South Central Division

Where is Frank this next week?

Home in Keller, TX!

November 2nd, Update

NEW: November 2026 Key Financial Dates (for Oct close)

NEW: 2026 Young Life Staff Engagement Survey

Please see the Staff Resources link with information about the 2026 Young Life Staff Engagement Survey, which will run November 9-20, 2026.

From Jane Renken and Mia Meadows:

This second annual survey is a critical space for us to listen deeply, learn continuously, celebrate our shared strengths, and realign resources where we see operational gaps.Our goal is to achieve 75% missionwide participation. Reaching this benchmark ensures that the feedback we receive truly reflects the diverse voices of our staff across field divisions, Camping, and Mission Services.As leaders, your encouragement and advocacy are the single most effective drivers of staff engagement. We ask that you promote the survey, emphasize confidentiality, and encourage action.
Survey Window: November 9 – November 20, 2026.Target Audience: All full-time and part-time staff.Distribution Channel: Emails will arrive directly from People Element (@peopleelement.com).Translation Support: Multiple languages will be accessible via a drop-down menu within the survey link.

NEW: SCD Ministry Call on Wednesday

Our SCD Ministry Call is on Wednesday from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM. Click here for the Zoom link. You will also be receiving a reminder email tomorrow morning!

Reminder: Google Workspace dates for SCD

Reminder: Hard To Fund Areas

Please review your areas and let me know if any warrant an exception, along with the specific circumstances supporting that request.

Our national exception window is October 15 – November 15, so please send your recommendations to me by November 9 to allow time for review and submission.

Here is a link to the email sent on 10/21 for your reference (you will need to be logged into GWS to access this link).

Reminder: Camping Day Zero – Helpful Links

As we begin preparing for summer camp 2027, we know that all the behind-the-scenes logistics help create a solid foundation for camp—creating space for kids to hear the gospel in a beautiful place and encounter Jesus. Thank you for coordinating the many details that help make camp possible! Here’s what you need to know about camp this month:
Camp Spots Are Here!
 Confirm Your Spots and Send Back Your Contract
Build an Itinerary
Set a Camper Price
Publish Your Online Camp Registration Page
Camp Promo Videos
Work Crew and Summer Staff Applications are Live

Reminder: Noteworthy Updates

Google Workspace — U.S. Field Updates

Young Life Store Holiday Giveback for Volunteers

Volunteer Screening Updates You Need to Know

Young Life College U.S. Spring Break Opportunities

Reminder:Camp Allocation Timeline

Camp allocation will be finalized today. Look out for an email from A.J. by EOD.

Google Workspace Updates

The new timeline for entry into GWS

Please continue to watch Noteworthy and the GWS Project Status Update Page. You and your teams can always contact A.J. or the Helpdesk (e.g., if you have sign-in issues) and we’ll help you.

Changes at SCD Camps

LoneHollow Ranch

Amber Campbell, currently our Food Service Manager, will be making the move to Admin Manager beginning officially on November 9th, and will work to set our Food Service team up well in the meantime. Here are a few words from Amber:

It is with gratitude that I am exchanging a chef coat for a polo in November.  The many years of LHR Food Service have shaped me as a leader, a disciple, and a minister.  Being part of a developing camp is an incredible honor and has tested my grit and adaptability.

Trail West Lodge

Brett Wingo is retiring as the Camp Manager at Trail West Lodge. October 15th was Brett’s last day on camp at Trail West. He will be at the Camping Business Meeting this week. And, he’ll continue to transition with Alison and hopefully the new Camp Manager through November 15th. We are so grateful for his 30 years on Young Life staff and for his leadership at Trail West Lodge.

October 12th Update

Capernaum Update – Sean Mann

If you missed our Ministry Call last week, here are the Canva slides from Sean’s update. 

FY26 End Reminder Dates

Google Workspace SSO Login Change

Reminder: Today, 10/12, is the day SSO logins changed to Preferredfirstname.preferredlastname @younglife.org, and old SSO usernames will stop working. This applies to staff already using GWS. Only the username is changing; the password will remain the same!

Ministry Call Wednesday!

Click here for the Zoom link!

HR Leadership Exchange Training Call – Wednesday, October 7 at 1 P.M. ET.

