Dear Y’s Men, Women, and Youth all over the world,
I pen this first letter to you with thankfulness and excitement as circumstances have propelled me into IP duties several months ahead of schedule. Upon becoming IP Elect, one of my first actions was to select my theme. It is “Let Your Light Shine” and is inspired by the passage of Mathew 5:16 in the Bible. As members of our great movement, I equate our role to that of a lighthouse, providing a guiding beacon to illuminate the positive and hoping that this light might be reflected and passed on by those it touches.
YMI’s strength is our strong clubs. Our clubs are the foundation of our movement—or following my
theme, individual bulbs in our light house. On their own, their power to diminish darkness of the world is
limited but when thousands come together clarity and luminosity on a grand scale can be achieved. I
encourage all clubs to make your light burn as brightly as possible. Build impact in your community but
also strive to develop fellowship with other club members around the world. We are an association of
clubs, autonomous but bound by fellowship. This is our defining difference and our overlying strength. I
have been encouraged by what YMI has recently accomplished. As an International Executive Officer, I
have witnessed the dedication and work of many leaders at all levels. In the last six months, new clubs
have been chartered in all Areas – a great achievement. We have adopted our plan for the next ten years,
Strategy 2032. A committed working team continues to study ways to modernise our International
Constitution and the organisational structure. Concrete decisions have been made regarding steps to
increase impact and brand awareness and to empower our leaders. A review of our various programmes
has been commissioned. We are active and engaged. We are creating our future—together.
February is the Emphasis Month for Time of Fast (TOF). TOF is the spirit of our movement. We are now
also gearing up for the third in-person International RDE Summit. And, of course, one should not forget
the ongoing preparations for our centennial celebration being organised by our passionate and devoted
members in Taipei. It is a very exciting time for YMI. It is a time to celebrate and to smile from your heart.
An honest smile inspires confidence, builds trust and is form of communication that I can consider to be
the cornerstone of Y’s Men International. I look forward to sharing many smiles with you and to
spreading the light of our movement to dispel the deepest shadows of inequality within the world.
Mr Ulrik Lauridsen
International President