General Assembly 2009

From SI Exco News

Servas Workings Home Page

GA 2009 Kit for Success

SI GA 2009 Decisions

Contents 1 Logistical Planning Kit 2 Funding Criteria for GA 2009 3 Seeking Financial Support for the GA 2009 3.1 Request 1 3.2 Request 2 3.3 Request 3 ***Funding Request Retracted/Canceled by Michael Johnson April 22, 2009 3.4 Request 4 3.5 Request 5 3.6 Request 6 3.7 Request 7 3.8 Request 8 3.9 Request 9 3.10 Request 10 3.11 Request 11 3.12 Request 12 3.13 Request 13 3.14 Request 14 3.15 Request 15 3.16 Request 16 3.17 Request 17 3.18 Request 18 3.19 Request 19 3.20 Request 20 3.21 Request 21 3.22 Request 22 3.23 Request 23 4 GA 2009 Suggested Agenda Items 4.1 First Suggestion 4.2 Second Suggestion 4.3 Third Suggestion 4.4 Fourth Suggestion 4.5 Fifth Suggestion 4.6 Sixth Suggestion 4.7 Seventh Suggestion 4.8 Eighth Suggestion 4.9 Ninth Suggestion 4.10 Tenth Suggestion 4.11 Eleventh Suggestion 4.12 Twelfth Suggestion 4.13 Thirteenth Suggestion 4.14 Fourteenth Suggestion 4.15 Fifteenth Suggestion 4.16 Sixteenth Suggestion 4.17 Seventeenth Suggestion 4.18 Eighteenth Suggestion 4.19 Nineteenth Suggestion 4.20 Twentieth Suggestion 4.21 Twenty-first Suggestion - exco 4.22 Twenty-second Suggestion 4.23 Twenty-third Suggestion 4.24 Twenty-Fourth Suggestion 4.25 Twenty-fifth Suggestion 4.26 Twenty-sixth Suggestion 4.27 Twenty-seventh Suggestion 4.28 Twenty-eight Suggestion 4.29 Twenty-nineth Suggestion 4.30 Thirthieth (13.1) Suggestion 4.30.1 13.2 4.30.2 13.3 4.31 Thirty-first suggestion 4.32 Thirty-second suggestion 4.33 Thirty-second suggestion= 4.34 Thirty-third suggestion 4.35 Thirty-fourth suggestion 4.36 Thirty-fifth suggestion= 4.37 Thirty Sixth Suggestion 4.38 Thirty-seventh Suggestion 4.39 Thirty-eigth Suggestion 4.40 Thirty-nineth Suggestion 4.41 Fortieth Suggestion 4.42 Forthy-first Suggestion 4.43 Forty-second Suggestion 4.44 Forty-third Suggestion 4.45 Forty-fourth Suggestion 4.46 Forty-fifth Suggestion 4.47 Forty-sixth Suggestion 4.48 Forty-Seventh Suggestion 4.49 Forty-Eight Suggestion 4.50 Forty-Nineth Suggestion 4.51 Fifthieth Suggestion 4.52 Fifty-First Suggestion 4.53 Fifty-Second Suggestion 4.54 Fifty-Third Suggestion 4.55 Fifty-Fourth Suggestion 4.56 Fifty-Fifth Suggestion 4.57 Fifty-Sixth Suggestion 4.58 Fifty-Seventh Suggestion 4.59 Fifty-Eight Suggestion 4.60 Fifty-Nineth Suggestion 4.61 Sixtieth Suggestion 4.62 Sixty-First Suggestion= 4.63 Sixty-Second Suggestion 4.64 Sixty-Third Suggestion 4.65 Sixty-Fourth Suggestion 4.66 Sixty-Fifth Suggestion 4.67 Sixty-Sixth Suggestion 4.68 Sixty-Seventh Suggestion 4.69 Sixty-Eigth Suggestion 4.70 Sixty-Nineth Suggestion 4.71 Seventieth Suggestion 4.72 Seventy-First Suggestion 4.73 Seventy-Second Suggestion 4.74 Seventy-Third Suggestion 4.75 Seventy-Fourth Suggestion= 4.76 Seventy-Fifth Suggestion 4.77 Seventy-Sixth Suggestion 4.78 Seventy-Seventh Suggestion 5 Seventy-Eighth Suggestion 5.1 Seventy-Nineth Suggestion 5.2 Eightieth Suggestion 5.3 Eighty-First Suggestion 5.4 Eighty-Second Suggestion 6 Amended Agenda input 7 News 8 Servas GA 2009 Meeting - Required Tasks 9 Pictures of Hosts 10 Pictures of GA 2009 Location 11 Agenda Items Recommended 12 Ga 2009 Agenda 12.1 GA 2009 Agenda 2 New items 13 Request for Travel Funding 13.1 Request 1 13.2 Request 2 13.3 Request 3 13.4 Request 4 13.5 Request 5 13.6 Request 6 14 Nominations for the General Assembly 14.1 Servas Seeks Leaders 14.2 Nomination Process 14.3 Nominees

Logistical Planning Kit

How to Join the GA 2009

Registration Form

How to get to Buenos Aires

Post Conference Tourism Pack

Frequently Asked Questions

Funding Criteria for GA 2009

Funding Scorecard for Eligible Member Countries for Argentina

Servas International Assembly Registry

Dear National Secretaries,

As you know, the next General Assembly of Servas International will be held in Argentina in September this year. In the past, a number of national groups were provided financial assistance by Servas International to enable them to send their National Secretary or other authorised representative to participate in the General Assembly. However, this year SI may be in a position to provide only limited financial support (not full reimbursement of expenses), to some of the national groups for participation in GA 2009. This is due to the declining income of SI. Nevertheless, EXCO is exploring the possibility of providing full or nearly full travel support to some national groups. In order to ensure that only the deserving national groups receive financial assistance from SI funds, and for the sake of transparency, EXCO has decided that only those national representatives and groups who are in compliance with the Financial Operating Procedures, and who meet the following criteria will be considered for funding to enable them to participate in GA 2009:

1. Have more then 10 hosts.

2. Have sold less than 100 Servas stamps in the year 2008.

3. Have updated their host list to 2007 or later.

4. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 31st March, 2009.

5. Have submitted their Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009.

6. Have paid their stamp fees to SI by 15th March, 2009. 7. Have worked for active development of Servas.

8. Have a NS who has not held the office for more than six consecutive years.

The National Secretaries who wish to apply for financial support should send their application to SI President so as to reach him not later than 1st April 2009. Applications can be sent by e-mail and should highlight the specific accomplishments of the national group for the development of Servas (for example, organising Servas events).

EXCO will take a decision on providing financial assistance to the applicants by 30th April, 2009.

In peace

Pramod Kumar

General Secretary,

Servas International

Seeking Financial Support for the GA 2009

Request 1

Dear Gary,

Considering the criteria list here are some points about Servas Turkey: 1. We have more than 200 members here and had only 23 people who took Servas stamps last year. 2. We submit our Annual and Stamp Reports in time. We have already paid the stamp fees. 3. Our 2009 hostlist has been ready and after receiving the number of the requests from countries a few days ago, we will print it in two weeks.

We meet all the criterias mentioned in Pramod Kumar's e-mail.

As Servas Turkey Executive Committee we have a meeting in every two months and these meetings are announced and open to the all Servas Members. Every year we have our General Assembly as stated in our statute.

We as Servas Turkey have been actively working to promote Servas by variety of activities. We hosted the International Youth Conference here in Istanbul in July 2008. It took a lot of time and energy to get ready for it but in the end it was worth our efforts. The conference was really rich regarding the topics and 120 participators.

We support Greece, Jordan and Lebanon and our hostlist is published with their hostlists included.

We also organize Eurasia Meetings which Servas members from all over the world can participate. Last one was organized in Izmir, in 2007.

Our several members are actively involved in the committees of Servas International.

We have initiated Servas University Visits to promote Servas among the university students and staff. Our first visit was done with our Servas Irish Traveller.

We often have different gatherings to meet with our members here: sport events,travels,dinners, meetings.

We have helped the formation of the three libraries of village schools together with many other aids and gifts for the children in those schools.

We have two newsletters in a year which are distributed to our members.

We had an interview with one of the most prestigious newspapers here in Turkey and the news was very good to tell what Servas is and is not. We received many positive response both from our members and potential members.

We are on the way of developing a peace project between Armenia and Turkey for hosting our Armenians friends when they come to Istanbul before the football match which will be done in another city of Turkey.

Starting from this month we will have activities to celebrate the 60th year of Servas: tree planting, Celebrating Children's Day, Kite Festival with Children, Trekking to Uludag-Bursa.

With Love,

Ozge Karadenizli NS Servas Turkey

Request 2

Dear Gary: I am sending my pre-registration application form for the GA at Mar de Plata and I am asking for finantial support, having accomplished all the criteria as have more than 10 hosts, received only 10 stamps, our posted host list is 2008, the 2008 annual report was submited to the Genaral Secretary, we sent to the Tresurer our 2008 stamps report and we are expecting the 2009 stamps, and I have been as a NS for only 1 year. The estimated support for my air tickects are about US $1500. In Peace, Victor Gutierrez National Secretary of Venezuela

Request 3 ***Funding Request Retracted/Canceled by Michael Johnson April 22, 2009

Thanks for your email; following the instruction, I send you formally the fiancial aid application (travel grant).

I have checked the criteria that required for travel grant. I feel I meet all but the last item. That means I am already hold this position for more than 6 years. However, we have send one of most active member Mr. Li Ming to Latina in Italy for the Servas conference.

I hold this position for more than 6 years, however, this is not because of non-democratics manner, but the practical reason, that no one has rise the question, and I could not find anyone who is willing and interested in take this position among our members.

We also take a joint effort in organizing the Servas far eastern Asia conference last year together with Servas Hongkong, which was quite successful in our view. That is also the first such Servas meeting in this region. Our area coordinator Nisiyama in Japan could give you more report about this event.

It is clear that without travel grant we can not send anyone to come for the conference.

With my best wishes.

Changxian Yi February 11, 2009

Dear Pramod & subramanian;

Thanks for the information about the Servas conference and the travel grant application.

I actually renew the host list of Servas China several times per year. However, it may not be well circulated among our Servas family. It has been constantly be sending out when the host list was required. Every time whenever members lost or new members come I make a new host on my computer.

I also remember that I have send the annual reports to Nisiyama every years, at least some annual report though I am not sure whether is complete or not.

Regarding to the unused stamps, I scaned the unused stamps for your information, if you need the hard stamps, I can send it to you back, but I think that cost and not much significance or I don't know it. However, I can promise that Servas China has never misuse any one Servas stamps.

I think that I have not received the stamps for 2008. I have received 10 stamps for 2009 free of charge and has used only one. We have never used more than 10 stamps, therefore, we charged no penny from our travelers. For that reason, we have no any income from Servas activities. no fee for host member neither. If Servas international or any Servas members find that we charged the stamp fee, and not pay for SI, then we should be refused with the right to apply for the travel grant.

I also write to the SI president and explain why I am in the position as NS for Servas China for more than 6 years. Our area coordinator Nisiyama may also give his opinion after visiting China during the Servas Far East Asia Conference. We have really difficult to have reliable new members as well as permanent members. I have think to find some people to set up some branches over the big country, but it seems not so easy, though I still believe that this is a useful way in operating Servas China.

Please let me know if anything that is missing for the qualification of our travel grant application in order that I can prepare them.

Thanks for your supporting and advice.

With my best wishes and looking forwards to hearing from you.

Changxian, Servas China

ps. the remainning unused stamps for 2007, and the new host list.

Request 4

Dear Pramod,

Thank you very much for sending these criteria to us. I would like to respond accordingly in hopes that I may receive some funding to attend the General Assembly in Argentina in Sept. 2009. I have attended most of the GA sessions since joining Servas but financial issues could prevent my doing so this year.

1. Singapore has 15 hosts

2. Singapore sold 6 stamps in 2008

3. Singapore Hostlist was updated as of 30 December 2008. The current information has been put on Dolphin and is available as a regular document

4. The Servas Annual Report for 2008 has been sent in as of Sunday, 15 February 209

5. The Stamp Report was posted to LV Subramanium on 20 January 2009

6. NO stamp fees had to be paid by Servas Singapore

7 PLEASE SEE BELOW

8. I have been National Secretary since September 2008.

**7. Work for Active Development of Servas:  Dianne Peterson

I am presently serving as National Servas in Singapore for the second time. Almost immediately upon joining Servas, I assumed that role for our fledging group.

Subsequently, I have been a very active member, particularly with regard to the development of Youth Participation and activities. I served on the committee for the meeting in Dalesbridge, UK, in 2007 . In honour of our grandmother who loved Servas, my family donated the "seed money" which enabled 5 young people from all over the world to attend.

I personally worked closely with Pablo and Ann Greenhough on the Youth Committee in Barcelona. My grandson (oshua Sanabaria who was 14 at the time) attended and actually ws commended by Bob Luitweiler at the closing event. I supported the Youth movement in Istanbul and would have done the same in Australia. In January 2007, I was invited to present a workshop at the youth meeting in Costa Rica (a tragic family emergency prevented my attendence).

I have worked on Pablo's "campaign" to have Servas Banners flying around the world. I will attach a copy of the banner prepared and flown in Singapore in October 2008.

My family hosted nearly 2000 Servas visitors over a 20 year period in Singapore. We averaged approximately 100 guests per year. I'm sure you are aware that Singapaore is an important "stopover" point for travelers from all over the world. Servas Singapore is a small group. We do our best to be cordial and gracious within the limits of our capacity to a very large number of travelers.

I thank you for attention to this matter and hope there can be some financial assistance. I will have to visit the USA to tend to matters regarding my father's estate. I have learned that I might be able to get a Free ticket from there using "miles earned" on United Airlines. I will try....however the fees for the conference are quite high this year, as is the transport fee.

Kindly accept this letter in service to Servas. Thank you.

With sincere best wishes, Dianne Peterson (National Secretary Singpore)

Request 5

Dear Gary,

I would like to apply for the funding to attend the Servas General Assembly 2009.

Based on the criteria for funding set by the secretary general, I meet the criteria. Enclosed is my annual report.

I understand the limitation of the funding but would be delighted if funding is available for both I and the deputy national secretary of servas Indonesia to attend the meeting.

Looking forward meeting you all in Argentina.

Thank your for your attention.

Best regards,

Tiurlan Sitompul

National Secretary

Servas Indonesia March 24, 2009

Request 6

rom: servas india [1] Sent: 27 February 2009 17:44 To: Pramod Kumar Subject: Re: Servas - Funding Criteria for GA 2009.

To:

General Secretary,

Servas International

Dear Pramod Ji,

Thank you very much for your message.

We are fulfilling almost all the criteria as mentioned above.

1. Have more then 10 hosts.

We have 738 hosts.

2. Have sold less than 100 Servas stamps in the year 2008.

We have sold 52 stamps in the year 2008.

3. Have updated their host list to 2007 or later.

Our host list book is updated for the year 2008-09, posted to 42 countries and electronic version is also available on SI website, being posted within the country.

4. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 31st March, 2009.

Yes we have submitted annual report 2008 on 26th Feb 2009.

5. Have submitted their Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009.

Yes submitted stamp report 2008 on 1st Jan. 2009.

6. Have paid their stamp fees to SI by 15th March, 2009.

Stamps fee paid to treasurer on 27 Feb 2009 by cheque (SBI # 485684 dated 27th Feb).

