Last updated 05/21/2008

The Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) is a group of young people who represent the youth of the Diocese at Diocesan Convention. They plan and run Diocesan youth events and work ultimately to make the church a nurturing environment for the spiritual growth of young people in the Christian community. They seek to accomplish this through extending fellowship and hospitality with their fellow youth.
 

The DYC is comprised of twenty members who are in high school grades 9 through 12.  These youth representatives are from each of the 12 deaneries (one representative elected from each deanery), and eight youths who are appointed by the bishop. The DYC generally has an event and/or meeting once a month. During that time they plan and run youth events, discuss relevant topics that concern the youth of the diocese and explore their own journeys of faith.
 

At the 1998 Diocesan Convention, an amendment to the Constitution passed that gave seat and voice at diocesan conventions to all members of the Diocesan Youth Council and vote to those members age 16 or older. The diocese is proud of this important step that reflects how seriously youth are held in this diocese.

Click here for a list of the current members of the DYC and the deanery they represent

        What is the role of the DYC?

• To represent the youth of my Deanery by attending and voting at Diocesan Convention

• To attend and participate in Deanery meetings; to be prepared to report on the news and events in my Deanery and to report Diocesan news and events to my Deanery

• To plan, promote and provide leadership for all Diocesan sponsored youth activities

• To attend all planning and retreat meetings and when  unable to attend, send an alternate delegate

• To uphold, embrace and enforce the agreed upon norms and non-negotiables at DYC planning meetings and for Diocesan sponsored events

What is the criteria for becoming a member of the DYC?

• High school grades 9 through 12

• Baptized communicants of the Episcopal Church

• An active participant in the life of the home parish

What is the time commitment?

We take the time commitment to the DYC very seriously so please review it with your priest/youth minister and parents and make sure you are able to meet the commitment before applying.

Each DYC member is expected to attend both the September and January kick-off meetings. All delegates must attend Convention. Each member is allowed to miss one event in the Fall and one in the Winter/Spring.

Every member of the DYC is expected to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Daily Office Lectionary gospel reading for the day, and then go out and obey Jesus each day. Please read the appointed gospel reading, spend some time with Jesus talking about it, and then spend time in stillness & silence listening to Jesus' presence in your heart and soul. Talk about this with your fellow DYC members and mentors and use this as an opportunity for the Good News of the Gospel of Christ to become a part of your every word and action. Link to a web site which features the Episcopal Lectionary.

         DYC Calendar 2008-2009

• September 6: Youth Event at St. Christopher's, Chatham ("Sevenglory")

• September 19-21,: DYC Kick-Off Retreat, BCH Center

• November 7-8: Diocesan Convention, Hyannis

• November 14-15: Retreat Planning Overnight

• November 21-23: Junior High Retreat, BCH Center

• January 9-10: New Year Kick-off and Retreat Planning Overnight

• February 6-8: Senior High Retreat, BCH Center

• March 13-14: Planning Overnight for Pre-Confirmation Retreats

• March 20-21: Pre-Confirmation Retreat #1

• April 3-4: Pre-confirmation Retreat #2

• April 24-25: Senior Send-Off (Overnight)

How do I get elected?

1. Download and print out the Nomination Form.
2. Fill it out and submit the form to your Rector or Youth Leader.
3. Your Rector/Youth Leader will then need to submit your nomination form along with their own endorsement to your Deanery’s co-conveners.
4. The co-conveners should then hold an election at their next Deanery meeting. Once the selection has been made, the co-conveners need to notify the Office of Youth Ministry.
      

DYC members may join the DYC Yahoo Group!

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