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>> AVP - International Coordinating Committee

Within the 2008 International Gathering in Kakamega, many of us worked hard to figure out what should be the face and structure of AVP International to respond to needs in today's often violent world.

To insure that all voices were heard, we held a plenary session where all delegates chose a group that identified with their concern and vision for such an organization. These discussions fed into our working sessions, which were open to everyone. We worked hard to balance the needs of simplicity, effective communication and coordination, flat structure and limited resources. On the final day of the conference we met again in a plenary session to present an emerging structure and invited delegates to share their ideas and concerns and participate in the work ahead.

This letter is to share with the wider AVP community what was achieved, and to invite those not present at the gathering also to participate in the visioning and in the tasks ahead. The committees are open to all of you who have the time and commitment to share your vision and wisdom with us. We have temporary conveners in place for each committee, but the clerks and co clerks for each committee will be decided when the committees meet for the first time.

Below is a summary of the key points developed at, and endorsed by, the conference (see also the full PowerPoint presentation).

Please e-mail the convener of the committee you are interested in participating in (may be more than one). Include any areas of particular interest to you, and whether you are willing to hold particular responsibility (Clerk, co-clerk, Treasurer etc.)

Vision

A nonviolent society where we all live in peace and dignity

Mission

Gather and provide resources and services for the AVP community to reach and sustain our full potential for peace and nonviolence worldwide

Goals

• Mutual mentoring and support
• Communication
• Training and localised training materials
• Quality assurance
• Funding
• New initiatives
• Ensure sustainability

Coordinating Committee

Convener: John Michaelis (AVP Australia/USA)
Co-convener: John Shuford
Comprises: chairperson, vice chair, treasurer, secretary plus clerks or co-clerks from each committee and the legal task force and a representative for “other” concerns

Goals

• Focus on the vision and mission of AVP International
• Coordinate and share information between committees
• Strategic planning
• Manage networking and partnering with organisations with similar objectives
• Establish and maintain links with organisations that share similar objectives
• Global new initiatives
• Initiate and support geographical and other new ventures and maintain strategic partnerships
• Provide accountability and support for the work of the member committees

Financial Resource Committee

Convener: Deb Woods (AVP USA)

Purpose

• Assist regions and local groups to become financially stable and independent
• Raise funds necessary to support the activities of the international AVP structure

Goals

• Formulate financial procedures and policies as guidance to AVP worldwide
• Hold and manage AVP international funds
• Mentor regions and local groups in the areas of financial accountability and creative ways to finance their programs
• Develop and disseminate sources of funding for local and regional groups
• Provide cash advance for the initial expenses for gatherings and to supplement local, regional and international scholarships for gatherings

Education Committee

Co-conveners: Heidi Pidcoke, Katherine Smith (AVP Australia)

Purpose

• Provide education and resources for AVP training worldwide

Goals

• Advise on quality assurance in creation of new programs and manuals
• Gather and share manuals and best practices from around the world
• Enable the exchange of facilitators across regions and countries for training and cross pollination

Information Committee

Co-clerks: Anand Madhvani (AVP Britain/Kenya) and Deborah Bromiley (AVP USA)

Mission

The mission of the Information Committee is to improve AVP communications, internally and externally, enabling programs to be more effective and to convey the powerful nature of our work in the lives of people everywhere.

Purpose

• Present a strong professional public face for AVP
• Enable internal communications

Goals

• Improve and maintain website
• Facilitate internal communications
• Develop worldwide media presence
• Support fundraising

Regional Committee

Purpose

• Catalyze the formation of regions
• Provide regional support
• Promote cross fertilisation within regions
• Provide support for AVP in new countries
• Assist in facilitation of regional conferences
• Manage networking & partnering regionally with organisations that have similar objectives

Goals

International Gathering Committee

Purpose

• To work with host countries to plan and implement IGs
• Repository for international learning
• Ideal if member can serve for three conference terms
• To determine future locations for IGs – consider 3 IGs ahead

Goals

• Partner with host country to plan and implement IG including:
• Site contract, finance, programming, publicity, logistics, feedback
• To develop policies and procedures for the committee
• Create a handbook for planning and implementation an IG

Criteria to select future locations for International Gatherings

• Variety (avoid successive IGs in the same region)
• Visas to be easily available for delegates from developing countries and formerly incarcerated persons
• Capacity and stability
• Cost
• Venue
• Transportation
• Benefit to host
• Benefit for delegates
• Marketability of host
• Impact of the conference and the transportation on the environment

Legal Structure Task Force

This will be appointed by the Coordinating Committee

Goals

• Task force to create legal entity for fundraising
• Assist in other legal issues

(See original PowerPoint presentation endorsed by the conference.)

Please consider what part you would be willing to play as we move ahead.

John Michaelis, AVP Australia/USA - October 2008

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