7. Have worked for active development of Servas.

The annual report of 2008 of "SERVAS INDIA activities" is already submitted to SI. To name few "Activities of 2008" are as below:

   *
     National conference during 9 – 11th Feb 2008.
   *
     Welcome dinner to SI Audit committee member Rita TORSVIK and Delegation of Norway.
   *
     Servas get to gather at Vijaywada on 18th March 2008.
   *
     Organized a welcome dinner to honor Jamie & Jeremy Regional Coordinator for Servas Britain on 19th April 2008.
   *
     Servas India Board meeting during 17th to18th May 2008 at Pune.
   *
     Karnataka hosts get-to-gather on 29th June 2008.
   *
     A Lunch of servas India delegation with National Youth Projects members at Delhi on 14th July 08.
   *
     Servas India 22 members of delegation attended SI youth Event at Istanbul July 08.
   *
     Welcome dinner to honor of National secretary servas Sri Lanka – Mr. Walter and Mrs. Vajira Veerapitiya on 24th August 2008.
   *
     Organized a peace conference at Bhuvneshwar on 11th Sep 2008.
   *
     A Group of Servas India 18 members attended Peace conference at Srilanka from 3rd Dec to 9th dec 08.
   *
     Servas Srilanka given a welcome diner to Servas India 18 members on 7th Dec 08.

8. Have a NS who has not held the office for more than six consecutive years.

I have completed 4 years on 25th Dec 2008 and still have 2 years term.

With this I feel that we fulfill all your criteria to be eligible for financial support.

Request 7

Dear Gary Sealey;

I have actually sent you our application some time ago. However, with the accumulations of the materials I think that I am now in the position to give you a complete formal application.

It is my wish and also my duty to participate the SI conference though I am aware of the fact that the financial source may very limited. Anyway, the decision is up to SI and we will do our best in support the conference no matter I can come or not. If I can not come, I will do the distance vote if it is needed.

Thanks for your work and all your energy on Servas activity.

The followings are my basic condition;

1. Have more then 10 hosts.

Yes, we have right now 18 members (or families)

2. Have sold less than 100 Servas stamps in the year 2008.

We received 5 stamps for 2008 out of which 2 stamps have been used and 3 returned unused to LVS. We received 10 stamps for 2009 and only two stamps issued out until now.

3. Have updated their host list to 2007 or later. Yes, we have updated our host list more than once during 2007, some come and some left, the total number is 3 members more.

4. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 31st March, 2009. Yes, we have submitted our annual report for the year 2008 to SI 24 March 2009 (Pramod)

5. Have submitted their Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009. Yes, we have sent the stamps unused to LVS by surface mail and he has received it.

6. Have paid their stamp fees to SI by 15th March, 2009. No, because we used only two stamps for 2008, which is free of charge according to the Servas rules. we charged no penny from our travelers nor fee for host member. For that reason, we have no any income from Servas activities. I personally take all cost, which is not much actually myself. This is specially significant in the real condition of Servas China and avoid any unnecessary disagree as well as maitain the good reputation of Servas China.

7. Have worked for active development of Servas.

We have initiated and co-organized the far east Asia Servas regional meeting with Servas Hongkong in 2008. There are more than 50 members took part in Hongkong sub-conference with delegates from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hongkong, China and many foreigner who live in Hongkong such Britain and Australia. There are about 10 persons come to Guangzhou, China and joined the gathering in there together with some new potential Servas young persons (university students).

I have responsed at least more than 300 emails and actually responsed all email reached my mailbox with various questions.

I have host more than three time guest in my home. updated our host list for at least 3 times last year.

I have interviewed some potential new members and explain the rule as well as Servas China.

I have personally joined or managed to send a delegates to all important Servas meeting, (India, Korea and Latina conference)

8. Have a NS who has not held the office for more than six consecutive years.

I am in the position as NS for Servas China for more than 6 years. However, it is in a special condition. Our area coordinator Nisiyama may also give his opinion after visiting China during the Servas Far East Asia Conference.

I have tried to recommend and invited Mr. Li Ming to be our NS, but he did not agree. I have tried to help him go through all the application process for the travel grant and enable him to represent Servas China in Latina, Italy conference.

We have real difficult to have reliable new members as well as permanent members. I have think to find some people to set up some branches over this big and relative underdeveloped country, but it seems not so easy, though I still believe that this is a useful way in operating Servas China.

With my best wishes and looking forwards to the chance to see you.

Changxian Yi, Servas China

Request 8

Dear Gary and the SIEXCO,

I would like to apply for the financial support for the attendance in Argentina SIGA.

We satisfy the criteria as you asked for the application.

Here is some of the additional information;

Thank you.

Jong Soo Kim

NS Servas Korea.

Servas Korea;

1. Have more than 10 hosts.

2. Have sold less than 100 Servas stamps in the year 2008.

3. Have updated their host list 2007 or later. Yes, but this year’s will be updated April 2009.

4. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by February31st March, 2009.

5. Have submitted their Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009.(Yes, we submitted the statistics in December 2008.)

6. Have paid their stamp fees to SI by 15th March, 2009. (Not, yet. Because it has been Servas tradition that Stamp fees for the used ones and unused ones to be clarified at the end of the year. We are waiting for the time. Before than nobody knows how much we should use and pay.) Please ask this matter to the SI Treasurer for your understanding. And If he wants it be paid in advance, we will follow his opinion.)..

8. Have a NS who has not held the office for more than six consecutive years.(Yes. Just for 3 years)

7. Have worked for active development of Servas

Servas Events:

1. .Did your group organise any national or international Servas events in 2008 (for example, work camp, youth meet, group travel etc.) ?____Yes______

2. If, yes, please give details

1)  MOU Exchange Ceremony with UMMCK

SERVAS Korea had MOU Exchange Ceremony with UMMCK(United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea)

at the hall in UMMCK on Feb. 23rd. 2008 (16:00~)

The UNMCK, as the world's unique UN cemetery, is sacred home for the UN fallen who gave their priceless lives

in defense of freedom and peace in Korea.

Thanks for their sacrifice, SERVAS Korea assist UMMCK to serve our sweat home and day host when

the victim's families come to Korea.

We had great support from UN during the Korean War (June 25, 1950 ~ July 27, 1953),

After the war broke out in Korea on June 25, 1950 when North Korea suddenly invaded South Korea, UN hurried

to convene a meeting of the 2nd UN Security Council and decided on June, 28, 1950 to dispatch UN troops

to Korea.

This remains yet, in the history of UN, as the unique resolution where troops are dispatched in the name of UN

In all, 21 nations volunteered for assistance under the UN flag to help Korea--16 nations provided combat troops,

equipments and armaments while 5 nations provided non-combat assistance by dispatching medical ships with

staff and medicine.

During the Korean War (June 25, 1950 ~ July 27, 1953), there were UN casualties of 40,896 from 17 nations

including Norwegian.

16 Nations with Combat Aid : USA, UK, Turkey, Canada, Australia, France, Netherlands,

 New Zealand, South Africa,  Colombia, Greece, Thailand, Ethiopia, Philippines, Belgium, 
 and Luxemburg

5 Nations with Medical Aid : Norway, Denmark, India, Italia, and Sweden

2) 'LOVE Delivery Project' for Indonesian labors who work in Korea.

SERVAS Korea had 'Love delivery project' for Indonesia labors in Korea.

Korean government announced NGO support program and our SERVAS Korea submit 'Love delivery project'

and it was selected and supported by Korean government as NGO project.

We had visited 15 Indonesian labor's homes in Sumatra/Java and delivered them video letters from Indonesian

labors in Korea and gave computer training to returned Indonesian labors from Korea for 2 weeks

during June.28-Aug. 9th. 2008.

It was very lovely project and we can exchange the love with Indonesia with the name of Servas.

We are planning New NGO project for 2009 with SERVAS Korea members.

3) SERVAS KOREA National Conference 2008 in Tongyeong

We had '2008 SERVAS Korea National conference' at Tongyeong, Gyeongnam on Nov. 8th-9th. 2008.

It is the most beautiful season to enjoy the rich colors of autumn leaves in Korea, we had enjoyed beautiful

nature and spend enjoyable time at Tongyeong.

There were more than 100 Servas Korea members and 8 foreign guests from overseas.

We sincerely thanks to Ms.Anne Hemming(NS of Finland), Ms.Rita Desauvage(NS of Belgium),

Mr.Vitaly(The son of NS of Servas Uzbekistan), Ms.Yano, Ms.Tomoko Hirai, Ms.Sumi Ibuki, Ms.Sonoko Kochi

from Japan, etc. for attending our Nation Conference in Tongyeong.

Hopefully they

We will have '2009 SERVAS Korea National conference' at Seoul in November.

Looking forward to meet many foreign Servas friends from overseas....

4) The Bicycle Tour at Gyoungju

We had Bicycle Tour at Gyoungju on Oct. 20th-21st. 2008.

It was related with 3Q board meeting of SERVAS Korea and the board meeting were held at Kensington resort

in Kyoungju.

The bicycle tour at Kyoungju is being held every year by host of East-Gyoungbuk region.

Gyoungju is a city of history,culture and sightseeing which attracts a lot of tourists from home and abroad and there are abundant treasures throughout the city.

We also can see the treasure city, Gyoungju, with different way if we travel Gyoungju by bicycle.

We had 47 Servas members for bicycle tour in this year and it is getting popular and popular.

We expect Bicycle Tour again at Gyoungju year 2009.

Please come and join with us !!!

5) Europe Exploration tour for 'Eurasia Servas, Seoul to London 2010' program

4 of SERVAS Korea members, Mr. Kim JongSu(NS Servas Korea), Lee Sayoung, Hur Jong and Lee Gunil, returned

from Europe after 3 month travel.

It was exploration travel of 'Eurasia Servas, Seoul to London 2010' project, they traveled 31 countries starting from Portugal

to Belgium for 3 months during Apr.22 - Jul. 16. 2008.

Mostly they had stayed at Servas friend house in Europe, sometime they stayed all tougher but sometime they were separated

by two groups depend on the host situation. It seemed like to visit relative house who live in overseas when they drove to

Servas host house, they were very welcomed from every Servas host.

It was just one or two day staying but they had unforgettable recollection.

Sometimes, they stayed at hotel, youthhostel, camping, B&B, etc. and they also spent a night at hotel, af Chapman,

it was old trading ship had delivered tea from Stockholm in Sweden to India for a long time but now it was renovated as hotel.

Their total miles was 18,057km from Lisbon in Portugal to Paris.

They had visited the Asikov high school which is the place that Servas was established by Bob Leuiweiler

and had attended Servas Europe Summers University held at Sheersburg in Germany, they had met again the Servas friends

who hosted them before during this trip and had met more than 100 Servas Europe friends at Servas Europe Summers University.

It was unforgettable experience to meet many different people, family in different countries.

They learned different cultures and love from Servas, it definitely will help 'Eurasia Servas, Seoul to London 2010' project.

We hope the success of 'Eurasia Servas, Seoul to London 2010' project.

3. Do you plan to organise any such events in 2009?____Yes_____

4. If yes, please give details

1) SERVAS Korea Country pilgrimage project

SERVAS Korea is planning to have 'Country pilgrimage project' for 5 years.

This project was planned to travel our beautiful country to experience our country more closely

and increase the relationship between regional members.

We will travel the country on foot and by bicycle, car depend on their desire.

It will be held one or two times per year during weekend.

The first 'Country pilgrimage project' was held at Jeju Island and more than 50 members were

joined.

The next project will be held at Gangwon region and the detail program is as follows,

1H-2009 : Jeju Island

2H-2009 : Gangwon region

1H-2010 : Jeonnam region

2H-2010 : Seoul

1H-2011 : Busan, Gyeongnam region

2H-2011 : Gyounggi region

1H-2012 : Jeonbuk region

2H-2012 : Chungbuk region

1H-2013 : Daegu, Gyeongbuk

2H-2013 : Chungnam region

Request 9

Dear SI President,

cc: Dear Exco,

First of all we wish you all the best with the organisation ogf the GA 2009.

On February 27, I mailed to you our funding request, viz. to gary.sealey@gmail.com with cc to generalsecretary@servas.org . For the order of good sake I am now mailing the request to this mail.

Awaiting your positive reaction.

Best Regards Mrs. Lidia H. Seymonson National Secretary Servas Suriname

Request 10

Dear Mr Gary, Greetings to you from Uganda. Well i have been advised,to write to you that i meet all the criteria for funding,so as to attend the GA in Arigentina. The return ticket for me cost Us1950,and for me i will be able to raise Us500,so i would like you to top up for me the remaining balance, Let me hope to be considered, Hope to meet you all, Bye,yours John,servas uganda

March 28, 2009

Request 11

Dear Gary, I request financial assistance from SI for attending the General Assembly in Argentina in September,2009. There were 62 Servas Taiwan travellers in 2008. I remitted CHF $ 484 to Servas Treasurer on Dec.1 , 2008. There were 132 Servas Taiwan members (61 hosts and 71 day hosts) at the end of 2008 . I uploaded 2009 Servas Taiwan hostlist to dolphin.servas.org on Feb.22 , 2009 . There are 137 Servas Taiwan members (62 hosts and 75 day hosts) today. I submitted Servas Taiwan Annual Report for the year 2008 on Feb.26, 2009, I submitted Servas Taiwan Stamp Report for the year 2008 on December 3, 2008. Servas Taiwan is supposed to hold the 6th Servas Asia meeting in 2010. Servas Taiwan has organized a working team (16 members ) . Servas Taiwan has already had 2 working team meetings to discuss the issues and details in 2009. . I think I meet all the criteria for funding (financial support from SI for participation in the General Assembly to be held in Argentina

A round-trip airplane ticket (Taiwan - Argentina )may be about US$ 1500. Please help me get a visa too. hank you very much. Good luck!!! Best regards, Serena Tang ( Servas Taiwan National Secretary)

Request 12

Dear President Servas International

According to the registration sent together with this mail, regarding Carla Kristensen, who will be attending SI GA in the quality of representative for Portugal, I am also sending this formal request for financial support.

1-Servas Portugal has 46 hosts 2-SP has sold 8 stamps in the last year 3-The host list 2008 has been updated and every member contacted for confirmation of data for the current year. The 2009 host list will be published in the first semester 2009. 4-The annual report for 2008 has been allready sent for approval 5-The stamp report or 2008 has been sent 6-Stamp fees have been paid 7- Since 2008 we have started what we call "monthly gathering", that is we meet every last wednesday of the month in a café in the centre of Lisbon, promoting friendship amongst members. In this meetings we discuss our experiences with hosting, ideas and suggestions for how to improve bonds within members and attract more members. We are organising an Iberian Meeting for the 1st, 2nd and 3d May this year, that will have participants coming from all corners of Portugal and Spain. It will take place in Serra da Estrela and in the activity program it's scheduled walking in the mountain, visit to museums and to an historic village and entartainment during the evening like a play that will be performed by every participant, since the portuguese and spanish languages are very similar. Some members from Portugal have also been attending, in the near past, metings in Spain. The NA (National Assembly) takes place every year in a different place in Portugal. The present NS has been is duty since 2006. According to the SP statutes, the NS is elected for a period of three years, so in the next NA it will take place the election for the new NS.

I would like to know if there is any possibility for financial support for sending our representative to the International Assembly. I appreciate your attention on this matter. In peace and friendship,

Raquel Rosa NS Sevas Portugal

Request 13

Dear President,

I just received the last letter by Pramod Kumar telling me to apply for financial help before the 1st April, 2009. I would like to ask for the full travel support to go to the SI Assembly in Argentina, because it would enable me to go there. Unfortunately, there is no money in the treasury of Servas Russia and, though it's possible for me to pay for the printing and distributing the Host List, I cannot afford to pay for a travel to the South America.

Our national Servas group will consist of three persons: ....area coordinator and..... Ural area coordinator. .... told that he can support his voyage himself. As for ..., we shall be unable to get to Argentina without financial help.

