In this photo Susan is taking the picture -
(Some of the premies have already left by this time so we are not all represented)
If Ann J. is to be believed, an historic step forward was taken by the Vancouver community yesterday....
With two days notice, close to twenty people answered the call to a spontaneous meeting. The objective was to understand how large events with M. happen and to organize ourselves locally in the eventuallity that Maharaji were to visit Vancouver. This was not a perfect meeting, we started late and went on too long but we made steps towards the objective.
The intention was to understand with Don's help (in his capacity as event manager) how things are set up to support an event with M. on an international level and what part we would need to play on a local level.
This is what I learnt:
First off, I really appreciated Don's perspective. For him the goal is not just to be ready for M. to visit locally for one specific event. Rather to be part of a network of trained, committed folk, each with their own service, ready, on a permantent basis, year round, to respond to anything that M. might want to do. Wow!
In Don's experience this network of trained volunteers is already in place on an international level. This means that on an ongoing basis, on the North American continent (and perhaps on all continents) there is a consitent association of people, with specific "know how" that can be contacted via email or phone to respond to any of the identified needs that would be required to put on an event anywhere in North America and perhaps the world.
INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
Some of those established international services are:
Communication: The folk who create the announcements/websites/communication links necessary to inform us all about an upcoming event and allow us to access the information we need to participate.
Finances: The team that estimate the costs, collect the money, pay the bills.
Productions: The folk who roll in the innumerable containers of cables, electronic equipment, cameras, lights etc. Record the event and turn the results into all the wonderful "products" that keep us in touch with M. and his activities worldwide.
Security: The folk that keep him and us safe when we come together in great numbers all over the world.
.... and that is just the international level what about the local level?
LOCAL LEVEL
What happens in our community. How do we organize ourselves to make things happen on a local level?
We also have loose "teams" of people that take care of critical areas. We have each gravitated to areas that appeal to us and that we see as important parts of supporting M's efforts to awaken us all to the possability of peace.
The Keys Team: Ann, Zena and Amy are there to support those that are moving towards preparing to receive Knowledge. They hook them up with the Keys and provide a friendly, knowledgeble face to answer questions and give information.
The Warranty Team: There are trained facilitators in the region, that make themselves available on demand to conduct Knowledge Sessions and Warranty Events. They would be contacted by the Keys Team.
The Outreach Team: Just about each of us in our own way and through our own spheres of influence. Then there is Susan, Judith, Gwenda, Sylvia, Johnathan and Jodi who come up with little projects every once in a while and are willing to support each other. The "Outreach Team" and the "Keys Team" see the need to begin working together more closely.
TPRF Representatives: The Prem Rawat Foundation was created to support M. humanitarian initiatives. The Foundation appears to be evolving into a larger role of organizing M. tours.
This a realtively new area in Vancouver and there are a few premies interested in getting involved here. We look forward to seeing what evolves.
The Materials Team: Presently that would be Ann C. with the help of Susan and Lisa. The folks that order, mainly the latest propagation materials from Eversound, TPRF, Visions and make them accessible for the folk to buy locally at the First Friday events. The Materials Team and the TPRF reps. will probably be working quite closely.
Venue Liaison: When we want to put on an event locally it is usually Sylvia, Bawn, Jean and Don that identify the appropriate venue and make the necessary arrangement. However in the case of an event with M. the criterion is very specific and quite stringent so that falls to Chuck with the help of Nelda who have been appraised of the necessary requirements and have the strong PR skills required to intereact with and develop positive working relationships with venue management and represent M. positively and professionally.
Communications Team: The information highway. The way we find out what is going on. John A. sends out the announcements via the community email/phone database. Miche updates the telephone information line. Gwenda updates and maintains the Eventline website.
Audio Visual Team: Bruce and Dahlia. The unsung heroes that arrive first and leave last. At times Ravi, Mark and Gary (in a pinch) Putting up and taking down all the AV equipment that allows the rest of us come in just in time, plunk our fanny down and enjoy local events where we come together to listen to M.
The Set Up/Take Down Team: Our local "Shining Gem" and "Secret weapon" - Richard. The reason your can see the screen without a big head in your line of vision. Again, part of the invisible but vital "big hearts" that come and go silently but indispensably. "Ask Richard first" .. if you want to help, would be my suggestion.
The Event Manager: For our First Friday Events that would be Mano. Good old, reliable Mano!
Larger "special" events might require the help of Vancouver's pivotal couple, Don and Jean and others, at times. To date, the event manager on a local level, is also responsible for drumming up necessary "staff" such as ushers and registration and get commitments to attend from the AV, Materials and the Keys team.
Finances: That would be Don and he needs help. Help may have come forward during yestarday's meeting but it might be premature to say so with certainty. The Finance person needs to have very specific skills sets, with a clear mind, no nonsense, reliable attitude. Does that sound like some one you know? That person is responsible for receiving money from sales, event registrations, contributions and redirecting it to paying bills locally and nationally and keeping the accounts. This service "oils" the engine and keeps the community wheels turning.
The SAM - Service Area Manager - The latest addition to what M. envisions as the way to facilitate service opportunities and ensure the quality of the service experience. This is a new and evolving service. Locally, Udo is a SAM.
THE BRIDGE BETWEEN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL
But there is more .... What is the line of communication between Maharaji's evolving priorities and movements in the world and the local community. Who takes responsability to make sure we are synched up on the ground locally with what is happening internationally? So far, because of their involvement in international teams and their sense of responsability and commitment to M.'s work, we have relied heavily on Don and Jean.
At yesterday's meeting an area of need was identified. Locally we need a small, managable team of committed individuals, willing to work together to be in synch with M.'s ever evolving priorities and to be ready to act as conduits passing information around nationally/international and locally, keeping things cohesive. It was identified that it did not really matter what service the individuals were doing. It mattered more that the individuals are committed to making themselves available to respond to the emerging needs, to communicate and work from a place of willingness and clarity.
.... and that is just the local team, on an ongoing basis.
THE SERVICE POOL FOR LARGE EVENTS
What about the service opportunities that arise when M. comes to town and an event is announced? ..... Who does the work "on the ground"?
The international, trained, committed coordinators exist and fly into town when an event is announced. They know the standards and timeframes that need to be met. They have the experiences of perhaps many national and international events under their belt but their role is one of coordiantor and supervisor. The volunteers to carryout the roles come from the local community.
The Event Manager (Don) is the first to be advised if M decides to come to town. He would then alert the local Team Leaders. Think of the role of the Event Manager as that of a router -communicating the needs clearly and effectively to the appropriate Team Leaders. The Team Leaders however, might need volunteers to come onboard and rather than scramble and compete for willing volunteers they can call on the HR person.
The Human Resources person. This person can be contacted by the Event Manager, by Team leaders and by International Managers to identify and locate willing volunteers to fill service positions during large event.
This role would be an ongoing one in the community Ultimately and ideally it appears it would be satisfied by the work accomplished by the SAM but we are not there as yet.
In the interim and in the event that M. comes to town, two people have volunteered to share the role of HR, working with the SAM - Susan and Cecile. They will have the task of contacting memebers of the community, surverying and logging who would like to do what and creating a service pool database that can be called upon quickly and efficiently to fill and preform the necessary roles that are critical for pulling of a wonderful, smooth event together.
This is what we learnt and identified at yesterday's meeting.
Heads Up! You will be hearing from Cecile amd I in the near future. So think about what you
will be willing and able to do if M. comes to town.
In this photo Joseph is taking the picture
Susan
