Report of the 1999 Society Conclave
Presented to the General Council by Barbara Newsom
August 13, 1999
I would like to start my report with the same prayer that was read to both sessions of the conclave on Saturday, August 7, 1999: "Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you in praise and thanksgiving for the blessings you have abundantly bestowed upon us. We give thanks for the opportunity to join with you today in communicating about our common goals and interests as well as to consider issues we face in bringing the light of your revelation to the world. May each one of us be open to the leading of our indwelling Adjuster, may we open our hearts to the Spirit of Truth, and may our minds respond to the Holy Spirit, as you, Father, guide us through this day. For it is only in relationship to you that we will have the wisdom, forbearance, courage, and grace to succeed in sharing your light lovingly with our brothers and sisters. Only with you, Father, will we succeed in our mission to share this revelation with our family on Urantia.
We pray also today for the ministering personalities who faithfully endeavor to help us in our tasks: for the angelic hosts from many parts of the universe, for the Most Highs of Norlatiadek, for the government of our sovereign ruler, Michael of Nebadon, for Lanaforge, our system sovereign, for the Four and Twenty Counselors on Jerusem, for the Melchizedeks assigned to us, and for the United Midwayers of Urantia. Father, help us to see with your eyes and walk in your ways. Enlarge our vision for this revelation, expand and enhance our perception of truth, and strengthen our desire to know and do your will today. Help us to put you first in all that we do. May we grow in our love for our brothers and sisters today, and may our words and actions glorify and serve you, Father. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Invitation and Response
The 1999 Society Conclave was hosted by First Society of Chicago. Our governing committee began planning the event six months ago and asked me to moderate. Conclaves have been held with varying degrees of frequency since 1981, hosted either by First Society or the Domestic Extension Committee. Since First Society has been working cooperatively for over a year with the Greater Lake Michigan Urantia Association, we decided to invite the International Urantia Association (IUA) to join us for the afternoon session. As plans progressed, we invited Cathy Jones, IUA Administrator, to co-moderate the afternoon session. This was the first time the two organizations, the Fellowship and the ILIA, have met at other than the local level.
David Kulieke, then president of First Society, who organized and moderated most the past conclaves, issued the invitation to both societies and IUAs. We received a 90% response from the societies (only the Texas societies did not respond), and 100% from the IUAs. A designated representative and alternate were requested. Some who wanted to attend could not, due to travel issues or other commitments, but have indicated a desire to be informed of the results and to participate in follow-up. We will include the Texas societies in follow-up, so we have virtually 100% participation. An annotated list of attenders is provided, along with the agenda. Our thanks go to both David and Cathy for their many follow-up phones calls, e-mail, and faxes to societies and IUAs, for coordinating with me and Conference Planners, and for answering representatives' questions.
The morning session was open to observers who are Fellowship members, including members-at-large; the afternoon session was open to any interested reader. Sixty-one people signed in with addresses, including e-mail, to be included in any follow-up to the meeting. Approximately 30 observers attended for varying lengths of time throughout the day, including unaffiliated readers. Observers were invited to give questions or comments to the representatives.
Purpose and Preparation
The purpose of the meeting, as in past conclaves, was to support one another in our efforts to disseminate the teachings of The Urantia Book in our local areas, to discuss our concerns and successes as local societies, to explore how we would like our elected representatives to assist us in our work, and to examine ways we can improve the quality of education, study, and outreach in our local areas, The purpose and agenda were included in the invitation letter to both societies and IUAs, so they would have time to prepare. Only one agenda item was requested by societies and IUAs to be added to the list: Harry McMullan's publication of Part IV. The letter to societies indicated, as in the past, that while this is not a formally constituted part of the Fellowship, conclave attendees may want to present resolutions or make motions, and take a vote. Each society has one vote, cast by the designated representative.
Upon signing in, each representative and alternate received name tags and a Fellowship pocket-folder with the list of attenders, agenda, current names and addresses of all societies and their officers, General Councilors, and standing committees. Also included was a three-page handout summarizing the Millennium Initiative Committee. The IUA had prepared packets for all representatives and alternates that included a bookmark for the IUA international conference, "Living the Will of Our Father," August 4-7, 2000, Staten Island, New York. Also included were four handouts: (1) Issue 10, August 1999 of Newsflash published by Urantia Foundation, (2) a position paper by Urantia Foundation entitled "Part IV Illegally Printed," (3) a position paper by Urantia Foundation entitled "Unauthorized Translations," (4) Copyright & Registered Marks Policies by Urantia Foundation.
