IRF Newsletter / Forward Together

March 2001

Editorial

For all those who wondered if IRF is still existent at all - it is!

There was a small conference in Germany in summer 1999 and we decided that we did not want to let IRF die. We even managed to set up an EC!

And this EC even did some work - so please have a look at the suggestions for constitutional changes to be discussed at the GM this Summer.

So the following pages give you the results of our discussions, some reports of the times when not much was heard of IRF, as well as an outlook on future activities, mainly the Conference in Switzerland 2001.

As the address management wasn't very accurate in the last years we would like to ask everyone to read the treasurer's letter - thank you in advance for your replies!

All that's left for me now is to encourage every single one of you to give a contribution to the next issue with comments, articles, news, ideas etc.

IRFly,

Astrid

Astrid Willer
Im Herstel 10
D-55218 Ingelheim
eMail: astrid.willer@t-online.de

The new EC

President: Richard O'Brien Great Britain

1st Vice President:Margit Bencze Hungary

2nd Vice President:Louise Smith Great Britain

Secretary:Astrid Willer Germany

Treasurer:Stini Niederer Switzerland

The EC met in September 2000 in Hungary and had a New Year's Meeting in Switzerland 2000/2001

IRF Conference 1998 in England

A report written by Melanie Hofmann

Last summer (1998, Editor's note) IRF took place in South England with the theme "My body is a temple".

When we arrived in London, I felt quite left alone, as I didn't know most of the people. But I got to know them quickly, they were all open and funny. I got on well with all of them. It was good that the group, where only parts of had known each other before, found itself so fast.

During Conference week we were accommodated near Bristol. Around the house were just wide fields. Beautiful, just how one images England. We didn't miss a town, e.g. for shopping, as there was a lot of program during the first week.

The only things that were left to do on Saturday evening was the welcome ceremony, where the president and a representative of the country, in which the conference is taking place, welcome the participants, and the flag-rising.

During flag-rising, all persons coming from the same country sing a typical song of their home (the German song of that year was e.g. "Die Gedanken sind frei") and hang the flag on a line. After that we did the usual "getting-to-know-each-other-games".

Sunday started with theme sessions. That was interesting and was a lot of fun, as it was not just lectures but as well practical.

We massaged each other's backs, necks and the reflex zones at the feet, meditated, went for walk, which was really funny as we lost our way, did some crafting, watched a movie and a lot more.

We had a Day Out to a paper factory, visited two towns and a church an climbed a little mountain. In the evening we had a barbecue and the auction, where the little gifts from the countries of each person were put to auction. Friday evening was especially funny, as the Stunt Night happened then. At the stunt night, special happenings, funny situations or other events of the past week are shown as sketches.

Saturday, we had to say goodbye to some of the people, as they had only stayed for the first week and now went home.

During the second week there was no more theme. We drove in mini busses from town to town. In each town, we stayed overnight in Unitarian churches, which are still quite Christian in England. In the last days it became really hot again, so we could go swimming in the sea. Before that, we had all the time bad, rainy just English weather. We even had to by jumpers.

We visited towns, went shopping, went swimming and threw ourselves into the wild English nightlife (pubs!).

The biggest towns we visited were Plymouth, Southampton and of course the last two days London. The last evening we had a great party. It was a lot of fun. Saturday the big, sad goodbye started. I was really sorry that the two weeks were already over. I really could have stayed some weeks longer.

Future of IRF - Brainstorming and Commission results of the 1999 conference

What does IRF mean to me?

• my family
  

• a place of comfort (ness)
  
• meet and make friends
  
• group experience
  
• connection to young liberal people
  
• support, healing experience
  
• living history
  
• meet people with different backgrounds and similar values
  
• similar to group at home, but smaller and less superficial
  
• part of my life
  
• "spirit of IRF" carries on to daily life
  
• part of personal development
  
• a complete positive peaceful accepting feeling

What is IRF today?

• at the edge of vanishing
  

• depending on active people in official positions
  
• a nice way to spend a summer vacation
  
• a group of people interested in acceptance and religious freedom
  
• a chance to see a place you otherwise wouldn't go to
  
• a chance to see a country through the eyes of the people living there
  
• a couple of people hanging on to something dying
  
• a relict of the past
  
• a dream
  
• a small international group carrying memories, hurt and without support

What could IRF be like?

What could IRF be for?

• based on regional friends of IRF groups
  

• international, interfaith, intercultural
  
• actively inviting people of countries with recent militant conflicts
  
• more religious diversity, also outside "Christianity"
  
• clear purposes - refocus
  
• open for everyone interested in
  
• no strict age limit

What should IRF be?

• more people joining / bigger group
  

• a place of acceptance
  
• progression for people growing out of their regional youth groups
  
• a place of experiencing harmony as basis for peaceful behaviour
  
• an attractive place for young people of today (what do we want to offer?)

Suggestions of the EC for Constitutional Changes to be discussed and voted for at the next GM

Current version

3. Activities

a) By holding an annual conference in the countries of the Member Groups in turn.

b) By publishing a magazine at least twice a year.

6. The Executive Committee (EC)

f) At meetings of the Executive Committee four shall constitute a quorum.

8. Election and voting

f) Members of a Member Group and Individual Members who are not delegates are urged to take part in discussions at the General Meeting, but should not have the power to vote.

10. Procedure

e)... They may also be proposed by a member of a Member Group or an Individual Member and then must be seconded by a delegate.

Suggested version

3. Activities

a) By aiming to hold an annual conference in the countries of the Members according to § 4

b) By publishing a newsletter and / or a magazine at least once a year.

6. The Executive Committee (EC)

f) At meetings of the EC two thirds of the elected EC should constitute a quorum.

8. Election and voting

f) Participants of the conference who are not carrying a vote are urged to take part in discussions at the GM.

10. Procedure

e) ... They may also be proposed by a member of a Member Group or an Individual Member and then must be seconded by an appointed delegate or IM.