meaning of our emblem. The white cross in the red
triangle signifies that Christ is the centre of all activities and our lives. 'I am the way, the
truth and the life. Except ye abide in me and I in you, ye can do nothing'. The triangle is
the part the YMCA plays in the Hi-Y Club Fellowship and it stands for a balanced
personality.

"Our Club is proud to be a part of such a worldwide organization of youth who are doing
things in a Christian way for school and community."

"You have learned briefly of the platforms, the aims, the purpose, the meaning and the
ideals of our Club. We hope that this knowledge will make you feel proud to serve our
Club. Make it your Club and carry its ideals forward."

You will now become a part of our Circle of Fellowship.

"This pin which is about to be given to you is a pin that should be valued highly. It should
not be carelessly treated or passed around promiscuously. It should be worn at all times
while you are a member of our Club."

(Following the distribution of the pins, the President shakes hands with the new members,
and all other members do the same)

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IV

CEREMONY FOR INSTALLATION

OF OFFICERS

This is another Solemn occasion in the life of the Club. The Presiding Officer should see to it that
the Installation Ceremony is not started until the audience is quiet. To start the Ceremony, the
Presiding Officer calls the officers to be installed by their names, one by one. As their names are
called, they step forward facing the Adviser who is the installing officer. The Club Adviser should
be facing the audience with the officers lined up in front of him, in the proper order they were
called. Articles mentioned in the ritual to be handed to each officer should be prepared beforehand
and placed within the reach of the installing officer at the time of the ceremony.

Adviser: "Whether or not our Hi-Y Club develops will depend largely upon the way in
which the officers execute their responsibilities. We cannot emphasize too strongly
the importance of performing the various duties thoroughly and well in order that
our Club will have a reasonable expectancy of achieving the purpose in our school
and community.

"The officers will now take their places before me for induction into their
respective offices."

To the President: " ...............your fellow Hi-Y members have chosen you for the
office of President of the......Hi-Y Club. This is the highest honour that your fellow
members can confer upon you. Not only have the members conferred an honour
upon you, but they pledged their faith in and loyalty to you. They have manifested a
belief that you possess the qualifications and ability for the leadership of the Club.
Your sincere endeavour to fulfill the responsibilities of your office will be your
pledge of loyalty and co-operation to them. 1 am happy to present you with the
gavel, and official symbol of your office. May you always wield it with dignity."

To the Vice-President :"……….you have been chosen to serve as Vice-President.
Even the most capable President is in need of assistance and it is the Vice-President
to whom he turns, You are to be ready at all times to fill the President's chair in his
absence. The strength of any chain depends upon the strength of each individual
link. You are a link in the chain of the Hi-Y Movement. As the symbol of your
office, I am happy at this time to present you with the Hi-Y Manual. Use it
frequently to enrich the programme of your Club."

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To the Secretary "………….a most important opportunity has been presented to you
in the office of Secretary. For one to keep accurate and complete records of the
activities and programme of the Club is not only a personal achievement but is of
vital importance to the successful operation of the Club. Regular and prompt
attendance at all meetings is essential for the efficient conduct of your office. It is
my privilege to present you the Secretary's books, wishing you joy and success in
your terms of office."

To the Treasurer: " ……honesty, trust-worthiness und dependability are three of
the finest characteristics that any young man may possess. Your fellow members
have chosen you as Treasurer because of their recognition of these qualities in you.
It is your responsibility to keep an accurate and reliable account of all dues and
financial transactions of the Club. May you ever be worthy of this trust reposed in
you. It is with pleasure that I now present you with Treasurer's records and funds."

Officers To all the officers: "As the duly elected and installed officers of this Hi-Y Club do
(in unison) : you pledge yourselves, both personally and collectively as a group, to execute the
duties of your offices to the very best of your ability ?"

"We do".

Adviser: "Will you in your daily living constantly strive to create, maintain and extend
throughout the school and community high standards of character?”
Officers
(in unison) : "We will".

Adviser: To Club Members. "Members of the...............Hi-Y Club, you have elected these
Members: men as your officers for the coming year, exemplifying your faith and confidence in
their ability to efficiently execute the responsibilities of their offices. You have just
heard their pledge of loyalty to the Club and to the purpose of Hi-Y. Do you in turn
pledge yourselves to co-operate with them and support them in the best interests of
the Club?”

“We do.”

President: "May we all form a circle symbolic of unity of purpose and co-operation in
effort, as we participate with our Adviser in the litany of dedication."

Adviser (after circle has been formed) :
"Because we have a sincere interest in our personal growth and
progress…………………………"

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Members: "We dedicate ourselves to the purpose of the Hi-Y."
Adviser: "Because we believe in love, truth, justice and peace."
Members: "We dedicate ourselves to the purpose of the Hi-Y."

V

HOLDING A MEETING

The following is a sample of the order of business in a Hi-Y Club meeting :
1. Open Ritual.
2. Reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting.
3. Presentation of Financial Statement.
4. Report of Committees.
5. Business arising from Minutes of previous meeting.
6. New Business.

CONDUCTING A MEETING

The following are suggested procedures for conducting a Hi-Y Meeting :—
1. Opening Ritual

President: "The meeting will now come to order," "Members will please stand up,"
"Let us together repeat the purpose of our Club,"
(Purpose of the Club is repeated.)

President: "Let us together state our platform," (Platform of the Club is stated.)

President: "Members will now be seated."

2. Reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting
(From this item on, the business side of the meeting commences).

President: "We shall now begin the business meeting.
The Secretary will please read the Minutes of the last meeting."
(Minutes are read by the Secretary.)

President: "Are there any additions or corrections.?....... If there are none,
I hereby declare the Minutes approved as read (or corrected)

and order them filed.
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3. Presentation of Financial Statement

President: The Treasurer will now present the financial statement.

Are there any corrections?
I hereby declare them accepted as presented (or corrected)."

4 . Reports of Committees
(If such committees exist, the President will call on the Chairmen of the committees to present
their reports. If a Chairman is absent, some member of the committee should be called upon to
present the report.)

President: "Will.........................render the report of your Committee?"
(.............................renders the report.)

President : Is there any discussion on this report?.......A motion is in order to accept
this report ………….. Do I hear a second? All those in favour? ……………
motion carried."

5. Business Arising from Minutes of previous meeting
(The President should have the Secretary note all unfinished business. He should
not allow any new business to be introduced.)

President: "We shall now go to the unfinished business of our last meeting."
Secretary reads unfinished business. Discussion and action follows.
(The remaining items of unfinished business are handled in the same manner.)

6 . New Business

President: "The table is ready to accept new business."
(New business is discussed and action decided.)

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The National Council of YMCAs of India

HI-Y MANUAL

HI (HIGH SCHOOL) - Y (YMCA)

A HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAMME
OF THE YMCA

Reproduced by

The Department of Youth Work

The National Council of YMCAs of India

Bharat Yuvak Bhavan, Gate No: 5,
K.T. Paul Memorial Block, 4th Floor, Jai Singh Road,

NEW DELHI - 110 001
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 011-43049334