As for the criteria,

1. We have 84 Servas hosts. 2. In the year 2008, we used only 2 Servas stamps. 3. The Host list 2009 was issued on 14th February and distributed among the Russian Servas hosts. The copies are being send now in other Servas countries. 4. I've submitted the Annual Report on 10th February. 5. As for Stamp Report, I was unable submit it for the year 2008, because Sergey Zaslavski who was our National Secretary during four years quitted Servas and I cannot reach him. I know that we had only two Servas travellers last year (Sergey and myself) but I don't know where he is and where did he put the rest of the stamps. 6. There is no stamp fee to pay because I asked for no more than 10 stamps this year. 7. There are 23 new hosts in the Russian Servas Host list for the year 2009, especially in Moscow (15 students and graduates of my University, mainly historians and art historians, what would do very well for receiving the travelers). We also have hosts in five new towns - Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave on the Baltic sea; Arzamas, a Russian historic town having many beautiful monasteries in its surroundings; Hanty-Mansiysk, the capital of Russian gaz and petroleum in Siberia; Tyumen', the historic capital of Russian West Siberia and, finally, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, in Kamchatka. Of these, three are day hosts, but two are "open doors", and all of them look forward to receive guests and to develop Servas in their respective towns. I had to do also an extensive work on the Host List, because the Host List 2007, based on the Host List 2004, excluded many persons wishing to stay in Servas, but who were not put on the List 2004 because the National Secretary of this period just didn't manage to contact them. I had to find an old Servas Host List of 2002/2003 and phone everyone who was in this list asking them if they really wanted to quit Servas or not. I found nine persons who wished to stay, and three of them were among the most enthusiastic people I met in Servas Russia. So, I flatter myself that out of 84 hosts in Russia, 44 are in the list because of me - 23 new hosts of this year, 12 new hosts of 2007/2008 when I acted as a Servas Host List Coordinator and 9 hosts that were "forgot" in the 2004 list and returned to our organisation thanks to myself. There are already two new hosts that would appear on the 2010 list. Recently, we've had regional meetings in Moscow (15th of February) and St. Petersburg (17th of March) that I managed to realise with the help of the Moscow area coordinator Christina Buynova. We've also received many Servas travellers since last December, among them the National Secretaries for Italy and Germany. 8. I am the National Secretary since November 15, 2009 and I hope not to stay too long a time in this position. Hopefully, I will find someone to replace me.

In peace, Alexey Tereshchenko

Request 14

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Name Thongchai Amornsrijirathorn Nationality Thai Country Thailand Role National Secretary E-mail wetana@gmail.com

1. Have 70 hosts

2. Have sold 8 SERVAS stamps in the year 2008

3. Have updated host list in 2007. Plan for this year will be

    complete  in  end  of  April. 

4. Have submitted Annual Report in the year 2008 to SI by

    31st  March  2009 

5. Have submitted Stamp Report in the year 2008 to SI by

     28th January  2009 

6. Used 8 SERVAS stamps. Not paid stamp fee to SI.

7. Field trip of members and youth to learnt about peace,

    environment  and  SERVAS  in  October  ( convenience  time
    for  youth )  every  year. 

8. Since November 2004 for National Secretary.

    4  year  4  month

9. Have submitted Pre-Registration for GA 09 by 31st March

    2009

Request 15

Apply for funding to enable to participate in the General Assembly to be held in Argentina in September, 2009.

1. Have more then 10 hosts. 2. Have sold less than 100 Servas stamps in the year 2008. 3. Have updated their host list to 2007 or later. 4. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 31st March, 2009. 5. Have submitted their Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009. 6. Have paid their stamp fees to SI by 15th March, 2009. 7. Have worked for active development of Servas. 8. Have a NS who has not held the office for more than six consecutive years.

1.Servas Estonia has 18 hosts 2.We had 4 travellers with stamps. 3.Estonia had 2008 host list and 2009 is in the progress. 4.Annual Report of 2008 sent 18.03.2009 5.Stamp Report of 2008 sent 16.02.2009 6.Didnt have to pay. 7.Yes 8.NS Kristel Kask 2001-01.09.2005; 01.09.2006- 01.03.2007 half time and to date full time. ( Before the family name was Nikker, now is Kask, same person. The break was because on 11.September 2005 was the baby born)

Dear members of SIEXCO,

Estonia is a small country with not many hosts and even less travellers. I have been NS for more than six years but never been able to attendd a GA. During my maternity leave Jana Reikop was taking care of Servas-Estonia and it never occurred to me that I should have informed Servas International about it.

I also am worried about the current state of Servas in the Baltic States. Only Estonia is functioning and both Latvia and Lithuania have been withdrawn for several years now. It is difficult to even offer help when none of the messages to NS are answered and the hosts don't seem to exist any more either.

All these years as a NS all my contacts and information about Servas have been through internet only. (Met some peole in summerschool) It would be wonderful to learn more about Servas for once by meeting and discussing with living persons about matters I have found important.

I just wanted you to know what the situation is like in Estonia before you start choosing the eligible delegates for the GA.

Looking forward to your reply,

Kristel Kask NS Servas-Estonia

Request 16

Dear Gary,

Hope this email finds your well :)

I am Kiat Yun Tan , the NS of Malaysia and am hereby writing in to request for financial support to attend the GA in Argentina. The airfare from Malaysia to Argentina is about USD2300-00.

I believe I fulfil all the criteria set down below:

1. Have more then 10 hosts.

Servas Malaysia has 52 hosts as at Dec 2008 and I will be interviewing at least 4 more in the next 2 weeks. When I took over as NS in 2007, there were about 34 members.

2. Have sold less than 100 Servas stamps in the year 2008.

Servas Malaysia took 10 stamps in 2008 and all were sold.

3. Have updated their host list to 2007 or later.

Servas Malaysia hostlist was updated till 2008, 2009 hostlist will be ready in end April ( as I am waiting for some new members to come in within the next 2 weeks also I will be changing the listing format of the Malaysian list)

4. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 31st March, 2009.

Yes, it has been done

5. Have submitted their Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009.

Yes, it has been done

6. Have paid their stamp fees to SI by 15th March, 2009.

Not applicable

7. Have worked for active development of Servas.

Yes, since taken over the as NS of Malaysia, I have been:

- holding quarterly meetings with members

- organising outings to foster relationship

- disseminate information from SI to all members

- am organising SEA meeting (tentatively fixed in May '09) with the SEA coordinator, Servas Malaysia will be hosting the meeting

- Servas Malaysia membership has increased since I took over as NS

- Servas Malaysia also elected a youth representative in 2008

8. Have a NS who has not held the office for more than six consecutive years.

I have only taken over as NS in 2007, less than 3 years.

I hope to get a favourable response from you.

Thank you.

Warmest regards, Kiat NS Malaysia

April 1, 2009

Request 17

Dear Gary, dear Servas Exco comrades,

Our sunny greetings to all of you from Lithuania. As the deadline of April 1st is approaching, let me express - on behalf of Servas Lithuania - the need for support to enable a delegate of our organization to attend the General assembly next September. You are surely aware, how uneasy it is for us to be in a constant role, - which we regret to call the "beggar's" role. For more than 15 years as we established a Servas branch in Lithuania, we have been in this position. We have refrained from applying for support to attend, and hence we were regretfully absent, at the SI assemblies in Latina and in Barcelona, as we were very much aware of the not so good times that SI is encountering in terms of financial resources.

The time, however, we feel strong it is necessary to contribute directly and share with Servas family, and also to feel ourselves not alienated from it. As regards formalities - annual reporting, host lists, stamps balance sheets, etc. - we have submitted all the necessary to the secretary general and peace secretary. As we noted in our 2008 country report, the last two-three years have been quite difficult for Servas Lithuania, as me and Sigitas Kucas, who have been coordinating the local branch for more than 10 years since we established it, decided to pass over the coordination to younger and expectedly more energetic generation of Servas members. Unfortunately, life has proved the opposite. Through those previous years, we continued hosting travelers from all over the world (last year was an exceptional - hosting people from as far as Korea and Colombia), although the newly elected secretary has failed communicating and producing the up-dated host lists. So now I and Sigitas are resuming our coordinating roles to consolidate again our (then) strong (albeit not large) national group of hosts, and we are currently working hard on producing a new host list to be distributed in April.

As regards financial assistance - we need support for at least the flight from Europe to Argentina. As I will be on September 1-3 in Lisbon, at the European sociological association conference, the flight from Vilnius to Lisbon will be covered. So flying from Lisbon or Madrid to Buenos Aires seems realistic and not too expensive (around 890-960 Euros at the moment). Again, I am writing about these resource-related matters with a very "heavy hand", but unfortunately, none other resources are available. I can distribute (mail internationally) the Lithuanian host list, and feel "privileged" being able to find access through our university to print the host list, and otherwise use computer, copy machine, and other equipment for Servas, although these are the matters not directly related with my primary job duties as university professor. Unfortunately, nobody can support the airfare from Europe to Argentina, so this is our application for this kind of support (and the support for minimal subsistence while on-site in Argentina). If any other documents or materials are needed from our organization, please, let us know.

On a positive note, our local Servas Lithuania organization has decided to organize a regional European Servas get-together (not this year, as it was originally planned, - as there are too many meetings this year, but in 2011) in the little town of Veisiejai near Polish border. This is the place where doctor Zamenhof - the father of Esperanto and the creator of word Servas - used to live. Kaunas - where he also lived and where many of Servas Lithuania members are residing (it hosts the memorial museum of Zamenhof and his name street) will be a kind of regional Hanza North-East European cultural capital in 2011. So all together, it will be a good and culturally enriching time to welcome Servas friends from abroad to Lithuania. We already made a preliminary agreement with a local folk high school in Veisiejai to provide their good and inexpensive facilities and dormitories near lake and forest in the beautiful corner of Veisiejai. So we are very much looking forward to this Servas get-together in Lithuania in the summer of 2011.

Yours in peace,

Leonardas Servas Lithuania

Professor dr. habil. pr. Leonardas Rinkevicius Vice-president, Lithuanian Sociological Society Department of Sociology Faculty of Social Sciences Kaunas University of Technology K.Donelaicio 20 LT-44239 Kaunas Lithuania Tel. +370 37 300144 (office) Tel. +370-699-17171 (cell) Fax: +370 37 300102 E-mail: leonardas.rinkevicius@ktu.lt

March 31, 2009

Request 18

Hello servas president,

l am the Deputy National Sercetary in Nigeria Servas Commitee, l am Representing the lnterest of the whole Nigerian servas commitee,l am very happy and humbly to join fellow servas members in the world to participating in 2009 GA in Argentina.

Nigerian servas having working to mobilizing more servas members and with the support of some others NGO Organisation in nigeria that they will like to partner with our peace program.

Thirdly,l will like to also inform that the servas African Co-odinator,during a great job day and night to creat more awareness and to develop servas in some the others african countries.

Finally,l am applying for funding support of my trip to 2009 GA with the returned to nigeria,my mind expensive Flight ticketing from Nigeria to Argentina,which is cost $2000 USD,l will be very happy and appreciate,if my request is fully considered.

Thank you for your usually co-operation.

yours in servas

SHOFELA OLANREWAJU DAUDA DEPUTY NS NIGERIA

March 31, 2009

Request 19

Dear Gary,

Considering the criteria for financial support, Servas Paraguay meet the criterias for this financial support: Have more than 10 host ( we have 14 host); received 10 stamps and sold 5. sent back to Mr Subramanian the 5 left and received 10 stamps for 2009; the host list was update in jan/2009 it's available in Dolphin; submitted the 2008 annual report at march,25. ´Have been as Hational Secretary since 2008.

Best wishes

Magdalena Ortiz Servas Paraguay

April 1, 2009

Request 20

Hi, Renee! Could you please put the following request with the others?

Please note date: April 1

Thanks! Gary

Reykjavik, 01.04.2009

Jolanta Ewa Decewicz

Gardastraeti 4

101 Reykjavik

Servas NS of Iceland

To SI President

I would like to apply for financial support for General Assembly in Argentina in September, 2009.

I’m a new National Secretary. I have never been on Servas meetings before and I hope not to miss this possibility to see all of you.

I believe I fulfill all the criteria Mr. Promod Kumar mention in his e-mail.

1. There are 10 hosts in Iceland,

2. There were 4 stamps issued in 2008,

3. Icelandic hosts list was updated last time in August 2008,

4. I did submit Annual Report for the year 2008 before 31st March, 2009,

5. Have submitted Stamp Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 1st March, 2009,

6. Have worked for active development of Servas (organizing Servas meetings / visiting some of the members to get to know better hosts I’m representing / trying to attract new members)

7. I’m NS only since March 2009.

Your sincerely

Jolanta Decewicz

April 1, 2009

Request 21

Dear Pramod:

Next report is for the supporting information in order to apply to the financial aid for the General Assembly in Argentina for the Colombia National Secretary:

As national secretary of servas Colombia since july 2008 I have promoted each month a meeting in the same place in bogota reaching in November the incredible quantity of 18 people in our last meeting; in addition we did the first meeting of servas in Medellin where the quantity of hostess were increased from 2 people to 6 people

With the help of leandro hoyos the youth coordinator we have the list of servas Colombia in dolphin with 65 verified members

We have 18 new members of Servas during the 2008 to February 2009.

i particited in the monthly meeting in argentina Buenos aires in October, a meeting with Mexican servas NS and youth coordinator in mexico city in October too and 2 meetings in chile in January in which I motivated the agreements to made the first latin American servas meeting in Colombia that both central and south American coordinators approve to do in April 2009 in villa de Leyva Colombia

we solt the 10 stamps of 2008 to new members and Colombian travelers as many year before don happens in servas Colombia now we need more stamps and we have some little money to pay some helps to indigenous servas members to come to the latin American Servas meeting

we those data's hope you will have sufficient reasons to approve the financial aids for the Colombian National Secretary travel to GA September 2009 in Argentina

best regards

Jaime Alberto Romero, National secretary, Servas colombia, March 2, 2009

Request 22

Gary Ji, hope ur having a great time trying to org anise the GA> and hope there are still some funds left 4 Kyrgyzstan. the details are: Total members : 32 Host list is on Dolphin for '09 LVS refused to issue SI stamps after teleconference with you? 3 LOI's issued, without SI stamps but with LV's note attached AR 08 received by the GS. the high point was that i managed to get the group together, when i found it disintegrated on my arrival after absence of about a year. this happened mainly due to the fact that the folks entrusted with the task of running the show, didn't take an active part. Organized 2 get together in which the majority participated. Carried out a presentation on Servas Aims and goals at the Arabeva University. Activities of Servas Kyrgyzstan were published in a magazine "4U" published from Bishkek in Russian/English i their September 08 issue. In 09 we celebrated the "Servas Kyrgyzstan founder's day on 18 march and during the summer months we will organize 60Th. year functions. Our dream project "Servas Bridge Across Central Asia"(which you had voted for during SWA meet in Delhi) didn't materialize because of indifference by the exco. we haven't done much, but have been actively spreading the message of Servas and will continue to do so in the future best wishes and warm regards

March 25, 2009, devendra pal singh, Servas Kyrgyzstan

Request 23

Dear Argentina organising committe/Phyllis/Gary,

1) I am submitting this again as i have heard nothing to confirm its previous receipt.

2) I read in the information about those who had applied for funding. (which i have done) but i did not see my application/letter included.

should i worry you do not have it up on the system?

Hope not as time is getting closer.

3) I really would love to attend and i hope it will be possible. I am actively looking for the very cheapist ticket i can find and hope to be able to utilist my airmiles collected form previous SI meetings. i dont care who i share with - if a sleep on a floor etc ( as last time i didn't get much sleep anyhow).

4) The accommodation/food/venue fee is very high and i am VERY concerned about this as it may prohibit my attendance. i am not sure how to go about completing the application form as it stands. Please advise i am in a bit of a quandry.

5) I would like to be able to display toursit information upon Malawi (perhaps 1 picture of Madonna!!) and have a great DVD of Servas Malawi connection to the CharChar Trust who we support and who have supported a Servas Malawi members. It shows real Malawi and its short and good dvd showing the country side and schooling conditions in the rural areas.

6) I would like to complete a daily bulletin for the conference if you want it or would see it as useful this time at this upcomming conference as i have done in the past.

7) If not then i would like to help in some other active way - taking workshop minutes or doing a workshop. I have been practicing for over 10 years and can teach hand or foot or head (champissage) massage or Reiki as an alternative workshop. I am a midwife but also a complimentary therapist. I could also teach a textile workshop making t-shirts or painting bags (but you have to give me warnings so i can buy or make the bags in time to bring with me - this is very creative and a lot of lot of lot of fun. I could do you both! I can also do Mhendi or indian foot painting - lasts about 1 week on your foot before it fades away after washing. As you have a pool at the accommodation can teach and take an aquarobics session (exercise to music in water) or more sessions - i am a teacher/instructor of this. We should make a volleyball league while we are there and play each other - team building and a lot of fun.

Anyway.

Please advise me if any of the above is any use and how you think i should go forward.

thanks.

Demelza

April 21, 2009, Servas Malawi

GA 2009 Suggested Agenda Items

First Suggestion

Based on my recent Servas International experience, on our Servas Poland local experience and on my general professional experience I would like to propose some additions, possibly in the statutes of Servas International, about the structure and work of the Audit Committee. I present it to you for consultations and for distribution among so called Servas key people so that it could be finally presented to GA in Argentina and – hopefully – approved by GA.

I see this proposal of mine to be included in section VIII Duties and Responsibilities of Officers, point 7 of the Statutes under the letter c) resulting in the wording of this section as follows:

7) Convenors Shall: a) be responsible for the teamwork of their respective committees; and b) implement the decisions of he general Assembly relevant to their field of responsibility. c) In case of Internal Audit Committee it is required that the Members of Internal Audit Committee elect the Convenor of Internal Audit Committee out of themselves within a month after the General Assembly; ordinary majority rule is applied in this election process. The main duties of the Convenor of Internal Audit Committee are to organize internal communication and coordinate the flow of work within this Committee as well as timely delivery of yearly internal audit reports. The Members of AuC may decide to apply a yearly rotation to the function of the Convenor. If the Members of Internal Audit Committee are not able to elect the Convenor within the above described time limit then Executive Committee nominates an interim Convenor of Internal Audit Committee with an additional d) flow of work within AuC as well as coordination. Here in Servas Poland we have such a solution in place and it proved to be an effective way of organizing the internal financial controlling function.

I consulted the above both with the officers of Servas Poland and the members of AuC. I may say that Servas Poland supports my proposal while the individual opinions of AuC members are mixed.

My proposal may be considered to be better placed in some other place of the Statutes or even in other Servas International document relevant to the activities of AuC so at this stage I am open to discussion. This proposal may even become a separate Motion or Resolution of GA on Internal Audit Committee and I would appreciate your suggestions in this respect.

It is required by the SI Statutes that an item may be submitted for inclusion on the agenda by a national group so you will get a formal proposal addressed to the SI President as required. Before that, however, I would appreciate your comments, recommendations and opinions.

A separate matter is that I think that we need to draw the attention of the EXCO and especially the Treasurer to prepare and present at the GA a report on the recovery process of outstanding advances as requested in our yearly internal audit reports (as you remember we have requested a case-by-case list of all unsettled or unaccounted for advances to Servas officers and other persons as of December 31, 2004 – possibly without presenting names of the individuals in question but with numerical codes representing each case – together with a brief explanation of the approach intended by EXCO for each case and a status of each individual case as of December 31, 2005 and then December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007). I am of an opinion that the 2009 General Assembly will require such information since this issue was so hotly debated over the last years and basically it's a core of a number of bitter and angry discussions. So having such a document will help solving problems at the GA, explaining the situation and presenting corrective work that has been done as well as it will give detailed information to the delegates.

Second Suggestion

"That anyone elected or nominated to a post in Servas should know unambiguously what is expected of them and what expenses will be reimbursed."

Jean, February 2, 2009, Servas Britain

Third Suggestion

HOW CAN SERVAS HELP SMALL NATIONAL GROUPS TO GROW AND FLOURISH IN THE NEXT DECADE? Servas has many, many small national groups of between ten and twenty people. The numbers of travellers who visit these countries in a year are limited. They are issued ten stamps free, and often none are used, are just a few. After sixty years are we stagnating? What is the way forward?

[In the past we have listed all the constraints on people in the Majority World that help to explain this situation. Another one is the tightening of visa restrictions. I am working on this project on financing higher education with five Batswana colleagues. I have to go to Australia, as for any of them to get a visa to Australia it requires at least three trips to Pretoria-350 km away- and is costly, time consuming and frustrating. I get my visa in a few minutes at home on my computer]

Sheldon, February 13, 2009

Fourth Suggestion

EVALUATION OF THE SMALL GRANTS TO HELP NATIONAL GROUPS DEVELOP At Latina this was raised to US$200. How many grants have been made? Have the recipents been asked to report on how the funds have been used? Can this report be presented to the GA? What are the lessons to be learned from this? How many countries have not applied that should have?

[We did not apply for this grant in Botswana: 1) because of the support to the Africa Area Meeting in Livingstone in 2007; 2) because as volunteers we fell we can also make in puts to support what we are doing (e-mail costs, postage costs, phone call costs,national meeting costs); and 3) there should be countries that are more deserving.]

Sheldon, February 13, 2009

Fifth Suggestion

IS IT NOW TIME FOR SERVAS TO CHANGE THE WAY IT WORKS BASED ON LESSONS FROM HC, CS AND BEWELCOME? What has the Exco learned about new ways of working in the digital age? What do they recommend to be approved to help move SI forward in the next decade?

[The Exco is already exploring this so we are sure it will be on the agenda.]

Sheldon, February 13, 2009

Sixth Suggestion

No member group's national secretary can be seated at the General Assembly if the host list on which the threshold of 10 hosts is based for participation in the GA is not shared with approved travelers from other countries. This would avoid the practice in place at one or more countries where the only way to get hosts names or any contact with hosts is directly through the national secretary.

Robert, Servas USA, February 17, 2009

Seventh Suggestion

In light of SI's not having any corporate documents in its archive, Grant recommends an agenda item to immediately register SI as an NGO in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, and appoint a qualified agent for service of process as the organization's "mail drop" for legal documents.

Robert, Servas USA, February 17, 2009

Eighth Suggestion

We suggest an information item about making host lists accessible in electronic form. Depending on our progress, US Servas may want to expand on this item and inform GA regarding its Couchsurfing "alliance" for technology.

Robert, Servas USA, February 17, 2009

Ninth Suggestion

As members of Servas-International we need to meditate about what Servas is now, what we can do to restore our ideals, starting from Bob Luitweiler's nonviolent thinkings (the danger is Servas as a low-cost tourism agency)

Vito, Servas Italy, February 17, 2009

Tenth Suggestion

We are happy to inform you that we are continuing and expanding the Intelligent Road-Map Project in our host list. We think that this Project should be extended to other countries.

Vito, Servas Italy, February 17, 2009

Eleventh Suggestion

Use of Dolphin programme:to consider the possibility to give a risk-free national host-list (or part of it) to travellers though computer

Vito, Servas Italy, February 17, 2009

Twelfth Suggestion

We think that Money-Dolphin should be completed and put into operation as soon possible.

We wonder if the stamps distribution to national key-persons could be done through the Web - this downloading from our site. This would save a lot of time, work and money.

Vito, Servas Italy, February 17, 2009

Thirteenth Suggestion

Future of Servas in the world of competition with other booming similar organisations like Hospitality Club, Couchsurfing, Be welcome (all of them operating exclusively via internet, growing very fast and being extremely successful in involving especially young people):

Do we want to remain a Niche Player, with our special rules?

Which strategies can help to make Servas a more powerful presentation in all countries and to make Servas known to almost every normal local citizen of a country and not to just only those people who are interested in travel? (see also 'youtube' interview with Bob Luitwiler on the future of Servas)

Fourteenth Suggestion

DOLPHIN:

current status globally how many countries use it, what experiences are available how did they succeed in transferring WHALE data into DOLPHIN (if they used WHALE before)? Protection of data still a major concern when providing open internet access

Fifteenth Suggestion

Communication:

Handling of feedbacks from travellers concerning hosts from other countries

Background: These past 2 years, we had travellers (from Switzerland) who mentioned in their travel report critical points about hosts from other countries. As we thought it useful for the respective national board to know about these points, in order to react or do something or decide to not take any action, I passed these informations on to the national boards/NS via e-mail. In one case it concerned the NS of one of the member countries, so I sent a lengthy e-mail to SI. In al cases, I never heard anything anymore! I would at least expect a confirmation of having received the mail – and I would appreciate an answer stating what they did with this

Sixteenth Suggestion

We would like to invite all countries to send above all young SERVAS members as representatives and observers to the GA in Argentina – this would help to rejuvenate SERVAS.

We suggest that the minutes of the GA be structured in such a way that they match the agenda items – this would make them more readily understandable for someone who was not present at the GA.

Seventeenth Suggestion

Greece to get its status as a member of SI: In the last GA in Latina, Greece lost its membership status by the decision of the assembly. At the moment Greece has a new contact and has been updating its Host Lists every year and its HL's are being printed within Turkey's HL's. So we suggest that Greece should get its membership status back.

Evren February 24, 2009

Eighteenth Suggestion

Based on recent experience, on our Servas Poland local experience and on our general professional experience we, Servas Poland, would like to propose a change in the statutes of Servas International about the structure and work of the Internal Audit Committee.

We propose to extend the section VIII Duties and Responsibilities of Officers, point 7 of the Statutes by adding the letter c) resulting in the wording of this section as follows:

7) Convenors Shall: a) be responsible for the teamwork of their respective committees; and b) implement the decisions of the general Assembly relevant to their field of responsibility. c) It is required that the Members of the Internal Audit Committee elect the Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee out of themselves within a month after the General Assembly; ordinary majority rule is applied in this election process. The main duties of the Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee are to organize internal communication and coordinate the flow of work within this Committee as well as timely delivery of yearly internal audit reports. The Members of the AuC may decide to apply a yearly rotation to the function of the Convenor. If the Members of the Internal Audit Committee are not able to elect the Convenor within the above described time limit then the Executive Committee nominates an interim Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee with an additional task of organizing the election process. The interim Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee can be nominated out of the Members of the Internal Audit Committee only.

Mirek Wasilewski member of Si Audit Committee, Servas Poland, February 25, 2009

Nineteenth Suggestion

It may be considered, after discussion, that our proposal could be better suited or more relevant and effective in some other place of the Statutes or even in other Servas International documents dealing with the activities of AuC. Having this in mind we present - as an alternative to our proposal on the change of the statutes - a text of a resolution to the same effect. The proposed alternative resolution goes as follows:

Resolution on the structure and work of the Internal Audit Committeeof Servas International

The Members of the Internal Audit Committee elect the Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee out of themselves within a month after the General Assembly; ordinary majority rule is applied in this election process. The main duties of the Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee are to organize internal communication and coordinate the flow of work within this Committee as well as timely delivery of yearly internal audit reports. The Members of the AuC may decide to apply a yearly rotation to the function of the Convenor. If the Members of the Internal Audit Committee are not able to elect the Convenor within the above described time limit then the Executive Committee nominates an interim Convenor of Internal Audit Committee with an additional task of organizing the election process. The interim Convenor of the Internal Audit Committee can be nominated out of the Members of the Internal Audit Committee only.

Mirek Wasilewski member of Si Audit Committee, Servas Poland, February 25, 2009

Twentieth Suggestion

We are of an opinion that there is a practical need to the effect of establishing a formal head of the AuC responsible for internal communication and flow of work within the AuC as well as coordination. Here in Servas Poland we have such a solution in place and it proved to be an effective way of organizing the internal financial controlling function.

Mirek Wasilewski member of Si Audit Committee, Servas Poland, February 25, 2009

Twenty-first Suggestion - exco

Funding for GA mandates The General Assembly passes mandates without providing funding or sufficient funds for carrying the mandates. The internet is fine with teleconferences but such communication can not produce the same commitment, can not develop new partnerships, can not provide training for peace, can not provide direct training for new SI leaders essential for the important work of Servas.. More face to face meetings of SI Committees , SI leaders including EXCO, and ACs, mentors with new National Groups, interviewers, volunteer organizers are required to energize and expand Servas International.

The Statutes say that the VP is to strengthen and expand Servas. In order to do this the SI Vice President should not have to use her own money to attend Regional Conferences as she did for the Far East Asian Conference in Korea..

The Far East Asian Regional Conference in Korea had more than 200 members in attendance. This Regional Conference of National Leaders in the region as well as invited NS outside the region resulted in a 3 year plan for the Region, a different national group hosting the Regional meeting each year. In 2006, the regional meeting was hosted by Servas Japan, in 2007 by Servas Korea, in 2008 co-hosted by Servas Hong Kong and Servas China, the next one will be in Taiwan.

These face to face annual regional meetings review what was happening in Servas in each national group, discussion of what is working and where help is needed, and setting agreed upon Regional goals .

Based on the group discussion of what the ideal characteristics for an Area Representative should be, it becomes clear who would be the best person to fill the expectations. There must be an open election of the AC. By having an EXCO and/or other SI Leaders at regional meetings with clear expectations of the Area meetings, more preparation for sharing reports, more information will be exchanged and working relationships and cooperation can be solidified than can occurred by teleconferences and email

It is unfortunate that EXCO members have to use their own money to perform their EXCO roles. If sufficient SI funding is not available to EXCO members to do their jobs then only the financially well off Servas members will be able to run for Servas offices.

Agenda Item. Review all GA mandates that require funding and be sure they are represented by a sufficient line item in the budget. Agree that resolutions that are passed as mandates and are not in the budget are but mere suggestions. It should be noted that not all GA mandates require funding. Require the GA to spend at least one full day on discussion, development and approval of the 3 year SI budget

Exco, February 28, 2009,

Twenty-second Suggestion

INCENTIVE PROGRAM OF INTERNATIONAL SERVAS FOR FOCAL MEETINGS

PURPOSES:

  -To gather together persons, principally children.  from NON-FRIENDLY countries and with EXPLOSIVE  SOCIOCULTURAL  AND/OR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES,  by carrying out events and/or gatherings:
  “Getting Together”, long walks, camps, etc.  RECEPTION AND STAY by Servas families of children and adults from other countries during holidays, so as to promote HUMAN SOLIDARITY AMONG  COUNTRIES.

MEANS: Defining: The responsible section within the Servas organisation being able of carrying out these actions. If this group were not still defined, a person should have to be nominated or a committee created working along with SI so as to achieve actions. Priority of potential countries in the program. International calendar of events for joint actions and diffusion throughout press means, etc. Nomination of international, national and local press delegates for “extra Servas” diffusion of any kind of local, regional and international Servas actions, being the reflect of the real spirit of human actions for which Servas was created 60 years ago.

KIND OF GATHERINGS: As above indicated we think we should give priority to welcoming for a time children from those “CONFLICT COUNTRIES” (p. e. because of political and religious reasons) so that children could Meet and live with people having different customs and habits NOT BEING ANYWAY PHANATIC OF ANY POLITICAL OR RELIGION DOCTRINE (Servas people). This will allow our guests to have always in mind that there are other ways of living, of believing - or not believing- of understanding the others, etc. We must do throughout our human way of living, the policy against CULTURAL, NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS FANATICISM ; but respecting, obviously, the beliefs, differences and feelings of our guests. 1 – Between groups or persons having the same culture or belonging to the same country. For example: Increasing efforts in Servas Colombia to incorporate indigenous to the Servas family and carrying out exchanges within both populations: Inclusion (opening to the all Colombian society) Applicable: For example: Argentine (islanders and indigenous; Bolivia (“Colla” population) ; Venezuela (indigenous population); Brazil (indigenous population); Turkey (Kurdish population), etc. Funds: Financing of these gatherings must be assured by the same countries promoting them, or by means of donations coming from organizations and/or persons having the same aims as Servas has. 2 – Between already existing Servas National Groups. For example: Gatherings carried out among Servas India and Servas Pakistan ( Conflict countries), or Germany and Israel (throughout other ONG in contact with Servas; SI 2009 Bulletin) Applicable: For example: Turkey and Armenia; Argentine and Uruguay,etc. Funds: Financing of these gatherings must be assured by the same countries promoting them, or by means of donations coming from organizations and/or persons having the same aims as Servas has 3 – Between an already established National Group and national potential Groups or persons with possibilities to create other Servas group in places without Servas representative. For example: The creation of Servas Congo carried out thanks to the means and bearing of Servas Belgium (Congo, Ex Belgian colony)

Applicable: Examples: -Argentine and United Kingdom, to establish a Servas group in Falklands( Islas Malvinas); - Israel, to establish a Servas group in Palestine; - Russia to establish a Servas group in Afghanistan, etc. Funds: Financing of these gatherings must be assured by the same countries promoting them with the help of SI (DFC) or by means of donations from other organizations or persons with the same aims as Servas has.

BASIC PRINCIPLES: What these gatherins must NEVER be: Talks having political contents blessing susceptibilities nor having any demonstration of power and/or superiority, etc. What these gatherings must promote: They must be a clear demonstration of understanding, peace and friendship among the human beings from different civilisations or issued from opposite socio-political realities. They must be an anchor to gather people who potentially feel far away from their fellow human beings of other nations and/or civilisations because of reasons overwhelming civil person means.

LINKING WITH EXISTING S.I STRUCTURE: This kind of gatherings could work inside the already existing Servas national structures throughout peace secretary and /or Youth committee; or introduced, for the case of participation of new countries not having Servas representatives, by Peace Secretary or Servas Youth International. Each particular case must be studied separately.

Sincerely, SERVAS ARGENTINA http://argentina.servas.org argentina@servas.org (ENG, SPA, POR, IT, FR, GER, HEB, THA) servasargentina@googlegroups.com (ENG, SPA) ga9@googlegroups.com (SPA)

Twenty-third Suggestion

Making decisions: No wonder that most of the 125 decisions from last GA are not completed – they are so many. I suggest that the decisions be divided according to function or area, and to aim to make 3 to 5 decisions max for each function/area, each with an action plan that indicates who is responsible to complete what by when.

Electing candidates for key positions: instead of relying on how well-known the person is to be elected, I suggest that all nominees for key positions to make a brief presentation (2 – 5 minutes) on how s/he plan to develop Servas or the area of that specific role, and let the best person win. They should be accountable for executing their plans.

Promoting Servas values & Peace: It seems that a large number of Servas travelers are only interested in travelling economically -- 1/3 of the travelers I received in the past year didn’t have their LOIs, almost all of them came from rich countries. What should we do about it?

I suggest that all members concerned with peace work together during the GA to come up with a strategy and an action plan to promote peace, keeping in mind that we can convey a positive message by using only positive words. If anyone needs assistance in this, I’ll be more than happy to help.

Developing new countries: I suggest creating a one-source of information for new chapters to refer to for help regarding the day-to-day issues. They will be responsible for providing all sort of information whenever needed, and for following up the development of new chapters.

I suggest giving voice to small countries and let them be represented at the GA by one of their active members to speak on their behalf.

Zafira, Servas Jordan, March 1, 2009

Twenty-Fourth Suggestion

Theme the definition of the reponsibilities of the area coordinator, as they are not defined at the moment

Carmen, Servas Costa Rica, March 3, 2009

Twenty-fifth Suggestion

Admit Taiwan as Member Group. Servas Taiwan has now more than 10 members for the last several years. 10 in 2005 12 in 2006 68 in 2007 85 in 2008 134 in 2009 Servas Taiwan holds a meeting several times a year. Servas Taiwan will host the 6th East Asia Meeting in 2010.

Masahiro, Servas Japan, March 3, 2009

Twenty-sixth Suggestion

Please admit the renaming of our area from Far East Asia to East Asia. We wish to be called East Asia.

Masahiro, Servas Japan, March 3, 2009

Twenty-seventh Suggestion

Move establishment of Servas on-line; supported by increase of Distant Interviewers; evaluate “International” class of Servas hosts/travelers, for people where Servas is not organized. Creation of a Servas Welcome Team.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 4, 2009

Twenty-eight Suggestion

Move goals and objectives for a Servas Board – to provide annual review of accounts and audit and progress on the approved workplan -- and a report to be presented annually to members of GA by distance or at Area meetings or in combination; and either develop volunteer support; improve policy direction; undertake training and development of Servas teams; or energize Servas outreach, or any combination.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 4, 2009

Twenty-nineth Suggestion

-Move goals, core curriculum for Servas course. Course would train Servas hosts, travelers and officers to become Peace ambassadors according to their interests, at the individual, community, and international levels. Options for self-financing/cost recovery spelled out. Based on pilot projects of 2008.

-Discussion: that the work programme of SI be broken into 3 parts, each year’s work to be led by a team of officers elected or otherwise chosen from Areas in 1) the Americas 2) Europe 3) Asia in succession. That a Servas Board overview and provide continuity, volunteer support of the teams and other facilitative support consistent with its mandate.

-That the SI Stamp fees be increased. (Paper to be prepared on options.) That while options are being considered, the fees be increased by no less than 1/3 (~33 %)

-Move the establishment of an enforceable code of conduct to be signed by all new officers, national secretaries and member groups. Code drafted.

-Distant Vote Administrator to be an ex officio member of EXCO

-Workshop on Servas outreach to include review of goals and recommendation of principles, sample materials, training, cooperation and sponsorships.

-Budget of SI to be decided at face-to-face meetings of SI GA

-Servas consider running a pilot project of appropriate advertising on its website, as a revenue generator. Definition of "appropriate" to be developed and moved.

-That SI adopt a sample promisory agreement, as a basis of fostering, guiding and agreeing to sponsorships, cooperation, and for major volunteer projects, as an addition to the Financial Operating Procedures, and as an alternative to standard employment contracts.

-Servas consider suitable new case-study projects related to Servas goals in Servas Areas where Servas home visits are culturally resisted or impracticable for reasons of poverty, etc. Such considerations to include e.g. Servas meeting houses; potential cooperants and co-hosts to be investigated e.g. Habitat for Humanity.

-Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Zimbabwe be cancelled due to lack of activity. In its Annual Reports of 2006 and 2007, NS of Servas Zimbabwe has reported that Servas Zimbabwe is in hibernation due to the political situation in the country. Servas Zimbabwe should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 4, 2009

Thirthieth (13.1) Suggestion

Motions presented by SERVAS France to the International General Assembly: September 2009

1 – PREAMBLE TO MOTION N°1 :

In 2006, at the GA in Latina : 2 votes about Host Lists : 1 vote asking EXCO to promote a greater use of Internet 1 vote against a single worldwide file of data for Host Lists.

In 2007/2008 : Different emails from EXCO (notably from Vice- presidents Marie Jane MIKURIYA and Ömer ÖZKAN) confirming the system DOLPHIN as the “privileged tool” for the creation of Host Lists.

Concrete action :

• 1 budget line of 7 000 Swiss Francs for the « development of DOLPHIN » is written into the intermediate budget 2008.

• Ömer , in charge of ICT for EXCO gives us details by email (December 2007) of the different stages in setting up of  :
• « HOST LIST DOLPHIN », target date 15 February 2008.
• « MONEY DOLPHIN », target date 15 June2008

January 2009

A dozen or so countries have adopted DOLPHIN to create their Host Lists

The first part, the creation of rapid links between Host and Traveller by Internet is being developed by Mario and Marco Burlando of Servas Italy. (Marco being paid for this work by EXCO).

13.2

Servas France decided in May 2008 to migrate from the system WHALE to DOLPHIN ; from that date Servas France has cooperated with Servas Italy to help the development of DOLPHIN.

At this stage Servas France sees that the final objective of DOLPHIN : the creation of rapid and secure links (via Internet) between Traveller and Host, is technically very complex..

From this observation it seems to us that given the number of countries concerned, the security and the technical maintenance must be handed over from now on to professionals who are competent and paid for their work.

To avoid the decline of Servas, the G.A .recognizes that it is vital to move quickly  towards a linking system which is rapid and secure between Host and Traveller, via Internet.

2The GA .confirms that the use of a single system common to all countries would simplify the links and make cost-effective, the development costs

3The G.IA asks that EXCO give the job of securing the contacts between Host and Traveller via Internet and the maintenance of the system to professionals who will be paid for their work.

4The GA.asks that EXCO should write into the next budget, a permanent provision for the « development of DOLPHIN » sufficient to fund the services demanded in point 3 above.

5The GA decides to set a permanent technical commission composed of 8to 10 members (maximum) from countries working on the creation of computerised dossiers for linking Hosts and Travellers via Internet.

The members of this commission should have a good knowledge of Network systems .They will be chosen and proposed to EXCO by the National Secretaries of their country of origin.SERVAS France proposes to designate a permanent member of this commission.

13.3

MOTION N° 2 from SERVAS FRANCE

OBJECT: Reliability of Host Lists

SERVAS FRANCE finds a growing unreliability of Host Lists in certain countries.

To correct this, the AG asks that EXCO sets up a testing system.

This system would be operated by telephone by the « Host List Coordinator » or a person from outside EXCO. It would consist of confirming the validity of the « status data » of a random sample of the Hosts of each country.

The Host list of each country could thus be checked at least once every two years

The results of this testing would be communicated to all national groups. It would be up to the « unreliable »countries to correct their Host List as soon as they are informed of its unreliability.

SERVAS France is ready to help the « Host List Coordinator « in this task.

1st of March 2009

Bernard CASSIGNARD National Secretary David NORTHEY International main contact

Thirty-first suggestion

Motion

Move that Servas member countries could keep their member status only if they provide a host list not older than two years.

Rita Dessauvage

NS Servas Belgium & Luxemburg March 5, 2009

Thirty-second suggestion

Motion

Move that Servas member Countries who don’t complete the annual report for two consecutive years will loose their member status.

NS Servas Belgium & Luxemburg March 5, 2009

Thirty-second suggestion=

Motion

Move that new Servas countries could get a grant of US$ 200 to cover the costs to start with Servas acitivities. This grant could only be given on recommendation of a Servas Key Person

who is in contact with the starting country (Area Coordinator, National Secretary, Interviewer, Monitor …) A report how the money has been used could be asked.

It has to be defined if EXCO or DFC will give the grant.

NS Servas Belgium & Luxemburg March 5, 2009

Thirty-third suggestion

Motion

Move that existing Servas countries (member and not member countries) without Servas revenue could apply for a grant of US$ 200 on the condition that they can prove that they are working on the development of Servas in their counry and present a plan wherefore the money will be used

It has to be defined if EXCO or DFC will give the grant.

Rita Dessauvage, NS Servas Belgium & Luxemburg March 5, 2009

Thirty-fourth suggestion

Motion

Move that EXCO informs at least two times a year the President/National Secretaries of the Servas countries about the progress of the implementation of the decisions voted in the GA

Rita Dessauvage

NS Servas Belgium & Luxemburg March 5, 2009

Thirty-fifth suggestion=

Motion

Move that Stamp fees have not to be increased as Servas is already (too) expensive for travellers. An option could be to reduce the number of free stamps from 10 to 5 stamps (1-5) and to reduce the number of stamps at the second rate ( CHF 7) This number could be from stamp (6 -25). All stamps above 25 remains at the price of CHF 17

A higher price of the stamp will certainly have a negative impact on the number of travellers and will probaby not increase the income of SI

NS Servas Belgium & Luxemburg March 5, 2009

Thirty Sixth Suggestion

Motion

Moved that Servas Taiwan be made a member group of Servas. Servas Taiwan now has more than 100 hosts and is therefore qualified to become a Member Group of Servas.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Thirty-seventh Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Bangladesh be cancelled due to lack of activity. No Servas activity has been reported from Servas Bangladesh and no annual reports have been received for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 till 2nd March, 2009. Servas Bangladesh should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Thirty-eigth Suggestion

Moved that Servas Hong Kong be considered a part of Servas China and not a separate Member Group of Servas. Hong Kong is now a part of the People’s Republic of China (though, it is a Special Administrative Region) and should not be treated as a Member Group separate from Servas China.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Thirty-nineth Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Iceland be cancelled due to its having less than 10 hosts. The Annual Reports of Servas Iceland for the years 2007 and 2008 have reported that there are less than 10 hosts. Servas Iceland should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Fortieth Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Kyrgyzstan be cancelled due to lack of activity. No Servas activity has been reported from Servas Kyrgyzstan and no annual reports have been received for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 till 2nd March, 2009. Servas Kyrgyzstan should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Forthy-first Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Latvia be cancelled due to lack of activity. No Servas activity has been reported from Servas Latvia and no annual reports have been received for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 till 2nd March, 2009. Servas Latvia should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Forty-second Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Mauritius be cancelled due to lack of activity. No Servas activity has been reported from Servas Mauritius and no annual reports have been received for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 till 2nd March, 2009. Servas Mauritius should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Forty-third Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Netherland Antilles be cancelled due to its having no hosts. The NS of Servas Netherland Antilles reported in its Annual Report 2007 that there are no hosts.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Forty-fourth Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Paraguay be cancelled due to lack of activity. No annual reports have been received from Servas Paraguay for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 till 2nd March, 2009. Servas Paraguay should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Forty-fifth Suggestion

Moved that the Servas membership of Servas Zimbabwe be cancelled due to lack of activity. In its Annual Reports of 2006 and 2007, NS of Servas Zimbabwe has reported that Servas Zimbabwe is in hibernation due to the political situation in the country. Servas Zimbabwe should therefore have the status of a Servas National Group but not a Servas Member Group.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 5, 2009

Forty-sixth Suggestion

Statutes, policies and budget

moved: a draft budget -- discussion document, with options

moved: approval of consolidated draft statutes [already prepared by Chris Jones as convenor of Statutes and Job Description Committee] as the new official version of Servas Statutes

moved: changes to the DV regulations and policies [|Pramod, do you already have a draft of this} moved: a revised Stamp fee schedule -- draft provided, with options Communications Moved: that all national secretaries, national teams and boards "subscribe" to theServas Monthly SI News, and encourage Servas hosts and travelers to do likewise.

Feedback Annual National Reports be made more useful; include highlight information on organizing Servas activities and travelers' reports.

Outreach {could not find this subject on the list -- if already there, please drop this version.} A workshop be conducted on Servas extension/outreach through suitable materials with a view to establishing a core outreach programme serving many groups and needs.

Gary Sealey, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Forty-Seventh Suggestion

The list for applicants to open positions should be held open until the beginning of the elections, as experience has shown that there is always a chance to find applicants during the conference, who might be even more suitable for the position than the ones who applied before the conference started.

Wolfgang, Servas Germany, March 6, 2009

Forty-Eight Suggestion

Servas Germany makes a request to establish a central authority for printing and distributing host lists for those countries who can’t manage to do this themselves. This list-centre should have admission to the storage. The countries that don’t put their lists into the storage should then forward their lists to the distributors.

Wolfgang, Servas Germany, March 6, 2009

Forty-Nineth Suggestion

Servas Germany makes a request that in future every kind of funding for countries who need financial help to be able to attend a GA should only be organised by SI and not by single countries. Reason: Germany did that in the past, too, but we don’t believe it to be a good solution, as it could raise the suspicion of private dependences (we give you the money – you support our ideas…). Only SI can control which country should benefit from a funding, bearing in mind that each Servas member has to follow certain and transparent criteria.

Wolfgang, Servas Germany, March 6, 2009

Fifthieth Suggestion

Servas Germany suggests that Servas-members with financial problems should get an Office Grant that is independent from the stamps to be enabled to handle their administrative efforts. In return all stamps have to be paid properly by those members. The office grant can only be given to Servas-members that work properly according the rules. And even the smaller countries (with less than 10 hosts) should get a mini-grant (for example CHF 50,-) Reason: This will mean a reliable cash flow for SI which could help making stamps cheaper (perhaps CHF 15,-), which again could be an advantage for some members.

