National Gathering/Congress

A Rich Subud USA 2023 Congress Experience

By Lianne Card

Our National Congress felt like a family reunion where about 200 people gathered in person for the first time since the pandemic. Held in Washington, DC from September 7th thru 11th, it was also a business congress where new officers were elected by delegates from across the country. Finally, we had a chance to tour the Subud WSA archives housed in the Amani Center and experience the new combined campus of the Amani Center and new Twin Oaks property.

The setting for the congress was the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a former Marriott hotel. The property is located in College Park, not far from the University of Maryland campus and 3 ½ miles from the Amani Center. The Crowne Plaza provided all the spaces we needed—grand ballrooms for the three latihans a day, break out rooms for testing, and a dining room that served great food. You could see clusters of Subud members in every corner of the hotel, deep in conversation. Looking down from our rooms, we could notice the first trees in the park-like setting begin to show their famous East Coast colors. The changing season also provided a sampler of weather with high 90’s heat at the beginning, two nights of thunder and lightning, then actual rain on Saturday when we were bused to and from the Amani Center events.

Some members from the MidWest and even farther regions combined a “great American road trip” with traveling to D.C. Some enjoyed tourist time in the Capital and quaint towns Not since the 2014 Sofitel Congress in Redwood City were so many members in the mood to attend a national gathering.

We hosted international visitors. These included Suyano Sumohadiwidjojo, WSA Executive and Nahum Harlap, the WSA Chair, plus Hannah de Roo, Zone Representative from Zone 3. Mathew Moir of the WSA Archives came to confer with the Subud USA Archive team. Rashidah Pope from Canberra, Australia attended so she could use our Archives to complete writing Volume 3 of The History of Subud. She is finishing Harlinah Longcroft’s lifetime project after Harlinah’s passing.

Suyono expressed confidence that the Kalimantan Congress date is firm: July 18-28, 2024. Permissions have been obtained from the Indonesian authorities to proceed with our international gathering during a year of Indonesian elections.

With meticulous attention to detail by the Congress team (especially Philip Lindstrom and Alexandra ter Horst, our Operations Manager), everything that needed to happen unfolded seemingly effortlessly. The National Helpers supported the entire event with marathon testing for officers and many roles as well as offering personal testing. During the opening ceremony, the National Helpers and Committee greeted members with a rendition of “Here Comes the Sun.” to signal that our “long cold lonely winter” was over!

A new National Committee was selected by testing and voting. Philip Lindstrom continues as chair for a new two-year term. (He previously completed Lucas Boladian’s term when Lucas moved on to the Amani Center project.) His new Vice-Chair is Simon Curran of the Midwest region. John Tjia of New York takes over as treasurer from Rafiq Dosani who heroically steered us through the past eight complex years. The new national secretary is Rifka Several. Alexandra Boyer will continue in the Committee Councilor position until the next World Congress. During this interim period, Sonia Shooshan will “shadow” Alejandra’s activity as “Committee Councilor in Waiting” and begin her full term in 2024 after Kalimantan.

For the first time in five years, we finally have Subud Youth Association (SYA) Chairs: Grace Zieman and Valentia Pollard. Rosetta Narvaez will serve as SES Chair. Fauziah Ishak will continue as Chair of Susila Dharma for another three-year term.  Rosanna Schutte continues as SICA Chair. In summary, for the first time in many years we have a full slate of officers! And all our Wings have leadership!

Rosetta Narvaez and Lucian Parshall served as Business Congress Chairs. They led the deliberations and discussion with 47 delegates representing all regions of Subud USA. (The number of delegates is established by the annual census.) This year, we even exceeded the number of delegates required for a quorum. The delegates were diligent, focused and serious making decisions about all resolutions from previous congresses and current recommendations.

Several longer-term efforts were launched. Rosetta Narvaez will be the point person for a reconsideration of our Governance documents including Bylaws, the Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) and training materials for incoming committee members. Rosetta Narvaez will lead a standing Ad Hoc committee to revise these documents over the next two years. Lucian Parshall will be the point person for a team of financial experts who will revise our current policy for the Subud USA Endowment.

In other presentations of note, Rifka Several presented the proposal by Subud Canada and Subud USA for hosting the 2028 Congress. Two sites being considered are Calgary and Montreal. Elaina Dodson provided an update on MSM and Susila Dharma held a well-attended annual meeting with a video presentation about the projects being supported this year. Michael Barber as Vice-Chair led the meeting because SD Chair Fauziah Ishak could not attend. Another highlight of the Congress was the In Memoriam slide show that honored so many of our brothers and sisters who passed in the last three years. The show elicited grief and tears but also sweet memories.

