1990-1991 was a good year for the activities of The Domestic Extension Committee. Through a dedicated effort between The Committee, Area Coordinators, the Executive Committee, the General Council, and the office staff at The Fellowship, numerous projects were initiated and/or completed. Highlights of the year go as follows:

1. The Study Group Herald. In a joint effort between The Education Committee, The Publications Committee, and The Domestic Extension Committee, Study Group Herald magazine launched its first issue in early summer, 1991. While the three committees participated in minor policy guidance, Editor Marty Greenhut, along with help from Allen Collins, Adrienne Jamigan, Annette Crawford, George Sammis, John Hyde, David Glass, Kate Gentry, Earlene Green, Brent St. Denis, Francyl Gawryn, Janet Farrington, George Wallace, MariAnne Green, Carol Hay, Beth Bartley, Dennis Brody, Mary Anne Uranowski, Scott Forsythe, Lynn Ellis, Dan Ellis (AccuComp), and Wayne Ferrier did the work. This magazine will publish twice a year. Its sole objective is the furtherance of study groups throughout the world. 

2. Area Coordinators. The Area Coordinator program has come into its own. Since its inception in January 1989, Area Coordinators number 82 in the United States and 15 Internationally. This team of volunteer study group servers define their services in this way: "The Area Coordinators mission is to establish and maintain contact with local Urantia Book readers and study groups, and to encourage and support them in their Urantia Book activities."

3. Area Coordinator Training Sessions. National Area Coordinator training sessions were conducted in Snowmass during the International Conference on June 30, 1990 and again on February 15, 1991 in Tampa at the General Council meeting. Now, regional Area Coordinator training meetings are being run at regional conferences. Michael Challlis and Tom Allen held the first regional at the Scientific Symposium Conference in Oklahoma. While these sessions neither reach the greatest heights of understanding nor depths of completeness, they begin the process of leadership training and development as well as catalyzing projects. Beyond this, socialization seems to be the order of day with the growing corps serving as Area Coordinators.

4. Tear-pads for new readers at bookstores. In an effort to reach new readers, Area Coordinators asked that techniques be developed to find the new readers who buy Urantia Books in bookstores. Because of this request, Joe Liszka developed a tear-pads which you can hang in bookstores. These tear-pads, consisting of 25 individual sheets of paper, explain a little about The Urantia Book while providing a space where Area Coordinators or study group leaders can write their name and phone number. The tear-pads have been printed and distributed to all Area Coordinators and members of the General Council. Included was a re-order blank for free back-up stock of tear-pads. 

5. 1991-1992 Study Group Directory. A 1991-1992 Study Group Directory was just completed. Thanks to the wonderful efforts of Peggy Douglass, 297 study groups appear in the new Study Group Directory. This document will be given to members of The Fellowship and all participating study groups. Others may purchase it for a nominal fee. This Directory will be available at the annual Fellowship meeting in Chicago in late June. 

We all look forward to years of study group growth. Today 297 study groups registered in the directory. Someday, thousands of study groups will abound world wide.

6. Adopt-A-Bookstore program. Area Coordinators, Society leaders, and individuals voiced a growing concern over the lack of availability of Urantia Books in bookstores. After Urantia Foundation shut-off book availability through book distributors, Urantia Book availability took a major decline. In an effort to serve new readers, The Executive Committee unanimously approved Domestic Extension Committee's proposal on how individual's, Study Groups, and Societies can Adopt-A-Bookstore.

An Adopt-A-Bookstore packet has been made available to anyone wishing to participate in this program. In an initial test, Paula Thompson tripled Urantia Book availability in Colorado by adopting 20 bookstores. Her expertise and techniques can be read in the Adopt-A-Bookstore Brochure.

7. Library placement project. After years of placing Urantia Books in libraries, The Domestic Extension Committee regrettably stopped putting Urantia Books in libraries. When asked, Urantia Foundation declined selling or giving library placement books to The Fellowship. Without books, the library placement project ceased. Any individuals wishing to place books may try to do so by contacting Urantia Foundation directly. Special thanks to Tom Allen of the Domestic Extension Committee for his years of service to libraries. 

8. Book markers. Because of numerous requests to have appropriate literature available for new readers, The Executive Committee of The Fellowship unanimously approved the development of book markers to be given as Fellowship literature and placed in Urantia Books in the Adopt-A-Bookstore program. These book markers direct new readers to important sections in the book that help them answer their most pressing questions. Today, nine markers have been written and published. Special thanks to Joe Liszka, Waldine Stump, Steve McIntosh, and Peggy Douglass.

9. Telephone message new reader program. In the interest of serving spiritually hungry individuals, The Executive Committee approved supporting local groups in establishing a telephone message program. This program provides a way for people to listen to a free message relating to a critical life matter from The Urantia Book. Pioneered in San Diego by Andrea Bames and tested in Colorado and Phoenix, this program met with successful results by providing an unobtrusive way for people to learn about the teachings in The Urantia Book. Once The Fellowship saw the results from three different areas, the program was adopted and made available to other groups throughout the United States. In 1991, The Fellowship will match funds with the Colorado and Chicago Societies in placing phone messages. Expenses associated with recording messages, installing phones, and other related costs will be matched. While no one can be certain of the long term costeffective success of the program, initial results have brought numerous individuals to the revelation.

Special thanks.

Domestic Extension Committee greatly appreciates the services from the office staff of The Fellowship. Throughout the year we have needed their assistance on numerous occasions and always received a cheerful service response in fulfilling the requests of Area Coordinators, Study Groups, and Domestic Extension Committee.

A great thanks to all the members of Domestic Extension Committee which include, Tom Allen, Michael Challis, David Robertson, Waldine Stump, Paula Thompson, and adjunct members Joe Liszka and Peggy Anne Douglass.

If any one reading this report has ideas our committee could implement, please let us know. If you would like to participate in any way, we are most interested and appreciative of your services. If you are interested in future service on the committee, please forward that information as well.

In His service and thankful for the opportunity,

Mo Siegel, Chairman

Domestic Extension Committee

Committee Members:

Tom Allen

Mike Challis

David Robertson

Waldine Stump

Paula Thompson

Adjunct Members:

Joe Liszka

Peggy Anne Douglass