Leadership Transition Done the Right Way

Youth Unlimited Toronto is about to go through a significant leadership transition. I have seen many transitions of leadership and I want you to know that YU Toronto has got this one right.

Cudos to the board of directors for YU Toronto for following God's lead on this transition and handeling it with such grace and love.

AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YU TORONTO

May 13, 2013 6:10 am

The Board of Directors of Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Moore as their new Executive Director effective July 1, 2013.

John Wilkinson has served as the Executive Director for the past 13 years. He has done a terrific job in developing our Chapter to its current strength and effectiveness. God has blessed him and his dedicated service and we are most thankful for his faithful commitment to the youth of the Greater Toronto Area.

The timing of this significant transition has been undertaken with a desire to see an effective succession that continues the forward momentum of Youth Unlimited’s staff and volunteer teams, programs and many supporters.

John has accepted a full-time executive role with us reporting to the Board of Directors as Executive Coach and Strategist. In addition to supporting the transition to Scott as the new Executive Director, John will bring his gifts and passions to the coaching and mentoring of key leaders in Youth Unlimited and other organizations.

Scott Moore has been the Area Director for our North York region for the past five years. He has been responsible for effectively guiding a number of staff teams who run programs in that region.

Scott came to YU with an education in Honours Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western (2003) and a Masters of Divinity degree from Tyndale Seminary (2008). He has developed a leadership style that is collaborative, relational and spiritual. During his interviews, Scott shared his guiding principle for decision-making: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Furthermore, he wrote, “In the end, I hope to be someone who loves God evidently and loves people extravagantly.”

Although change often creates uncertainty in the natural realm, it always produces excitement in the spiritual realm where God, who knows the future, is the decision- maker. The Board is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Youth Unlimited under Scott’s leadership.

I thank God for the opportunity of having a well-managed transition with the commitment by all to serve God first in this change. We are most fortunate to have the services of both Scott and John over the next number of years in their new roles.

Your continued support, prayers and involvement in this important work will be cherished and deeply appreciated.

On behalf of Youth Unlimited and its Board of Directors,

Paul Hogan Board Chair

Read more about the transitions happening at YU in the latest edition of the YU Times.

Why We Do What We Do

I received a CD in the mail this week – the first release from a very talented young lady named Renee Geronimo.  I have known Renee for over 10 years now through youth ministry and while we never super-close friends, I have followed her (in a non-stalkerish way) over the past few years on Facebook as she furthered her music career.  Thus, I was absolutely thrilled when she messaged me in mid-April offering to send me a copy of her new CD called “lilies and sparrows”.

Upon receiving the CD, I immediately popped it into my computer and listened to it on repeat throughout my work day. It is a wonderful collection of songs, each one with its own unique style and feel.  There’s a bit for everyone: some pop, some folk, some soul and some worship.  And over-arching the entire CD is the theme of God’s love and power – you can really sense Renee’s love for God and devotion to her faith.  Have a listen to the entire CD here.

However, even more touching than the music was the simple hand-written note that Renee included in the package.  With her permission, I am posting it below:

Without getting into too much of the back story, the simple version is that Renee served with my good friend Andrea as part of the youth ministry at St. Matthew’s Parish in the early 2000s and Andrea and her team (including Renee) were involved in the planning of Youth Day 2001. 

Thus, I was moved to read that that simple invitation was a catalyst in a life-changing summer for Renee – one that reaffirmed her belief in God and her faithfulness to the Catholic Church.  Now, a dozen years later, Renee is not only involved in her parish but also following her dream to be a professional musician and music instructor all while giving glory to God through her music.

This is why we do what we do in youth ministry.   

This is why we lead.  Why we encourage.  Why we affirm.  Why we challenge.  Why we cheerlead.  Why we advocate. 

This is why we spend time praying for the young people we shepherd.  Why we put in hours into planning our parish youth ministry gatherings orarchdiocesan events.  Why we get so excited when we see a young person step outside of his comfort zone in the name of the Lord.  And why we get so hurt when we see a young person suffer or endure disappointment.

We do this to make a difference.

We do this to make an impact in the lives of young people.

We do this not to lead young people closer to ourselves.

We do this to point young people toward God and to lead them into an encounter with Him so that they may feel his awesome love.

So to everyone involved in youth ministry – whether you’re a parish youth ministry coordinator, core team member, volunteer, parent, teacher, campus minister, chaplain, priest, sister, religious, driver, or overall supporter:  thanks for who you are and for all you do.

YOU make a difference.

Clayton Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie.  He has served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes develop their own youth and young adult ministries.  When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks.  Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo