WE DID IT! AMERICAS GATHERING FOLLOWED BY U.S. CONGRESS...
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Issue #151 September 2012
WE DID IT! AMERICAS GATHERING
FOLLOWED BY U.S. CONGRESS... WHAT’S INSIDE
This idea floated around for some time and materialized this year, Greetings & New Officers
appropriately two years before Zone 7 hosts many guests from around Chicago & Sacramento
the globe in Mexico. Watch for the special edition Americas Gathering From & About Members
Newsletter... These combined events were an extraordinary opportunity SICA, SD, SES, SIHA,
for those who were able to participate. Being back-to-back and in close Educators
proximity meant the U.S. was fortunate to have more than the usual Regions: California, East
number of international guests at congress, including WSA Chair, Luke Coast, Pacific Islands
Penseney, our Zone Representative, Dave Hitchcock, several international National News: Ibu’s Letter
helpers, even Pak Widarbo from Indonesia, and the (now former) to Congress, New Subud USA
International SESI Coordinator, Ruslan Morris, and others. Office, Appreciating Melinda
Helpers & Spiritual
Ibu Rahayu sent a message to the U.S. Congress which is included later in Experiences
this newsletter. International News: Zone 7
and World Subud Council
Subud USA is moving. Here’s how Emmanuel Williams put it: Meetings & more...
A few years ago, in the midst of all the sturm und drang aroused by the Life Cycles
Seven Circles project I was sitting in a very lively meeting thinking about Media & Literature
England, about the huge risks we’d taken in our brief Subud history and Ads & Calendar
how we’d survived and maybe learnt from the failure of those
enterprises. As I sat there pondering these matters an image came to me.
I saw a fine ship tied to a quay by thick hawsers. There were lots of busy people all over the ship, checking the
compasses, the maps, the radar systems, the radios, the engines, the helm, anchors, kitchen etc…. and the ship
wasn’t going anywhere. I saw a small group of people climb down a rope ladder, jump into a small boat and row
off into the distance, almost secretively.
This image came back to me at the National Congress in Seattle. Subud USA members have resolved a series of
difficult issues over the past year or two – picked a new Executive Director, initiated the big National Office move,
Photos: Helena Hitchcock and Thalia Chochia greeting arrivals at Vancouver airport, Lucinda O’Halloran and Morris McClellan at U.S.
Congress (as you can see!), flower arrangements for Americas Gathering by Miranda Ranger
and updated the bylaws. Maybe the great ship Subud USA wasn’t yet ready to
cast off the hawsers, clang some bells, start the engines and begin moving
slowly away from the safety of the quay. There was still work to be done.
There were tasks to be completed. Maybe now, at last, the ship IS ready.
What’s the weather like out there?
How well will crew members do their jobs?
What’s going to happen as we leave the harbor and head out across the
open sea?
SUBUD USA NATIONAL OFFICERS, 2012-2014 (photos in order of
introduction)
The original word for testing used by Muhammad Subud was “terimah”, which
is Indonesian for “receiving.” That’s what those of us present during testing
for national officers at the Marriott Hotel in July witnessed, a receiving. With
everyone doing their part, we got it right; we had quality candidates and we
now have a quality board. – Hadiyah Carlyle
I wish to thank the outgoing officers for their extraordinary contributions to
the development of Subud USA. The structural and other changes were
unprecedented and needed so we may become more ‘professional’. The
committee was strong and unified in its vision and heeded the efforts and
intentions that preceded them. When you mix this with hard work and the
ability to face challenges, plus being the right committee at the right time, the
result is that the groundwork has been laid for new directions and possibilities.
– Julia Hurd
SHOSHANAH MARGOLIN, NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON
I was opened in 1968 and have served Subud in a variety of roles since 1972:
secretary of the local, regional, then national committee; local, regional,
national, and international helper; Susila Dharma board member; vice chair of
Subud USA; and now chair of Subud USA. Professionally, first I worked as a
teacher of English in middle school, then as a school social worker in
elementary and middle schools, and finally as a professor of social work for
master’s degree students at a state university outside of Chicago. Part of our
first board meeting will consist of asking for guidance about the needs of
Subud USA, our regions, and our wings/affiliates and how we can best serve to
address those needs. As we continue to strengthen our foundation, God
willing, we can also work to broaden our vision for our country’s growth.
DANIEL STRALBERG, VICE-CHAIR
I currently live in Seattle with my wife and two preschool-age daughters. My
opening took place over 20 years ago, and since then I have been dedicated to
following this path of Subud as well as I can. Along the way I have held
numerous committee positions at the local, regional, and national levels and I
have also been a local helper. My educational background is in business
administration, with both bachelors and masters degrees. I have worked in
the business consulting field for about 15 years.
My #1 hope for Subud USA is that we continue to improve the way we work
together, with an open feeling of trust and cooperation. At a more practical
level, I feel it is important that we continue to work towards a higher level of
professionalism in our organization. We have made great strides in this
direction, but there is much work left to be done.
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LUCIAN PARSHALL, COMMITTEE COUNCILLOR, LANSING, MICHIGAN
Over 43 years in Subud, Lucian has been the Chairperson of Subud Detroit and Subud Midwest, Regional Helper,
National Helper, Kejiwaan Counselor, Vice Chair of Subud USA, a local helper for Subud Southeast Michigan and
more recently as the Committee Councilor. He is married to Hannah and has three children and eleven
grandchildren.
Lucian is semi-retired and works part time as the Executive Director of the Michigan Council for Exceptional
Children, a professional organization for special educators in Michigan. He retired from the Michigan Department
of Education after twenty four years in management positions. He holds two Master’s and a Doctoral Degree in
Education from Wayne State University in Detroit. He is also a certified social worker.
MORRIS MCCLELLAN, NATIONAL TREASURER, PORTLAND
I am pleased to be able to serve as your new treasurer. A quick note about my background as it relates to this
position. With partners, I started and developed a Subud business called the Revere-Lifedance Company in the
80’s and 90’s. We sold recorded music. After knocking around for a couple of years, I wound up as a loan officer in
the mortgage business. I still do mortgages, but lately, I’ve found myself being treasurer for Subud Portland and
another small non-profit in Portland.
Lots of exciting things are happening for Subud USA. I mean, we’ve got new bylaws now, so the sky’s the limit,
right? There’s talk of a new system to manage our membership records. I feel new growth in the association. And
the latihan is real, so we can build on that. There’s a pledge drive coming up in the fall, so you’ll be hearing from
me.