Servas Germany suggests establishing a working group for the realisation of this idea.

Wolfgang, Servas Germany, March 6, 2009

Fifty-First Suggestion

Servas Germany makes a request to make clear the rules for distant voting processes, especially as it comes to security questions. Reason: We do agree with the possibility of distant voting, but it should be made clear that distant voting just via e-mail, as due to our information happened in the past, could be attacked formally later by members who do not agree with a certain decision. The distant voting process should follow strict security rules to avoid this, as it is too easy to send an e-mail with a fake sender address.

Wolfgang, Servas Germany, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Second Suggestion

Identify a budget working group during the first two days of the GA and have them present a budget on the last day of the GA for discussion, and approval. This means that during the GA that individuals can talk with the budgeters about their special projects and seek a particular funding level. I would imagine ITC, Youth, Area Coordinators, SI Editor, Development Fund Committee, etc . By being lobbied by groups, the budget committee can obtain clarity on what is expected and discuss how reasonable the budget request is. There needs to be an open work shop on the budget the day before the last day of the conference and in preparation for the presentation of the budget to the GA

Mary Jane, Servas USA, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Third Suggestion

It would be beneficial for SI to adopt a budget based on committed activities and also estimate the fund requirement for each of such activity thereby making the Budget formulation more transparent and acceptable to the member countries. This would require the active participation of all the committees and their valuable inputs to make the Budget more easy to understand and implement.

LVS, Servas India, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Fourth Suggestion

The present accounting year for SI is from 1st Jan to 31st December and the new Stamp Invoicing and Accounting Process is being implemented from 2008. Since the Stamps are mailed during the year end and the monies for these comes are received only after the completion of the ensuing year, it would greatly help if the accounting period is shifted to 1st April to 31st March so that stamp revenues are accounted and recognized in the same year.

LVS, Servas India, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Fifth Suggestion

It would be better for SI to strengthen and implement the Financial Operating Procedures with the active help of the Audit Committee so that any changes or modifications suggested from Audit perspective are made and followed.

LVS, Servas India, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Sixth Suggestion

It would be suggestive to revise the existing Stamp Tariff Rates to the suggested Tariff structure so that it improves the SI stamp revenues marginally without putting the member countries to any disadvantage.

Present Tariff Rate Suggested Tariff Rate

0 - 10 Free 0 - 5 Free

11 - 50 Next 40 Stamps @ CHF 7 6 - 40 Next 35 stamps @ CHF 7

51 and above @CHF 17 41 and above @ CHF17

LVS, Servas India, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Seventh Suggestion

Member countries showing enthusiasm and interest to be encouraged by giving small development grants and regular feedback about their activities by way of periodical reporting to determine further fund supports to them.

LVS, SI Treasurer, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Eight Suggestion

Donations by member countries to be channeled through SI for fair and good distribution to the deserving member countries.

LVS, SI Treasurer, March 6, 2009

Fifty-Nineth Suggestion

Reviewing the current SI Newsletter outreach and evaluating economies in printing and distribution by identifying member countries which have these facilities.

LVS, SI Treasurer, March 6, 2009

Sixtieth Suggestion

Suggestion that the area “Europe and Near East” with more than 40 countries would be split up in two different areas: an area EUROPE and an area NEAR EAST.

Now that more countries of Near East have Servas members it would be better for the development and the good functioning of the region.

Rita, Servas Belgium, March 6 2009,

Sixty-First Suggestion=

That the Servas Traveler's Directory, as decided at the 2006 GA, be added to the information available via the Dolphin system

Chris and Marijke, Servas New Zealand, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Second Suggestion

In Servas there should be a project team which the member countries can consult when they have an idea for a Servas project. This team will evaluate the project and support the initiators to carry out.

They can share the previous experience if there were similar projects in the past. At the same time a kind of data bank will be kept updated for the members to see about the past, current and upcoming projects. This team can categorize the different projects such as social responsibility, activities, promoting peace etc.

Even they can suggest different ideas and encourage the executive committees or peace secretaries for new projects.

Ozge, Servas Turkey, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Third Suggestion

Moved that a working group be appointed to review the Distant Voting Resolutions passed at Latina in 2006, and suggest suitable amendments to be adopted by GA 2009 so as to simplify the DV procedures.

The intention is to make the holding of Distant Votes easier so that it becomes easier to obtain the views and approval of the National Secretaries on various issues. This will make the working of SI more democratic.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Fourth Suggestion

Moved that, item number 9 of Motion 1 of DV Resolutions, which reads as follows:

“The Distant Voting process shall include three voting options for each motion, ‘support/yes’, ‘against/no’ and ‘abstain’”

be amended to read as follows:

“The Distant Voting process shall include two voting options for each motion, ‘support/yes’, ‘against/no’.

When a voter chooses not to cast his/her vote, it is abstention from voting. It should not be necessary for a voter to cast a vote to express his/her abstention from voting.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Fifth Suggestion

Moved that, item number 11 of Motion 1 of DV Resolutions, which reads as follows:

Motions shall be declared adopted as if they have been passed by a meeting of the General Assembly if they get a double majority:

a) when the majority of the votes cast are "support/yes",

b) AND when the "support/yes" vote is at least four tenths of the number of member groups allowed to vote in the Distant Vote.

be amended to read as follows:

When the number of “support/yes” votes received for a motion is more than the number of “against/no” votes, the motion shall be declared adopted as if it has been passed by a meeting of the General Assembly.

In a physical General Assembly, motions can be adopted by a simple majority and it is not necessary for the number of “support/yes” votes to be at least four tenths of the number of member groups allowed to vote, for a motion to be declared adopted. The same rule can be followed for a Distant Vote too.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Sixth Suggestion

Moved that, item number 1 of Servas Regulations for Distant Voting which reads as follows:

The Distant Voting process shall operate by sending voting papers and information to one person, the Authorised Voter, from each member group who has been authorised to receive and cast the Distant Vote for that member group.

be amended to read as follows:

The Distant Voting process shall operate by sending the motions and the voting information to the National Secretary of each member group who shall cast the Distant Vote for that member group.

Also, the words “Authorised Voter” or “Authorised Voters” appearing in the subsequent clauses be replaced with the words “National Secretary” and “National Secretaries” respectively.

It is superfluous to have an “Authorised Voter” when the National Secretaries have the authority to vote for their member groups. Obtaining the names and contact details of the “Authorised Voters” from the National Secretaries turns out to be a time consuming exercise without any additional benefit. In any case, most of the NSs have nominated themselves as their Authorised Voters.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Seventh Suggestion

Moved that, item number 3 of Servas Regulations for Distant Voting which reads as follows be deleted:

The procedures for deciding who receives the voting papers and then how the Distant Vote is cast shall be determined locally by each member group.

Motion 4 makes this clause unnecessary.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Eigth Suggestion

Moved that, item number 5 of Servas Regulations for Distant Voting which reads as follows be deleted:

To assist member groups to make an informed decision all motions will be accompanied by a balanced outline of the issues involved and information on where additional information can be obtained

In most democratic organizations the authority which conducts a vote, (for example, the speaker or the presiding officer of a parliament) is not required to inform or educate the voters about the issues involved in a motion. Similarly, the Distant Vote Administrator or EXCO should not be expected to prepare a balanced outline of the issues involved. It is for the movers of the motions and the voters to debate the issues involved. Whether an outline is “balanced” or not is a subjective matter.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Sixty-Nineth Suggestion

Moved that, for the election of officers and committee members during a physical General Assembly, a form of “Hybrid Voting” (that is, physical voting plus distant voting) should be adopted so that not only the voters physically present at the GA but the voters who are not physically present can also participate in the voting process.

Many National Secretaries are unable to participate in physical General Assemblies due to various reasons (geographical distance, lack of funds, visa problems etc. etc.). These NSs should also be provided an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.

Pramod Kumar, EXCO, March 6, 2009

Seventieth Suggestion

Servas Youth is presenting you a complete proposal organized by items, attaching material to help you think about them and to get more involved in the process. During the meeting several workshops will be run about this topics. Hope to count withn your presence there.

The proposal could be voted as a unity or item by item depending on the wish of the General Asembly (GA).

After three years of hard work we hope to count with the support of the delegates to take a new step and keep developing the youth brunch of Servas International.

This GA approved and accept the reports presented by Pablo Chufeni as Youth Coordinator (Reports attached)

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina March 6, 2009

Seventy-First Suggestion

This GA invite to all SI officers to present regular reports of their activities

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina March 6, 2009

Seventy-Second Suggestion

This GA approved and accept the presented action plan of Servas Youth for the period 2010/2011/2012 (Action Plan attached)

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina March 6, 2009

Seventy-Third Suggestion

This GA decide that Servas Youth must have an apropiate budget to run the activities listed on the Action Plan (Models attached)

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina March 6, 2009

Seventy-Fourth Suggestion=

This GA invite to all the National Groups to include a LOCAL YOUTH CONTACT in their national servas structure.

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina March 6, 2009

Seventy-Fifth Suggestion

This GA decided to consider since now Servas Youth as a constitutive part of Servas International being an area of vital importance for our organization.

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina March 6, 2009

Seventy-Sixth Suggestion

Moved that Servas Cameroon (Africa) would get the status of Servas Member Country.

Servas Cameroon fullfills the conditions of a Member country having more than 10 members (number is still growing), having an updated host list and organizing Servas activities in the country.

Rita Dessauvage, Mentor of Servas Cameroon, March 9, 2009

Seventy-Seventh Suggestion

Motion

Moved that Servas Congo-Brazzaville (Africa) would get the status of Servas Member Country.

Servas Congo-Brazzaville fullfills the conditions of a Member country having more than 10 members (number is still growing), having an updated host list and organizing Servas activities in the country.

Rita Dessauvage, Mentor of Servas Congo-Brazzaville, March 9, 2009

Seventy-Eighth Suggestion

Future of Servas in the world of competition with other booming similar organisations like Hospitality Club, Couchsurfing, Bewelcome (all of them operating exclusively via internet, growing very fast and being extremely successful in involving especially young people):

Do we want to remain a Niche Player, with our special rules? Which strategies can help to make Servas a more powerful presentation in all countries and to make Servas known to almost every normal local citizen of a country and not to just only those people who are interested in travel? (see also ‘youtube’ interview with Bob Luitwiler on the future of Servas)

Bea Mantel, Servas Switzerland, February 20, 2000

Seventy-Nineth Suggestion

DOLPHIN:

current status globally how many countries use it, what experiences are available how did they succeed in transferring WHALE data into DOLPHIN (if they used WHALE before)? Protection of data still a major concern when providing open internet access

Bea Mantel, Servas Switzerland, February 20, 2000

Eightieth Suggestion

Communication:

Handling of feedbacks from travellers concerning hosts from other countries

Background: These past 2 years, we had travellers (from Switzerland) who mentioned in their travel report critical points about hosts from other countries. As we thought it useful for the respective national board to know about these points, in order to react or do something or decide to not take any action, I passed these informations on to the national boards/NS via e-mail. In one case it concerned the NS of one of the member countries, so I sent a lengthy e-mail to SI. In al cases, I never heard anything anymore! I would at least expect a confirmation of having received the mail – and I would appreciate an answer stating what they did with this feedback.

Bea Mantel, Servas Switzerland, February 20, 2000

Eighty-First Suggestion

We would like to invite all countries to send above all young SERVAS members as representatives and observers to the GA in Argentina – this would help to rejuvenate SERVAS.

We suggest that the minutes of the GA be structured in such a way that they match the agenda items – this would make them more readily understandable for someone who was not present at the GA.

Bea Mantel, Servas Switzerland, February 20, 2000

Eighty-Second Suggestion

media:DFC_Proposals_for_the_GA_2009.doc‎

Laura Ragucci, April 4, 2009

Amended Agenda input

ITEM A This GA approved and accepts the reports presented by Pablo Chufeni as Youth Coordinator (Reports attached)

ITEM B This GA invite to all SI officers to present regular reports of their activities.

ITEM C This GA approved and accept the presented action plan of Servas Youth for the period 2010/2011/2012 (Action Plan attached)

ITEM D This GA decide that Servas Youth must have an appropriate budget to run the activities listed on the Action Plan (Models attached)

ITEM E This GA invite to all the National Groups to include a LOCAL YOUTH CONTACT in their national servas structure.

ITEM F This GA decided to consider since now Servas Youth as a constitutive part of Servas International being an area of vital importance for our organization.

ITEM G This GA decided to include Servas Youth as a member of the new governmental structure of Servas International that will replace the current EXCO when this will take place.

Pablo Chufeni, Servas Argentina, March 18, 2009

News

Dear National Secretaries, Committee Convenors, and elected Area Coordinators,

We are pleased to welcome you to the Servas International General Assembly, scheduled for September 5, 2009 -- and meeting for up to a week, to Sepember 12, 2009 at Mare del Plata, Argentina (south of Buenos Aires).

Nominees for elected office may wish to plan staying a day longer, to attend first meetings of the new Servas International Committees. Organized pre- and post-conference touring will also be considered, if there is interest.

We are grateful for several proposals kindly advanced from, in addition to Servas Argentina -- Servas India, Servas Korea, Servas Turkey and for the inputs from Servas Japan and proposals from Servas Central America and Servas East Asia.

This GA in Argentina will focus on the two dozen main "business" decisions of Servas -- as defined in the Statutes. We will aslo update and evaluate the 125 strategic and administrative decisions made in Latina, to strengthen Servas. To ensure economy, particularly during these times of global financial uncertainty, travel support will be limited. We will assess ways of using polling, Distant Voting and other means to collect inputs from national secretaries or other delegated voters for the GA who may be unable to attend.

As you know, 2009 is a very special year for Servas. Several Anniversaries are planned around the world, to celebrate and help renew Servas. Please draw to the attention of Servas Travelers the current (and changing) calendar of these fun and educational activities on the improved Servas website: www.servas.org [no login].

We hope the energy produced by these Anniversary celebrations, towards Servas renewal, outreach, and recommitment, will help make the GA 2009 an important turning point in the history of Servas.

More information on GA arrangements, registration procedures, and the usual call for GA agenda items is being prepared now and will be sent to you soon. A collection of new GA resource materials will also be posted on the Servas News site, www.siexco.org which volunteers are updating, archived, indexing and making more user-friendly.

All of Servas is counting on you to provide help and advice for successful preparations of the GA.

We are looking forward to enjoying our friendships both during that advance work and in your company at the GA.

Gary Sealey, President EXCO: siexco@googlegroups.com SKYPE: garysealey

Servas GA 2009 Meeting - Required Tasks

Pictures of Hosts

[RCT Site Plan Image:Main Page Wiki.doc

Pictures of GA 2009 Location

Agenda Items Recommended

Call for Agenda Items GA 2009 Argentina Update #1 – Call for Agenda Items

Dear National Secretary -- Happy New Year!

You are invited, as per the Servas Statutes, to send agenda items for the week-long 2009 Servas International General Assembly, in September in Argentina.

· Agenda items must be submitted six months before the GA, that is by March 6, 2009.

We will send you an agenda three months before the GA, by June 6. The agenda will be amended if necessary, and approved, when the GA begins.

We will put the full texts of all Agenda items on the siexco website, www.siexco.org

Many of the GA 2006 details are also archived on our website also at www.siexco.org and you can use the "search" feature to locate specific items. We are building a similar, new page for GA 2009.

Important note:

· Work is continuing on a selection of the 125 decisions taken by the GA at Latina

· Servas International does not have the resources to complete the bulk of this work, before the GA is held in Argentina; and some of it will have to be dropped or delayed if the GA at Argentina takes on more priorities.

· Your help in advancing or completing those decisions and related tasks is welcome

· If you want to help with any item, please let us know.

