Upcoming Diocesan Youth Council Gatherings
Important Note about the 2021-2022 DYC Meetings
We are doing everything in our power to have meetings in person this school year. DYC reps, be on the lookout for more information being sent to you. If we need to, we will move DYC meetings virtually (via Zoom). DYC representatives will be notified via Flocknote. For online meetings, there will be online permission forms that DYC reps’ parents need to fill out. DYC reps won’t get the link to the meeting until the permission form is filled out. There are specific guidelines for online gatherings that we need you to look over. Parents and youth ministers, as always, you are welcome to join in on the call.
Are You a DYC Parish/School Representative? Start Here!
New DYC reps are encouraged to fill out this information form after they have been nominated by their parish/school youth ministry leader. (Here in Spanish) Both sides need to be filled out. Knowing that it might be difficult to gather signatures right now, an email from the pastor saying that he approves of the recommended reps and a formal email of approval from parish/school youth ministry leader would take the place of signatures. Parents and representatives should be able to sign the form.
Once completed, the form can be mailed to the diocese, attention OYYA:
Office For Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Diocese of Gary
9292 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
OR
It can be scanned and emailed to vhathaway@dcgary.org
If necessary, reps can take a picture of the application and email it to vhathaway@dcgary.org. It’s not the best option since it is hard to read if it is straight from the camera. One app that enables a smartphone to scan documents is called CamScanner. It’s a free and scans documents nicely. They can then be emailed to vhathaway@dcgary.org .
Sunday, September 19, 1-4pm: DYC Meeting, Pastoral Center
See full schedule below or click here for a PDF of dates.

Check out the “Saints Spotlight” podcast, written, recorded, and produced by the Diocesan Youth Council!

Click the links below to read the handouts from the 2019/2020 DYC sessions.
If bad weather is threatening on the day of a meeting, I will send a text message and email via Flocknote. Please make sure that we have your correct phone and email address!
What’s Flocknote? We’ve started using the Diocesan Flocknote website to text and email quick reminders of meetings. Flocknote is a great tool it complies with our diocesan safe environment policy. If you DO NOT want to receive text messages or have not received anything from Flocknote, please let me know. Email me at vhathaway@dcgary.org or 219-769-9292 ext. 229.
Sign up for the DYC Flocknote group here!
Previous Meeting Notes

Misc. info for reps:
DYC TEXT LIST SERVICE:We’ve started using the Diocesan Flocknote website to text and email quick reminders of meetings. Flocknote is a great tool it complies with our diocesan safe environment policy. If you DO NOT want to receive text messages or have not received anything from Flocknote, please let me know. Email me at vhathaway@dcgary.org or 219-769-9292 ext. 229.
FOOD: Please make sure you eat lunch before your arrival. For all meetings you are invited and encouraged to bring snacks to share.
REPORTS: Come prepared with clear, concise reports. “I don’t know what’s going on” is not a good report. You represent not only a youth ministry, but a parish. There’s probably something going on in your parish!
Permission forms are not optional. I will be cracking down on missed forms. I don’t like to issue them any more than you and your parents like having to complete them, but they are a part of your participation. Not only are you mailed a copy, but they’re available online too (see above). No excuses.
“Excused absences” are absences reported to me one week in advance. “Each member is expected to notify the Office of Youth Ministry at least one week before the meeting if he/she cannot be present and why. If a member has more than one unexcused absence she/he may be removed from the council.” We suggest that once you get the DYC calendar, add it to your family calendar, personal calendar, and phone.
You don’t have to be an adult to use a calendar! It’s one of the most important skills you can learn as a leader: high-achievers (and many of you are!) tend to take on many projects and commitments. Being a responsible leader means avoiding scheduling conflicts whenever possible, and when it’s not possible to avoid them, to give plenty of advance notice. Having a calendar helps you do that. If you have a smart phone, you have a calendar program- use it! Most email programs have them integrated with smart phones (Google’s is excellent), and there’s always good old-fashioned paper!
If you are applying for scholarships, college admission, etc., be sure to list your DYC involvement. Religious involvement- especially religious leadership- is very appealing to many acceptance boards. I am always happy to complete any letters of recommendation, etc. for you. Just give me what you need with plenty of advance notice. If you ask the night before it is due, I cannot guarantee that it will be completed in time.
You should be meeting with your youth minister(s) or pastor at least once a month, to ensure that there is a flow of information back and forth.
If you know you cannot make a significant portion of the meetings, please contact your youth leader ASAP about finding another rep. No need to apologize, we’d just rather have another teen who can attend more regularly.