Reminder: Join us for our upcoming HR Leadership Exchange training call on Wednesday, October 7 at 1 P.M. ET as we discuss Departures. This call is for anyone in regional or divisional leadership. Every staff person will eventually transition from being on Young Life staff. Navigating these departures with care and thoughtful preparation is essential. Join us for our upcoming webinar as we discuss both voluntary and involuntary staff departures. Together, we will walk through the essential considerations to have before, during, and after a staff member’s exit.

Click below to register for the October webinar and receive the Zoom link.  

Registration Link

Here are this month’s updates made to the Young Life Products you use on a regular basis – Workday, Adaptive, YL Connect, etc.

Be sure to check out the full release notes for a complete list of updates for each Product:

Workday and Adaptive release notes

YL Connect release notes  (No new updates this week)

We made these updates with your feedback in mind. Our goal is to help things run more smoothly, save you time, and better support your everyday work. 

HR Support: hrsupport@younglife.org
Financial Services: financialservices@younglife.org 

Connections Team: helpdesk@younglife.org 

Ministry Call – Wednesday

We have a Ministry Call on Wednesday. Click here for the Zoom link.

Final Call: 2026 South Central Divisional Gathering Feedback Form

If you have not filled out the 2026 South Central Divisional Gathering Feedback Form yet, please do so now.

Reminder: Ministry Meetings – Devo Schedule!

Click here to see the schedule for who is leading the devo at the beginning of each ministry call! If you need to change dates or have any questions, please reach out to Mariah. 

Devo Instructions: We will begin each call with the devo. Please plan to keep it to around 20 minutes. Please include one or two questions that everyone can respond to, so there is an opportunity for broad engagement!

Sept 2026 Key Financial Dates (for Aug close)

If you are requesting an exception, please follow this process:

1. Complete the Regional Google Sheet

2. Send an email to Frank and A.J.; please do not copy Stephanie Bowers. 

3. Set up a time to talk with Frank about the areas for which you are requesting an exception.

4. If approved, Frank will email Stephanie Bowers and copy the regional office. 

Phishing Attempts are Targeting Young Life – Important Security Measures

Our IT team has seen a recent increase in sophisticated phishing attempts targeting Young Life. Phishing is when someone uses a deceptive email or message to trick you into clicking a malicious link, opening an unsafe attachment, sharing sensitive information, or giving an attacker access to your account. The examples we’ve seen this week are becoming increasingly convincing and can be difficult to recognize at first glance. Please help us by reporting suspicious activity.

Reminder: 2025-2026 Fiscal Year End Deadlines

Young Life’s fiscal year-end is September 30, 2026.

As you receive donations, please be aware of these specific income processing deadlines. Meeting these deadlines will ensure that donations to your mission unit are processed in the correct fiscal year. As you prepare next year’s budget, be sure to remember these financial best practices.

For questions, please contact Financial Services.

Reminder: 2026 SCD Gathering Links & Resources

2026 SCD Gathering Survey

Please take a few minutes to share your experience. Your feedback will help us as we plan future divisional gatherings.

Survey Link 

Solitude Time

Resources and content from our time of solitude and reflection:

SOLITUDE TIME CONTENT 

Slide Decks

Reference the slide decks from the RD meeting, General Session: Wednesday, SCD Summer Report 2026, and the Business meeting

Handouts and more

Reference this folder for the following:

2027 LoneHollow Ranch Camp Incentive

2027 Summer Campership Incentive DRAFT

Camp request instructions for Areas in the SCD

Camp request instructions for Regions in the SCD

Frank Ivey Goals MY27

FY27 Regional Supervision Fund Plan

August 2026 Key Financial Dates

Reminder: 

Frank is traveling this week, so If you are making an exception request, please do not wait until the 14th. 

If you are requesting an operating exception, please follow this process:

1. Complete the Regional Google Sheet

2. Send an email to Frank and AJ, please do not copy Stephanie Bowers. 

3. Set up a time to talk with Frank about the areas for which you are requesting an exception.

4. If approved, Frank will email Stephanie Bowers and copy the regional office. 

SCD Calendar 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 Divisional Calendar is live!

Kids Known by Name Reset – August

July Kids Known by Name counts include 2026 graduating seniors and other kids “graduating” out of their current ministry. August 2026 counts should not include those recent graduates but should include incoming kids as appropriate. Please remind areas of this reset! Feel free to share the CMI page of the Area Office Guidebook if that would be helpful. 