At Sunday night’s “Entertainment & Beyond”, we celebrated with Halimah Collingwood as impresario and MC. Highlights included a participatory opening number by a Sundanese Angklung group who use traditional wood instruments from West Java. Four out of nine Subud members from the Washington area are members of this ensemble. They use hand-held bamboo instruments that are each tuned to one note on the scale. When members of the ensemble distributed instruments to everyone  we became an instant orchestra. The director Ari taught us to respond to her hand signals as we played  first “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star“ and then miraculously, Elvis Presley’s hit “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The exercise was an ice breaker that made us feel united and thrilled to be together. Angklung orchestras are still a vital and fascinating part of Indonesian culture.

Multiple Subud members performed original and remembered music, and poetry. Maia Chisholm on the harp accompanied Halimah Polk reciting a poem. New and veteran performers reminded us how the latihan can bring out our unique talents if we have the courage to share them. The evening was anchored by seasoned musicians Eli Dokson and Halimah Collingwood, and concluded with another participatory exercise, a “goodbye dance” led by Kristiana Kalab.

We are still processing our rich experience together.

The next National Congress will be a “kejiwaan” congress, likely to be held on the West Coast in 2024. Stay tuned !

Connect with Subud USA

Get Subud USA News

Are you receiving the news updates sent by Subud USA, with the latest on activities by the Subud wings and the National Congress? If not, contact Alexandra terHorst at info@subudusa.org to be added to the mail list.

Represent our Region at the National Congress

The deadline for delegate names for the 2020 National Congress is March 15, 2020.  These delegates attend to the plenary sessions, working parties, and proposals that enable Subud USA to better support members across the country. Interested in becoming a delegate? Click here for full details.

Albuquerque Beckons: An Invitation to Our National Gathering


Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are excited about the upcoming 2019 National Gathering in Albuquerque, July 4-8, which will focus on the growth and development of the kejiwaan (spiritual) and inter-personal aspects of our lives in Subud. Our testing about this gathering has been extremely positive, and we are mapping out topics to explore—through both testing and conversation.

These topics include: incorporating the latihan in our daily lives; promoting harmony within groups and peace within ourselves, awakening all parts of our being, promoting dialog between younger and older members, exploring our Subud roles, sharing our Subud experiences and miracles—just to name a few. Most importantly, we received this gathering to be an opportunity for all of us to be present and attentive to both our receivings, and to one another – our goals, stories and gifts.  

We welcome any ideas you have for kejiwaan activities, workshops, or discussions. Large latihan halls will be available all day, as well as more intimate spaces, for personal testing, workshops, and small group activities.

In short, the focus of this gathering will be on deepening our connection to the latihan, and strengthening bonds within the Subud USA community.  We feel that with the members’ input and participation, we can ensure activities for all ages. So come, and bring your families to the beautiful Southwest for an extended weekend of latihan, friendship, and personal growth.

We hope to see you there!  

With love, your National Helpers  

  • Benjamin Boyce, benartboy@gmail.com
  • Jim Dehner, jpdehner@yahoo.com
  • Fredrick Branchflower, fbranchflower@comcast.net
  • Latidjah Miller, latidjah@yahoo.com
  • Michal Brownell, michalbrownell@gmail.com
  • David Nicoletti, davidnicoletti53@gmail.com
  • Loretta Covert, lorettacovert@icloud.com
  • Sofia Nicoletti, sofia@subudusa.org



Reflections on the 2018 Joint Congress

Thank you, Rosina Newton (Regional Helper for Subud Midwest), for sharing these thoughts.

Wow! What a weekend! David, my husband, and I just returned Monday evening from the Subud National Congress in Vancouver, WA.

Every gathering like this reminds me of the movie “Brigadoon” – about the little Scottish town that wakes up every 100 years, but to the residents, it feels like the next day. We may not see each other for a year or more, and we may not even know each other (yet), but here is this large community where we all worship through the latihan, and that is what we are there for. We may do latihan once, twice or three times a day while we are there – it is total immersion in the power of latihan. There are positively transformative experiences, through the power of “big” latihans, and also through group and personal testing.