HAMIDATUN KARAPETIAN, NATIONAL SECRETARY, LOS ANGELES
Hamidatun was opened in 1969 in Palo Alto. She has been a helper since 1980, including two terms as a California
Regional Helper. Over the years, she has served as Chair of Marin in 1978, catered Subud events, and cooked for
Bapak and his party.
She and her husband of 38 years, Aswan, have four children and five grandchildren. Currently living in West Los
Angeles, they were married in a barn at Skymont in 1973. Hamidatun is the President of WizdomInc,
[www.wizdominc.com - featured enterprise of the month on the SES US website], a company she created to
provide access to educational curriculum to English Language Learners; she has been an educator in a variety of
schools for 25 years. Recently she started the “Inner City Schools Project” with Subud LA to bring books and
supplies to underfunded schools in downtown Los Angeles. She has a B.A. in Food Anthropology with a minor in
English, an M.A. in Bicultural Education, a K-12 credential and CLAD certification, which enables her to provide
services in Language Acquisition.
[NOTE: National Committee positions serve from National Congress to National Congress, with the exception of
the Committee Councilor who serves from one World Congress to the next.]
EVAN PADILLA, CHAIRPERSON, SD-USA, BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON
I am honored to be chair of Susila Dharma USA. This organization is truly an example of Subud doing good works
in the world by bringing our latihan into the world through good deeds. Over the next three years I will be working
with our Board of Directors to increase the presence of Susila Dharma.
I was opened in Subud in 1972. I have been center chair (multiple times), regional chair, national chair (twice),
vice-chair, treasurer, world congress general manager and whatever other jobs needed to be done. I have been a
helper since 1980.I have a BS in math and physics from the University of Detroit, an MEd in math education from
Wayne State University and an MBA from Stanford University. I have worked as a teacher for eight years, spent
four years in the corporate world and have been self-employed for the last thirty years. I have been married to
Ann for fifteen years and together we have eleven children and five grandchildren.
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MUHAMMAD ISMAN KANAFSKY - SICA-USA CHAIR, MARINA, CALIFORNIA
I was officially opened January 31, 1965, but received the latihan spontaneously in the summer of 1964. I was
born with the talent of being a clown. In Subud I received the talents of singing and healing myself with my voice,
songwriting, playing guitar, sales and marketing and now I'm writing and self-publishing books. I've been saying
SICA in latihan for at least 45 years. Now I'm finally doing a SICA job. It took a long time, but it was worth waiting
for. When Bapak said we need to have patience in Subud, he wasn't kidding.
I'm surrounded by a wonderful team of people, Lorraine Tedrow (former SICA chair), Leonard Dixon (webmaster),
Alexandra ter Horst (treasurer) and Peter ter Horst (recording secretary). Robert Mertens is an adviser in the field
of art. I feel very confident that SICA-USA will make progress
and take a more active role in demonstrating the fruits of the Ann & Evan Padilla, Isman Kanafsky, Hanafi &
latihan to mankind in general. Levana Fraval, Almut Zieher & Andres Paglayan
HANAFI AND LEVANA FRAVAL, SES COORDINATORS, LOS
ANGELES
Hanafi was opened 46 years ago at Coombe Springs, England.
He has been an active helper and national helper, and has
served in numerous capacities including as chair of SES USA
from 1996 – 2000. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles
group.
He has spent the past 15 years on environment-positive
technologies such as novel low-energy building materials and
biomass waste-to energy conversion. While living in the UK, he
was the CEO of Anugraha, the International Center that Subud
built but was unable to keep due to cost overruns. He later
held the position of CEO in a London-listed public company
operating a chain of nursing homes. He was also a board
member of the UK enterprise development company, Sinar
Enterprise Development (SED) for a dozen years. He has a
bachelor degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in
physics.
Levana was opened in 1977 and has served Subud as a
committee member and local and regional helper. While a
member of Subud NY, she was part of an earlier team working
on SWI. She and Hanafi co-produced The Entrepreneur (an SES
newsletter) when he was chair of SES USA from 1996 to 2000.
Levana has a background in graphics and book publishing. She
comes from a family that managed investments and so has a
strong fundamental sense of what works and what does not.
To that point, she believes that foremost in a Subud enterprise
it is the entrepreneur(s) in whom we invest. It is the trust
engendered by that individual that can move us to invest in or
to consider investing in their project.
ALMUT ZIEHER, SYA COORDINATOR, ALBUQUERQUE
I am a 37 year old 'starter. I was opened in 1996 and the first
Subud event I attended was the World Congress in Spokane,
which left a strong positive impression. Throughout this time,
whether coming to latihan regularly, or more often, snatching
a latihan in a closet or bathroom, the latihan has been my
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stable guide in all that I have done. I am excited about trying out my hand at committee work. As SYA co-
coordinator I envision supporting Subud youth in its broadest definition ranging from young members in the more
traditional sense to members who face the issues such as having young children or beginning a career.
By 2005 I had co-founded a charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while completing a BA in Elementary
Education and raising three small children as a single mom. I continue to be highly involved [in the charter school],
chairing the committee that is responsible for the school's compassionate campus model, which was recently
awarded a prize in the Changemakers Activating Empathy competition. I have just began a doctoral program.
ANDRES PAGLAYAN, SYA COORDINATOR, SANTA FE
I was opened in Buenos Aires Argentina in 1993 and moved to Santa Fe in 2001. I studied medicine in Argentina
and got Biomedical Science degree in the USA. Currently I have a small software development company.
ANN PADILLA, SIHA COORDINATOR, BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON
I am dedicated to Subud and have served as a local helper. Professionally, I am a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
and a nurse practitioner who specializes in palliative care, chronic illness, pain management and psychiatry. I am
certified as an adult nurse practitioner and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
I work full time at Harborview Medical Center, our county and trauma hospital in Seattle, Washington. My
department is outpatient palliative care where at least one-third of our patients live with a terminal illness or a
shortened life-span. I also see clients at my private office where I provide psychiatric services with a specialty in
ADD/ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder [using] Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT),
www.solustherapy.com.
GROUPS AND CENTERS
Subud Chicago Group at Victor and Shoshanah Margolin’s for Eid dinner, Sacramento group’s pergola and yurt
A continuing series of articles on Subud groups and centers in the U.S. [Note: A center has at least ten members, a
chair and treasurer and a male and female helper, whereas a group simply consists of members doing latihan
together. Information on latihan halls in the US is on the house page of the Subud USA website; information on
latihan halls worldwide is described on the house page of the ‘subud.org’ website.]