Copies of all of the above are available to General Councilors upon request.
Fellowship Session: Summary of Discussion and Planned Actions
Minutes of the Fellowship session (9 a.m. to noon) were taken and prepared for this report by Ken Keyser, vice president of First Society. After socializing while everyone arrived, we opened at 9:20 a.m. with the conclave prayer. With the group's consent, we prayed as group throughout the day, breaking for two minutes every 30 minutes for silent prayer. We planned information sharing and discussion of the first five agenda items for the first hour and a half, a short break at 10:30, followed by consideration of the last two items'. unity Part IV. Janet Farrington Graham welcomed the group and read her President's Report to the General Council. It was announced that Janet would return at 11: 30 to answer questions.
Information Sharing and Agenda Items 1-5
Societies had been requested to bring handouts to support the information sharing part of the program. If you would like copies, please contact me or the society representative. Each society appreciated the time to hear updates about other societies. As the session progressed, it was clear that we didn't begin to have time either to share all the ideas and activities that we would like to share, or to discuss and brainstorm on the agenda topics.
After the break, we brainstormed a little bit on the unity topic. Steven Zendt, observer from Golden Gate, volunteered to list these on a flipchart for us. Representatives also contributed ideas on notecards to save time.
1. Develop a "think tank" that would be shared with all societies, designed to keep us from "re-inventing the wheel" on outreach and other issues.
2. Societies need on-going sharing of information, by email and in person. Develop society email list.
3. Share organizational ideas, including problems and how we've solved them.
4. Provide sharing by written reports among societies, each society provides report. Use Fellowship periodicals to publish material of interest to other readers. Need channels for expression of society issues to the larger membership.
5. Receive documents for action in societies.
6. Have an annual meeting of societies; winter 2000 meeting for TDA delegates.
7. Nick Curto, New York society, presented outreach think tank items: (1) small newspapers ads, (2) display ads, (3) radio ads, (4) voice mail service, (5) handouts, (6) T-shirts, (7) pins, (8) Alumni outreach.
8. New reader introductory sessions (First Society), to help start and increase study group participation.
9. Renew efforts to develop teachers and leaders (First Society)- coordinate with Education Committee; develop resource guide of speakers and teachers on various subjects for conferences, other study group and society meetings.
10. Society purposes: How do we foster personal spiritual development among members? Spiritual "nourishment"?
11. Society purposes: growth questions and processes: Encourage society formation among existing study groups. Membership drive; coordinate with standing committees.
12. Provide international outreach development ideas and focus.
Resolution of Support for Urantia Foundation
Paul Snider presented his resolution (copies provided) at 11: 10. We did not have sufficient time to finish brainstorming and discussion on other agenda items, but wanted to consider his proposal (comments summarized in Ken's minutes). It was generally agreed that we should take the resolution back to societies and report back to each other concerning the resolution. Unity discussion and resolution discussion dovetailed with some discussion of Part IV (see comment summaries).
Janet Farrington returned at 11:30. We asked questions just before noon. She confirmed that the Fellowship could provide a society email list. She encouraged society input to central organization and general members and potential members.
Combined Session of Fellowship and IUAs: Summary of Discussion and Action
IUA representatives were welcomed; discussion started at 1: 15. We had more observers in the afternoon session than in the morning session. Minutes were taken by Mindy Williams, unaffiliated reader. The comment summaries give highlights of the information sharing; this was followed by open discussion on agenda items.
In the process of the afternoon, and also in a follow-up session I had with Cathy Jones on Monday, essential background on the IUA was shared, from initial development to present status. I will summarize that here for the Council and for the conclave representatives. In 1993 efforts were made to activate the IUA. The coordinating committee took the initiative to bring issues for resolution to the Trustees of Urantia Foundation, including strong advice to them on the composition of the Board. Cathy Jones spearheaded the effort to develop IUAs. She worked completely volunteer in addition to another full-time until last year when she joined the Foundation staff.