To make sure we see your reply, please put "GA Agenda item" and a summary description of your interest, and send it to me at president@servas.org and cc Siexco@googlegroups.com

We will be writing to you again, to invite you to participate in working groups supporting the GA Agenda process. Regardless whether you join a working group or decide to work separately, your inputs are welcome.

(Short note for travelers to the GA: Suggest you plan your travel to arrive in Buenos Aires by September 3 or 4, so that you can be hosted overnight and be taken by Servas bus to the conference site for arrival there by evening Saturday, September 5. Separately we will send you more travel details, etc.)

We look forward to receiving your agenda inputs. Many thanks, in advance, for your understanding and cooperation!

Gary Sealey

President

Ga 2009 Agenda

2009 GA Agenda

Copy of 2009 Agenda Items

Dear National Secretaries, Committee Convenors, and elected Area Coordinators,

We are happy to send you the Agenda for the Servas International General Assembly in Argentina Sept 5 to 12, 2009. For your easy reference we are also putting it on the siexco web site http://www.servas.org/siexco/index.php/General_Assembly_2009

Thanks, very much, to the Agenda Working Group -- Penny Pattison (convenor), Pramod Kumar, Eva Meggender, Chris Patterson, Rami Rafaeli!

As required by the statutes, we included each agenda item submitted by March 6, 2009 by a National Secretary or EXCO member.

We summarized or reworded some items to make them clear and easily understood. You can see the original wording on the siexco web site under item 4. (We also left on the website some Agenda suggestions which did not meet Servas Statute requirements.)

We have carefully indexed all the suggestions, as you can see by the attached EXCEL worksheets. You can find your suggestion and trace it through the groupings of agenda items.

We grouped all agenda items into a few main Agenda Subjects. You can see these groupings on the Agenda.

We noted several agenda items related to “Membership”, a statutory item. The Membership Committee will deal with these when it reviews all countries’ membership status. It will present its report to the General Assembly.

Based on feedback from the 2006 GA in Italy, we plan to reduce Formal GA sessions to an absolute minimum. The GA must handle all decisions required by statute. Agenda items will be voted upon after having been discussed at Subject Working Groups. We expect that discussion will mainly occur at the Subject Working Group sessions, not in the Formal GA sessions.

In addition to the Formal GA sessions and Subject Working Group sessions, there will also be a Servas Peace Course and The Best of Servas Standards - Discussion sessions.

We will develop a detailed timetable and programme for the conference over the next 3 months, and send it to you.

Meantime, let's prepare for a productive and enjoyable conference. Please study the Agenda with your national group, and join an Agenda Working Group. (Please contact siga2009awg@googlegroups.com )

We also need help for GA Conference support volunteer activities: note-takers, translators and interpreters, editors, Servas GA internet news, many others...

Let's start, now!

Gary Sealey

President

For your convenience, the Agenda follows, and is also attached.

Agenda for the Servas International General Assembly

in Argentina Sept 5 to 12, 2009

Background and Explanations

Subject groups:

The Agenda Working Group sorted all Agenda Items submitted by a National Secretary or EXCO member by the deadline of March 6, 2009, into four Subject Areas:

Host and Travellers (HT) SI Processes (SI) Technology (TECH) Vision for the Future (VISION)

You will see some agenda items sorted into more than one subject group. Look for the pages following the agenda and General Timetable to see the sorted list of agenda items by subject group.

The Subject Working Groups (SWGs) are beginning now, before the conference. They will continue at the conference. Therefore, proposals brought to the Formal GA sessions may not be identical to the motions submitted. In all cases, the SWG will work with the submitter of the agenda item to ensure that they agree with the “friendly amendment”.

During the conference, most of the SWGs will meet at the same time. The design of the detailed timetable, may allow attendees to plan to attend more than one SWG.

Conference activities:

Four basic conference activities have been identified:

GA - Formal GA sessions (where country delegates vote and make decisions) SWG - Subject Working Group sessions PEACE - Servas Peace Course BEST - The Best of Servas Standards - Discussion

There will also be time for talking together, excursions and fun!

Programme:

Over the next 3 months we will develop the detailed timetable and programme for each day of the GA and send it to you. The details have not all been finalized now, such as the duration of Servas Peace Course and Best of Servas Standards - Discussion sessions, and timing of meals, breaks and other fun activities. Page 3 of this document contains a general idea of the structure of the conference.

Agenda for the Servas International General Assembly

in Argentina Sept 5 to 12, 2009

GA Statutory Requirements

a. GA Official Opening

b. review and adopt the minutes of the last General Assembly as published or corrected

c. review and vote on reports of Servas International’s office holders

d. membership decisions

e. election of officers and committees

f. review and vote on the audited accounts and the auditor’s reports

g. elect an auditor, or empower the Executive Committee to pay for independent professional auditing

h. determine which members of the Executive Committee shall be empowered to sign on behalf of Servas International. Two signatures shall be required

i. determine interval before next GA

j. GA Official Closing

Host Traveller Agenda Items (see details in following pages)

SI Processes Agenda Items (see details in following pages)

Technology Agenda Items (see details in following pages)

Vision of the Future Agenda Items (see details in following pages)

Servas Peace Course

The Best of Servas Standards - Discussion

General Time Table for 2009 SERVAS GA Agenda

September 5 – 12, 2009

(this will be updated before the Conference)

Day 0 – Sept 5

Meet and Talk with friends old and new!

Day 1 – Sept 6

(these may be concurrent sessions)

PEACE

BEST

SWGs

Day 2 – Sept 7

GA – opening, minutes, reports, membership

(these may be concurrent sessions)

PEACE

BEST

SWGs

Day 3 – Sept 8

GA – auditor report, new auditor, budget introduction

(these may be concurrent sessions)

PEACE

BEST

SWGs

Day 4 – Sept 9

GA – VISION SWG, HT SWG, budget updates

SWGs

GA – elections

Day 5 – Sept 10

GA – TECH SWG, SI SWG, budget updates

SWGs

GA – SWG decisions continued, as required

Day 6 – Sept 11

GA – budget decision, signing officers, next GA

GA – SWGs, as required

Day 7 – Sept 12

GA – closing

Host Traveller Agenda Items:

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

COS-001

To define the responsibilities of the area coordinator.
24

BEL-005

To split the area “Europe and Near East” into two different areas: EUROPE and NEAR EAST.
60

JAP-002

To rename Far East Asia to East Asia.
26

EXC-023

To review the current SI Newsletter outreach and evaluate economies in printing and distribution. 
59

EXC-015E

All national secretaries, national teams and boards to be automatically mailed the on-line version of Servas Monthly News, and member groups to be asked to forward it to their Servas hosts and travelers.  
46

SWI-003

To lay down standards for communication between national secretaries/boards, e.g. on how to handle feedback/complaints from travellers concerning hosts in other countries.  
15

BEL-002B

To require that the US $200 grants for starting Servas activities are given on recommendation of a Servas Key Person who is in contact with the starting country (Area Coordinator, National Secretary, Interviewer, Mentor …), and that a report on how the money has been used should be asked. It has to be defined if EXCO or DFC will give the grant.
32

BEL-003

To decide if the US $200 grants for existing Servas countries without Servas income are administered by EXCO or the DFC, and to require that the countries applying for such grants have to prove that they are working on the development of Servas in their counry and present a plan of what the money will be used for.
33

EXC-021

To encourage member countries showing enthusiasm and interest by giving small development grants and regular feedback about their activities by way of periodical reporting to determine further fund supports to them.
57

BOT-002

To evaluate the small grants given to national groups to help them develop.
4

GER-004

To establish a working group to develop a process for giving Office Grants that are independent from the stamps, for member groups to be able to handle administrative efforts. In return all stamps have to be paid properly by those members. The office grant can only be given to Servas members that work properly according to the rules. And even the smaller countries (with less than 10 hosts) should get a mini-grant (for example CHF 50,-) Reason: This will mean a reliable cash flow for SI which could help making stamps cheaper (perhaps CHF 15,-), which again could be an advantage for some members.
50

JOR-001D

Developing new countries: To create one source of information for new Servas groups to refer to for help regarding the day-to-day issues.
23

SWI-001

To discuss the future of Servas in the world of competition with other booming similar organisations. Do we want to remain a Niche Player, with our special rules?

Which strategies can help to make Servas a more powerful presence in all countries and to make Servas known to almost every local citizen of a country and not just to those people who are interested in travel?

13

EXC-004I

Servas to consider suitable new case-study projects related to Servas goals in Servas Areas where Servas home visits are culturally resisted or impracticable for reasons of poverty, etc.
29

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

EXC-004A

To lay down goals and a core curriculum for a 'Servas course'. This course would train Servas hosts, travellers and officers to become Peace ambassadors, based on 2008 pilot projects.
29

BOT-001

To discuss and find ways of how Servas can help small national groups to grow and flourish in the next decade. 
3

NZE-001

A Servas Traveler's Directory, as decided at the 2006 GA, to be added to the information available via the Dolphin system.
61

FRA-001B

Reliability of Host Lists: to set up a testing system to telephone a random sample of the Hosts of each country to confirm the validity of the host list; check each country at least once every two years; communicate results to all national groups. It would be up to the « unreliable »countries to correct their Host List as soon as they are informed of its unreliability.
30

ITA-003

Use of Dolphin programme: to consider the possibility to give a risk-free national host-list (or part of it) to travellers through computer
11

EXC-002A

To establish Servas on-line.
27

GER-002

To establish a central authority for printing and distributing host lists for those countries who can’t manage to do this themselves.
48

EXC-002C

To evaluate the possibility of an “International” class of Servas hosts/travelers, for people where Servas is not organized.
27

EXC-002B

To increase the number of Distant Interviewers.
27

EXC-002D

To create a Servas Welcome Team.
27

SWI-004A

To increase the proportion of Youth representatives and observers at GAs: for instance by inviting all countries to send above all young SERVAS members as representatives and observers to the GA. 
16

ARG-001

To create an incentive program of Servas International for focal meetings
22

SI Processes Agenda Items:

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

EXC-003

To define and lay down the goals and objectives for a Servas Board.
28

EXC-001C

To set aside sufficient time for Budget in GA Agenda, for instance GAs should spend at least one full day on discussion, development and approval of the 3 year SI budget.
21

EXC-004F

The budget of SI to be decided at face-to-face meetings of SI GA.
29

EXC-015A

To consider the draft budget - discussion document with options
46

EXC-016

To identify a budget working group during the first two days of the GA and have them present a budget on the last day of the GA for discussion and approval.
52

EXC-017

To aim for the budget to be based on committed activities; for each of these an estimate of the funds required should be submitted.
53

EXC-018

To change the accounting period to 1st April - 31st March, so that stamp revenues are accounted and recognized in the same year.
54

POL-001A

To define and take resolution(s) on the structure and work of the Internal Audit Committee of Servas International
1

POL-001B

To require an annual report to be presented to the GA on the recovery process of outstanding advances
1

EXC-019

To strengthen and implement the Financial Operating Procedures with the active help of the Audit Committee
55

EXC-001A

To review all GA mandates that require funding and be sure they are represented by a sufficient line item in the budget. 
21

GER-003

To decide that every kind of funding for countries who need financial help to be able to attend a GA should only be organised by SI and not by individual countries.
49

EXC-001B

To treat resolutions that are passed as mandates and are not in the budget as suggestions.
21

JOR-001A

Decisions to be divided according to function or area, with the aim to make 3 to 5 decisions max for each function/area, each with an action plan that indicates who is responsible to complete what by when.
23

JOR-001E

To give voice to small countries and let them be represented at the GA by one of their active members to speak on their behalf.
23

USA-001

To decide that no member group's delegate can VOTE at the GA if the host list on which the threshold of 10 hosts is based for participation in the GA is not shared with approved travelers from other countries.
6

SWI-004B

To structure the minutes of the GA in such a way that it matches the agenda items.
16

BEL-001

Servas member countries to keep their member status only if they provide a host list not older than two years.
31

BEL-002A

Servas member countries to lose their member status if they don’t complete the annual report for two consecutive years.
32

JAP-001

To add Taiwan as a member of SI
25

EXC-005

To change the status of Zimbabwe from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group 
45

EXC-006

To add Taiwan as a member of SI
36

EXC-007

To change the status of Bangladesh from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group 
37

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

EXC-008

To consider Servas Hong Kong a part of Servas China and not a separate Member Group of Servas. 
38

EXC-009

To change the status of Iceland from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group
39

EXC-010

To change the status of Kyrgyzstan from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group
40

EXC-011

To change the status of Latvia from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group
41

EXC-012

To change the status of Mauritius from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group
42

EXC-013

To cancel the Servas membership of Netherlands Antilles as it currently does not have any hosts.
43

EXC-014

To change the status of Paraguay from a Servas Member Group to a Servas National Group
44

JOR-001B

All nominees for key positions to make a brief presentation (2 – 5 minutes) on how s/he plan to develop Servas or the area of that specific role. 
23

GER-001

To hold the list of applicants for elected positions open until the beginning of the elections.
47

BRI-001

To make sure that anyone elected or nominated to a post in Servas will know unambiguously what is expected of them and what expenses will be reimbursed.
2

EXC-030

To adopt a form of “Hybrid Voting” (that is, physical voting plus distant voting) for the election of officers and committee members during a physical General Assembly, so that not only the voters physically present at the GA but also the voters who are not physically present can  participate in the voting process.
69

EXC-015B

To approve the consolidated draft statutes [already prepared by Statutes and Job Description Committee] as the new official version of Servas Statutes
46

EXC-004C

To introduce an enforceable code of conduct to be signed by all new officers, national secretaries and member groups. 
29

USA-002

To register SI as an NGO in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, and appoint a qualified agent for service of process as the organization's "mail drop" for legal documents.
7

EXC-015F

Annual Reports of Servas Member Groups to include an overview of Member Group community outreach activities or other actions taken to strengthen Servas; and also a summary or samples of Traveler Reports.
46

BEL-004

EXCO to inform at least two times a year the President/National Secretaries of the Servas countries about the progress of the implementation of the decisions voted in the GA.
34

JOR-001D

Developing new countries: To create one source of information for new Servas groups to refer to for help regarding the day-to-day issues.
23

EXC-022

Donations by member countries to be channeled through SI for fair and good distribution to the deserving member countries.
58

BEL-005

Stamp fees not to be increased as Servas is already (too) expensive for travellers. An option could be to reduce the number of free stamps from 10 to 5 stamps (1-5) and to reduce the number of stamps at the second rate ( CHF 7) This number could be from stamp (6 -25). All stamps above 25 remains at the price of CHF 17. 
35

EXC-015D

To consider and vote on a revised Stamp fee schedule -- draft provided, with options 
46

EXC-004B

SI Stamp fees to be increased by no less than 1/3 (~33 %)
29

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

EXC-020

To revise the existing Stamp Tariff Rates to:  0 - 5 Free; next 35 stamps @ CHF 7; 41 and above @ CHF17 
56

ITA-004

To complete and implement Money-Dolphin. To consider stamps distribution to national key-persons through the Web
12

GER-005

To make clear the rules for the distant voting processes, especially when it comes to security questions.
51

EXC-004D

Distant Vote Administrator to be an ex officio member of EXCO
29

EXC-015C

To consider and vote on changes to the DV regulations and policies
46

EXC-024

To appoint a working group to review the Distant Voting Resolutions passed at Latina in 2006, and suggest suitable amendments to be adopted by GA 2009 so as to simplify the DV procedures.
63

EXC-027

Item 1 of Servas Regulations for Distant Voting to be amended to read as follows: "The Distant Voting process shall operate by sending the motions and the voting information to the National Secretary of each member group who shall cast the Distant Vote for that member group."

Also, the words “Authorised Voter” or “Authorised Voters” appearing in the subsequent clauses to be replaced with the words “National Secretary” and “National Secretaries” respectively.