Health Club Benefit Reimbursement 

Just a reminder to submit your Health Club Benefit for reimbursement in Workday if you are enrolled in Young Life benefits. All requests for Health Club/Home Health Reimbursement for the current fiscal year must be submitted by September 15. 

Summer Camp 2027

Area Camp Requests will open on August 24. If your region plans to request a camp trip or work crew spots for a new area mission unit, please note that August 15 is the deadline for creating new area mission units (MUs) in Workday so they appear on the Camp Requests site. If an area mission unit is created after August 15, alternative options are available for managing camp trip spots. Contact Shannon Holmes with any questions. 

Child Safety Training by Group
To make required screenings easier to complete, areas can now offer Child Safety training for a group. Just like the Summer Camp Leader Orientation, an area can host a leadership meeting, committee meeting, or other group gathering, watch the Child Safety training together, and then indicate in YL Connect everyone who attended and completed the course. This eliminates the need for each person to complete the training individually online, while still ensuring completion is accurately recorded. See this Noteworthy article for more information.

FY27 Budgets

Thank you for your partnership in helping ensure a smooth budget process and timely submission.

Child Safety Training By Group

To make required screenings easier to complete, areas can now offer Child Safety training for a group.

Just like the Summer Camp Leader Orientation, an area can host a leadership meeting, committee meeting, or other group gathering, watch the Child Safety training together, and then indicate in YL Connect everyone who attended and completed the course. This eliminates the need for each person to complete the training individually online while still ensuring completion is accurately recorded.

See this knowledge article for step-by-step instructions on how to use this new feature.

We’re continuing to make improvements to simplify the required screening process and make it easier for staff and volunteers to stay current with their training. Thank you for your continued feedback and patience as we roll out these updates.

Here are this month’s updates made to the Young Life Products you use regularly – Workday, Adaptive, YL Connect, etc.

Be sure to check out the full release notes for a complete list of updates for each Product:

We made these updates with your feedback in mind. Our goal is to help things run more smoothly, save you time, and better support your everyday work. 

HR Support: hrsupport@younglife.org
Financial Services: financialservices@younglife.org 

Connections Team: helpdesk@younglife.org 

REVISED: GPM Goal Setting Timeline for South Central Division

You should have received an email on July 8 from Wiley and Shelley about setting your 2027 goals in GPM. We will follow a different timeline than the one outlined in that email.

Our timeline is below:

Beginning of August – Divisional Office sends Goal Instructions Email 

August 24 – Deadline for Submitting Goals in GPM

August 25-September 7 – Individual Goals Review with Frank (sign up link will be included in the Goal Instructions Email)

September 8 – All Goals Approved in GPM

Please let A.J. know if you have any questions. 

Divisional Gathering RSVP

Please RSVP for the Divisional Gathering no later than July 27th.

RSVP HERE

Regional Admin Action Needed: LoneHollow Ranch Team Housing Feedback

As we begin planning Phase 3 of the LoneHollow Ranch campus, we have an opportunity to help shape the future of summer assignment team housing.

Regional Admins: Please send the survey below to all full-time staff in your region and encourage them to participate. While completing the survey is voluntary, we genuinely need broad staff input to help inform these decisions.

Please ask staff to complete the survey by July 15.

Survey Link

July 2026 Key Financial Dates

By July 31: SVP-approved exceptions to the campership deficit transfer due to Financial Services (email Stephanie Bowers) by 5:00 PM MT (Colorado time)

July 7: June financial close(projected)

July 8: Regional Google Sheets updated and sent to regions (From A.J.)

By July 10: Online deficit reports updated, emails sent to regions/divisions (from Stephanie Bowers)

By July 10: Notifications sent to staff with deficit actions

By July 13 at noon: Regional Google Sheet completed.

July 15: SVP-approved deficit exceptions due to Financial Services (email Stephanie Bowers) by 12:00 PM MT (Colorado time)

By July 17: Month-end campership deficit transfer notifications sent to cost center managers of impacted cost centers

We are moving the Blog updates to Mondays, 8:00 AM. Check back for new updates on Monday mornings!

Help YoungLives get ready for camp!

Purchase a gift off of the wishlist or share the list with people who might want to help us get ready for our week of YoungLives camp at LoneHollow Ranch. 