Cathy says "the individual reader is the most important part of the IUA process." She and others contact readers who want to meet with other readers; they foster study groups among these interested readers. She says, "the real work is done by the seraphim and the Thought Adjusters --they coordinate and bring people together." In five years, they have grown to 900 members. The ILIA is organized into National and local IUAs. There are six national IUAs-. Australia/New Zealand; Colombia; Finland; France; Peru; U.S.A. There are 22 local IUAs in the U.S. There are three locals in Canada (Quebec, Ontario, and Vancouver), but they do not as yet have a national IUA. There is a local IUA in Estonia.
The IUA activated as a "coordinating organization" to disseminate the teachings of The Urantia Book. Their philosophy is "to represent the book by living it to the best of our ability." The IUA is no longer managed by the Coordinating Committee; "they have done their job," as Cathy puts it. IUA administration is now provided by the "C & P"-- the council of presidents and vice presidents of the national IUAs. One of the principles of administration they have followed from the start is frequent turnover of executive leadership. The maximum terms for the C&P are two two-year terms.
The IUAs consider themselves as autonomous from Urantia Foundation. They "work interdependently with the publisher." Cathy emphasized in every meeting, from the conclave to the Foundation Workshop on Monday, that the IUAs are not competitive with the Fellowship. The similarities among the two groups in purpose, activities, and evolution so closely parallel our own that I am minded to call them "sister organizations." I know other local society members who have worked with the IUAs have come to similar conclusions and use similar terminology. The actual experience of working together is the basis for our perceptions.
You will see in the conclave minutes that about half of the conclave attendees have worked on a joint Fellowship/IUA activity in their local areas. We would encourage the central organizations to do the same: work with the IUA on significant projects as we have at the local level. Some of us wonder why this is taking so long and why the central organization has not led the way. We understand that you have had meetings with the Foundation and ILIA on the subject of unity, but we want to see action on significant projects and to end the past patterns of embarrassing and debilitating disunity.
Even though the afternoon combined session was intense at times, it was a general sense of the participants that it was a good, constructive meeting, positive in attitude and approach. People spoke from the heart; they freely expressed what was on their minds. The written comments simply cannot capture the atmosphere of the meeting and the profound experiences many of us had there. I have received comments from many attenders and observers throughout the week. The conclave really started a process, rather than being an end in itself. The most frequent comment I hear is that attenders were "encouraged" by the meeting. Many have spoken of further healing and of being re-motivated. At the same time, many of felt how the old issues immediately drain us and drag us down. Some of these began to resurface in the latter part of the afternoon discussion. Many have commented to me on the shifts in energy that occur. This happens because significant issues remain unresolved.
Many IUAs became readers or were in the process of forming Fellowship societies at the time of the 1989 split. They, too, were hurt in that process, just as we were. I think it is a testament to the power of the revelation itself that we have all remained committed throughout almost two decades of some of the most bitter and public infighting I have ever seen, much less imagined, in a purportedly religious group. Many of us are active in other religious communities. Many conclave attenders commented to me that one of the saddest parts of our sectarian in-fighting is that they have not introduced people to The Urantia Book or brought them to meetings because of the problems in our social groups.
Although a vote was not taken, the overwhelming issue consensus of the conclave is for unity. We want to put the past behind and move forward. I sense that we share this consensus with the General Council of the Fellowship and the Trustees and staff of Urantia Foundation, and the informal Millennium initiative group. The differences appear to be only in what unity means and how to go about achieving unity at this point. The ideas I present in this report, including the above summary, represents views of conclave attendees. Many of them may not be your views; some are. We have different experiences. Also, I perceive that there may be in general, different consensus on certain key points between the General Council and the rank and file membership of the Fellowship, especially in the societies. Often, it is the rank and file who suffer the most from executive in-fighting.
Cathy and I personally agreed that all of us, both organizations, must swallow our pride admit mistakes, and resolve problems openly to move forward united. We think unity could easily take place, spiritually and organizationally, if this attitude could be adopted and lived by all involved. She and other Foundation representatives expressed these sentiments at the Foundation workshop on Monday. The time is NOW.
