International Association of Y's Men's Clubs

Y's Men International is an independent, adult service organization in partnership with the YMCA, with programs focusing on fellowship and the spiritual and mental improvement of its members.

From the description of Y's Men International records, 1920-2006 (bulk 1970-2000). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 70188069

Y's Men International is an independent organization affiliated with the Young Men's Christian Association. It is an adult service organization in partnership with the YMCA with programs focusing on fellowship and the spiritual and mental improvement of its members.

Y's Men International had its beginnings in 1920 when a men's luncheon club, led by Judge Paul William Alexander, was established in support of the Toledo, Ohio YMCA. The opportunity to combine community service with fellowship proved attractive. The idea spread to YMCAs throughout Ohio beginning in 1922, and an association of clubs, later named Y's Men, was organized to link one with another in service to the YMCA. Before that year ended, the concept expanded into nearby states and into the Maritime Provinces of Canada, beginning with Sydney, Nova Scotia. Within a few years, Y's Men clubs could be found throughout the world. The first club outside North America was formed in Shanghai, China in 1924. International expansion continued when a club was chartered in Brisbane, Australia in 1926. In 1928 clubs were founded in Osaka, Japan, and Tallinn, Estonia. Expansion continued to South America with a club formed in Valparaiso, Chile in 1935. Africa's first Y's Men's Club was chartered in Durban, South Africa in 1936.

From 1925 to 1962 the headquarters of the international organization was located in the basement of the Massachusetts home of Henry Grimes, who first served as the volunteer secretary-treasurer of the organization and later became the organization's first full-time employee. Following his death, Y's Men International moved the headquarters to rented facilities in Downer's Grove, Illinois, near George Williams College. The need for a permanent headquarters building was ascertained by the leadership and a capital campaign was undertaken to raise funds for the building that was eventually constructed in Oak Brook, Illinois. As the organization grew into a worldwide operation, the leadership and members made the decision to relocate the headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland at the John R. Mott building already serving as the headquarters of the World Alliance of YMCAs. The international headquarters remains today in the Geneva, Switzerland YMCA.

The first reference to women in Y's Men came in 1923 when a North Carolina club inquired if there was a group for wives of Y's Men. The idea took hold and the first Y's Menettes Club was established in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1924. While encouraging the establishment of Y's Menettes clubs, an association was not seen as advisable by the leadership of the Y's Men. It was not until years later that Y's Menettes were officially added to Y's Men International as an auxiliary. When the Y's Men's constitution was revised in the early 1970s, the new rules for membership included women. Although Y's Menettes clubs continue in many places around the world, many areas, particularly in the United States, opted to combine the sexes in one organization. In recognition of their mixed membership, these clubs frequently (but not always) adopt the name "Y Service Clubs" (there are some instances of Y's Men's Clubs where women comprise the entire membership).

Throughout its history Y's Men International faced a series of crises beginning with the Great Depression of the 1930s and followed closely by war in Asia which spread worldwide by the end of the decade. Totalitarian governments sprang up in many nations which made it impossible for local Y's Men's Clubs to operate over varying periods of time. In 1942, the International Secretary-Treasurer's office reported 255 active clubs in 22 countries; the following year the number had dropped to 150 active clubs, with 29 on leave of absence and 32 whose status was unknown. The clubs that remained active played a part in relief efforts during World War II. In the United States, clubs supported the war effort by raising money in bond drives, promoting programs for military personnel and conducting scrap metal drives. Clubs in mainland China struggled during the war and post war years with several clubs disbanding. In later years the Chinese government relaxed restrictions concerning Y's Men's Clubs, resulting in the revival of some clubs and formation of new clubs.

The Y's Men continued to grow and expand its reach around the world in the years following World War II. By 1951 there were a total of 411 clubs around the world, with most of the growth occurring outside the United States. As of 2012, there are nearly 1,600 Y's Men's Clubs in more than 70 countries with a membership of over 30,000. The organization has taken a leadership role against discrimination regarding race, religion, gender, and ethnic origin and has been a consistent supporter of programs to improve interracial relations throughout the world as well as providing financial support to those in need.

An online version of this finding aid may be found at http://special.lib.umn.edu/findaid/html/ymca/yymn.phtml

References:

International Association of Y’s Men’s Clubs. A Fellowship of Service : 75th Anniversary Edition. Geneva, Switzerland : Y's Men International, 1997.

Keitel, George W. A Topical History of Y'sdom: The Story of the International Association of Y's Men's Clubs-the Service Club of the YMCA. Oak Brook, Ill. : The International Association of Y's Men's Clubs, 1972

From the guide to the Y's Men International records, 1920-2012, (bulk 1970-2000), (University of Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca])