Peter
May 7, 2003
Children and Parenting
Church Growth and Outreach
Family Education Department
CM/FM 12/02
An Overview of the Boards
By Peter
1. As we all know, one of the major events of 2002 was the implementation of the board vision. In March 2002, the boards were launched, and throughout the year they worked to fulfill their commission to help the Family at every level. It's been an amazing year of progress, with much more assistance given to the Homes than ever before. While there have been a few problems here and there, on the whole the boards are doing what they are supposed to be doing—serving you, our precious Family!
2. Mama and I are so thankful for you board members. Thank you for your sacrifice to serve your fellow Family members. We know that it costs you a lot. It costs your personal time, time with your children and mate, and time helping your own Home. You are laying down your lives for the brethren, and the fruits of your love are being seen through the help you are giving the Homes. So much progress has been made worldwide since the boards were launched. Mama and I, as well as the COs, are thrilled with all that's happening!
3. We thought you might be interested in hearing a bit about the makeup of the boards. There are 165 national boards, 72 regional boards, and six international boards, totaling 243 functioning boards. All boards exist on a national, regional, and international level, except for the PR board, which functions only at the regional and international levels (though some areas have a few national PR boards).
4. Each continental area was divided into regional areas and each regional area into national areas.
*ASCRO has three regional divisions—India, SEA, and the Mideast, with nine national divisions, three in each region.
*EURCRO also has three regional divisions, covering Africa, EastEurAsia, and Western Europe, with eight national divisions, three in both Africa and EastEurAsia‚ and two in Western Europe.
*NACRO has one regional division, covering the US and Canada‚ with four national divisions covering the Northeast, Southeast, West‚ and Central USA.
*PACRO has two regional divisions‚ one covering Australia/Taiwan/China, and the other one covering Japan and Korea, with five national divisions—three for the Australia/Taiwan/China region, and two in Japan.
*SACRO is divided into three regions—Brazil, Mexico and Central America‚ and Spanish South America, with seven national divisions—two in Brazil, two in Spanish South America‚ and three in Mexico/CA.
5. Presently there are 1,007 board positions filled by approximately 770 Family members (ages 18 and up), which means that 20% of eligible Family adults are on a board. This 20% helps to carry the load that our COs and VSs, who made up only 3.6% of the Family, have carried in the past. So as you can see, the load has been spread out to many more shoulders and thus much more is able to get done.
*The national boards are made up of 40% men and 60% women. 76% are FGAs and 24% are SGAs.
*The regional boards are made up of 44% men and 56% women. 78% are FGAs and 22% are SGAs.
*The international boards are made up of 43% men and 57% women. 72% are FGAs and 28% are SGAs.
6. As you can see, the total board makeup is approximately 75% FGA and 25% SGA. 22% of eligible FGAs are board members, as are 14% of eligible SGAs (18 and over).
7. We want to share with you some of what our national and regional boards have been doing since the board launch in March 2002. Their reports cover an eight–month period, from March 2002–October 2002. These reports hit the highlights; they're by no means comprehensive. Due to space factors, we've had to cut these reports way down. However, we will be posting the overflow on the MO site, where you can read more details of what the boards have been doing to serve you. We're not listing the names of each board member, as that would take a great deal of space, but please know that the Lord, we, and those you are serving know your names and appreciate your every labor of love!
8. It's been phenomenal to see what you, the collective Family body, have accomplished through the board vision in such a short amount of time. You board members have put a great deal of work into holding meetings and organizing various activities, but without everyone's cooperation, none of these projects, seminars, camps‚ etc., could have happened. Our hats are off to all of you. This has been a great start, and we expect to see even greater things in this year ahead!
CHILDREN AND PARENTING PILLAR
AFRICA
Compiled by Lisa, regional CP chairperson
We have been very touched to see the CP board members' understanding and desire to help the Homes, in putting themselves in others' shoes and wanting to make it easy for them to be good. They have taken initiative and gone the extra mile with the personal touch, raising the standard of childcare shepherding in helping inspire and remind all to follow the Charter requirements for their children, as well as getting personally involved in camps and initiatives to get to know the children better and be a part of the mentoring and training of our young disciples.
Southern Africa national board
In Southern Africa, Joanna, Lynne and Meekness have been faithfully communicating with the Homes via messages and newsletters, and taking the time to receive prophecies for specific needs and situations that arise with the children and parents.
East Africa national board
The East Africa CP team of Lily, Andrew, Hannah and Natacha held an OC/MC camp in Kenya.
West Africa national board
The main victory so far has been getting our board up and running. That may sound like a small victory, but taking into account the great distances between Homes and the difficulties with communication, travel expenses, and vast differences between the countries that we have Homes in—French, English, and Arabic-speaking—it has been a challenge to keep up.
We've sent out three mailings, which included activity pages for kids, Charter requirement charts for kids‚ fun projects, new flannelgraphs, new Heaven's Library stories, and much more. We've sent many kilos of schoolbooks‚ posters‚ CDs and other educational materials ordered by the Homes.
We've linked up all the families with someone on the board to personally communicate with, enabling us to see their needs, difficulties, victories, and most of all work together with the teachers and families to find‚ work on, and pray down solutions.
One of our major goals and victories for the WA CP board has been to get all the Homes in our area prepared for future persecution and to raise the standard on the CP front‚ both spiritually and educationally, in sending out the Charter requirements for children.
BRAZIL
Compiled by Victoria, regional CP chairperson
Our first regional meeting was held in October. Prior to that we were working toward getting the national boards functional.
We focused on the need for providing the Homes with materials in the local language for both parents and kids. To meet this need the Lord led us to work toward putting up a Web site on which we could post materials that the Homes can download.
We also worked on a great deal of material for a parenting seminar that we held in São Paulo, then Rio‚ and the south of Brazil.
São Paulo/south national board
Kids pubs in the local language: Our first board meeting focus was "Feeding the Sheep" [our kids] in the local language. The Junior Daily Breads 1-9 are translated, so we compiled and sent out an index for the Junior Daily Breads for the Portuguese–speaking parents. We also sent out a list of suggested paragraphs for OCs to read from recent GN series, with accompanying activity sheets.
From July to September we focused more on activities with parents, and kids of all ages joined in with the fun and games.
We held biweekly activities with the OCs in the São Paulo area, which ended in October. It was a six-week program where the kids were given homework assignments, weekly memory projects, and the parents had to grade them on their behavior during those six weeks. They also were given goals for soul winning and hearing from the Lord daily. (This material can be found on the MO site.)
In the São Paulo area, the national board held a one-day parenting seminar for young parents. The seminar covered topics such as discipline, manners, early training, and the overall vision for childcare. We put out a display of all the pubs on childcare as well as printouts of some of the material that is available on the MO site.
We met with the board members in the south to plan and organize OC camps and parents' meetings for the coming months.
Rio/north national board
Our area is vast, covering Rio and the north of Brazil, where the Homes are quite spread out. We are praying for solutions on how to better cover the northern area. While the activities have been focused in the Rio area, we are working on a number of Word projects that we can pass on to the Homes in the north and are seeing how we can adapt programs for this area.
In August we held a one–day parent meeting for the Rio area, in which we were able to get to know each other. This time allowed us to hear from the parents about what things we could help with. We started our area "Baby Closet" for PG items, baby clothes and materials, allowing moms to borrow needed clothing, etc.
In October we held a seminar for parents in conjunction with the FED board: "Parenting and Training of Our Children," using material compiled from an assortment of publications. At this meeting we distributed a Christmas tree stats chart to the Homes so they could keep track of the children's witnessing, and we made one big tree for the Rio area on which we will visualize the collective witnessing efforts of the kids in the area.
Another initiative was an excursion to our city's zoo for parents and children, providing them with free Christmas tracts for distribution.
We have focused on Word material for parents and have translated two months of kids vitamins into Portuguese. We offered the CP Index and Movie List to the Homes, which we downloaded from the MO site, and are also working on "Family Time Spicers."
Each member of the board is responsible to have prayer vigil for certain Homes in our area and to keep in touch with those Homes, offering help, counsel, and prayer.
EASTEURASIA
Compiled by Sherah, regional CP chairperson
AMBER national board
(Note: AMBER represents the national Area including Moldova, Balkans East [Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo], and Romania.)
*An OC/MC e-mail club was launched and we have sent out six mailings to all our MCs and OCs. We started this club by requesting that each one send in a photo and some personal info so we could all get to know each other—an avenue to keep in touch with our MC/OCs.
*Held an OC/MC camp for a total of 13 children for six days—four days of actual activity.
*We divided responsibilities amongst our board according to the children's age groups. This way when anything comes in related to these areas, we send that file to those overseeing it.
*We've sent out a survey and newsletters informing the Homes of the projects of our board. We've also sent out a number of advisories containing witnessing checklists for kids, recovery from sickness checklist, safety and health tips, etc.
*Started a "baby needs bank"—a place where all the PG or newborn/infant-related clothing, furnishings, and toys can be collected and then redistributed for new mommies to use.
*Together with the FED board we hosted a four-day childcare seminar for our area. A total of 36 people attended. In preparation for this meeting we sent out surveys to establish what topics most needed to be covered. The FED board shared Word compilations on the advantages and superiority of Family education with a FED exhibit; held a small workshop on the CVC, record-keeping and portfolios, and a show-and-tell time where parents could demonstrate their personal methods of record-keeping, family albums, Word curriculum logs, etc.
B2B national board
(Note: B2B represents the national area which includes Austria‚ Bosnia, Croatia, Czech‚ Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.)
*During August we held a four–day MC/OC camp in Hungary—"The Heavenly Keys Camp"—for kids from three countries. Sixteen children (ages 6–11) attended. The main theme was the importance of the Word‚ witnessing‚ and the keys. Members from the B2B FED and CGO boards helped with various aspects of the camp, which was a good testimony of boards and Homes working closely together.
*We've begun a witnessing bulletin for our MC/OCs, called "Kids Word Club." We've divided each of our families between our board members to help establish a personal link with them, and have established a prayer chain within our board for our kids and parents.
NEAT national board
(Note: NEAT is an acronym for the Northern EurAsian Territories, which includes Byelorussia, Kazakhstan‚ Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.)
*Same initiatives as the above board. We've also sent out newsletters regarding our board projects.
*We started a birthday card project of sending an e-card to each child on his or her birthday, with a special message from Jesus.
*We put together a recommended Russian movie/cartoon list (with help from parents) so they will have access to good local kids movies and cartoons, as it's difficult in these fields to find the recommended titles printed in the Grapevine.
INDIA
Compiled by Dove‚ regional CP chairperson
India regional board
*We had our regional board meeting in November.
*Attended the north national board meetings in April.
*Attended the south national board meetings in March.
North India national board
*We held three board meetings.
*We held an ACM (action committee meeting) for the city in May (the other cities in the north held similar ones).
*We compiled a Word study on united discipline standard, as well as on kids' sample and manners, and sent this to all the Homes in the area.
*We had a viewing of parts of the VCD of Mama and Peter for YCs, MCs, and OCs with snack, games, and a little reading on Mama (September).
*Had a painting competition for MCs and OCs (October).
*We had a banquet for YCs, MCs, and OCs, with a Word class on manners and courtesy, followed by dinner and games.
Central India national board
*Have held three board meetings. All of us board members are the main CC workers in our respective Homes and thus, like most of our dedicated Family moms, are mostly involved in the important job of caring for the children.
*We arrange Mom Fellowships and/or meetings for the moms in our area, where they can have some time off from CC and enjoy a little break‚ fellowshipping with others who share the same ministry. This has helped us to pray for one another more and share tips and lessons together. If we have not been able to see each other, we have made an effort to at least phone each other just to stay in touch.
*In the Bombay area there have been a couple of OC/MC fellowships‚ organized by Shayna and Tanya together with different Homes in the area, featuring exciting activities such as rock climbing, bumper car rides‚ etc. The day was topped off with a showing of the last segment of Mama and Peter's video.
*We sent out a letter of introduction of the Central CP board to the Homes which focused on the study month and persecution prep. We've also shared tips and testimonies from different ones in our area, as well as a CP prayer request section. We also sent out a Word compilation on intercessory prayer for our children!
*Other local productions shared with the Homes have been some easy-to-read praise kisses for YC/MCs and prophecy vitamins (44 individual prophecies) for younger kids. These are tailor–made prophecies on topics close to their hearts and lives, to help the younger children get inspired about hearing from Heaven for themselves.
South India national board
*Sent in 10 articles for Kidz Biz, 4 articles for Kidland, 1 article for Eve.
*Compiled a listing of all the children in the south national area for the members of our board, so that we can be praying for and seeing what the needs of the various age groups are.
*Have been sending out regular messages to the Homes, covering goals and plans for the upcoming months as well as soliciting input from them for articles‚ prayer requests, etc.
*Sent out prophecies for mommies on the field.
*Have received feedback from six Homes‚ updating us on their area‚ what they are doing, their needs, etc.
*We were able to visit three Homes in Madras and one Home in Bangalore. It was a blessing to be able to meet some of these parents and children for the first time and others for the first time in quite a while.
*Sent out five Word compilations on the topics of: The Importance of Praying for Our Children, Appreciation for Our Teachers‚ Having More Faith for Our Children, Being a Sample to Our Children, Persecution Prep and Witnessing.
*We put together a reading list for children, similar in nature to the one in the Grapevine for the children's study month. The topics were: Wisdom and Wise Speech, Witnessing and Christmas.
*We held 3 ACMs in Bangalore.
*Madras held an OC day camp in April.
*A YC/MC camp was held in Vizag and Hyderabad, and one in Bangalore.
*We had an inspiring OC camp for the south national area of India, with 32 OCs in attendance. We made a 79-page booklet containing all the compiled class notes and song sheets. Each of the 32 OCs, as well as two others who were unable to attend due to sickness, received one. For a keepsake we gave silver pendants of a key to each one.
*We started working with eight teens and young people in Bangalore to obtain credits under the Childcare CVC training program. We meet every 4-6 weeks for tests, video clippings, reading, touching base, etc.