I found one of the talks in which Ibu mentions this concept by doing a search in the Subud Library online.

“When many people gather and worship God, naturally, the power of the latihan can be greater.  You can feel this – if you do latihan by yourself, or in the hall on your own, your latihan is less energetic compared to a group latihan at, say, a Congress.  Then the atmosphere can be very different, the power might be a thousand watts, but when you do latihan alone it may just be five watts.

So the strength varies.  This is why we need to do latihan together, as that’s what God intends us to do so that we help each other and God helps us too.  So, it is weaker when we are on our own, but if we gather together, the strength is much greater.”

Ibu Rahayu, Talk to men and women
Surabaya, East Java,  9 February 2004

So, especially if you have never been to a regional, national or international Congress, I invite you to make it happen when you can. I pray that every Subud member gets to practice large group latihans to get this high-watt latihan experience. I don’t want to keep this experience all to myself!

 

Joint Regional Gathering and National Congress?

Based on a survey of Subud CA members in September, there is considerable support for holding our Regional Gathering jointly with the SUSA National Congress. Here are some representative comments about the impact of the World Congress on the schedule for summer 2018:

  • Because of the World Congress, it would probably too expensive to do all events.
  • We have done this successfully before. Since California doesn’t need to select a committee in 2018, there is time to select the new SUSA committee
  • It is important to do this because otherwise we won’t have critical mass at either the CA or the USA congresses
  • If it is a joint event, it would be nice to have it on the west coast and possibly in California just for the expense of going to two large (and expensive) congresses during the same summer.

Respondents also noted important logistical and planning points :

  • Doing during Ramadan is OK if there is a place (such as a Subud house) nearby where those who are fasting could get their early breakfast.
  • This will necessitate a larger space. How will that impact the location and the pricing?
  • Not interested in Joint event with Subud USA unless the event is in California.
  • Would be lovely to accommodate families and children … have camping as an option to reduce the price for those who wish?
  • Whenever and wherever testing indicates

Members of the Congress Development Team, including 2018 Congress Chair Erika Weissinger, are currently exploring options and exchanging information with the National Congress planning team.  The National Congress will be held May 25-28, 2018 over the Memorial Day weekend.

USA Gathering THIS WEEK in Redwood City, CA!

The USA National Gathering is happening right here in California on September 3-7th.  All the wings of Subud will be engaging in meetings and the program is rich with kejiwaan and workshop opportunities.  Registration has now exceeded 250 and an extensive childcare program has attracted many families to attend.

The Program Schedule is nearly finalized (link below).  The basic program structure is set so the times for latihan are available for those members who may wish to join in who are not planning to attend.

2015 National Gathering Program Schedule.pdf

Please direct any Program Schedule questions, comments or requests to Sebastian Tedrow at executivedirector@subudusa.org or 360.708-2725.

 

 

Gleanings from the National Congress 2014 Board Meeting

by Renata Reid

Having returned from the National Congress, I’d love to share some my experiences. While sitting in the board meeting and voting on the resolutions were important and yielded new information, the most powerful take home for me was from a break out session during the Board meeting. In small groups, we wrote out what the regional chairs, wing chairs and national helpers felt about “What Worked” and “Challenges Faced” in the previous year.

There were several commonalities among us but also some distinct differences.  California is unique in that we have an entire council and, like the National Board’s executive director, we have the benefit of an office manager who provides a lot of continuity as well as historical information and guidance.

Here are challenges that seem to affect ALL aspects of Subud:

  • Lack of continuity from one committee term to the next
  • Top heavy and personnel light
  • Difficulty getting info out to members
  • Lack of involvement or lack of new participation
  • Burnout by members who serve without support
  • Balancing Subud life with personal/work life
  • Not attracting new members and young members
  • People aren’t staying
  • Disconnect between local, regional and national committees/ boards
  • Spin off groups
  • Difficulty raising funds

But here are the responses to “What Worked” in the past year:

  • Having amazing resources of talents within Subud
  • The Latihan! The helpers feel that the latihan is strong and there is evidence of inner growth
  • The Dewan and the National Board worked harmoniously together
  • Our Regional Dewan and the Council work harmoniously together
  • Having an national executive director
  • New Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to keep member information up to date
  • THE JUICE: meaning, the energy we get from working together
  • That our wings, SICA, SES and Susila Dharma are evidence of Subud working in the world– cannot emphasize this enough!

