International Brother Clubs (IBC)
December is the Emphasis Month for International Brother Clubs.
Did you know that YMI’s IBC programme celebrates its 75th year in 2022?
This programme began with an idea by Carl Bergstrom at the 25th anniversary convention in 1947 to recognise sponsors of overseas clubs. That year, the club in Battle Creek, Michigan would be the first to receive the associated lapel pin for starting a club in La Paz, Bolivia. The following year, the idea was expanded to encourage clubs in different countries to become ‘brothers’ in official but informal partnerships and the sponsorship prerequisite was removed. The first IBC relationships were created between clubs in the USA, Japan and Korea and the concept gained immediate popularity.
Does your club have an IBC relationship?
We would love to learn more about how you collaborate and the defining features of your partnership. Your model can serve to inspire others. Please consider connecting with your partner clubs on 8 December to celebrate Founder’s Day together.
If you do not have an IBC partnership, we encourage you to visit the website to learn more about the programme or contact the ISD directly.