A LITTLE ABOUT SUBUD CHICAGO
Shoshanah Margolin, Lucian Schurwanz and Dana Todd, Chairperson
Chicago is the third largest city in the US, but Subud Chicago has always been a rather small center. The effect of
living in a region where members live dispersed so that travel impedes participation consistently challenges our
growth expectations. New members and openings are rare. We are the only official Subud center in the Midwest
at this time, although four other cluster groups are scattered about the region.
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But hope is alive these days! Ibu Rahayu said it’s not the number of people in Subud that matters so much -- it's
the quality. And we have a very quality group. A core of members spent many hours in discussion and testing
earlier this year to understand and anticipate what a more connected life would be in the group. The overall
consensus was that everyone desired more social contact and more active participation, to be alive in the latihan
and with each other...
There are definitely signs of movement and God’s hand. After many years without, we now have a three-person
committee: Dana Todd as chair, Mahallia Ward as vice chair, and Victor Margolin as treasurer. Social activities are
up: Aneesah and Nasrudhin Hassani host monthly gatherings for consecutive latihan and potluck. Victor and
Shoshanah Margolin generally host a potluck for Bapak’s birthday and end-of-fast feast during the month of
Ramadan. Occasionally we engage in other activities...
Today, Subud Chicago latihan is in a large dance/ballet facility twice weekly, in the northeastern part of Chicago.
We have about 35 members with a few others who are doing latihan apart from the group. Usually on a given
Sunday or Wednesday, we have about six men and six women attending latihan. We welcome you to visit or
relocate.
ABOUT THE SUBUD CALIFORNIA AT SACRAMENTO GROUP, www.subud-sacramento.org
Abraham Spivak, Arianne Laidlaw and Lucas Hess
Since Bapak first visited Sacramento in 1958, Subud in Sacramento has evolved in its activities and in the people
making up our group. ...After the early years, our membership has hovered between 20 and 30 or so, where it is
now. Wanting to be close, our group “invented” times for us to be together early on: cookie night; pumpkin
carving at Halloween for 25 years; Christmas dinners; the women initiating slumber parties, and since 1976 we
have gathered each New Year’s Eve for a good meal, at times each of us telling about the best or the worst for
each that year...
Our group’s most fundamental bonding - that ushered in our present cooperative ways of doing things - began
when we decided to buy a house. For two years we looked at places...As months went by we began to listen to
each other, respecting all opinions. We came to agree that our place would have to support itself and that we
would pay our pledge to the region only with member contributions, using no rental income. (Our Treasurer says
he has never had to pass the hat to cover a shortfall and that 70% of our members donate regularly without ever
being asked, fulfilling our monthly $425 pledge.) At this point, working together, we agreed on what we were
looking for and found our place. With the California Region’s aid, we had our home in 24 hours – this was March
1995. We made group decisions and did much of the work ourselves, helping to develop our pride and
camaraderie. We’ve been blessed: a Montessori daycare has leased our Subud home weekdays for the past 16
years; we use it evenings and weekends.
In 1997, again with help from the region, we bought a duplex two buildings away. Doing the job ourselves, we
gutted the place, put in new flooring and fixtures; it was actually fun working together. Then four years ago we
had a beautiful, permanent, 24-foot-diameter yurt built behind our Subud house for our sole use.
Because our group decided that any house we got would have to support a going business, our monthly rental is
regularly in 4 figures. This enabled us to borrow about $222,000 from the region, with interest. We have now paid
off the loans for the Daycare and the Yurt and owe about $71,000 on the Duplex having already paid $91,000,
including 7.5% interest.
Moving into our new home, our group activities proliferated. On Saturdays after latihan for those that wish to:
1st, testing; 2nd, kejiwaan sharing; 3rd, business; and 4th, birthday potluck. We have a helper/committee latihan
and meeting, retreats for the group to talk about “where we are”, regularly send a representative to the Subud
California Board of Directors meetings, welcome visits from other members and regional, national and
international helpers and committees; do selamatans for members who have died; celebrate weddings and births;
and have held very successful garage sales. Disagreements happen, but we are mostly able to reach amicable
accords and we have come to truly enjoy being together.
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FROM AND ABOUT MEMBERS
CREATING COMMUNITY WITHIN COMMUNITY: An exploration of Laguna Woods for Subud Senior Living,
from Hanafi Fraval and Amelia Williams
Sharing community has been an ongoing conversation amongst some
Subud members over the years. The challenge is steep and daunting
– And now we have an aging population with new needs... What we
want is a place where we have full and easy access to the latihan with
others, where we can play, pray and yes, still work – together. A
place where we can age gracefully with the love and shared wisdom
of others.
As we explore options to care for ourselves during these later years
we have many models to consider. Wisma Mulia in U.K. is typical of a
dedicated home for elder Subud members. All include the same
challenge of funding and creating from the ground up. There is also
the Sacramento option – living in a new Senior Housing unit up the street from Subud Sacramento. Now some of
us are considering a different model – Let’s ‘re-purpose’ something already established!
California Congress 2012 Senior Living Workshop
A roomful of members attended the workshop Hanafi Fraval facilitated at the 2012 California congress in May. It
turned out to be an active, alive, real, and energetic discussion group. It started with his presentation of two
alternatives for a senior living facility... It did not take many minutes before the workshop focused on [Concept #2:
Piggyback on an Existing Development, and specifically Laguna Woods Village www.lagunawoodsvillage.com]. This
was in part because Viviana and Lauren Stomel have bought a 1,000 square-foot, second-floor condo for $105,000
and will spend $50,000 to remodel and make it look great. The workshop participants were so taken with the
project that a carload of them traveled the hour south of Los Angeles to visit the site with Viviana during the
congress.
Laguna Woods Village is a large village with its own town hall and administration. The ‘village’ spans 2,095 acres
and is actually a collection of 14 gated ‘neighborhoods’ within the city of Laguna Woods. While the
neighborhoods are near to each other, there is still the sense of belonging to the ‘outside’ world. It is an easy 10
minute drive to the actual seaside of Laguna Beach, and close to Irvine for employment. The rolling hills and
mature, meticulously maintained landscaping are attractive. There are always units changing hands. They can be
rented or purchased (and financed). One spouse must be 55 years of age or more, but the other spouse may be
45. This is a doable and viable model.
The other side of the coin is that this community has no young people in it. Visitors always know that they are in a
retirement community. It boils down to an attitude thing. One must mentally confront the age issue and decide to
offset it against the countless benefits of the place. For us Subud members, the workshop decided that we should
set ourselves the goal of finding 5 more men and 5 more women to move there to form a valid core group.