JAPAN AND KOREA
Compiled by Phoenix, regional CP chairperson
At our first regional board meeting in October we decided on a few projects to implement, such as sending out the Word quiz (taken from GV #141: "Study month reading suggestions for children") to all the OCs/MCs in our region. We also participated in four national CP board meetings.
East Japan national board, by Alisa
*Held two national board meetings.
*In May we sent a survey to the Homes in order to better understand their needs and makeup. We also tallied up how many kids we have in each age group.
*In August, we had a flannelgraph-making "workshop." Thanks to the help of seven OCs and JETTs, we were able to assemble 110 sets of color flannelgraphs for about 12 Homes that had ordered them. This was a big blessing, especially for moms and teachers who are just too busy to find the time to color/cut/glue and work on all of this themselves.
*In September we held a five–day OC camp for the OCs from CM Homes in the East Japan area. There were a total of 54 OCs in attendance and about 20 staff members. The OCs were able to be fed power–packed Word studies on the following topics: The Family's history and their heritage‚ the new weapons, the keys, and witnessing. Each class was full of skits, videos, songs and games‚ keeping it lively, fun, and easy to digest. We sent the Homes a Word study for the OCs, to follow up on the classes they had at the camp.
West Japan national board, by Phoebe
*We held three national board meetings.
*We sent a questionnaire to survey the Homes.
*One of our board members, Rejoice, made a Japanese health card for the Homes to use.
*We have sent our first National Board News to the Homes, which include teaching tips and witnessing testimonies.
MEXICO/CENTRAL AMERICA
Compiled by Margie, regional CP chairperson
We held a fruitful regional board meeting, with some representatives from the FED boards in attendance, shortly after Mama and Peter's videos were shown. We discussed how to follow up on the message and challenge of these videos, prepare for persecution, raise the scholastic level, and the general care of our children.
North Mexico
national board
*Three local newsletters have been sent out.
*Organized meetings/workshops in Monterrey to share the different attractions on the MO site, and encouraged dads to write in and share their ideas. Focused on pumping ideas for kids' devotions and tips and suggestions for family activity time. Encouraged the Homes to write in for any specific prayer requests.
*In light of the videos from Mama and Peter‚ we have been tuning in to the kids' school and record–keeping, as well as their happiness and fruitfulness. Our FED team put together a very helpful checklist based on the Charter requirements, to use in our visitation.
*Beginning to conduct diagnostic tests on the children of our area, in cooperation with the Homes.
*Held a CVC workshop for all the Homes in North Mexico that could attend. Sara D. came to help host it. Our board introduced ourselves to all the Home representatives and received input.
South Mexico national board
Held several workshops for the southeast and southwest areas, which gave us an opportunity to have a personal connect with the parents‚ find out what they wanted our help with, and plan area initiatives. The results of these workshops were:
*Held a one-day MC activity day; we plan to organize these regularly.
*Held two OC camps, one for the east and one for the west. Many talented folks rose to the occasion to make these camps feeding for the kids. With the help of our FED board, we used one day of the camp to give all the OCs a placement test‚ which helped us evaluate their scholastic level and needs.
*Initiated a quarterly bulletin containing tips and ideas with the parents, teachers, and childcare workers in our area. In our first bulletin we invited the Homes to join in on a monthly children's witnessing day.
*A push on memory work, gathering information about the needs of our area and a special call for intercessory prayer for our childcare workers and teachers.
*"The Family Day Activity Guide"—a tool prepared to list fun, tried and proven family day activities and local places to go, with particulars such as location, price, ages that can participate and so on.
MIDDLE EAST
Compiled by Serena, regional CP chairperson
At our regional board meeting in October, we discussed how to make Word time come alive for the (older) children, how to more fully involve the children in our discipleship lifestyle, how to make CC the "in" thing in our Homes, how to avoid "burnout" among CC people and teachers, how to strengthen the children's knowledge in our Family foundation, and how to implement the latest New Wine in our Homes and areas.
*Our regional board has sent out bimonthly kids newsletters, sort of like a localized Kidz Biz. We are working on making a memory club with certificates and badges.
*Visited Pakistan in June of this year, meeting the children, JETTs, teens and parents, most for the first time. God bless each of the families there who have been faithful missionaries on a very difficult, yet very fruitful field. They have borne good fruit in their excellent care and scholastic input of their children, and teaching their children and young people to pour out and witness.
ME national board, by Sara P.
*Our first initiative was putting together information to teach the children how we witness here in Muslim fields. It took us about four months to compile this into an information pack. We made a nice folder and gave one to each Home. We included two kids' tracts adapted to this field that they can give to other kids their age. We included a "Motivational Chart" for witnessing, something new that would inspire the kids and help them to see that for all the little things they do to witness—such as writing a thank-you letter or quoting a poem, etc.—they would go up the chart.
*We took to the Lord the subject of MC/OC Word and discipleship training. We sent out a few Word classes each month to the Homes, compiled by Amos O'Test and others who have good Bible classes.
*Appreciation for kids and all that they do.
*General prayer request forum for children who need prayer. Sent out prayer lists for the children to the adults in each Home in our area.
*Began a kids' newsletter called "Kidz Middle East Newz" to circulate their news, drawings, poems, spirit stories, etc.—for kids by kids.
*Our kids activity committee team came up with a wonderful plan for the area's kids. A hotel was provisioned once each for the younger children and once for the older children, where the kids could swim in the pool, play by the sea, have lunch, rest, etc. Several outings were planned for the children.
Pakistan national board‚ by Heidi
The greatest victory for our area was to have our board meetings, as it was the first time that many of us had seen each other in years; in fact, since the Charter. We all live in cities very far from each other.
We were able to "shorten the cord" between the children and JETTs, with one of the JETT girls‚ Joyanne, sending out an inspiring local Kidz Biz newsletter to the children and JETTs in the area. The newsletter covers witnessing and CTP activities.
NORTH AMERICA
Compiled by Harmony, regional CP chairperson
On a regional level some of our biggest accomplishments and victories for the year were:
*Completed the coloring of Family Word games for kids (thanks to one of the faithful young people in our Home). We also plan to color the new flannelgraphs and childcare–related materials sent out from WS each month. Our goal is to be able to offer one new item per month.
*In the Western US a Family dress-up party was held.
*Held our first OC activity for the Western US with OC fellowship, witnessing, inspiration, and Word class. Another activity—a fishing trip—was planned for OCs and parents.
*A major accomplishment from the NA central CP board was the creation of a children's Web site where the kids can get online and have inspiring and fun-filled activities that are Word-related and Family–oriented. There are some of the latest kids pubs to be read online, Word games to be downloaded‚ testimonies from other kids their age, postings of prophecies received, questions to answer‚ and fun fellowship through postings to other kids.
*We sent out a questionnaire that enabled us to hear from the Homes and be able to help those who had specific needs and questions.
*We were able to visit many of the Homes in the central area‚ where we started having mom meetings to pray for the kids and plan activities for the younger children. We planned a bimonthly Sunday school-type activity—inspiration followed by a Word-based activity—for each age group.
PACIFIC (ACTON)
Compiled by Hannah, regional CP chairperson
Survey
At the onset of the boards we sent out a survey to find out more about the needs of the children and their age groups, and to gain a better understanding of what is the biggest need in each situation.
