OLYO

 

The OLYO events are specially planned and organized to include lots of fun fellowship time so that youth from all over Oregon can get to know one another and find mutual encouragement. Each event includes time for games, discussion around engaging subject matter, worship, and usually an opportunity for service. Another very unique aspect of the OLYO gatherings is that they are planned and led BY youth FOR youth. An OLYO event is both an opportunity for those in leadership (the OLYO Officers) to exercise and expand gifts for leadership, as well as an opportunity for the youth at the gathering to experience peer ministry, and hopefully be inspired to find ways to exercise their own gifts for leadership and ministry at the event and after!

 

The OLYO Board provides leadership for the larger OLYO body. There are eight OLYO Officers elected each year at the Convo that happens concurrently with Oregon Synod Assembly. The role of the OLYO Board is to plan and provide leadership for the High School Gathering (in the Fall), the Middle School Rally (in the Spring) and the help plan the Convo. OLYO Officers also try to connect with as many congregations and individual students as possible.

 

The 2011-12 OLYO board consists of:

 

All youth in ELCA congregations, all over Oregon ARE part of OLYO. We hope that as many of these youth as possible will join us in gathering together at our various events throughout the year.

 

Board members are elected each year at our annual Youth Convocation. Each candidate must meet the following criteria:

o       Be an active member of an ELCA congregation

o       Be in grades 9-11 at time of election (in some cases 8th graders can be considered for a position)

o       Submit a completed Officer Application

o       Give a two-minute presentation to the youth assembly at Convo

o       An interview with OLYO Adult Advisor(s), prior to election

o       Provide a reference (preferably from Pastor or Youth Leader).