Please let Hanafi know if you would like to be added to the mailing list of those already following this project,
fbeco@me.com.
Hanafi and Amelia have each written about their experience. Hanafi’s is titled Subud Senior Living Project and
Amelia’s is Creating Community within Community; An exploration of Laguna Woods Village for our senior years.
A note about ‘The SACRAMENTO Option’ -
Another option is to consider something along the lines of what may be available in Sacramento. Just ½ block
away is newly constructed Senior Housing. Eligible Subud members could relocate there and participate in the
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thriving and caring Sacramento Subud group. This creates an opportunity to live near others without constructing
our own facility. (Contact: Lucashess@comcast.net)
Lucas subsequently wrote: [The senior housing] is one of St. Anton's projects-very active in senior housing facilities.
Neat bunch of people. In the end, despite making this known to the entire USA, we had less than 10 people make
any real effort towards finding out about St. Anton’s. No Subud member(s) showed up to live there. We, as a
center, also bought a duplex [next to the latihan hall] as a trial for senior/needy housing. We've tried over the 15
years we've owned it to entice any Subud person who needed to be close to a center, shopping, etc. to no avail;
and we have reasonable rent. What it seems to come down to is, sure, I'd love to move into a Subud senior housing
project as long as you build it in my backyard. The alternate is, build it close to my kids then I'll come live there.
Camp Badger, Hamilton & students, Gabriola Island
CAMP BADGER AT SEVEN CIRCLES, JULY 2012, www.campbadger.com
This article, as edited by Sulfiati Harris and excerpted here, was published in local newspapers in July. You may
read the entire piece here.
Camp Badger is a non-profit arts and wilderness camp located at Seven Circles Retreat in Badger (California,
www.sevencirclesretreat.org). It is run by camp director Sulfiati Harris who spends the school year at (a local)
elementary school as the after-school program coordinator. “The purpose of the camp is to provide an experience
which allows children to explore the visual and performing arts in a beautiful natural setting, to build a feeling of a
strong community, and to help children develop life skills such as being able to speak in public, and to learn social
skills such as cooperation and leadership,” Harris said.
Camp Badger has been operational for the past three years and for the first time this summer was divided into
two sessions. The first session was designed for grades 3-6, and the second session was targeted for grades 7-9; a
total of 44 campers will have the opportunity to experience Camp Badger this summer and escape the Central
Valley heat.
Some highlights of this summer’s camp include a play performed by the campers based on the local Mono Indian
culture... “The tribe lived in this area for hundreds of years before European settlers came. The property that
Seven Circles is on was a place where they often had healing ceremonies,” Harris said. New this year, the campers
can participate in a “wilderness camp” which involves taking 11 to 13 year olds on daily trips to national parks.
Campers have the chance to swim in the “shamrock” pool, go hiking, and sit around a campfire. “They will
experience four nights and four days of a happy community, where everyone is cared for and respected,” Harris
said.
The cost to attend the camp is kept to a minimum and is approximately one-fourth the cost of other camps thanks
to annual fund raisers and grants. The primary source of (scholarship) funding comes from Susila Dharma USA,
which provides seed money and funds for projects that enrich local communities. Generous donations from
community members and local business owners, as well as fund raisers have also led to the continued success of
the camp.
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HAMILTON CHEIFETZ , CELLIST, DESCRIBES HIS TRIP TO CHINA http://hamiltoncheifetz.com
I just returned from eight days in China, playing concerts in Nanchang and Beijing with the Third Angle String
Quartet and Min Xiao Fen, an incredible pipa player who lives in New York. We played music by American
composers George Crumb and John Zorn as well as an incredible piece by Chen Yi and a few other things.
This was my second trip to play music and teach in China. In 2010 I gave two solo recitals and did masterclasses in
Beijing and Tianjin and played with Third Angle Ensemble, a Portland new music group, at the Beijing Modern
Music Festival. We were invited to return to the festival in Beijing this year and also played in Nanchang. Third
Angle has established friendships and working relationships with several Chinese composers, and the trip was
deeply satisfying as well as intense, fun, and exhausting.
Hamilton has been described in Fanfare Magazine as “unquestionably a magnificent player" and "absolutely
brilliant" for his solo recordings and concerts in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. He has performed at
the White House and was the winner of the Piatigorsky Prize at Tanglewood. He has been broadcast on National
Public Radio, has performed in the Lincoln Center and was highlighted on Gary Larson’s CBS television special
“Tales from the Far Side”. Hamilton is professor of music at Portland State University, cellist of the Florestan Trio
and is a member of SICA.
I WANT...ALL OF OUR MEMBERS TO FEEL WELCOME AND APPRECIATED, Lusijah Marx, Portland
I attended the Gathering in Vancouver and enjoyed many things. I went kayaking, attended workshops, danced
and sang and talked to old friends. I enjoyed, as always, the SD presentations, and especially enjoyed the DRC
presentation by Dianteza.
It was brought to my attention by Lawrence Pevec that Deanna Kasta of Subud Vancouver was interviewing
people about experiences of sexual minorities in Subud. I was immediately filled with memories from the early
days of establishing Project Quest--now known as Quest Center for Integrative Health, our SD project in Portland,
Oregon. A number of gay men with HIV/AIDS from Quest wanted to join Subud. We encountered many barriers in
Subud in the 90's. One man said, "I want to be opened in Subud, but I am not well enough to deal with the lack of
knowledge that some Subud people have so I feel unsafe to be who I am."
I consider myself an activist and was glad to be interviewed and filmed by Deanna. I was aware that for quite a
long time now, I have not put much effort into making sure that Subud feels safe and welcoming for all people--
which of course, includes gay people. And so I was inspired by Deanna's efforts to create a workshop for the
Subud USA Congress in Seattle on "Creating Openness and Safety for the GLBTQ Community in Subud". To me, the
most important part was to make sure that inclusivity occurs and can be felt by all. It is great that in our bylaws
we say that we are open to all regardless of "sexual orientation". Yet, if no other mention is ever made of gay
people in Subud, it can feel unsafe. I want couples to feel safe to be together as couples and all of our members to
feel welcome and appreciated for the uniqueness of us all.