66

EXC-028

Item 3 of Servas Regulations for Distant Voting which reads as follows to be deleted: "The procedures for deciding who receives the voting papers and then how the Distant Vote is cast shall be determined locally by each member group."
67

EXC-029

Item 5 of Servas Regulations for Distant Voting which reads as follows to be deleted: "To assist member groups to make an informed decision all motions will be accompanied by a balanced outline of the issues involved and information on where additional information can be obtained"
68

EXC-025

Item 9 of Motion 1 of DV Resolutions to be amended to read as follows: “The Distant Voting process shall include two voting options for each motion, ‘support/yes’, ‘against/no’.
64

EXC-026

Item 11 of Motion 1 of DV Resolutions to be amended to read as follows: "When the number of “support/yes” votes received for a motion is more than the number of “against/no” votes, the motion shall be declared adopted as if it has been passed by a meeting of the General Assembly."
65

Technology Agenda Items:

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

NZE-001

A Servas Traveler's Directory, as decided at the 2006 GA, to be added to the information available via the Dolphin system.
61

FRA-001B

Reliability of Host Lists: to set up a testing system to telephone a random sample of the Hosts of each country to confirm the validity of the host list; check each country at least once every two years; communicate results to all national groups. It would be up to the « unreliable »countries to correct their Host List as soon as they are informed of its unreliability.
30

FRA-001A

To move quickly  towards a rapid and secure linking system between Host and Traveller, via Internet; a single system common to all countries to simplify the links and make development cost-effective; pay professionals to maintain the system; budget sufficient funds for the « development of DOLPHIN »; create a permanent technical commission composed of 8 to 10 members (maximum) with good knowledge of Network systems.
30

ITA-003

Use of Dolphin programme: to consider the possibility to give a risk-free national host-list (or part of it) to travellers through computer
11

ITA-002

Italy is continuing and expanding the Intelligent Road-Map Project in our host list. We think that this Project should be extended to other countries.
10

ITA-004

To complete and implement Money-Dolphin. To consider stamps distribution to national key-persons through the Web
12

EXC-002A

To establish Servas on-line.
27

EXC-002D

To create a Servas Welcome Team.
27

EXC-023

To review the current SI Newsletter outreach and evaluate economies in printing and distribution. 
59

EXC-015E

All national secretaries, national teams and boards to be automatically mailed the on-line version of Servas Monthly News, and member groups to be asked to forward it to their Servas hosts and travelers.  
46

USA-003

Information item: host lists accessible in electronic form, US Servas - Couchsurfing "alliance" for technology.
8

SWI-002

To evaluate DOLPHIN: status, experiences, how many countries use it, transfer of data from WHALE, protection of data.
14

GER-002

To establish a central authority for printing and distributing host lists for those countries who can’t manage to do this themselves.
48

Vision for the Future Agenda Items:

Country/ Code

Agenda Item Summary 
Web Item Number

ITA-001

To meditate about what Servas is now, what we can do to restore our ideals, starting from Bob Luitweiler's nonviolent thinkings
9

BOT-003

To discuss if it is now time for Servas to change the way it works based on lessons from HC (Hospitality Club), CS (Couch Surfers) and Bewelcome.
5

SWI-001

To discuss the future of Servas in the world of competition with other booming similar organisations. Do we want to remain a Niche Player, with our special rules?

Which strategies can help to make Servas a more powerful presence in all countries and to make Servas known to almost every local citizen of a country and not just to those people who are interested in travel?

13

EXC-004I

Servas to consider suitable new case-study projects related to Servas goals in Servas Areas where Servas home visits are culturally resisted or impracticable for reasons of poverty, etc.
29

TUR-001

To establish a Servas project team which the member countries can consult when they have an idea for a Servas project. This team will evaluate the project and support the initiators in carrying it out.
62

JOR-001C

To promote Servas values & Peace. Come up with a strategy and an action plan to promote peace, convey a positive message by using only positive words.
23

EXC-004A

To lay down goals and a core curriculum for a 'Servas course'. This course would train Servas hosts, travellers and officers to become Peace ambassadors, based on 2008 pilot projects.
29

EXC-004E

The GA to consider and decide on principles and goals of Servas outreach, training, cooperation and sponsorship.
29

EXC-004G

Servas to consider running a pilot project of appropriate advertising on its website, to generate additional Servas income. 
29

EXC-004H

SI to adopt a sample promisory agreement, as a basis of fostering, guiding and agreeing to sponsorships, cooperation, and for major volunteer projects, as an addition to the Financial Operating Procedures, and as an alternative to standard employment contracts.
29

EXC-002A

To establish Servas on-line.
27

JOR-001E

To give voice to small countries and let them be represented at the GA by one of their active members to speak on their behalf.
23

BOT-001

To discuss and find ways of how Servas can help small national groups to grow and flourish in the next decade. 
3

ARG-001

To create an incentive program of Servas International for focal meetings
22

ITA-002

Italy is continuing and expanding the Intelligent Road-Map Project in our host list. We think that this Project should be extended to other countries.
10

USA-003

Information item: host lists accessible in electronic form, US Servas - Couchsurfing "alliance" for technology.
8

GA 2009 Agenda 2 New items

Dear Members of the Servas International General Assembly,

Two days ago I sent the Agenda for the General Assembly. Thanks to a hard-working Agenda Working Group team who had done a great job of preparing it.

I left off two items which I should have included, and am asking you to add them to your own copies, as official Agenda items. Later, they would be included in your full kit of Agenda papers.

Today is the deadline set by Servas Statutes for that agenda, three months in advance of the General Assembly. According to the Servas Statutes the President, who is also Chair of the GA, is responsible for the Agenda.

Also, according to the Statutes, only a national group (represented by its national secretary), or members of the Executive Committee can suggest items for the Agenda. The Statutes do not allow Committee Convenors to propose items. (But since the Statutes were written, Servas now relies more on committees and working groups and project leaders to get its work done.)

So, as President of EXCO, I am sponsoring these two items before the deadline, so they can be added as official Agenda items.

Please add these two to your Agenda list:

"Development Committee goals, issues and recommendations" "Youth Action Plan" Initially I thought it would be enough for the Servas Youth and Development Committee to participate in the various working groups and in the Budget review process.

Indeed, they should do that.

Now, I see however, that is not enough to help ensure the GA gets a clear understanding. It must agree on global direction for these two important parts of Servas.

Servas Youth took three years to create the Youth Action Plan. The Youth Action Plan has several elements and recommendations. It can be posted and circulated in advance of the GA. The Development Committee also has written a list of issues which its several members will discuss in a working meeting at the GA. From those meetings the Development Committee is expected to bring forward some recommendations for the GA.

Both Committees -- and all other delegates -- are requested to make reasonable recommendations for the Budget -- both expenditures and revenues.

Both Committes are urged to continue to participate in relevant Agenda subject working groups -- and so are you all.

Please pick a working group and get started. Please write to: siga2009awg@googlegroups.com

Although I serve the GA, I am not the one who decides the final agenda. That is the job of members of the GA. According to the Conference rules, National Secretaries will have the right to approve or modify the Agenda -- as at the last GA at Latina.

Meantime, the GA documentation will be updated with the two items I have now sent to you. Updates would also be arranged during the GA, as you make progress.

I hope this has your support.

Gary Sealey President

Request for Travel Funding

Request 1

This year is very important for Servas. First of all, celebration of the 60th anniversary that represents the concurrence of diverse people around the world sharing common goals and purposes. On the other hand, the General Assembly, as the main forum for all country members to meet, discuss and agree concerning organization’s present and future.

In light of the above mentioned, participation of the Mexico. Central America and Caribbean Regional Coordination is very important since is part of the works developed in the Latin American Meeting. Thus, Regional Coordination seeks to continue an active role with Servas groups in the region and during the GA in Mar de Plata, Argentina.

In this way, I would like to be considered for financial support to attend the GA to cover transportation and accommodation expenses.

Thank you for considering my request. I appreciate your time and interest.

Yours sincerely,

Hector Peralta

Elected Area Coordinator for Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Region. March 31, 2009

Request 2

1. Were elected as Area Coordinator at or AFTER the last General Assembly in 2006. In Livingstone, December 2008

2. Have submitted their Annual Report for the Year 2008 to SI by 31st March, 2009. AR for Botswana is in. The annual report for Servas Anglophone (sic) Africa is delayed as Uganda did not file an attachment, neither did Malawi (have heard from both but not proper reports). Missing Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Senegal. Can I have to 10th of April or must it be in by midnight tonight?

3. Have worked actively in their area. I think so, but is it for me to judge?

The Area Coordinators who wish to apply for financial support should send their application to SI President so as to reach him not later than 10th April 2009. Applications can be sent by e-mail and should highlight the specific accomplishments of the Area Coordinator.

Sheldon Weeks, Area Coordinator Eastern Africa, March 31, 2009

(April 28, 2009) Greetings, I don’t see my application there, though I had submitted it twice, at least. It is also part of the registration forms sent to Servas Argentina and receipt has been acknowledged by them. My request was for US$1,500. In peace, Sheldon

---

Servas BOTSWANA—Sheldon and Gudrun Weeks National Secretaries and Sheldon is also SERVAS Eastern and Southern Africa Area Coordinator and member of the Development Fund Committee

Request 3

Mr. Nisiyama asked me to attend the meeting in behalf of him for the Area and I said 'yes.' Thanks for the mail and let me reply to SIEXCO soon. Now Korean national baseball team fights against forever-ever national rival Japan in LA for the World Baseball Classic final. Very much interesting. I am looking forward to seeing you in Argentina.

kim, East Asia Area Coordinator, March 23, 2009

Request 4

dear sir . Cameroon servas requested financial assistance to attend the next General Assembly, servas Cameroon is a new organization, we have an updated membership list, servas Cameroon has already hosted visitors from the USA, Belgium, Germany. Dessauvage rita is our mentor and Rolande Hodel.for the ngo, freeafrica of aids has greatly appreciated the welcome he was booked here, she maintains, however, the Cameroon and return.in anticipation of a favorable reply please accept the expression of my deep respect.

                                                               cordialy.

Servas Cameroon, May 4, 2009, etienne françis maemble

Request 5

Estimado Gary: La secretaria Nacional de Servas Peru como representante de dicho pais, solicita el financiamiento para asisitir a la Asamblea Mundial que se realizara entre el 05 y el 12 de setiembre en Mar de Plata - Argentina. Perú cumple con todos los requisitos como son: - Envio del reporte anual. - Actualización de listas. - Actividades de integracion y cultura entre los miembros servas de Perú, tanto en la capital de la repuëblica como en las diferentes regiones del pais. -Proyectos para el 2010:

a) Primer encuentro de Arquitectos e Ingenieros Civiles organizado con el coordinador joven del grupo.

b) Viaje de los servas Lima a la Region San Martin en la selva de Peru.

                      Es todo lo que puedo informar.
                                                                      Atentamente.
                                                                    Judith Rivadeneira
                                                                       NS Servas Peru


Dear Gary:

Servas Peru's National secretary as representative of the country, needs the financing to go to the World Assembly that realized between 05 and 12 of September in Mar de Plata - Argentina. Peru realizes all requirements as: - Send of the annual report. - Update of lists. - Activities of integration and cultural between the members servas of Peru, both in the capital of the republic and in the different regions of the country. - Projects for 2010:

a) The first meeting of Architects and Civil Engineers organized with the young coordinator of the group.

b) Trip of the servas Lima to the Region San Martin in the jungle of Peru.

                     It is everything what I can inform.
                                                                      Atte
                                                                Judith Rivadeneira 
                                                                   NS Servas Peru

Servas Peru, May 9, 2009, Judith Rivaeneira

Request 6

Hello Dear Gary, I am sending my pre-registration application form for the GA at and I am asking for finantial support, I have more than 10 hosts, I attending the Africa erea Meeting in 2007 at Livingstone, Zambia as delegate of my country. I received 10 free stamps in 2008, I posted our host list 2008, the 2008 annual report was submited to the south africa area coordinator Mr Sheldon, we sent back to the tresure the rest of our stamps of 2008 and requested the 2009 stamps, and I have been as a NS for 2 years. The estimated support for my travel is 2.000 $ us.

In peace ONDON titan serge, NS Servas Congo Brazzaville, May 5, 2009

Nominations for the General Assembly

Servas Seeks Leaders

Nomination Process

Nomination Application Form

Dear Servas National Secretaries / Deputies of National groups and Area Coordinators,

The next General Assembly of Servas International is now only months away (Sept. 5, 2009). Nominations Committee needs to find enough candidates for Servas International Offices to be elected on the next GA.

If you are interested in being nominated to any of the positions or if you know of any member who could be a suitable nominee for Servas International Offices as mentioned below; please contact the Nominations Committee.

The candidate need not hold, or have held office in Servas. A reasonable working knowledge of the organization is nevertheless desirable; an 'unknown' person with no experience is unlikely to be elected.

We are looking for candidates to all positions that we have right now:

A. EXCO members:

• President

• Vice-president

• General Secretary

• Treasurer

• Peace Secretary

• Host List Coordinator

B. At least 3 members for these Committees:

• Conflict Resolution Committee

• Audit Committee

• Development Fund Committee

• Nominations Committee

• Job Descriptions and Statues Committee

C. One person for the positions below:

• SI Archivist

• SI News Editor

• Youth coordinator

• Youth Development Officer - Tasks described in Servas Statutes

The tasks of EXCO members are described in the Statutes of Servas International. For the tasks of other Committees and positions please contact the Nominations Committee.

Attached is the form to send out to all suitable candidates. Please fill it in and send it to nominations@servas.org . Any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Candidates must be recommended in writing either by one National Group or at least five individual Servas persons. You may not nominate yourself. When nominating someone nominating someone other than yourself, you must confirm that the nominee is willing to be a candidate.

Servas International Nominations Committee,

Nominees

Nom Comm: Nominations Received to date [30 June 2009] and some information:

Exco:

President Gary Sealey Canada Gary Sealey

Vice-Pres Luisa_Corbetta Italy Luisa Corbetta

Vice-Pres Jaime Alberto Romero Colombia Jaime Alberto Romero

Vice-Pres John Kinene Uganda John Kinene

Gen Sec Penny Pattison Canada Penny Pattison Gen. Sec.

Peace_Sec Luisa_Corbetta Italy Luisa Corbetta

Peace_Sec Sercan DUYGAN Turkey Sercan Duygan

Host List Coord. Pablo Colangelo Argentina Pablo Colangelo

Host List Coord. Penny Pattison Canada Penny Pattison

Treasurer Muhammad Shoaib Khan Pakistan Muhammad Shoaib Khan

Treasurer Alex Dali France Alex Dali

Committees:

DFC Mary Jane Mikuriya USA Mary Jane Mikuriya

DFC Sally Lee Malaysia Sally Lee

AUDIT Miroslaw Wasilewski Poland Miroslaw Wasilewski

AUDIT Phyllis Chinn USA Phyllis Chinn

Audit LVS India LVS Audit

Conflict Chris Slader Wales Chris Slader

Conflict Veli Aykut GUZER Turkey Veli Aykut Guzer

Conflict Julie Dotsch Canada Julie Dotsch

Conflict Luigi Uslenghi Luigi Uslenghi

Conflict Daryl Chinn USA Daryl Chin

Development Judith Shotten Israel DFC Conflict Judith Shotten

Conflict Judith Shotten Israel DFC Conflict Judith Shotten

Positions:

NEWS John Kinene Uganda John Kinene

Newsletter Team Michael Johnson Canada Mike Johnson

Archivist Grant Barnes USA Grant Barnes

Youth Development Officer Magiari Diaz Venezuela Magiari Diaz

Servas International Youth Coordinator, Pablo Chufeni, Argentina, Pablo Chufeni

‎

NON-Elected Positions:

Nom Committee mistakenly listed ICT as an elected post. Exco appoints ICT.

However we are glad to list those interested in joining the ICT team:

ICT Richard Cabassut France

ICT Ondon titan serge Congo Braz.