National and regional meetings
Three national meetings were held in each national board.
We also held our first regional meeting‚ during which we got to know each other and shared lessons together.
Children's camps
We hosted two children's camps in Australia and Taiwan. These were very inspiring for both the parents and the kids. Since the Charter most of the kids have been living only with their parents and they hardly knew the other kids in the area. Now they have made new friends and have started to write each other and share testimonies.
Activities for children
The board in Taiwan was able to put together some regular activity for the kids in each city.
In Australia the board has also kept up some type of activity for the kids in each city.
Local newsletters
Each area has their own newsletter or bulletin which keeps their Homes abreast of what's going on in their particular area. China has a newsletter for the kids, and also one for the parents—to share tips and ideas to inspire each other to keep going in their difficult situation, so that the parents don't feel they are alone, with the great need for fellowship in their field.
The China team recently put together a quiz for the kids to go along with the study month reading list.
Parenting meetings and training
The Australian board hosted two parenting meetings for their areas and was able to share much-needed encouragement, tips, and prayer with each other.
The China board worked on various projects for their area, such as: medical info pack, childbirth info pack, putting kids' materials onto CD, kids' activity sheets, KICK ("Kids In China," a newsletter for kids in China which included an activity sheet for the season, history of the country, language learning), etc.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Compiled by Sarah Ireland, regional CP chairperson
The national boards held a total of 10 board meetings—four in the PI, three in Indonesia, three in Thailand.
All three national boards have held seminars. In Indonesia they held a two-day seminar on early learning, with a show and tell and sample Home set-up to help everyone to get the vision for teaching very young children.
Thailand held a joint seminar with the FED board. The theme was "How to Give Inspiring Word Classes." The seminar was videoed and the VCD made available to the Homes. A pack was put together and made available to each Home, along with some classes, Word games, prophecy classes, etc.
In September 2002 we had our first CP/FED seminar in Manila, Philippines. The seminar was attended by about 35 moms, YAs, SGAs, and dads too. The first day was CP-related, covering how to feed the Word to our children, as well as discipline. A pack was put together with charts‚ helpful classes‚ and a CD with a lot of information, including the past seminars that the FED has given.
*A two–day MC/OC camp was held in Indonesia, attended by the 10 MC/OC children there.
*The Thai and PI boards have sent out newsletters every two months. All the boards have sent out Christmas activity sheets to the Homes via e-mail. (Posted on the MO site CC/FED section.)
*The Thai and Indonesia boards sent out a questionnaire to the Homes to find out the needs and areas to help the Homes in.
*In Indonesia‚ after the Early Learning Seminar, educational materials and teaching aids consisting of workbooks, activity books, etc., were duplicated for the parents and teachers. Educational felt materials were purchased from the States for the parents, for teaching the Bible and other topics.
*The Lord showed the Thai board that they needed to be a board of prayer and encouragement, and to focus on praying for the Homes and their children.
*We discussed making a major push to speak Thai in the Homes. We have been working on persecution prep, and together with the FED board we've emphasized the need to stay on top of the children's school records‚ keeping up their portfolios, dental and eye check-ups, and learning the local language, especially for the national children and the children born in the country.
SPANISH SOUTH AMERICA
Compiled by Leila, regional CP chairperson
It's thrilling to have the boards up and running! The national boards have been very dedicated.
*The ABCP area (Argentina‚ Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru) held monthly OC activities‚ generally involving a special Word class, a picnic lunch, and fun sports or game playing.
*Meetings have been held for young mothers on early learning.
*The board in Colombia has been faithfully sending out bulletins to the Homes which are aimed toward the children, including prayer requests for the children in their area. They have been able to e-mail a birthday card to all the children, and have organized special activity days and fun birthday parties by age groups.
*The national boards have held seminars and meetings with the Homes, CC teamworkers, and parents.
WEST EUROPE
Compiled by Kitty, regional CP chairperson
Southwest Europe national board,
by Sara
We held three board meetings and we communicated via e-mail regularly, sharing our ideas and concerns, and also sharing about any contact we have with the Homes, either through visits, phone calls, or e-mail.
Three MC camps were organized (in Frankfurt, Germany; Pescara, Italy; Athens, Greece). The Lord worked it out for a board member to be present at each of these camps. We also had meetings with the parents that attended these camps.
As a board, we wanted very much to open up lines of communication with the Homes in our area, and to accomplish this‚ the Lord has helped us to send out newsletters. Some of the issues covered were moms and computers, discipline, camps, the study month, and how our travels are financed.
As a board we decided that our three Homes would put aside (monthly) a certain amount, which, together with the monthly gift the chairperson receives, can cover our travel expenses every three months. Usually two of us have to travel and we meet at the third member's Home, to make it as economical as possible.
Northwest Europe national board,
by Merryheart
The Northwest Europe national board is made up of Merryheart (Ireland), Heidi (France), and Rosy (Denmark). They are all "Queen Mothers"—having a total of 32 children between them!
The main event was the CP area fellowship in England for the north countries at the beginning of October 2002. We organized devotions and some activities for the children, and a CC meeting for whoever was interested.
Earlier in the year we held an Irish fellowship organized by the Kells Home. The kids went swimming and had fun together.
We also sent out a newsletter to the Homes, introducing the board members and encouraging people to send us input.
CHURCH GROWTH AND OUTREACH PILLAR
AFRICA
Compiled by Andrew, regional CGO chairperson
Meetings
The African region is comprised of three national areas—West, East, and Southern Africa. Each area has had quarterly national board meetings, which has resulted in shortening the cord within the national areas and a greater emphasis on Activated, including increased subscriptions, Bible classes‚ and follow–up throughout the region.
We had some fruitful meetings in Johannesburg discussing and praying about the potential of mass marketing in Southern Africa. The meeting was attended by John from Aurora‚ members of the African Production Center‚ members of the southern national area, and regional CGO boards, and resulted in the preparation of proposals to be presented to the Homes in Southern Africa. This meeting was both an education and a leap toward having greater unity between the Homes, and being more efficient and professional tool distributors.
With the Lord's help we have come up with a unified price structure and a proposed structure for the mass marketing of tools throughout Southern Africa. The Homes have been attending more book fairs this year. Better communication and a more united vision have led to more productive promotion of our tools in this area.
Events
Members of the CGO and PR boards met in Johannesburg to coordinate efforts in presenting the Family at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which was held in Johannesburg at the end of August. This led to a mighty witnessing explosion and the Family's message going out to people from around the world!
We produced new tools and the CGO board members were active at the stand, meeting the top, personally witnessing to many, and promoting the Family. There was plenty of hands-on training given by veteran outreachers. It was a good example of the three generations of the Family working together in unity and a big step forward for the Family in Africa. We now have hundreds of people to follow up on. (See GV #142 and 145 for the full testimony.)
The World Summit was also a catalyst in the development of the "Real Hope for the Future" Web site explaining the Family's work throughout Africa.
Newsletters
The southern and eastern areas have been sending out regular CGO newsletters packed with testimonies, tips‚ and photos to promote Activated and outreach pushes and greater unity in the field.