WCS STANDS FOR WORST CASE SCENARIO, Emmanuel Williams
As we all know, and as Hanafi Fraval‘s graph in the last issue of Subud USA News demonstrated, the membership
of Subud USA is declining. All of us, of course, are getting older all the time, and many of us are getting old. I
believe it’s appropriate for us to consider what’s going to happen if the decline continues, AND how we might
prepare for it. I should make it clear that, in spite of all the evidence, I don’t expect this decline to continue, and I
certainly don’t want it to continue. But, just in case it does, here are some issues and scenarios to consider:
1. The pool of members willing and able to take on Subud jobs at the local, regional and national levels will go on
shrinking. Many of us have spent years being a treasurer or a chairperson or a helper... How can we best prepare
for the time when there may be too few members left to fulfill even the basic legally required positions? Should
we consider radical changes in our administrative structures thereby reducing the number of positions we need to
fill in case we run out of people?
2. It will be increasingly difficult for us to maintain our Subud properties, or to keep up with payment schedules on
loans already made for repairs.
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3. The elephant in the corner that should be acknowledged is the apparent lack of interest in Subud displayed by
2nd generationers. I was hoping the LA congress would attract a fair number of them, but no. Maybe they don’t
turn up because most active Subud members are old...
I don’t pretend to have answers to these questions. But I believe it’s right that they be raised. I don’t believe it’s
necessarily defeatist to contemplate some of the bleaker possibilities and prepare for them. And I don’t believe
it’s right to say: “Leave it all to God.”
Trust in God and tie up your camel.
INVITATION TO GABRIOLA ISLAND, from Rohana Laing, Canada
With the help of the regional helpers and other Vancouver Island helpers, we recently revitalized the Subud group
on Saltspring Island. I am now the only Subud member on nearby Gabriola Island and we yearn for a group in this
community. I am seeking a responsible winter renter who might also be interested in helping to start a Subud
group.
Gabriola is a beautiful, lightly developed island between Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, just a ferry ride away.
There are many artists, organic gardeners, and slightly quirky, strong-minded people on the island (so Subud
should be popular). There are lots of community projects and activities, kayaking, outdoor events, and music and
theatre festivals... Google ‘Gabriola Island’ to learn more.
My house will be available for up to six months from November to April. The cedar house has two bedrooms, high
ceilings, and lots of art. There is a good woodstove, large deck, ½ acre of land, great neighbours, a pleasant
garden, hiking trails and it is eight minutes by car from village and ferry. I hope Gabriola inspires you!
Rohana is an artist, minister and former International Helper. You may contact her at rohana@shaw.ca.
AFFILIATE AND ACTIVITY NEWS
SICA-USA NEWS, from Muhammad Isman Kanafsky, SICA-USA Chair, isman37@comcast.net
We have a new team. Muhammad Isman Kanafsky (Chair), Alexandra terHorst (Treasurer), Peter terHorst
(Recording Secretary), Lorraine Tedrow (former Chair) and Leonard Dixon (Webmaster) make up our new Board of
Directors. Robert Mertens and Mary Wold are Advisors to our new Board. Praise be to the One Almighty God for
the smooth transition that we experienced at our National Congress in Seattle.
We are now in the process of finding the direction that best suits the needs of the members of Subud USA. With
the guidance of Almighty God and the experience of our new board members, we hope to make progress for
SICA-USA that everyone can see and feel as fruitful and positive. A SICA-USA cultural project is any activity that
has the content of the latihan. So it’s not only artists and performers who do cultural activities, it can be cooking,
designing, architecture, sales and marketing or any other undertaking that has content. If you feel the latihan
when you do it, that is culture.
SICA-USA gives grants to Subud members who need funds to help complete or start a cultural project that they
are working on. If this applies to you, please contact us and we will try to help you. At this time, the maximum
grant that is available is $500.
We are looking for a SICA representative for each region in the U.S.A. If you have any interest in being a regional
SICA representative, please contact your Regional Chairperson and me.
Robert Mertens has offered to oversee the art portion of SICA-USA and has also offered to sell his art to raise
money in support of SICA-USA and our Grant Fund. Maybe there are other artists who would like to donate their
art for this purpose as well. If so, please contact Robert at mertens23@hughes.net. For that matter, if any of you
feel to support SICA-USA or any of our projects, please feel free to donate. All donations are tax-deductable and
we will accept them gratefully.
10 of 33Please check out the Subud USA website for our
SICA page at www.SUBUDUSA.org/SICA-
USA/SICA-USA.html and order your copy of
Bapak’s portrait, a limited edition giclee print by
Anthony LoSchiavo. There are still some available
from the limited edition of 50. The original
watercolor painting is also available. All proceeds
go to SICA-USA. Robert Mertens is also offering a
new print each month to help raise money for
SICA-USA, also available on the website.
POEMS FOR PEACE, from Latifah Taormina,
(International) SICA Chairperson
Be Part of SICA's Global Initiative, joining other
NGOs to organize activities celebrating peace and
nonviolence on International Peace Day, Friday,
September 21, 2012.
This is growing! SICA Italy is organizing an event
at "The Poet's Quarry" in Italy, Ismanah Schulze-
Vorberg is organizing an event in Germany, Luzita
Fereday is organizing an event in Australia. We've
got several events in the USA, and it's still
growing. And. . . drumroll please . . . our initiative
was just endorsed by a Pulitzer Prize-nominated
American poet now living in France. Read our
updated story on the SICA site here.
Please get involved and share all this in your communities. And share your poems! Take pictures or videos and
share what you do on our Poems for Peace Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/PoemsForPeaceOneDay
(And LIKE us while you're there!!) You can also follow us on Twitter: @Poems4Peace. We are also building a blog
site: http://www.poems-for-peace.org.
So far, all this has been done with a ton of "elbow grease" and $50.00. (But we're getting ready to print some
posters. So we will be spending some money soon — just in case you might think we do not need donations!)
Donations are ALWAYS welcome. You can do that here.
WHAT HAS SICA BEEN UP TO THE LAST TWO YEARS? IN A NUTSHELL - MID TERM REPORT 2012
Launched SICA website: www.subud-sica.org in August 2011. Site features information, resources, news, event
listings, and networking opportunities for members, plus member stories, an online magazine, Celebrate, and
guidance from Bapak and Ibu regarding the development of talent, art, culture, and the purposes of SICA. Site also
facilitates online donations for SICA (since replicated on WSA and MSF sites).
Launched the ‘SICA Update’: An opt-in e-news publication utilizing Constant Contact, a marketing and
communication tool for businesses and nonprofits that tracks results and stores our database of subscribers.
Also offers marketing webinars and tutorials that we can share with our members.
Set up tools and services for SICA members: Partnered with Fractured Atlas, a national arts service organization
in the USA, so Subud members can have an FA membership for free. ($95.00 value) Benefits include visa help for
artists wishing to perform in the USA, free online courses in marketing and establishing a creative business, etc.