I know the majority of conclave attenders appreciate the diversity and openness that has been fostered in recent years by the Fellowship, including the central organization. The problem is in conflicting and incongruous action that we see at the central level of the Fellowship. It is hard for me to report as accurately and honestly as I can what the majority of conclave attenders think and feel. I do not enjoy discussing sensitive differences in opinion, even those that threaten relationships, any more than any one else does. But I think the time has come to face the truth of what our community has faced for almost twenty years. We cannot have spifitual unity without facing and resolving our organizational problems. It's like the story Paul Snider shared in his conference talk: how long can you carry your sword if you truly live spiritually?
Part IV Publication
In that regard, I must address the publication of Part IV. It may or may not be true, but the general sense I heard among conclave attenders and other Fellowship members and readers at the conference is that the General Council is not going to take action. This is in discord with the majority of conclave aftenders. The majority are personally appalled at what we have heard and must oppose your inaction and your reasons for it, however difficult that may be. Many are particularly concerned that officers of the Fellowship say the constitution of the Fellowship does not allow them to act (even it they wanted to). I read the same constitution and reach an entirely different conclusion.
To some, this opposition may be interpreted as "continuing the battle, not being willing to put the past behind." This is not about the past. It is a new issue that we did not start, but that we are determined to finish, and finish quickly with as little damage as possible. This recent action is different from all other publishing efforts related to the revelation that have been made in the past. This is new, different, and serious, although it is an extension of certain attitudes and behaviors that have plagued us for decades.
But first, I want to address Harry directly one time in this group. I went to Harry one-toone Monday as Jesus' grievance procedure specifies in both the Bible and The Urantia Book. I am now coming to the group and asking for your group wisdom today. Harry, I ask you: put down your sword-withdraw your book. The most committed readers in our movement have been asking for weeks, what is the best solution? I have concluded that this is the best solution. Out of respect for the majority of committed readers, and in the interest of unity and survival of the revelation itself, withdraw your book now. We are all clearly committed to disseminating the whole Urantia Book. This is not a question of copyright. It's a question of integrity of the text and integrity of all of our relationships, which is by far the most important aspect of our revelation. The copyright is simply a tool that helps us now. All readers must promote the whole book regardless of copyright. What a waste of time and resources to publish a text that already exists, and to take the chance of confusing so many people who have never heard of the revelation, never mind the legal and ethical questions. As I said to you Monday- you have tremendous talent, Harry. I pray you will be led to use it more wisely.
To the Fellowship officers, executive committee, and General Council, I ask you today to do your job: the due process afforded members in the constitution requires you to act when the actions of an individual member or group of members, such as a society, acts in such a way as to harm others. In other words, we are autonomous, individually and collectively, until we do something that harms others. This is a well-established principle of law in any society. Even without the constitution, you are bound by your fiduciary responsibilities as an Illinois corporation and as a membership organization to act on behalf of your members'welfare. I know some say Harry is doing no harm, even
doing good, so let me point out just a few of the harmful effects. Many, many readers have been putting these forward to you, One is the distracting disunity. Harry's action is in direct conflict with the stated purpose of the Fellowship to promote the whole book (conflict of interest). He can do this on his own and deal with the consequences, but one of those consequences is that he cannot continue as a Fellowship officer or hold other positions of high responsibility and authority such as conference chairman. It is unfair to members who expect the elected officials to uphold very purpose of our organization.
I think it would not as harmful for Harry to continue as a member even if he does not withdraw his book, unless the legal implications create liability for us as an organization. That's the second basis for action: copyright law is so wel I-estabi i shed , and rightly so, that a Kinko's employee won't let you copy anything with a copyright that isn't your own. This is the part that especially baffles me concerning what I've heard General Councilors, including the Fellowship presidentsay so far. Put yourselves in any other context of your lives: your employment, your volunteer work for other groups, your family. When someone is doing something that is clearly against the law, do you condone it or even promote breaking the law? The constitution of the Fellowship even mentions this specifically, perhaps out of the wisdom of knowing that people sometimes do want to break the law out of a sense of "higher truth." On your own, it is up to you whether you do this or not, but it is not allowed by the Fellowship constitution. That's my second strongest reason for action. If Harry want to do this on his own, then let him, but make sure he is on his own. Right now your inaction is not only condoning behavior contrary to the Fellowship constitution; you are actually rewarding Harry with high office.