Follow-up and Activated
David, a member of the southern CGO board based in Johannesburg, has been working to create a local correspondence course for the 12 Foundation Stones. The course includes an Endtime PowerPoint display.
(Note: WS will be producing an official 12 Foundation Stones correspondence course for the Family, which will be made available on CD and, God willing, on the Net.)
The East African board has been involved in translating Bible Basics into Swahili.
One of the biggest problems we faced when we started this year was obtaining Activated mags (due to prohibitively high transportation costs). We have written messages and campaigned, and this has been resolved through a commitment from Homes throughout Africa to order a certain number each month. Now the mag of the month program is well and active in Africa! With help and coordination from the production center and the CGO board, Homes throughout Africa have committed themselves to making substantial regular orders of the mag of the month, which is a step in the right direction in feeding the sheep and promoting Activated.
Nationalized literature
The southern CGO board has prayed about the literature needs of the Homes, coming up with suggestions for more Africanized literature and tracts that relate to the needs of our fields. We have a new salvation tract‚ a class on ancestor worship (a major problem in this area), and a special tract for the World Summit called "Real Hope for the Future," which was incredibly popular.
BRAZIL
Compiled by Leila‚ regional CGO chairperson
Seminars and retreats
After a few "get acquainted" sessions in which we took lots of time to hear from the Lord and get to know each other, the São Paulo/southern CGO board launched two major attacks. The first was a series of one-day seminars in Southern Brazil's major cities. These Word-based seminars were designed to bring greater unity to the large follow-up work here. Using the "Conviction vs. Compromise" Letters as the base, the classes covered aspects in which our outreach and follow-up methods were in need of adjustment or change in order to be more effective and powerful. Meetings took place in São Paulo‚ Florianopolis, and Curitiba, and the CM/FM Family were invited. These were a great success and helped to lay the groundwork for the second project our SP/southern board undertook—a full-blown three-day Southern Brazil retreat.
This event, the largest event of its kind ever held in our national area, was a tremendous blessing. Over 280 participants spent three days in united Word study, inspiration, relaxation, and praise time. It was a great victory, as the SP/southern board also included non-board members in the organizing committee, building a bridge between the boards and the brethren and Homes they are serving, creating an atmosphere of trust and unity.
Another new initiative in this event was instituting the policy of only accepting reservations for area retreats from Contato (Activated in Portuguese) subscribers. These retreats have proven to be an excellent way to promote the Activated vision, both to our CM/FM Family as well as to our Active members and sheep. With this new policy we pray we can increase the number of participants in the Contato program. Even though a lot of the sheep and Active members who went to this retreat were already subscribers, many weren't. This policy automatically brought in new subscribers and had several other positive effects:
In the first activity promoted by the national Rio/north CGO board, all witnessers and/or brethren involved in follow-up were invited for a day to fellowship and discuss points related to the shepherding of Active members. Considering that almost all the Homes in the Rio area are active in follow-up and have an Active member flock‚ there are problems they have been facing that are common to all.
In an open forum, they talked about the definition of an Active member; ethics between the shepherds of Active members; new ways to promote Contato amongst our Active members, and how to help them become more active in Contato distribution. One fruit of this meeting was the decision as an area to hold a monthly Contato meeting with the CM/FM homes in Rio to promote the Contato program, share tips and how–tos on selling subscriptions, share testimonies‚ and close with a good time of prayer. Another area decision was to send out an advisory with points agreed upon by the Homes as far as ethics in shepherding the Active members.
During the second semester of the year, CGO board members attended and made contributions to various retreats that took place throughout their national area, such as in Salvador, Brasilia, and Natal‚ apart from local retreats promoted by Homes in the Rio area.
The Rio/north CGO board‚ in conjunction with the PR board, hosted a one-day persecution prep meeting, with representatives from all the boards and members of the Homes in Rio.
EASTEURASIA
Compiled by Christina (for Magda, regional CGO chairperson)
In our region, EastEurAsia, we have close to half a billion people to reach, with 110 Family Homes making a total population of about 800 CM/FM members.—Not to forget our Active members, friends, and supporters who make it possible for this whole region to be reached. Our region is divided into three national areas, with about 30 Homes in each national area. Those national areas are: AMBER, B2B, and NEAT.
As a result of the board structure‚ we've had more people involved in decision-making and praying about the needs of each area. This has helped new projects to be created, camps to be held for live-outs and catacombers, and local initiatives to be kicked off that were impossible or more difficult to organize in past years. Live-out and catacomber training camps were held in the AMBER and NEAT areas. Each area organized some united road trips and witnessing trips.
Here are some highlights from each area:
AMBER national board
*We send regular newsletters to the Homes featuring testimonies and tips, along with an AMBER shiner chart covering tool distribution, witnessing, soul winning, and Activated.
*A local translating committee has been set up to translate and produce more GP tools in Romanian.
*A two-day Activated meeting was held for all the Homes in Romania and Moldova, initiated by the CEAD (Central European Activated Desk), to rekindle the vision for getting Romania activated.
*Our first AMBER Family fellowship was held in June 2002, a joint effort by the VS and CGO boards.
*The CGO board also participated in a camp held by the VS board for teens, focusing on witnessing and getting out with the teens.
*The first Active member camp was held in Albania, promoting Activated and teaching the Active members to be stronger witnesses and disciples. (See GV #145 for the full testimony.)
B2B national board
*Our board has started to hold motivational Activated meetings for the Homes in Hungary. We plan to have them every six to eight weeks. The response has been terrific, with people participating from many Homes. At these meetings we get fresh news from the Activated desk on the progress in production of Activated and other tools and projects. So much benefit is derived from the CGO boards and Activated desks working closely together. (The account of our first meeting is printed in GV #146.)
*The start of another club in Budapest has also been a project of our board. We have the free use of a cozy room in a large teahouse downtown that students and all kinds of people frequent. Every Wednesday we have it from 3-7 pm. We can also witness or send witnessing teams from the teahouse itself.
*Perhaps the most important witnessing highlight of this year here in Hungary was the Pepsi Island Festival. (The full testimony can be found on the MO site at: http://www.familymembers.com/newswire/article.php?nwid=1447)
NEAT national board
*We launched the Activated program in two new languages!
*A big witnessing event in the summer of 2002 was the united effort of a few Homes to witness to 200,000 people who came for a musical festival. One of our teams performed on the main stage, singing songs in the local language.
*An area fellowship was held in September, hosted by the VS and CGO boards, attended by representatives from the CEAD (the Activated desk in Hungary) where we discussed Activated and had a question and answer session.
INDIA
Compiled by Penny (for Cephas, regional CGO chairperson)
Through the implementation of the boards, church growth in the India region has improved considerably. Many Homes in the country now have regular COLs and youth meetings. Generally there has been an increase in the number of follow-up classes given and deeper witnessing. As a result of this, not only are there more Active members, but the quality of these members is higher. As the CGO boards work more closely with the Activated desk, both are able to see how they can help each other to reach and feed the sheep. With the national boards working more closely with the Homes, a forum has been provided to assist the Homes in their daily witnessing, follow–up‚ and tool distribution.
