HOw To...
Have an MYA Meeting
Prepare for a Meeting
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Priest communicates with the young adult president to see when a meeting can be held.
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Discuss and plan the details of the meeting with the help of the MYA president and other young adults who offer to help.
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Create an agenda and a flyer to share to the members.
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When the meeting begins follow your agenda to stay on schedule.
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Plan to have food at the meeting, everyone loves snacks and pizza!
Create Meeting Agenda
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Opening Prayer - Can be from the heart, otherwise Hail Mary or Our Father is just as powerful!
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Take a group picture!
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Introduce yourselves to each other if there are new members.
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Icebreaker activity if needed.
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Agenda topics
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Closing Prayer - Can also be from the heart, otherwise Hail Mary or Our Father is just as powerful!
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Remind attendees of the next meeting date.
Meeting Roles
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MC - Someone to keep the meeting going at a steady pace and on track with the agenda, usually the President.
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Secretary - Take note of attendance and notes throughout the meeting
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Volunteer for Opening and Closing prayer - can be one person for both or two different people.
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Priest/Moderator
Tips
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Store your agendas on Google Drive, or somewhere easily accessible to those who need to refer to it later.
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Bring food!
Zoom/Virtual Event Ideas
Prepare for a Meeting
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Movie Night
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Prayer Night
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Trivia/Kahoot
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Guest Speaker (bishops, priests, subdeacons, spiritual speakers)
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Zoom whiteboard feature (hangman, tic tac toe, Pictionary)
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Bingo
Public Event Ideas
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Escape Rooms
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Bowling
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Rollerblading/Skating
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Iceskating
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Museums
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Snowboarding/Skiing
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Laser Tag
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Theology on Fire
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Theology on Tap
Misc. Event Ideas
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Book Club
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Bible Study
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Fundraisers
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Drive Through (fundraiser/festival)
FORM An MYA
Advertise/Communication
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Announcements about forming a MYA Group from the pulpit.
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Bulletin announcements, share on Facebook, social media (Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, email parishioners informing them of the intention to start a MYA group at the parish)
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Welcome as many young adults as possible and let them know that you as their pastor are interested in them and forming a group for them to meet their needs.
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Create an information list and gather the name, age, email, and cellphone number, of young adults, inviting them to form a MYA group.
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Be aware of MYO members who are transitioning into the MYA age group (18-35 yrs).
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Select two or three young adults who could potentially help coordinate and form the MYA.
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Do not get discouraged as it takes time to build a solid group.
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Meet at least once a month (minimum) and have a consistent schedule.
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Inform people ahead of time, at least two weeks in advance, of events and meetings.
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Encourage the MYA Board at your parish to meet at least every 6 months to make a schedule for the monthly events & meetings for the future.
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It is imperative to have a schedule of planned events (suggested 3 - 6 months in advance) which is promoted among the young adults, through email, social media, text messages, flyers, etc.
In creating a MYA board the following roles are suggested
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President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Event Coordinator
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Moderator/Minister (it can be a lay person who is not in the MYA age range and who can offer spiritual support and guidance to the MYA)
Examples of Events/meetings/activities: (Social , Service, Spiritual)
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Theology Discussions with Bonfire “Theology On Fire”
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Bible Study - Dinner at the parish
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Adoration and Rosary followed by refreshments
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Friendsgiving - Potluck with MYA
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Hike, Bowling, Karaoke etc.
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Movie Night, Paint Night
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Service Projects
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Visiting Elderly, Christmas Caroling, Wrapping Gifts,
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Giving Tree, Food Drive, Feed the homeless.
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Attend Local events in community
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Festivals, Entertainment, Museums
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SUSTAIN a MYA
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It is vital that meetings are held whether there are 2 or 20 people.
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Whatever dates or events, meetings are set and must be held.
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Inconsistency leads to loss of interest in group
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Ensure that the group stays relevant by hearing the voices/opinions of MYA members in the parish.
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Promote Involvement in Regional and National meetings and events to help local MYA groups keep in touch with surrounding MYA groups, to bond and share ideas.
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Never stop recruitment, always look for new members!!
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The MYA Board needs to delegate to ensure that everyone is taking part in their role and responsibilities.
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Having annual elections for the MYA Board to allow others to have a chance to be Involved in a leadership capacity.
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Continued Promotion from the altar, in the bulletin, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat)
GROW a MYA
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Keep in contact with surrounding MYA groups by hosting a regional MYA retreat at your church. This could be a retreat day or weekend.
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Inviting and encouraging MYA members to be involved in parish operations; for example having a role in the Divine Liturgy, Parish Council, Church Events
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Host a monthly young adult Liturgy inviting the young adults from the surrounding parishes to attend and socialize after the Liturgy.
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These are not the only ideas or ways in which one can form, sustain, and grow a MYA group.