May 2011 - Subud Voice

‘ ’
We don't want a hierarchical structure, but a
flexible, inclusive network. The centre of which
is in each one of us
which is looking into developing an even more professional approach and also the best environmental and
operational conditions for the storage and development of the archives. This is our heritage, our patrimony,
especially what has come down to us from Bapak in terms of his talks, and writings. So we must ensure that the
archives are cared for in the best and safest way. An aspect of this will be special fundraising for a specific ongoing
Archive fund in the period up to 2014 . We have budgeted US$180,000 in the 2011-2012 period for Archives with a
large component to be raised from fundraising, which in terms of finance makes this the largest single project
before us.
Communications. In recent years communications within Subud particularly via e-mail and Internet has vastly
improved over what it was before. We want to carry this further, both communications within Subud and
communications with the outside world. This is very much a "work in progress" and has not only to do with what
we say about ourselves, but also what we actually do. In order to get more effective communications I believe that
we need to take a holistic approach. So the challenge here is not only more and better communication but also the
integration of our communication efforts. We need to build on what we have in publications, audio-visual media.
Also encouraging the evolution of the External Relations/WSA Forum groups encouraging the use of widespread
web-based and audio-visual inputs, including new media and social networking. This could include sponsoring ‘A
Day in the Life of’ multi-media perspective on what we are doing in the world...
Enterprises and International Projects. In recent talks, Ibu Rahayu has placed a great deal of emphasis on the need
to reawaken the enterprise vision: to put aside past hurts and traumas and focus with new energy on this aspect of
Subud life. It is clear, as Bapak always said, that we need enterprises to help fund the work of the Subud
organization in all its many aspects. To put into practise what we have received. Related to this is the need to take
care of our major international centres, particularly Rungan Sari, Wisma Subud and Amanecer. It is not the wish of
WSA to meddle with these projects, or to intrude, but to make sure that everyone knows we are there for support.
We have set up a new International Projects & Centres team to work with SESI to provide support where needed.
After Congress we formed a WSA Subud Communities team headed by Osanna Vaughn to look into the realities of
Subud Community, and obviously the major international centres are an important part of this. WSA has already in
2011 supported initiatives within Amanacer, Wisma Subud and the Kalimantan mining shareholders group.
Governance. We need to continue with the improvement we have committed to in terms of the way that we manage
ourselves. At Congress, this was one of the promises that I made on behalf of the WSC. We face an international
environment with new demands and standards of transparency and accountability that we must be prepared to meet
and where possible exceed. None of us want the Subud organisation to grow for its own sake. But there is much
that we want to do, and in order to complete this task we must manage ourselves in the very best possible way.
Of course, we don't want a hierarchical pyramid-type structure, but a flexible, inclusive network of activities.
Finance & Fundraising. Related to this, is the need to improve our fundraising – to ‘enlarge the cake’ that we need
to draw on. Our previous approach might be compared to a church which sends out donation envelopes – with
occasional bursts of funding from enterprises/major donors. This will no longer suffice. As Bapak always said,
enterprise will be the way to fund the Subud organization. We now have a new expanded financial team in place
and new bank accounts, the details of which are provided elsewhere in this issue of Subud Voice. We are also going
to set up a special international coordinated fund raising team including professional fundraisers from within
Subud. This would not preclude new international enterprises – but in effect become part of these initiatives. There
is so much we need to do and we have to increase the money available to us.
Well, these are five main areas of interest we will be working on ahead of and at the June WSC meeting. Of course,
there is also much detail to be considered and agenda and focus will develop in the course of the meeting. I very
much feel that although Bapak passed away 24 years ago, we still report to him. Bapak bequeathed his mandate in
this world to the Subud World Congress and of course between Congresses, it is the WSC which carries that
responsibility.
SUBUD VOICE PAGE 2 MAY 2011