Launched a fiscal sponsorship program for emerging artists and cultural start-ups: SICA had three applicants to
the program and accepted one: Uraidah Hassani’s project, The Women Worldwide Initiative, a mentoring program
that connects, inspires, and educates women and girls.
11 of 33Developed a grant program to provide seed funding for individuals whose talents are worth nourishing and/or
whose initiatives contribute to the public valuing of art, culture, and creativity in our communities. Awarded four
seed grants in 2011.
Board Development and Outreach: Added Sebastian Flynn (Australia) to Board and began list-serve with national
SICA chairs and active SICA people to foster dialogue, build community, and share best practice.
SICA at Americas Gathering and at World Congress 2014: Exhibitions, presentations, performances,
conversations, workshops completed or in development.
DO YOU RECEIVE PERIODIC SICA UPDATES VIA e-MAIL? Subscribe here!
http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=ek5vjyiab&p=oi&m=1108917025092
REPORT FROM THE SICA MEETINGS IN VANCOUVER, B.C., 2012
Taking SICA to the Next Level
National SICA chairs and SICA met at the Americas Gathering in June and envisioned a more stable and fruitful
future for Subud’s international cultural association, imagining for Subud members everything from Festivals of
Art & Spirituality to artist residencies to Kejiwaan & Culture gatherings ...
NOTE: This report was made for the benefit of Subud members working on behalf of SICA around the world and
includes action items requiring progress reports from SICA coordinators and chairs by 1 October 2012. Based on
that feedback SICA will make a final determination regarding how and when these action items are to be
implemented, including an item called The SICA Prize.
You may visit the SICA website for this (or read the Americas Gathering newsletter coming out soon) and further
reports.
SUSILA DHARMA USA’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
July 2012, Subud National Congress, Seattle, WA
By all accounts, this year’s SD USA’s AGM (or “Annual Gratitude Meeting” as we like to call it) was our best ever, a
result of much collaboration and inspiration. Beyond fulfilling our obligation to report our financials, granting and
board activity, we shared the work of this year’s and last year’s projects, honored an extraordinary humanitarian,
and paid tribute to the first Susila Dharma project leader.
SD USA awarded 16 grants for a grand total of $55,138 serving nine different countries, including the United
States. Read all about it in our ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2011.
In recognition of humanitarian spirit - “Susila Dharma” - the board announced the nominee and presented the
winner, Fredrick Branchflower, with a certificate and $500 to designate to a qualifying charity. We also honored
recently deceased Hasijah Rosefield, founder of the “Market Boys” project and an active participant in the
beginnings of the Indonesian project YUM.
Subud Portland generously offered a two thousand dollar matching fundraising drive for this Congress. During the
course of the congress we raised over four thousand which allowed us to receive Portland’s two thousand dollar
match. Wow! The funds raised will go to SD USA’s general giving fund to fulfill 2013 grants. We were so
overwhelmed with your generosity and passion for the work of our projects.
And last, but not least, we elected our three new board members. Marilyn Schirk and John Schoenthaller were
reelected for their 2nd terms, and Evan Padilla elected for his first term. Evan was also tested and elected to
serve as SD USA’s new chair.
12 of 33THE SDUSA HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD FOR 2012
The living spirit of humanitarian service inspired by the latihan is a precious
thing and one that Susila Dharma USA wishes to honor. Last year at the Subud
USA Congress in Rockford, IL, we put the spotlight on 10 Subud Centers across
the country that have made helping others a key part of their Subud group
life. This year in Seattle, SDUSA initiated the SDUSA Humanitarian Service
Award for active members of Subud USA who have demonstrated
outstanding humanitarian service and involvement. We received 7
nominations... Ultimately, we decided on Fredrick Branchflower because of
his long sustained and very broad humanitarian service.
Fredrick has served the Subud community for many years as a local and
regional helper, assisting many Subud members with their life challenges and
journeys. He served for 3 years on the Susila Dharma USA Board of
Directors... served for several years on the Board of Directors of Clear Path...
He is constantly engaged in the work of the heart, in trying to help with one
project or another. Starting back in the mid 80’s he was volunteering with
Operation Nightwatch in downtown Seattle, out on the street offering
sandwiches and helping the homeless find shelter for the night. He has mentored youth whose parents are in
prison, volunteered many hours with his local county literacy program and given much of his time and energy
supporting local fundraising and service projects organized by his local Rotary Club. These include dedicated
efforts to help the homeless in his area. He has been very involved in setting up a local coffee shop to provide
counseling and guidance for homeless teens, as well as a summer program called Food For Kids that will help
provide meals for local kids living in poverty.
As part of the recognition process, Fredrick was offered the opportunity to designate the donation of $500 to the
humanitarian effort of his choice (with Board approval). He chose to give the donation to the Food For Kids
program that is a project of the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club. Fredrick sets a wonderful example for all of us
in taking his latihan into the world for the purpose of helping others in need.
Remember to keep your eyes open this year for Subud members who stand out for their work with helping
others. We hope to receive many more nominations for the SDUSA Humanitarian Service Award for 2013.
SUBUD ENTERPRISE SERVICES USA (SES USA)
SES USA (an affiliate of SESI - Subud Enterprise Services International) supports new and established
entrepreneurs to find their talent, market their skills, and develop or further develop their business. It coordinates
workshops, presentations, networking, and resources for Subud members interested in starting or growing a
business.
Hanafi and Levana Fraval, newly elected SES USA chairpersons, are reviving and currently working on Volume 5,
No. 1, of The Entrepreneur, the SES Newsletter last published in September 2000.
SUBUD ENTERPRISE SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (SESI)
Ruslan Morris, rrmorris@clubbali.com, and Rashad Pollard, pollardrr@aol.com
We are pleased to send you the first of our new SESI News formats. These e-mails will allow you to access our
newsletters directly from our web site without having to log on. Just click this link www.subudenterprise.com,
then look for the following items on the front page of our web site. You will be able to access them without having
to register or log on, but only if you use the above link.
1. SESI Memorandum to SES National Representatives that sets out to start a dialogue between SES International
and National SES Representatives.
13 of 332. SESI Stop Press News, Reporting that SESI will need no support from WSA funds thanks to an Enterprise
donation of $20,000 to WSA for SESI.
3. SESI Information Sheet, Presents an excerpt from Bapak's talk at the 1975 World Congress in Germany, on why
we need to establish SESI, and important advice on its role and purpose.