Lastly, our new National Committee is decisively moving to work more closely with the regional AND center chairs. Our new national committee will be kicking off their term with council meetings that will be dedicated to the business of the regions, the wings and the helpers respectively.  If you’ve thought about stepping forward to serve on a committee or pick up the baton of the helpers it has never been a better time.

2014 Nat’l Congress Proposals – Summary and California member comments

COMMENT LISTS LAST UPDATED: MAY 20, 2014, 11am

Dear sisters and brothers of Subud California,

As you know, the Subud USA national congress will take place May 20 to 26, 2014 near Pittsburg. At the national congress, delegates from all regions will come together to discuss and vote on different issues, including adoption of bylaw changes and other proposals. Delegates from California will be representing you at the congress to vote on these proposals.*

This post (1) provides some summary information on the proposals for vote at the national congress, and (2) invites your comments, so that your delegates can better represent you.

The information below is based on the delegate packet that has been provided by Subud USA, and comments that the California regional committee has received so far.

Please send us your comments by Saturday May 17, 2014 , to: communications.subudca@gmail.com

Summaries of comments received will be uploaded to this web page (anonymously)
https://subudcalifornia.org/2014-natl-congress-calmember-comments/

* See the bottom of this email for the names of the current delegates, and information on the delegate system. Please let us know right away if you want to serve as a delegate, and/or if your center wants to choose one or designate a proxy.)

Best wishes,
Renata Reid, Chair, Subud California
renata.calchair [at] gmail.com

—-

SUBUD CALIFORNIA

SUMMARY AND COMMENTS ON PROPOSALS FOR 2014 NATIONAL CONGRESS DELEGATES MEETING
as of May 20, 2014 11am

LIST OF PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED / VOTED ON:
1. Proposal to combine Million Dollar Plus Fund into the Subud USA Endowment Fund
2. Proposal to create a Subud USA Custodial Housing Fund
3. Ratification of 2012 Bylaws
4(a). Proposal to add preamble to 2012 Bylaws
4(b). Proposal to remove proxy vote limit from bylaws, to allow the national board to set it
4(c). Proposal to add national helpers as non-voting members of SUSA board
4(d). Proposal to add the past chair of SUSA as a voting member of the current SUSA board
5. Proposal to redefine membership (to raise required frequency of latihan attendance to be considered a member)
6. Proposal for Subud USA to prioritize enterprise projects, and choose a national enterprise project by 2015 national gathering
7. World Congress Resolutions (WSA Membership discussion; Decision making in Subud; Ratification of WSA Mission Statement; WSA Archives proposal)

1. PROPOSAL TO COMBINE MILLION DOLLAR PLUS FUND INTO SUBUD USA ENDOWMENT FUND
Summary of Proposal. To rescind the Million Dollar Plus fund and collapse the permanently restricted funds from it into the Subud USA Endowment Fund. (About $12,000). The rest of the money raised under Million Dollar Plus Fund earmarked for housing would continue to be used for making housing loans.
Submitted by: Morris McClellan, Subud USA Treasurer
Comments in favor: Currently there are 2 separate endowment funds: the Subud USA Trust Fund (aka Million Dollar Plus fund) and an endowment fund policy for a new family of Subud USA endowment funds established around 2008. The aims expressed by both of these endowment fund policies are the same (to sustain the growth and development of Subud USA and to support its projects and activities etc). The Million Dollar Trust fund has not had any new trustees appointed in the last 30 years and the original trustees have not met during this period.
Comments against: None received so far.
More information from Subud USA:
· Endowment Fund letter
· Endowment Fund Policy
· Endowment resolution
· Million Dollar Trust Document

2. PROPOSAL TO CREATE SUBUD USA CUSTODIAL HOUSING FUND
Summary of proposal: To create “Custodial Account/s” within Vanguard to hold money for centers or regions who are now holding it for buying houses, but don’t have enough to accomplish that. E.g. Austin, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Denver and Philadelphia.
Submitted by: Moris McClellan, Subud USA Treasurer
Comments in favor:
– Currently, there are some centers and regions who have money for a housing fund, but are having trouble managing and/or accessing the money (ex. in one instance the signatory on the account has died.) Participation in the new custodial account would be voluntary and money would continue to be owned by the center/region.
– Seems like a good proposal since little cost involved and it appears to make purchasing houses easier.
Comments against:
– Placing housing fund under National management risks taking a step closer toward nationalization of all subud properties, and could be another step away from local autonomy and self-regulation. Makes no mention on how interest would be allocated for individual funds held in custody. Could become an accounting burden.
More information from Subud USA:
· Custodial Fund discussion letter 
· Custodial Fund proposal

