About Us
The Canadian YMCA Alumni is a network of former YMCA and YMCA-YWCA volunteers and staff who share a common thread of values and work. People who have left their previous roles with a YMCA in Canada can join the Canadian YMCA Alumni to stay connected to the Y while maintaining and expanding Y relationships locally, nationally, and internationally. Alumni have opportunities to provide leadership in their areas of interest and continue to contribute to the Y in a variety of ways. Alumni activities allow for personal and professional growth, fellowship, and support of YMCA people and programs around the world.
Benefits of being a Member
- Staying in touch with Y colleagues, staff and volunteers, with whom we have worked.
- Opportunities to connect and learn in national Alumni virtual learning gatherings on interesting topics such as financial planning in retirement; end of life planning and regular updates on the YMCA, locally, nationally and internationally.
- Receiving a bi-monthly issue of Tielines, the Alumni’s newsletter.
- Maintaining our connection with the YMCA world of retirees through the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees (WFYR)
- An opportunity to contribute and assist Y retirees in other parts of the world through the Secours Speciaux program of the World Alliance of YMCAs.
How to Join
New members are always welcome! The Canadian YMCA Alumni Association is open to all former YMCA and YMCA-YWCA staff and volunteers, and their partners.
Complete the membership form and follow the instructions outlined in the document to submit your form.
Executive Committee
President
Janet Giles
Vice President
Marilyn Kapitany
Membership Chair
Mimi Price
Secretary
Martha Lee Blickstead
Treasurer
Sol Kasimer
Communications Chair
Gary Gray
Secour Speciaux Chair
John Haddock
Membership Engagement Co-Chairs
Gayle Graham
Mimi Price
Members at Large
John Haddock
John Lilley
Past President
Franco Savoia
Representatives of Alumni Hubs
Laura Palmer Korn, Greater Toronto Area
Trudy Brydges, Moncton
Nancy Dube, Sudbury
Gayle Graham, Owen Sound Grey Bruce
Our Constitution
Learn more about the purpose and structure of the Canadian YMCA Alumni Association.
Our Awards
Nominate someone for one of our annual awards! Learn more about the three awards and nomination process.
Membership Policy
This policy outlines how to stay active as a member of our organization.
Secours Speciaux
Secours Speciaux is a program of the World Alliance of YMCAs aimed at providing support to Y retirees experiencing health and financial challenges. It is an initiative of retired Y leaders voluntarily reaching out to assist other retired Y colleagues in need.
The Canadian Y Alumni undertakes an annual campaign among its membership to contribute.
Learn more about Secours Speciaux
2024 President's Report
Janet Giles is pleased to share this report on the activities of the Canadian YMCA Alumni Association throughout 2024.
Past Issues of Member Newsletters
Tielines is the official newsletter of the Canadian YMCA Alumni Association. Trudy Brydges and Diana Deakin Thomas are the editors of TieLines.
Disclaimer
The Canadian YMCA Alumni Association is a separate and distinct organization from YMCA Canada. YMCA Canada is not responsible for the content, operation or management of this group. Any inquiries related to the Canadian YMCA Alumni should be directed to their executive team.