NOMINATIONS FOR SESI COORDINATOR
Ruslan Morris, Subud Enterprise Services International (SESI) Coordinator, is stepping down and anyone who has
experience in enterprise or working for Subud internationally or both should consider taking on this important
role. SESI’s stated goal is to develop a sustainable income for the World Subud Association (WSA) and its affiliates
so that they can meet their obligations and become financially self-sufficient. Its purpose is to motivate and
support the establishment of Subud Enterprises, especially large scale ones.
The SESI Coordinator is a member of the World Subud Council (WSC) and attends meetings, whenever possible.
As this is a mid-term appointment it is expected to run until the World Congress in 2014. For more information
about Subud Enterprise Services go to www.subudenterprise.com. For more information about the SESI
Coordinator’s role and to put your name forward for testing, contact Ruslan Morris at rrmorris@clubbali.com or
Rashad Pollard at pollardrr@aol.com or the WSA Executive Team at wsa@subud.org
ABOUT SIHA, (SUBUD INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION) Ann Padilla writes:
I am on the road to creating a large SIHA group, and I am starting with a private discussion group on Facebook. So
far, there are 26 members. I hope to envision something new, creative and exciting together. SIHA can be
whatever we dream and receive it to be. I believe right now, SIHA is inside an egg that has yet to be fertilized. As
the group assembles, the nest is being built. Whatever it becomes, remains to be seen. We continue to grow and
search for members who wish to join us. Dream big or small, SIHA is on its way...
SUBUD EDUCATORS REPORTING IN! from Hamidatun Karapetian, Melinda Wallis and Liza Ramey
We had a meeting at the Americas Gathering in Vancouver, BC, led by Emmanuel Williams and Halimah
Polk. Again, in Seattle at the National Congress, they conducted a meeting and another workshop was held by Liza
Ramey. Bapak's vision for a Subud education was shared. Those present described their educational experience
and what they want to do.
We want to build an active network of Subud educators for both support and sharing of materials and strategies,
and for the support of the latihan and to use our guidance in our teaching jobs. We actually wrote down a
number of goals: to set up a web site which would have lesson plans, files of useful lessons, a place to help each
other solve problems, to share experiences, to work towards a school, and to find a way for those who retire to
pass materials and books on to a Subud school in the future.
Some of the ladies also did some testing about teaching: teaching from the heart, from the mind, and from the
heart, mind, and inner and how can we keep balance between teaching and personal lives.
We have a subudedu@yahoogroups.com listserver for Subud educators. There are currently 79 educators from
around the world. If you’d like to be added to this listserver, send an e-mail to Melinda.wallis@gmail.com
REGIONAL NEWS
SUBUD CALIFORNIA
Subud California is larger than many Subud countries. Consider its membership numbers, the eighteen centers
and the eight properties it owns plus the retreat center owned and operated by Subud members, and the regional
office with part-time paid staff. It’s notable that delegates for congresses and board meetings, called councilors,
may be any person elected by a center and serves separately from center chairs. They serve four-year terms
enabling the board to gain expertise and have continuity. The board usually meets face-to-face three times a year.
14 of 33Subud California is registered as a church, making its non-profit status simpler to manage; helpers are pastoral
workers. The California website is http://subudcalifornia.org.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CALIFORNIA CHAIRMAN, Daniel Foster, May 2012
It’s been a year now since I stepped into the role of Regional Chair. I certainly had no idea what I was getting
myself involved in when I started. I knew I wanted to help Subud California to regain some of the enjoyable
aspects of Subud that have been a bit smothered by the trials of life. I knew I cared a lot about this outfit and its
members and about the possibilities it offers to people who have never heard of Subud. I knew I loved what
Subud had given me and felt I owed something. I did not know of many duties I would need to undertake - that I
would be required to be a member of a national board, for example, or of the many issues I would deal with in
that capacity. I did not know that I would become deeply involved in the rewriting of our national bylaws. I also
did not know how important those bylaws are or how satisfying it would be to be involved in the process of
rewriting them. I didn’t expect that I would become so involved in the issues of our region’s housing, but this has
been and continues to be, an important part of the work done by the California Committee and Council. I had no
idea of the guidance and grace that can come from doing this work; or of the suffering that can go along with that
grace.
I am lucky to be working with wonderful people. My fellow committee members; Henrietta Haines, our regional
office manager; the members of the council; other board members; our regional helpers; Melinda at the national
office; Emmanuel, our visionary newsletter editor; Michael Menduno and a large and wonderful group of people
who helped put on the regional congress; the large and dedicated group of people who have met in interminable
conference calls to rewrite the bylaws; the members of Santa Cruz, my local group, who have been active in rising
to a challenge brought about by the need for important repairs to the structure of their house; and many more.
So many good people. So much dedication. Thank you all.
After a year I now have an idea of what’s involved. I can see what I have done well and what I need to do better.
The goal is to make us stronger. Stronger financially. Stronger in our relationships. And stronger in our ability to
receive and follow our guidance. What we receive in latihan is not up to us. Our spiritual progress is not up to us.
Just about everything else is. I look forward to the coming year and to working together with so many of you.
Thank you for this experience and for your help.
NEWS FROM SUBUD EAST COAST, from Amelia Casilli
The Subud East Coast congress held in Atlanta this past May certainly got off to a slow start but helpers, members
and attendees quickly galvanized to get business accomplished and share in the latihan. By early Friday evening it
became abundantly clear that we would not have the necessary quorum (40 members) to vote in new officers.
Although no one said so, you could tell a few people were concerned over the time and expense spent to travel to
a congress whose hands were tied. The power of the latihan, the goodwill of our brotherhood, and the
stewardship of Hoan Toan and Lucian Parshall resulted in a phenomenally successful congress where actually the
most important business at hand was accomplished; a rapprochement.
Our small group was able to get to know each
other very well. There was no breaking off
into smaller groups, and meals were shared
as one big family. The business meeting was
accomplished quickly and efficiently; the
center reports were given; an update on the
D.C. house was shared, and it was decided to
elect a provisional Chair, Amelia Casilli, and
provisional Vice Chair, Manuela Martinaitis,
until such time as a vote could be cast with a
full quorum -- which everyone is hoping will
be accomplished at the Subud East
Coast/Midwest Three Rivers Gathering
15 of 33(October 19-21). Other members of the committee are Margaret Aldis, Secretary, and Frederic Casilli, Treasurer.