3. RATIFICATION OF 2012 BYLAWS
Summary of proposed action: Broad revisions to the bylaws were negotiated in 2012. These changes need to be ratified by delegates at the 2014 congress. Download the text of the 2012 Revised Bylaws to approve
Submitted by: Text issued from 2012 national congress delegates meeting
Comments in favor:
– a reluctant yea to this amendment BUT it would be nice to have someone summarize what is being changed in the bylaws.
Comments against:
– Oppose the provisions that allowed voting, delegate apportionment and proxy issues to be determined in the Policy and Procedures Manual (it should stay within the bylaws, so properly noticed and voted by the membership/delegates). Can that be changed in the 2012 bylaws? If not, propose amendment for next congress. (see more on this issue in the comments on Proposal 4(b) on proxy voting)

4. FOUR (4) PROPOSALS TO CHANGE THE 2012 BYLAWS

For all 4 proposals below, see the exact text and more information received from Subud USA here:
· Resolution to amend 2012 Bylaws
· Proposed amendments to the 2012 Bylaws

General comment received on text:
– Change sentence (which appears under the logo) that seems to suggest that SUSA is “organized under the laws of the State of Colorado AND AS A FOREIGN CORPORATION IN OTHER STATES”. Better to say SUSA is “organized under the laws of the State of Colorado as Subud United States of America, and IS a foreign corporation in other states.” Because doubt that it is actually registered as a foreign corporation in many, if any, other states. Also, omit the redundant “SUBUD UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INC.” in the second sentence.) Download suggested edits as PDF

4(a). To add a preamble to the 2012 bylaws.
Summary of proposal: To add the text of a preamble to the 2012 bylaws. The text is in the file linked above (“Proposed amendments to the 2012 Bylaws”)
Comments in favor:
– Bapak recommended incorporating a preamble in his words into our statutes.
– Seems like a good idea – I would vote to approve
Comments against: None received so far.

4(b). Remove proxy vote limit from bylaws, to allow the national board to set it
Summary of proposal : To change the 2012 bylaws to strike the phrase that sets the maximum proxy votes that a delegate can carry to 3 (maximum total 4 votes — the delegate’s own vote plus 3 proxies). This would allow the national board to set the limits on proxy votes, by resolution at its regular meetings. [In October 2013, the national board decided that if this bylaw change is adopted, it would set the proxy limit to 1 proxy per delegate.]
Submitted by: Lucian Parshall
Comments in favor:
– Would give the national board the flexibility to set proxy limits, in order to encourage the most participation. If too many proxy votes are allowed per delegate, it can lead to just a few people acting on behalf of a region.
– Seems like a good idea – I would vote to approve
Comments against: 
– Regions often do not have the money to send many delegates. Limiting proxy votes too much may lead to less participation and representation. It would lead to more disenfranchisement
– Voting issues should be established in the bylaws and changed at delegate meetings with proper notice, not by the national board at any of its meetings.
– Removing proxy limits from bylaws and putting it in the Policy and Procedures Manual will “hide” the decision and leave it to whim of any current board. Takes Subud USA one more step away from democratic process by members, and closer to the “corporate board model” of decisions made “on behalf” of an uninformed or apathetic membership by those in office. Agree that there should be ceiling on proxy, but it should be more than 1 vote. 4 votes is ok.
– Proxy vote numbers should not be determined by the board. I like the current 4 votes/proxies per delegate. This seems fair.
– It may violate Colorado nonprofit law for voting issues (including delegate apportionment and proxy voting rules) to be taken out of the bylaws and determined in the Policy and Procedures Manual
– Strongly against

4(c) Add national helpers as non-voting members of SUSA board
Summary of proposal: To change the bylaws to add national helpers as non-voting members of the SUSA board
Comments in favor:
– This is required for national helpers to be covered under the SUSA insurance.
– Seems like a good idea – I would vote to approve
– National helpers need insurance.
Comments against:
– Oppose. It is not necessary for national helpers to be on the board in order to provide them with insurance.
– National helpers don’t need to be insured.

