Faq ega 2006
From SI Exco News
The 2006 Servas General Assembly
Frequently Asked Questions
At the 2006 General Assembly in Latina, YOU will help determine the future of Servas. We need your input¾and leadership¾based on your Servas community experience and interests.
Prepare yourself now to make sure your participation is effective. To help you prepare we have created a list of frequently asked questions, with the answers you need to get informed.
Do you have other questions on what Servas can do? And what you can do to Build a Better Servas World?
1) What is a General Assembly (GA)?
A General Assembly is held every three years, and is the highest decision-making body in Servas. The meeting allows us to communicate, report, and make decisions on the future of the organization.
2) Why is this one called an “extraordinary General Assembly”?
This General Assembly is “extraordinary” because it was called by at least 20% of the members and is happening outside the normal 3-year schedule of General Assemblies.
3) Who is invited to the GA?
All Servas members are invited to attend the GA. It is an open meeting. However, only delegates and officers selected from their countries can vote. All other attendees can participate as observers, but cannot vote or speak in formal voting sessions.
4) How can delegates prepare for the GA?
Before the GA, delegates should carefully review the agenda and meet with their country members and officers to discuss the GA and any motions and/or proposals the country submitted to the agenda. Delegates should also choose a Subject Working Group(s) to join and participate in (see question 6).
5) What is a “motion”?
A motion is a formal proposal put before the GA to be voted on by the GA.
6) How can non-delegates prepare for the GA?
Non-delegates who are attending the meetings in Latina are encouraged to carefully review the agenda and choose which Subject Working Group(s) and Workshop Sessions they wish to attend (see next question).
7) What is a Subject Working Group (SWG)? How is it different from a Workshop?
Subject Working Groups are made up of delegates, GA attendees and any other interested Servas members. The job of the SWGs is to adapt, amend, adjust, and otherwise prepare agenda items and proposals for voting; to identify issues; and to improve draft motions for the conference workshops. SWGs will work before, during, and hopefully after the assembly.
Workshop Sessions at the GA will be meetings where motions are drafted, discussed and prepared for the Formal Voting Sessions. All conference attendees have the right to speak and participate in the workshops.
8) What is a Formal Voting Session?
Formal Voting Sessions are the meetings on which motions, drafted by the workshop sessions, will be voted. Also, only GA delegates have voting and speaking rights in formal voting sessions. Servas officers may speak but do not have a vote.
9) Can I participate in the GA even if I do not attend?
All of you who are members and who are interested in the GA, but who cannot attend, are still welcome to get involved. You can review the agenda, talk to your country’s delegates, officers, or anyone attending the conference, and join a Subject Working Group.
10) Where do I find the agenda items submitted to the GA?
The full text of agenda items submitted to the 20006 GA can be read and downloaded from the Servas website (www.servas.org)
11) Can I still register?
Registration has now closed, but there is a waiting list. See the Servas website (www.servas.org) to check if you are registered or to join the waiting list.
12) What are the main subject areas of the meeting?
The main subject areas or themes of the conference are:
- Development, including Area Coordinators (D)
- EXCO and Governance (E-01), Officers (E-02), and Committees & Communications (E-03)
- Finance and Administration (F)
- General Assembly, including Distant Voting (G)
- Host Lists (H)
- Membership (M)
13) How can I vote? How can I run for election?
Only delegates are allowed to vote at the GA. Speak to your delegate about the decisions he or she will make on the motions that interest you. If you are a first-time delegate and are unsure how to vote, talk to the meeting chair before the formal voting session.
If you wish to run for election, there are forms to fill out, available from the Nominations Committee.
14) When is the next GA?
The date and location for the next Servas General Assembly have yet to be decided. If your member country would like to host a GA, please let the Servas International President know.