Young Life Products Update!

Be sure to check out the full release notes for a complete list of updates for each Product:

We made these updates with your feedback in mind. Our goal is to help things run more smoothly, save you time, and better support your everyday work. 

HR Support: hrsupport@sc.younglife.org
Financial Services: financialservices@sc.younglife.org 

Connections Team: helpdesk@sc.younglife.org 

Updated: June 2026 Key Financial Dates

Frank will be traveling to visit camps this summer, so if you are making an exception request, please do not wait until the 15th. 

If you are requesting an exception, please follow this process:

1. Complete the Regional Google Sheet

2. Send an email to Frank and A.J., please do not copy Stephanie Bowers. 

3. Set up a time to talk with Frank about the areas for which you are requesting an exception.

4. If approved, Frank will email Stephanie Bowers and copy the regional office. 

Adult Guest Availability at Crooked Creek Ranch and LoneHollow Ranch

Summer 2026 is here, and we still have some availability for Adult Guests to experience summer camp!

Crooked Creek Ranch – Reach out to Hannah Gorton, hgorton@younglife.org, for more information. 

Week 2 – YL | May 31 – June 6 – 4 rooms available

Week 3 – YL | June 7- 13 – 1 room available

Week 4 – YL | June 14 – 19 – 2 rooms available

Week 5 – YL | June 21 – 27 – 7 rooms available

Week 6 – YL | June 28 – July 4 – 2 rooms available

Week 7 – YL | July 5 – 11 – 1 room available

Week 10 WL | July 26 – 30 – 8 rooms available

LoneHollow Ranch – Reach out to Lane Lear, llear@younglife.org, for more information

Week 3 – WL | June 25-29 – 2 rooms available

Week 4 – WL | June 30 – July 4 – 1 room available

NextGen Leader Packet and Nomination Form 2026-27

Here is a link to the NGL Packet for regions to review and pass along to areas as needed. 

Additionally, the NGL Nomination Form is linked below. This form will initiate the application and interview process for candidates nominated for the NGL Program. The form should be completed by the Area Director or whoever would be the direct supervisor of the NextGen Candidate.

This form should ONLY be completed after:

  1. The AD or direct supervisor has spoken to their Regional Director regarding the NextGen Candidate.
  2. The local committee supports hiring the candidate.
  3. The AD or direct supervisor has had an initial conversation with the candidate regarding the NGL Program, its purpose and requirements, and the candidate’s interest in participating.

NGL Nomination Form

The hire date for incoming NGLs is August 1, 2026, with NGL Orientation following August 9-12 at Woodleaf.

If you have any questions about the NGL program, please reach out to Daniel Torres, danieltorresyl@gmail.com, 210-870-9810, NGL Divisional Coordinator, SCD

Asian Student Outreach Zoom Opportunity

Jim Cunningham is hosting a Zoom call on Sunday, June 14, to encourage and equip Young Life staff and leaders who are interested in reaching first- and second-generation Asian students. The conversation will feature examples of thriving ministries across the U.S. and Canada, along with practical opportunities for continued learning and collaboration around engaging this growing and underrepresented demographic.

Update on YL Products You Use Regularly

Workday, Adaptive, YL Connect, etc…

Credit Card Processing Form Update

As Young Life moves to a new online giving experience, we are also updating our mailed-in donation forms. All mailed-in credit card forms must include the card verification value (CVV). Review the Credit Card Processing Information Form. Update Noteworthy post for more information.

ACTION ITEM: Throw away current forms and buy or print new forms here.

Updated: SDC / SED Assigned Teams – Open Positions

The only open assigned team position is Southwind 2 Woman’s Work Crew Boss – Single. Please view so you are up to date on the current openings

May 2026 Key Financial Dates

UPDATED: SCD/SED 2026 Summer Assignment Placements | Staff & Camps

Linking this here for you to have easy access to.

Compensation & Budgets

Comp & Budget Preview & PDF of David and Shelby’s presentation.

Ministry Call Agenda
RA Riot Agenda
Divisional Calendar
Ministry Call Zoom – Join Now

  • Dates to Have in Front of You

    Dates in red = in-person events | Dates in green = calls/zooms 

    Aug 18-20; SCD Fall Meeting, LoneHollow Ranch