4(d) To add the past chair of SUSA as a voting member of the current SUSA board
Summary of proposal: To change the bylaws to add the past chair of SUSA as a voting member of the SUSA board in office.
Comments in favor:
– Would give much needed continuity.
– Seems like a good idea – I would vote to approve
Comments against:
– The term for the chair would be too long (2 years + 2 years), and would be harder to get people to commit. Past chairs have always voluntarily provided continuity – this resolution is not necessary.
– 60 days is sufficient for continuity.
– Disagree with proposal – While putting past chair on the board is standard practice in corporate America, people serving in Subud offices can experience profound purification, so can be incapacitated after several years. If the person is not burnt out, it would be natural for them to help train new committee. The “juice” one receives to perform organizational job in Subud usually lasts 3 months after new officers are chosen to allow for transitional training. No discussion on how the increased travel and lodging expenses of to the Natl Board Mtgs would be met.
– Agree that continuity is needed, but this is not the way to do it. Explore other ways. Committees? Advisory council? Advisors?
Comments mixed pro/con:
– Providing past chairs with a vote in the board may create more incentive for them to participate. Not alot of incentive to pay for own travel expenses to go to meetings, if can’t even vote. [But really, if past chair is going to be part of the board, SUSA should pay the expenses] But 2 years probably not necessary.

5. PROPOSAL TO REDEFINE MEMBERSHIP (TO INCREASE FREQUENCY OF LATIHAN ATTENDANCE)
Summary of proposal: To redefine the current categories of membership, so that it increases the number of times a person has to come to latihan in order to be considered an active, semi-active member, etc. (Ex. active member – increase from once a month to once per week; semi-active member – increase from once every six months, to once a quarter etc.) This is not a proposal for delegates, it is a change proposed for the Board to adopt into the Policy and Procedures Manual.
Submitted by: Hanafi Fraval
Comments in favor: This is more consistent with what Bapak had recommended on membership.
Comments against:
– Would exclude people. Would reduce the number of delegates California has at national congress meetings, because determined based on size of membership.
– A person should not have to come once a week to be considered an active member. Some people live far away and can’t get to house/venue more than 1x a month. Each center knows its own membership and it’s up to them to know who is active (though I know it’s harder for bigger groups)
– Strongly oppose. Classifying people attending latihan say 3 times a month in more than one location to be classified with those attending once a quarter does not make sense. Some people seem to want to trim down member rolls and mailing list as much as possible – this is short sighted.
– Some members just can’t come more than say twice a month because they live far away, or they are caring for ill family members, or are dealing with something else.
– This is restrictive. We want to be inclusive not exclusive.
– Centers should determine who the members are
– Some members have tested and received that should come less frequently (someone in my group tested that should come not more than once every 2 months)
– Some members attend latihan regularly in more than one location, so hard to count how many times they are attending.
Comments mixed pro/con:
– Agree that definitions need to be tighter and need more accountability. Carrying phantom members on our list is dishonest and out of integrity. Doesn’t matter if lower membership numbers reduce our delegate count. Honest accounting of numbers may show lack of necessity for a top heavy organizational structure. Members who dont want to practice latihan but want to remain on the mailing list should pay for that service. But how to account for members who regularly practice “away from the group”? We might consider the system in Germany, where anyone can be opened but membership is an intentional choice that carries responsibility for financial support. Not everyone wants to be automatic local, regional, national and international members, as happens in California. But dont know how to balance the need for financial support for helper work. Want to see some testing on this, plus talk to other countries where there is intentional membership process.
More information from Subud USA:
Membership classification policy discussion

