Governing Plan

Mission

YPM provides practical tools for positive change to children, adults, families and communities in the Mayan/Mexican Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and in the U.S.A. - through service projects, education, medical care and Christian Spiritual support. As such, we seek to be accountable through financial and cultural exchange by Christian ministry in reciprocal mission relationships.

"Come and See"

Come and See Missions is what we call our ministrries. "Come and see" an invitation extended throughout the Gospel of John by those who knew Jesus is an invitation we extend to individuals, families, groups and teams to visit to help YPM authorized ministries, the Christian church(es) and experience first hand who Jesus is. Through communications and direction from regional Presbyteries, and invitations from local Christian Congregations, we bring people together of all ages, all denominations and all walks of life in evangelism by serving hand in hand to know God. Construction, Education and Medical programs focus on service projects, learning, health care and experiencing the Holy Spirit in our lives.

It fulfills this purpose:

1. by receiving and distributing financial support, clothing, materials, equipment and supplies from the USA to Yucatan churches, ministries, communities and charities;
2. by accepting short-term missionary individuals, families, groups and teams to the Yucatan to help in service projects, education and health care;
3. by sending short-term missionary individuals, families, groups and teams from the Yucatan to American churches to volunteer in hands on ministry opportunities within the USA.

Labors of Love Program

Undertakes a variety of construction projects as Americans serve, side-by-side, with Mayan/Mexicans to build, paint, set concrete blocks or put roofs on. Past projects include the construction of churches, houses, a hospital, a girl's home, a therapy center, a orphanage and other medical, educational and community buildings.

It fulfills this purpose:

by hosting short-term missionary families, groups and teams who come to pour concrete, comfort a child and share laughter without regard to language, go home savoring a rich experience... and memories of heartfelt gratitude in the eves of those the served.

Field Education Program

Field Ed provides an approved seminary curriculum, Ordained Pastoral leadership and an encouraging congregation to an individual open to learn all that this unique part of the world can teach.

It fulfills this purpose:

by hosting short-term individuals as missionaries (often seminary students or professionals) for a period of weeks/months/year with YPM officers and staff within its supported ministries in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Medical Program

Is established as a YPM ministry for outreach medical brigades to provide medical care and financial support to people of low-income families from cities, city suburbs, neighborhoods, as well as surrounding towns and small villages.

It fulfills this purpose:

by teams of doctors, nurses and translators from the United States and Mexico, who donate a week's time to care for individuals, families and communities mostly in remote areas, where doctors and nurses are rare.

Organizational Structure

YPM is an organization with two faces: in the United States it operates as YPM-USA (Yucatan Peninsula Mission, Incorporated) and in Mexico functions as YPM-Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula Mission, Association Civil) a bi-national international foundation, both simply known as YPM.

YPM-USA (YPM, Inc.) is a non-profit Colorado Corporation, which received a ruling dated May 8, 2002, effective January 22, 2001 from the Internal Revenue Service determining that it is exempt from United States Federal Income Tax under Code Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3), and further that donors may deduct contributions to YPM-USA on their federal income tax return. As such, it is eligible to receive financial contributions, property, equipment and cash, which are deductible on the donor's USA federal income tax return. A Board of Directors governs it, of which is solidly connected to the Presbyterian denominational church through their membership as leaders, deacons, elders or pastoral occupations. This Board elects its own members.

YPM-Mexico (YPM, A.C.) is a non-profit Social Assistant and has favorable tax status in Mexico. As such, it is eligible to receive the financial contributions from the USA, property, equipment and cash from individuals, churches, and international non-profits, through YPM-USA. Also, it is eligible to receive tax exempt financial contributions, property, equipment and cash in Mexico, and further that donors may deduct financial contributions, property, equipment and cash on their Mexican income tax return. It is governed, by the same Board of Directors, Officers and Staff, other men and women from the Yucatan Peninsula who support the ministries of YPM, including community leaders and leaders, deacons, elders and pastors within the National Presbyterian denominational church of Mexico.

YPM-USA provides decision making, fundraising, funding, budgeting, communication materials and overall accountability for the YPM in general. YPM-Mexico is generally charged with accepting and distributing finances to supported ministries, selecting ministry needs, providing pastoral and spiritual support, and is held accountable for all monetary funds and resources brought into the Yucatan Peninsula. The Board of Directors will employ the YPM officer positions, citizen staff, specialists and independent accountant firms to review accounting records and prepare necessary tax returns and government reports.

Facilities

YPM-USA as a Corporation has an organizational office based in Ouray Colorado, USA, YPM-Mexico as an Association Civil has an official office in the city of San Miguel on the island of Cozumel and an operational home base facility on the mainland in the town of Leona Vicario. This base site includes materials, equipment and vehicle storage facilities, private and dormitory living facilities, dining hall and kitchen facilities, worship hall and library, a teaching center, the organizational office and housing for organizational employees. YPM-USA and YPM-Mexico are responsible for these facilities in Mexico and America jointly. This joint ownership is one of the things, which binds the two organizations together as one.

Personnel

Officers: Officers, who are bilingually communicative and accountable to the American and Mayan/Mexican Bi-National Board of the Directors, will lead YPM. The Mexico Officer is to supervise, lead and implement individual, group and team Mission causes, actuate all relations with YPM financially supported ministries and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico. A USA Officer who will facilitate and enable individual, family, group and team Mission experiences, advocate all of the YPM ministry activity in the USA and Mexico, be accountable for receipts and disbursements of all funds in the USA and Mexico and maintain relations with the Presbyterian Presbyteries, Churches and other Christian Denominational Churches in the USA. The Board of Directors employs these Officers, and they serve closely together.

Staff: Office employees for YPM including a Manager, Representative, Coordinator, Specialist, Hosts, and others as is necessary to facilitate and enable the mission ministry activity in the USA and the Yucatan of Mexico. The highest priority in these offices will be to fully and completely account for all receipts and disbursements of the organization in both countries. Organization, coordination, management, communication, scheduling and operations will also be handled from these locations. The Officers will supervise these positions.

Committees

Committees of the Board of Directors are formed to undertake special projects and supervise ongoing aspects of the mission. Committees will report to the Board of Directors.

• The Executive Committee constitutes the core leadership of the Board. It will consist of a Board President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Officers and Staff will meet with this committee.
• The Capital Improvements Committee, which fundraises for YPM's officers, staff, facilities, vehicles, equipment, materials, etc. and YPM's financially supported mission and ministries.
• A Missions Committee, which will develop, plan and/or oversee the preparation and dissemination of YPM written materials, websites and other communication materials, as well as for mission individual, group and team experiences.
• A Ministries Commitee, to encourage gifts and bequests, monitor and maintain communications with YPM supported mission(s) ministries, the Presbyterian Church and other Christian Denominational Churches in both countries, as well as to present YPM in future development.

Organizational Values.

A number of values are inherently a part of the YPM and can be gleaned from its mission overall. Most important among them is keeping the organization grounded in individual churches and Presbyteries in both countries. These "grass roots" mission relationships are deemed essential for developing ministries in villages and communities in both countries.

Another value is accountability. YPM has as one of its highest priorities, its ability to provide complete and full accounting to donors and recipients of donations of the organization in both countries. Inclusiveness is another value the organization adopts. A large part of what YPM does is providing a service; it acts as a facilitator.

Other individuals, churches and organizations have brought USA mission teams and donations to the Yucatan. YPM is an inclusive organization; it seeks to serve with others, sharing its systems of accountability and resources in a mutually beneficial way.

Another value is charity. This is manifested in YPM's support in other ministries. YPM seeks to leverage its contacts and resources for the benefit of these ministries as well as its own mission.