I won't go into the other numerous reasons that have been articulatefln other readers' heartfelt pleas for action. They are widely of record, many of them public. I simply pray today that you will realize you have a responsibility to act. I would ask you to consider the quality of people who are entreating you to act. They are among the most committed, active readers you have. I myself have been active in the movement since 1965, when I was seventeen. I have served not only at the local level all those years, but also at the central level for over twenty years as either a General Councilor, Executive Committee member (committee chair) or member of a standing committee. Perhaps the most poignant comment I heard in the conclave was from Chris Wood, whom I knew as a baby, who spoke for the young people who have declared that this will never happen to them. Godspeed to them. The sorrow in my heart is that I remember us when we were young and we were best friends, even family. I know what can happen if we give in to unspiritual attitudes and behavior, however right we may think we are.
The Future
I don't think any of us, including me, fully realize what is at stake here. We all tend to be concerned about the organizations to which we have the strongest ties--be it Foundation principles and declaration of trust, the local or national IUA, or the local or central fellowship. I teH you: aH of us are in this together. We five or die together. Many people have expressed those ideas this week, some quite eloquently. I am simply adding the conclave perspective. I know that some of the views expressed in this report are not the views of some individuals who attended the conclave, but I know they represent the majority.
In short, we want unity in action, and we want it now. I do not want simply a chance to express myself or the views of the conclave, a chance to "vent" or "be heard." I find that condescending. We go to the trouble to express ourselves to you because we want and expect action. We do not want to continue as in the past. We call for a new page, a clean slate. The millennium initiative turned the task over to us. The idea of Federation, which actually came about because of the conclave, has appeal, and will be explored. It could be a refreshing new approach to allow us to be about the Father's business with the least problems for all concerned and the most potential for affiliating with readers in the future.
I believe the rank and file readers want us to "walk the talk." One of the pieces I was asked to submit with conclave report was prepared by several conclave participants who reworded the twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous to fit the Urantia community. Their service group has grown in the same amount of time that we've had our revelation to two and half million people world-wide, by following those simple traditions. That, among of a group of spiritually hungry people with many problems. It has not only kept them out of trouble; they thrive and flourish.
There are times to agree to disagree to preserve harmony. This is not one of them. We must solve our organizational problems once and for all. Certainly we have a wretched twenty years of experience that has defined and clarified the problems. This experience contains the seeds for resolution, not merely coping or on-going tolerance for unacceptable behavior. If you will not act, I believe the grassroots of the movement is so vital and mobilized that they will act and find people to serve who will act upon as our trusted servants to promote and protect our common welfare as a Fellowship.
The Urantia movement could be likened to spring when the trees are blooming. If the bees do not pollinate the trees the trees die. We are the bees, stinging each other, rather than pollinating. The moment is ours to achieve true unity and carry the banner of Michael to the far corners of the globe. We must decide and act now. We invite you to join the on-going Society/IUA Conclave as we carry on with the choices for unity that the majority of us have made. While squabbling and bickering among young children is tolerated by parents, I do not think the overseers of the revelation, who gave the revelation to ALL of us in trust, not just Urantia Foundation, will support such immaturity after fifty years of opportunity to become mature, wise readers, even bearing fruits of the spirit.
Their support, I believe, will be given now only to those who bear spiritual fruit. Although the revelation in our hands, they assigned specific overseers to the project and assigned groups to help us promote the whole revelation as they presented it to the world. They reserved the right to intervene as necessary. They did not leave us "alone"--far from it. We should be grateful to them for their work and attempt to discern the Father's will now as they do. Like the thought adjusters, much that our egos would attribute to ourselves we should attribute to the Most Highs, to the Melchizedeks, the seraphim and the midwayers. We should respect and work with them as we seek sincerely to know and do the Father's will. The majority of us want unity but have trouble achieving it or knowing how to achieve it. If we work with our Thought Adjusters and unseen friends, they will show us the way. Most of all, we should bow before God and his Son Michael, whose revelation this truly is, and humbly go forth to "be about the Father's business."