6. PROPOSAL TO PRIORITIZE SETTING UP A NATIONAL ENTERPRISE PROJECTS, AND CHOOSE A NATIONAL ENTERPRISE PROJECT BY 2015 NATIONAL GATHERING
Summary of proposal: That priority be given by Subud USA national Committee to setting up/promoting a national enterprise project. The Subud USA committee, an enterprise subcommittee, and SES personnel to evaluate and choose a single large enterprise somewhere in the world to support and fund before the 2015 U.S.A. gathering.
Submitted by: David McCormack, Midwest Region
Comments in favor: To fulfill Ibu Rahayu and Bapak’s advice for us to work on developing enterprises. Possibility of raising money for Subud and its projects. Opportunity for Subud USA and SES to interact, and for learning.
– Excited by proposal – could revitalize Subud. Bring people together to work for something.
Comments against:
– Cost of travel and legal expenses.
– As a nonprofit volunteer organization, Subud USA does not have the expertise or experience investing in, running or overseeing a business enterprise.
– Does not seem realistic.
– Strongly oppose. 1) There has been no SES in the U.S. for years. Dont think SES will participate in such a project. 2) Questionable if Subud USA has capacity to form any subcommittees; 3) we are having difficulty raising enough operating funds, not sure if we can raise money to invest in an enterprise.
– Based on liquidity of the organization, better to start with a small project (not a “large project”). Also may be better to diversify rather than choose “one large project”. If put all eggs in one basket, may blow up
– Sounds grandiose
– This puts cart before the horse. Need research and specifics on a business proposal, before asking for support.
– Not against the idea itself, but oppose how it is written. Too vague.
Mixed pro/con comments:
– Support the idea of enterprise, but need more information and discussion.
– Excited by the idea of an enterprise, but also remember the experience of past failed enterprises. But we can’t let that stop us. Willing to learn more and discuss the proposal.
– If a (small) enterprise that is replicable is selected, it could be good
More information from Subud USA:
Subud Enterprise proposal

7. WORLD CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS
Delegates will also be asked to discuss the resolutions that are being proposed for the delegate assembly at the 2014 World Congress in Puebla, MX. There are proposals on: WSA Membership discussion; Decision making in Subud; Ratification of WSA Mission Statement; WSA Archives proposal.
See the most current resolutions on the WSA website at the bottom of the page.

———————————————————

REFERENCE INFORMATION

How voting will work at the national congress
Voting at the national congress works through a delegate system, in which each region sends delegates who are selected to represent the membership. The number of delegates are determined by the number of members in the region; California has 16 delegates, who have traditionally been elected by each center and group choosing a delegate (or a proxy),** plus the Regional Chair of California who represents the Subud California board (total 17 delegates).

Your California delegates
So far, the following people have stepped forward to serve as delegates:
Fatijah Clark – Palo Alto;
Rasjidah Franklin – Berkeley; will also carry proxy vote for Walnut Creek, rasjidahfranklin [at] yahoo.com
Benedict Herrman – Sacramento , benedict.h [at] me.com
Michael Menduno [Treasurer, Subud California], in representation of “regional members” (members in California who are not affiliated with a center or group), michael [at] menduno.com
Renata Reid, Chair, Subud California, in representation of Subud California council; will also carry proxy vote for Los Angeles and for San Francisco; renata.calchair [at] gmail.com
Rifka Several, San Joaquin Valley (also SUSA Congress Chair), rifkaseveral [at] gmail.com

Does your center have a delegate or someone to carry its proxy?
If you feel to serve as a delegate, and/or your center wants to choose a delegate, or designate someone else to carry its proxy vote, please contact Renata Reid, Chair of Subud California, at renata.calchair [at] gmail.com.

** How delegates are selected
Note that the 2012 SUSA bylaw changes, combined with resolutions adopted by the SUSA national board, eliminates the system in which each center / group has the formal right to appoint a delegate or proxy. Instead, the delegate apportionment is based solely on population within the region, to be selected at the discretion of the region (in the case of California, this is presumably done by the regional council.) The California Regional Council decided to continue the traditional system of asking each center / group to choose a delegate, or to designate a proxy.

For more information contact:
Renata Reid, Chair of Subud California, renata.calchair [at] gmail.com
Rifka Several, 2014 SUSA Congress Chair, rifkaseveral [at] gmail.com

 

2014 Subud USA National Congress

The 2014 Subud USA National Congress will be held May 22-26, 2014 at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh,  PA.

See overview of programs and other info on the Subud USA website

 

How to register

Registration for this event is being handled via a new registration system, so you will need to create an account in order to register for congress.  For details, please click here

This link will take you to the registration page:  https://subudus.z2systems.com/login.jsp . Scroll down the screen to the “create an account button“. Click on it to create your login and password, and then fill out the rest of the basic account  information as prompted.

Once you have set up your account you can register for the National Congress by clicking “Submit” or by going to “2014 Subud USA National Congress” on the drop down menu at the top right of the welcome page. If you have any difficulty registering online, you can either email Sebastian Tedrow at executivedirector@subudusa.org   or call him at (206) 367-0121. 


The national team has attempted to keep the cost low to allow as many to attend as possible. Donations for an assistance fund are being collected, to help defray the cost of registration for those who need it, especially delegates.