Tool distribution
Tool distribution for the region was at an all–time high this year. "Mottos for Success" continues to be our bestselling tool, with over 45,000 pieces going out since October 2001. This does not include the 32,000 weekly desktop planners that were produced and distributed in November and December of 2001.
Last year India was able to roll the gold with over 62,000 Activated magazines being distributed. This figure does not include the monthly Activated magazines that go out via the Activated desk in the form of subscriptions.
The CGO board participated in two book fairs in 2002. As a result of these book fairs, tool distribution and exposure of our tools increased considerably.
Local productions
In response to the need for professional Bible classes and presentations, the north CGO board has created an Endtime CD. So far, 22 Homes in India have ordered copies, and they say it makes giving Endtime classes easy—without having to be a Bible scholar! (Note: This material can be downloaded from the MO site at: http://www.familymembers.com/activated/downloads/index.php3 in the "Classes" section.)
Here is the advertisement:
The Endtime CD contains a series of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations designed to help your Endtime classes come alive! Packed with facts and figures, stats and scriptures, eye-catching graphics and cool animations‚ the Endtime CD will help you give gripping, riveting‚ professional Endtime classes! Simply stick the CD into the sheep's computer, click on the class you want, and teach your sheep a class they'll never forget! Giving Endtime classes was never so easy! Classes available on this CD are: The Signs of the Times‚ The Rise and Reign of the Antichrist‚ Daniel Chapter 2, and Daniel Chapter 7.
The south CGO board produced a variety of feeding materials for Homes in an easily accessible format. These include: 12 Foundation Stones in GN-size booklets; Wine Press and New Wine, spiral bound as a set of four books; Activated mags 1–15, spiral bound with class sheet attached (now available to the Homes worldwide from the Europe Activated desk); songbooks for COLs; eight Bible classes and seminars given by experts in their field, on VCD; six b/w tracts printed for the Homes to order.
Central India national board
Two Word-based retreats were held—the first in Pune for 11 Active members, and the second in Goa for 12 Active members. Both retreats were a tremendous strength to the attendees.
A JT camp was held in Goa, with 20 young people attending, in which the CGO board was actively involved by giving witnessing classes.
South India national board
Their first national retreat was held in June 2002, with 45 Active members attending. A second retreat was held in October 2002, catering to businessmen who are Active members. Some of these outstanding members of the community, originally from non-Christian backgrounds, got up and testified about how the Lord and their association with the Family has changed their lives and deepened their relationship with the Lord.
Two seminars were conducted in Bangalore (by Phillip, of Hannah) on "How to Prepare a Bible Study" and "Effective Follow-up."
Four Activated meetings were held, with 250-300 Activated members attending each meeting.
A "Southern Spice" newsletter is sent out quarterly, including tips on outreach, interviews with experts in outreach, and news about board activities.
North India national board
They hold monthly Activated meetings for Active members, close friends, Activated subscribers, and sheep. These meetings are a great help, especially to Homes who aren't able to organize regular COLs.
A tool distribution and Activated seminar was hosted, and the city's top tool distributors and subscription shiners shared tips and how–tos. An area goal was set of each Home member‚ JETT on up‚ getting two Activated subscriptions each month.
A "Use the Web sites!—Feed the Sheep!" seminar was hosted, familiarizing the Homes with the Activated and MO sites. Attendees learned how to access the sites, sign up friends to the daily/weekly e–mailings available on the activated.org site, and explored the many feeding materials available online.
A "News from the North" e–newsletter‚ full of witnessing testimonies, Activated news, and Word promoting disciple–winning and the Family expansion program is sent out regularly. (These newsletters can be found on the MO site.)
In collaboration with the JT board, the CGO board helped to organize four city witnessing excursions for the young people.
An Activated City Deacon has been appointed, who calls the Homes regularly to ask how many subscriptions have been gotten that week. This helps to keep Activated in focus and shoots up the number of subscriptions dramatically!
JAPAN AND KOREA
Compiled by Rejoice, regional CGO chairperson
Japan Activated
*In November 2001 the Japan Activated desk was launched, enabling the monthly Japanese Activated magazine (called Activate) to be sent out to subscribers. A one-year course of 12 magazines in Japanese, plus 2 pre-Activated magazines (to help prepare non-Christians for the Activated mags), were made available for follow-up and outreach.
*We organized our first one-day Activated meeting in Tokyo to share the vision of the new wave of activating Japan. Over 80 CM/FM members came from 35 Homes in Japan. After the meeting, the Activated explosion began!
*In addition to the one-year Activated course (basically following mags 1-12 in English), the Japan Activated desk is creating a bimonthly Activated magazine, based on the English mag of the month‚ which is an easier-to-digest course, aimed at Japanese who have no Christian background. This makes it easier for Homes to feed different levels of sheep.
*Progress was made on the mass distribution front as "Activate Japan" (the Japan Activated desk) became a legal entity and JTC (Japanese Tools Committee) created an original "Activate Japan Catalog," "Christmas CD Catalog," outlining detailed information on every tool. (In Japan people want to know all the details of the product they are buying.) This has made it easy for field Homes to do more mass distribution of tools.
Meetings and seminars
*East Japan CGO board organized a one-day seminar for Active members in April. About 30 Active members and 25 CM/FM members attended. We filmed it and circulated the videos throughout Japan.
*East and West Japan CGO boards held five one-day area witnessing meetings for CM/FM Homes throughout Japan, promoting Activated, sharing testimonies and tips, etc.
*East Japan CGO board organized four days of YA/SGA witnessing classes and special witnessing events for a group of top university students in May (in Tokyo). We worked together on this project with the VS and JT boards. This meeting was a good influence on our CM young people.
*A three-day Activated retreat (October 2002) was held for CM/FM/AMs in Japan. This meeting was geared toward potential disciples and Active member leaders, as well as giving the CM/FM Family training on how to win and feed them. The meeting also gave Homes the vision to get out more tools, and we heard from the Japan Activated desk that tool orders skyrocketed after the meeting. (For the full meeting testimony, see GV #144.)
Local tools and projects
*Four Get Activated books, "Mottos for Success," CD cards, new tracts, and the Japanese Activated catalog were translated and made available for witnessing.
*A CM/FM witnessing newsletter called "Activating Japan and Korea" is sent every few months to all Homes in Japanese and English.
*The East Japan CGO board created a few Japanese language class texts called "Just Say Hai (yes) to Jesus."
*New local comic tract called "Color of Love" was created in Japanese and English for the World Cup witnessing event.
MEXICO/CENTRAL AMERICA
Compiled by Pedro‚ regional CGO chairperson
Studying tool and Activated
distribution
We have been studying our tool distribution and praying about it‚ to gather ideas and get direction from the Lord on how to encourage more sales. We have been reassessing prices and methods in order to hopefully get more tools out‚ including Activated subscriptions and the Get Activated books and products. We are formulating a proposal from our discussions to be shared with the Homes so we can coordinate and unite efforts with our very talented salesmen.
We've also committed to remain in closer communication with our Service Center/Activated desk in order to share with them input from the field and ideas for the creation and/or production of products. The CGO board meetings also provide very valuable input for our local language Spanish studio, to help us fine–tune the need for the type of new tools we should produce.