Members and helpers agreed it was a successful congress that brought people closer together. It was mentioned
by many that it was useful to change venue sites to meet with people that might not otherwise attend
congresses. As a region which is quite geographically dispersed with many remote members we were reminded
to remain focused on harmony, outreach and communication.
NEW PACIFIC ISLAND REGION COMMITTEE
Hardwin Blanchard , Chairperson, Hilo
Wallace Klein, Vice Chair, Honolulu
Daniel Murren, Treasurer, Honolulu
Stephanie Albornoz, Secretary, Hilo
Congratulations and thank you to Hardwin and his new committee. We hope you find the work satisfying. Thank
you to Carolyn Murren, the outgoing Chair, and her committee for their volunteer work.
NATIONAL NEWS
Hamilton Pevec & Congress TV, Temporary National Office in Maryland, Thanking Melinda at congress, Educators
Workshop led by Liza Ramey
SUBUD USA NATIONAL CONGRESS
IBU RAHAYU’S LETTER TO THE U.S. NATIONAL CONGRESS
Pamulang, 4th July 2012
Brothers and sisters of Subud USA whom I love and respect:
Warmest greetings.
I give thanks to Almighty God that, even though I am not able to be with you in person as I could do in the past,
but I am in good health and I am able to welcome you at the opening of this happy event - the Subud USA
National Congress.
Subud has grown up and stands on its own feet; we get along with each other and have a real feeling of humanity.
But the reality is we still need to feel that Subud is a group of people with a new mission - to worship God by
following the latihan - since humankind today is so attracted by worldly knowledge that people think they do not
need spiritual knowledge.
This is not the time for a talk; the job of giving explanations is now one of the Kejiwaan Council's important tasks.
That is why Subud meetings, which are attended by many Subud members, are combined with a Kejiwaan
gathering and latihan. For members who have been in Subud a long time, this is an opportunity to reawaken your
inner feeling. For members who are new in Subud, this is an opportunity for you to do latihan together in a new
atmosphere that will increase your experience of the spiritual and that will be useful for you in daily life.
Indeed, holding a national congress on a routine basis is necessary, especially in America - a vast country that
spearheaded Subud in other countries in the past. The state of the world economy affects Subud's spread - its ups
and downs, advances and reverses. That is because, as Subud members, we have two duties: our worldly duties
and our duties for the hereafter. Putting those duties into practice does not mean we have to neglect one or
other. We have to carry out both in a sensible manner so that our twin duties do not interfere with each other. If
16 of 33we succeed in doing that, we will become Subud people
US CONGRESS PHOTOS: Happily, Rachman Cantrell
who are successful in the world, but also successful in our
shares many photos from the National Congress
spiritual life. online.
We still have much that we have to experience and learn
since, at every step in our lives in this world, we cannot CONGRESS TV: Hamilton has done it again for the
avoid the need for money. That is why we heed Bapak's third time! Hamilton Pevec, award winning
filmmaker, brought another dimension to congress
urgings for the need to run enterprises, individually and
with Congress TV. Carrying on this alive and oh-so-
collectively. The reality is that individual enterprises run entertaining tradition, solo in North America, he also
well, but collective enterprises still fail and have proved to brought it to the Americas Gathering. With
be a trauma for some members. Of course, we all hope workshops each afternoon, anyone had the
that in future the situation will change and we will opportunity to create films with Hamilton providing
become more aware of our faults. Subud is us, the direction. The last evening ‘premiere presentations’
members, so we are the one are who have to be showed what fun we can have and how funny we can
be. Here’s a film from congress, “FREE
responsible for developing Subud. Many members have ASSOCIATION, SYA”, featuring Stephanie Albornez
now started their own enterprises. God willing, those and Honora Hildreth.
enterprises will grow and become sound enough to set
aside part of their profits for Subud. HERE’S AN IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE of a song
titled SATURDAY NIGHT written and performed by
This is a reminder of Bapak's urging that we need to do
Daniel Foster, Chair of Subud California, joined by Eli
enterprise. Hopefully, those who have been successful will Dokson and Honora Hildreth – sitting outside on a
guide and coach the 'green shoots' who will take over our sunny afternoon during congress. New SYA co-chair,
work in building human life based on susila, budhi, and Almut Zieher, is watching. Filmed by Rachman
dharma. Cantrell.
So, while you are together at the Subud USA National RAFFLE, SILENT AUCTION, AND GIFT SHOP AT
Congress, God willing, God will grace you so that the CONGRESS: Mary Bond from Los Angeles was the
Congress will run harmoniously and peacefully, and will winner of the raffle for a free registration to the
have a benefit for the development of Subud in the USA World Congress in Puebla, Mexico, in 2014. The
and Subud in the world. Have a good congress. gross amount raised from this fundraiser was
approximately $2500. The congress gift shop
A MOST UNUSUAL PROCESS: CHANGING THE SUBUD USA apportioned about $500 to Subud USA, thanks to
Darlene Olds who once again managed it. The silent
BYLAWS, Miryam Gordon writes... auction has become an ongoing event at congress,
thanks to Sonya Shooshan’s enthusiasm and work.
PREFACE: A new set of bylaws was approved by delegates
Sonya said: “There were so many wonderful items
at the 2012 Subud USA Congress. A rewritten set of bylaws that the auction was moved to the back of the
was proposed in February 2012 by the Governance Sub- plenary hall. Bidding wars ensued on several items,
Committee of the Subud USA Board of Directors. This all in good fun. Thanks to all donors and bidders, this
document was reviewed, discussed and edited, line by line, year's silent auction raised over $1100 for the Subud
issue by issue. The review was wide-open, consensus- USA general fund. A check for $114 was also sent to
driven, detail oriented and took three months with eight the International Youth Travel Fund for three items
donated from the America's Gathering.”
conference calls hosting between 15 and 22 participants
for a minimum of 1 ½ hours coupled with an email
discussion group including 45 members. As Congress Chair, Morris McClellan chaired the meetings and Miryam
Gordon was the recording secretary. One major change was increasing the number of voting national committee
members on the Board of Directors; the Secretary and Treasurer have been given a vote.
A most unusual process took place this spring before our National Congress. While the circumstances of its need
were unique, what developed was the possibility of a new way of really getting things worked on for Subud USA.
You might know that the national bylaws were in a state of disrepair. The last real changes were made in 2004,
and despite efforts after that, it became apparent that the document had internal inconsistencies and ultimately,
over the years had become out of compliance with Colorado State law. Since we're incorporated in Colorado,
that's a problem. While it didn't mean that Colorado was going to rescind our non-profit status, still we have an
obligation to comply.
17 of 33You can also read
