SI MONTHLY NEWS September 2008 Servas at the UN, Comments
From SI Exco News
NGO Village, Paris, 30 08 08
A glorious hot sunny day in central Paris at l'Hôtel de Ville. The square, cordoned off, has 10 small marquees some with displays in them. Madame la Mairie has just finished her introductory speech and you appear with a Servas bag on your shoulder. What would you do?
My choice was to ask to use one of the spare tables.
The NGO (Non-Governmental Organisations) Village had been set up as a welcome to those who would be at the NGO conference at UNESCO in Paris. The idea was for people in Paris to learn something about the NGOs, what they do and how they help people with a special Peace and Humanity oriented theme. There were: 10 small marquees each to take 3 NGOs, a platform for speakers, chairs for participants and a large 'graffiti' board for people to paint comments on.
Servas had been late in booking for the conference and a place at the Village and had not been given a place. No, worries. I set up my stand using what was in my bag. A bit later I was joined by an Argentinean organisation. Several members of the public were surprised that Britain and Argentina could share a tent. I could see no problem and pointed out that we were both Peace organisations.
Although there were fewer attendees than we had hoped for we were still pleased to be able to share what we can offer with the public and with each other.
People in general were amazed that we could run an international organisation using volunteers and no head office. They were incredulous that our President was in Canada, our Secretary in India, the editor in England and the bank account in Switzerland.
For Servas I hope that this has raised our profile slightly in Paris so that more people are aware of us and we from some responses we may even get more members.
Next time? Yes please, but whoever does it must remember to take plenty of water to drink! Thank you for help from Security guards and Argentineans.
Final Goodbye to Bob Lutweiler
from Penny Pattison, Canada
Chris and I attended Bob's celebration at Boulevard Park in Bellingham yesterday, Sept 13, 2008. It was a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and serious discussion. I'd say that about 40 people attended at various times throughout the afternoon. The potluck food carried on for the duration. His daughters Sonja and Anita and their mother were there, and his grandchildren, as well as old friends and those Bob had met at the park. Servas was represented by several of us from Canada (Victoria and Vancouver) and Jay and Seishiro Tomioka from Tokyo, in addition to local members.
Around 4:00, we formed a circle and talked together about Bob, Servas and life. We felt that this is what he would have wanted! I loved hearing of childhood experiences from his daughters, recent interactions from his friends, his multitude of projects and also direct quotes of his initial vision of Servas.
Jay is making a documentary about the founding of Servas. He and his father talked about that process and also handed out DVDs with a sample of it. There is a Youtube site with more footage on it. Sonja mentioned a Yahoo group she set up to gather comments.
A recurring theme was Bob's direct and challenging questions. Related to Servas, Anita mentioned one time when she was at his house, and he received a call from a young man interested in becoming a traveller. Bob asked him why, and the young man answered about the benefits of meeting people and seeing the world and "it's free" . She told us that Bob said "You've got some growing up to do" and hung up on him!
We were entertained by many other stories that demonstrated Bob's many-faceted lifestyle, character, talents, vision and idiosyncrasies. It was a real privilege to have had that chance to say goodbye to him, along with some wonderful folks who share our admiration of him.
and Gary Sealey, President
Your report brings back the real Bob. So very glad you did this.
We can say -- we are all Travelers, in a way; and we host and accommodate qualified servants, strangers and friends, cooperate with our neighbours, conform to our community, and generally tolerate humanity and other living things.
And yet, people like Bob are not only Travelers-- but doers. They don't just watch the Big Game of baseball or cricket, they get right in there, and throw the ball and strike the bat.
Not just spectators and reviewers, but players.
Not just toleration but appreciation, trying to bring out the best in the other.
This is why they are the most loved, most valued.
uploaded by Amelia