South Mexico national board, by Dust
First national retreat: As one of our board's first initiatives, we held a four-day retreat for our sheep‚ Activated members‚ and other friends and contacts. Initially we only planned the retreat for the Homes and sheep in Southern Mexico. The hotel facility that we rented had a maximum capacity of 300 persons. We weren't sure if we'd receive enough registrations to fill the facility or to even cover the cost of the hotel. Well, we should have had more faith, because the response was overwhelming! The Lord fulfilled prophecy and we were literally "not able to contain." In fact‚ we had to ask some of the CM Family not to attend this time in order to make room for sheep and friends. Our dear CM brethren graciously gave up their places. Next time we'll get a larger facility or perhaps have more retreats.
The days of the retreat were filled to overflowing with Word and powerful music from our intergenerational "Conéctate Band." It was a terrific time of fellowship, inspiration, classes, prayer, and all the good things of God that we could possibly pour into our precious sheep and dear friends. The classes were anointed and dynamic! (For the full testimony, see GV #142.)
Prophecy playing a key role: One outstanding feature of our meetings has been that of prayer and prophecy and hearing from the Lord about things. At one of our meetings we laid hands on and prayed for one another for strength and anointing, as we were all feeling a bit overwhelmed. In the course of our prayer session we were each assigned one or two spirit helpers. We were given the likes of Miguel de Cervantes, Martin Luther, and others to help us.
North Mexico national board, by Phoebe
Meetings and activities
*We helped organize four monthly Conéctate meetings for the sheep in Monterrey, Northern Mexico's largest city.
*We held a one–day witnessing seminar for Northern Mexico, attended by four different cities out of five in our area, with brethren traveling from 4-7 hours to attend. We covered themes such as: implementing the reach-the-rich vision, sales and marketing, persecution prep, Bible classes, and getting subscribers. The classes/workshop were well received, and it was a unifying and motivating time for our area.
*We organized two area CTPs with poor neighborhoods.
Presentation materials/newsletter
*We designed and printed a letter-size color "La Familia" certificate that the Homes can customize to officially thank their donors, provisioning contacts, etc. We are working on more presentation material.
*We are creating, in conjunction with the Conéctate desk, a monthly GP newsletter that we will send to each Home to mail to their sheep.
Central America national board, by David
*Our Valentine's meal took place in downtown Guatemala with the Lord supplying 400 lbs. of pasta‚ hot dogs‚ chips, bread, pizza, sodas‚ bananas, and donuts for the 1,200 plates we gave away. Again‚ the Homes worked together to host this event. The board created a newsletter on this event for the Homes' PR albums.
*We began holding Activated meetings at one of the Homes every Wednesday evening. The fruits of these meetings have been three new disciples.
*Other topics covered in our board meetings included discussing and researching the opening of a local business for importing tools; researching the possibilities of duping tapes in Guatemala in order to provide better service to the other Homes in Central America.
MIDDLE EAST
Compiled by Joan‚ regional CGO chairperson
Central ME national board
*Production of a local Arabic music CD in conjunction with the ME Oasis Studio.
*A proposal for a subscription plan for Motivated.
*Compiling a reading course for our associate members, including close friends and believers who, due to circumstances and cultural differences, are not able to work with us as full–time members. Thirteen of the seventeen proposed classes for this course have been finalized.
*Preparing a course for those who wish to help us as volunteers. A six–week course for training these volunteers has been outlined, and classes are being finalized toward this on a variety of topics.
*Preparing a CD of all Muslim ministry material in English and Arabic to be made available to all the Homes and eventually the MO site.
*Subcommittee formed to work on ways to help the desperate and war-torn countries in the area, which resulted in one shipment of food supplies being sent to relieve some of the suffering.
*Fundraising proposals were drawn up and used during summer road trips, one of which resulted in a very large donation from a major bank toward holding seminars in the region. Several Homes in the area benefited from this support and participate in conducting these seminars. This resulted in the putting together of a power-packed educational seminar, complete with manuals and teaching aids, which is held for teachers and educators of numerous schools in the region.
Pakistan national board
*The main topic of discussion was the decision for all three Homes in Pakistan to unite under one name and as a countrywide work. They examined the main outreach methods and CTPs of each Home, and grouped them together under three project headings, which represent the united efforts of their work: Deaf Reach Training Centers‚ Eduserve Training Program, and Community Services. In this way each of the three Homes can show someone their countrywide work, using the "good works" of the other Homes as branches of their work.
*A second decision reached was to legally register their work, thus providing them with greater credibility in the eyes of the local community and enabling them to apply for tax exemption. Being registered will provide legitimacy when applying for long-term work visas, as well as the ability to attract greater funding opportunities. Six months later: The Family there is now legally registered and their application for tax exemption is under consideration, and hopefully soon to be approved.
*They also designed and printed a brochure, letterhead, envelopes and business cards to present their countrywide work, which all three Homes are now using in their PR and presentations. This took a lot of prayer, counsel, time and effort, but it was worth it as it has unified their work and provided a more professional approach, which has already resulted in greater funding of various projects.
Turkey national board
Topics covered in board meetings included their overall obedience to the "Conviction vs. Compromise" GNs in the areas of outreach, disciple-winning, distribution of Motivated, the topic of Turkish friends and outsiders working together with us full-time, mass marketing of the "Mottos for Success" calendar and other GP tools, the launching of an area Web site, and the production of meatier types of literature for their closer friends.
Tangible fruit of these meetings so far has been:
*Four issues of Motivated translated and two issues printed and distributed to the Homes.
*The "Mottos for Success" calendar, some audiocassettes, and two audio CDs were legalized for mass marketing.
*Two Treasure Attic VCDs were mastered in Turkish and English and samples sent to the Homes to try out and mass market.
*Work on translating Living Waters 1-8 into Turkish for deeper feeding and follow–up on closer friends was started. The first four volumes were completed and volumes five through eight are being worked on.
ME regional board
*Compiling ideas and tips on the subjects of outreach, tool distribution, mass marketing, Motivated distribution‚ and feeding of the sheep for the Homes.
*Creating a booklet of prayers (received in prophecy) on a number of topics.
*Creating a booklet on the need for Muslims and Christians to work together in these Last Days. The theme of the booklet is "We Can Build a Bridge‚" which is a radical concept in this day and age when the Muslim faith is maligned and looked down upon.
*Compilation on the Muslim ministry, taken from existing Letters and unpublished material‚ to remind Homes in the Middle East of our calling as well as the outreach methods recommended in the Word that we use in some of these sensitive fields.
*Creating a monthly newsletter to encourage the Homes to get out Motivated and faithfully feed our Muslim sheep, featuring the Homes' outreach stats, tips‚ testimonies, and reactions.
