SI MONTHLY NEWS April 2006 eGA comments
From SI Exco News
from Mario Bulando, Italy
After the closing of Latina General Assembly I keep many impressions that I would like to share with you:
- The joy and the involvement of all participants (delegates and observers) in spite of the long hours spent discussing ‘important issues’.
- The pleasure of being together, of sharing ideas with the others, trying to find the best solutions to the several problems left open at Barcelona. The presuppositions weren’t so good: it hadn’t been easy to plan this General Assembly (through long discussions by mail), there seemed to be contrasting positions which would lead to confrontations and lengthy mediations. On the contrary everything ran smoothly in an open, frank and collaborative way.
- The great job made by the moderators was very helpful and we all learnt to work better together.
- The great job of those who worked in the former months organizing the agenda and the workshops. They have ploughed the field thus letting us sow well. I’m sure that from this Assembly all Servas will harvest good and rich fruit
From: Harley, Sweden
In the very few spare moments that I have had while attending this eGA, I have been reading a book about the problems of 'Global Warming'.
The Global Warming of the hearts of all present at the eGA has not been a problem. I have never met so many friendly people at the same place at the same time.
My thanks to you all.
From: Carla Budjhawan, Netherland
The were many topics that impressed me, but the topic of Dag Eirik and Siri on day zero was the most memorable one.
Open-minded, this covers all: peace, friendship, trust, transparency, democracy, justice and truthfulness. This is the best way to take away, preconceptions regarding other groups.
From: Geoff Maltby, Australia
Immediate Past President – Servas International
I am delighted to report that a most successful General Assembly was convened at Latina, Italy. This in large was due to the many members who each spent many hours in assisting EXCO in the planning arrangements and agenda timetable. Their dedicated involvement prior to the EGA and also those members who got involved ‘onsite’ at Latina ensured that the conference was going to be an efficient, satisfactory and rewarding experience for everyone.
My personal thanks also go to Anna Flammini, Mario Burlando and their team of volunteer helpers from Servas Italy who did such a magnificent job of work. My ‘Vote of Thanks’ letter can be read at:
http://www.servas.org/siexco/index.php/General_Assembly_-_Vote_of_thanks
In peace and friendship
From: Dag Eirik and Tora, Norway
You did a wonderful job, Pat, through the presentation of your conflict resolution model, and most of all in your role as moderator through the most difficult sessions. I am also quite sure that your presence was an important part of the work in creating a good and relaxed atmosphere! (And the same comments are of course to be said about ”our own” moderators, Julie and Chris!)
And we really experienced that the atmosphere at the GA was good, which also was the aim with Day Zero. We think that this day created a background for the rest of the week, although I also think that many people came with a feeling that good communication was a condition for a successful GA, and that this was quite necessary for the whole organisation. We think that it is a good idea to spend one day prior to GAs in the future, i.e. to have a Day Zero!
From: Demelza Benbow National Secretary
Malawi, Deputy Southern African Area Coord. "A very big thank you to all those big Servas countries with swathes of travellers. WHY? Because your raised funds has enabled Servas International to sponsor my attendance at the Latina Extraordinary GA in Latina, Italy.....and I appreciated that, I needed the financial support to attend and loved being there.
The Italian team were total stars with superb organisation skills in the face of ever changing delegate demands. 'I'm bringing a baby.....now I want my own room.....can you find me somewhere to stay in Rome in the next hour Anna? etc etc.
The conference atmosphere was . . . creative, patient, frenetic, nurturing, inspiring, loving, learning, demanding, time-starved, warm, impatient, peaceful, frenetic, noisy - we were super busy, talking, singing, dancing, listening, typing minutes, translating, taking photos, doing workshops, drawing up motions, voting, eating, thinking, laughing and some of us managed to get sleep too!! So many nations in one small space - proving we can get on together just fine!. Brilliant!
From: Sercan DUYGAN, Servas Turkiye, N.S.
Sometimes you wish to do what you want to, but usually you have some resistances in your own. When you get succeed to fight with them finally you get to an end which was not a destiny.
that is why "Decisions designate your destiny."
Being in Italy was only a possibility, now I had more then ever in my hands which is a reality.
I love to enjoy, I will remember you all as in the first day starting with just a HELLO
From: Dr. David Espinoza,
Servas Honduras National Secretary
Greetings to everybody, from Honduras, Central America! It was my first participation in a General Assembly of Servas. There I could know but thoroughly the spirit of the organization and to make friendship with people of near and distant countries. I am medical doctor of general practice and I am twenty years old of working for poor people of my country. If somebody of those who read this Servas Monthly News could make a bridge among an organization that donates medicines to Servas Honduras, I could implement extra medical works in my country or other neighboring countries that need it, to name of Servas International and to document it with pictures.
Peace to everybody!
Report from Servas Switzerland /eAG, Latina
We travelled to Latina as a group of 3 Persons. Our delegate was Beatrix Mantel, the observers were Hilda Burer and Ursula Schaerli. We participated at the following workshops:
1. Membership group, Distant Voting Procedure,
Exco + Governance
2. Development + Membership
3. Host list Issues
We are very thankful for the perfect organisation of this
eAG and the good spirit that we felt strongly through all
these days.
For two of us it was the first GA and we were impressed about the great efforts and accomplishments that were made to get along with each other in a peaceful way (Day 0!).
We look back to these 7 days with a proud feeling about being members of this great Servas family!!
Thank you to everyone
Ursula Schaerli
From: Cintia, Argentina N S
I have been Argentinean NS for just a bit longer than one year and have already had very strong and touching experiencies:
• 2005: the organization of Patagonia 06, with a marvellous group of people around, especially, Pablo Chufeni and Paula Falaschi, both young and inspiring members of Servas Argentina.
• Jan 06: Patagonia Youth Meeting was a success and the opportunity for most of the Argentinean members participating to live a very deep Servas experience
• April 06: the eGA. My first one. 42 countries represented and only one will: to do the best for Servas.
• In different ways, considering each one's personality, culture and history, we worked hard, with a strong commitment.
• I felt particularly happy to meet again Marina from Brazil (I had known her in Patagonia 06) and Marcelo from Uruguay, making good bounds that will lead to an Area Meeting during 2007.
• I cannot pick a particular moment because I think every time deserved compliments, but I'd think of the times of work and those others of joy and friendship. And I would say that, when we had to be serious and focused in the responsibilities we, as delegates had assumed, we did it. And when we could relax, sing, laugh, joke, dance, play, etc., etc., we did it too!!! Those moments were so important and necessaries as the others, and allowed us feel that we were not strangers but brothers and sisters.
So, thanks a lot to all the people that made this
wonderful meeting to go on so well, and best luck and
success for the new EXCO!!!