NORTH AMERICA
Compiled by Tom and Cassie, regional CGO co-chairpersons
Networking with the area Homes
One of the first initiatives that each of our four national boards (Northeast US/East Canada‚ SE US/Caribbean, Central US, West US/West Canada) took was to establish good communications with the local Homes so that we could all work together more in our outreach and witnessing initiatives. Since we have a large area and the Homes in the US and Canada are quite spread out, we've found that it's very helpful for Homes to make time to meet together to discuss CGO–related pushes, progress, and problems. This year many more cities and local areas started holding monthly CGO/outreach meetings. These get-togethers were a great boost as Homes shared ideas, planned united witnessing initiatives‚ and discussed outreach and tool distribution.
Rainbow Gathering
This year's Rainbow Gathering (in Michigan) was a unifying witnessing event that brought brethren together from all over the US and Canada to witness to the drop-outs and young radicals who attend this annual event. God bless the Portland Home, who spearheaded this witnessing event, setting up their Family tent for the sixth consecutive year. Thirty-three Family members from all over the US and Canada joined together to witness to the over 30,000 "Rainbows." Many souls were won, lives changed, and thousands of pieces of lit distributed!
CGO/Activated seminar
The North American "Fruit that Remains" seminar was a highlight for the NA CGO board this year. The Lord supplied a resort in the mountains of California at which to host the five-day meeting. Board members at the national and regional levels worked together, encouraging their areas to participate, provide input, how-tos and materials. About 175 CM/FM Family members (ages 16 and up) attended.
The main purpose of this seminar was to create a stage where brethren could share practical and inspirational testimonies of how the Lord has helped Activated and the Active member church to grow in their area‚ and ways it can be done here in North America. Since the Family here is so spread out, often a Home will have a tremendous ministry going, but few will benefit from the firsthand experience gained and lessons learned, or many will not even hear about it at all. This seminar was a tremendous opportunity to bring everyone together to pray about‚ discuss‚ and share what the Lord has been doing, where He's leading, methods of getting out more Word and tools and reaching the flock the Lord has for us.
There were 15 united sessions and workshops‚ plus evening meetings and inspiration time. The sessions included presentations by those with fruitful works‚ such as reaching the rich, successful Activated groups, reaching specific ethnic groups, effective CTPs‚ working with the local community, provisioning tips, and testimonies from a variety of other ministries. Several meetings covered how to build our Activated church. God willing‚ video footage from the seminar will be available for the Homes to order soon.
Documenting our work
A major push last year was to collect testimonies and photos from the Homes to use for the new North American Family Web site that was put together by the PR board. (www.thefamilyna.org). Each of the national boards has been working with the local Homes to collect testimonies and photos for the new Web site, and also to help the Homes document their work and witness by putting together newsletters and PR albums.
Building our Activated follow-up work
Since the "Conviction vs. Compromise" series, the Homes in North America have been making great steps of progress in pulling out of less fruitful methods of fundraising and building a lasting follow-up work. Many Homes in the US and Canada have signed up for the Activated mag of the month program, and we now have over 8,000 Activated magazines going out to the Homes in the MOTM program each month! Many Homes have been using their monthly mag of the month issues for their Home's mail ministry and personal follow-up, and as a result their live-out churches have been growing steadily through the consistent feeding of the Word and faithful personal follow-up.
PACIFIC (ACTON)
Compiled by Rachel‚ regional CGO chairperson
(ACTON: Australia, China, Taiwan, Oceania, Tahiti, New Zealand)
Australia/Tahiti/New Zealand national board
*Two issues of our CGO journal were sent to all Homes, containing inspiring testimonies and victories, encouraging more outreach, and sharing ideas and tips.
*The ship ministry in Melbourne continues to bear fruit with lots of tools out and new Activated members signed up.
*The prison ministry in Sydney continues to flourish, with chapel services conducted every two weeks in the juvenile justice center, and weekly Friday night chapel services in an adult prison, as well as Sunday services in the adult prison.
*We've recently re-established a PC to service the area, which we pray will help promote more tool and Activated distribution.
*The teens in Melbourne team up every Friday night for a major personal witnessing attack in the city with some SGAs.
*The Melbourne Homes are hosting regular Activated follow-up meetings, which are beginning to flourish with new members attending and getting turned on to the Word.
*A Home in Sydney has been offered the use of a friend's restaurant in the city center for weekly meetings. They have a fruitful ministry reaching the many Chinese students here and have about eight regular sheep attending meetings weekly.
China national board
*Held a two-day witnessing workshop for members of several Homes.
*Had delegates from the China Reception Home, CLP (China Lit-Pic) and the ADR (China Audio Recording Studio) attend board meetings, helping to clarify goals in production of outreach and follow-up materials.
*Prayed about and made some suggestions to revise security guidelines (originally established seven years ago, when China was first re-pioneered).
*Taiwanese Maria (an Active member residing in France) filmed a fifteen-minute pilot program in Chinese. The vision for these VCD programs is to provide basic classes in the local language, combining Activated materials and the 12 Foundation Stones course. These programs will be subtitled in English.
*Tiago and Benny (in ASCRO) filmed a one-hour training VCD program based on a script prepared by China CGO board members. The pilot program—"How To Hear From Heaven"—is the first of a series of training VCDs designed to teach national Active members, potential disciples, and friends the meat of the Word. God willing, these English training programs will have Chinese subtitles to help bridge the language gap.
*Prepared a compilation of "computer security tips for dummies" to keep Homes and newcomers informed.
*Produced two bulletins ("China Action" 1 and 2) to share advice with the Homes about using Family materials in their witnessing (instead of only giving Bible classes), and a plug about the CLP translations and materials.
Taiwan national board
*A two–day witnessing meeting was held at the end of September—a cooperative effort of the PC team, COs‚ VS board, and CGO board‚ launching the Chinese Activated mag.
*Three citywide CGO workshops were held, covering follow-up e–mail and fax classes.
*One mini national retreat for active youth club members took place in August.
*A "Chinese Witnessing Phrasebook" and accompanying CD was created.
*A Chinese New Year CD (for Chinese around the world) was produced by the Chinese Studio and PC. CGO helped with ideas and suggestions.
*A great victory this year was the finalization of the first 6 Chinese Activated mags‚ as well as the setting up of the Chinese Activated desk in Taipei. The Activated mags were printed and made available for distribution at the end of September 2002 and we've already gotten out over 359 subscriptions as a field. We're in ninth place on the world shiner chart! (See chart on the MO site.)
*Four monthly issues of CGO bulletins were sent out to the Homes‚ containing Activated/outreach/follow–up tips and ideas from field Homes, photos, local witnessing happenings, testimonies of retreats, seminars, workshops, youth club reports, updates on the Activated mags, announcements of future activities, etc.
*Two sets of Word compilations on the subjects of "Activated vision" and "What is a national church?" were sent to the Homes for easy Word studies on witnessing.
*The youth clubs in Taipei ("The Free Zone") and Taichung ("The Rock") continued to grow.
*Several Homes in Taipei have joined efforts to bring their sheep together in one of the Homes and hold weekly classes (using 12 Foundation Stones as a curriculum).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Compiled by Adam and Steven, regional CGO co-chairpersons
Indonesia national board, by Daniel
In a desire to fulfill the Activated vision and to associate the work more with the Family as outlined in the "Conviction vs. Compromise" series, the landmark question of how to accomplish this (given the Family's past persecution and continued dislike by the church system) was brought to the Lord. The Lord spoke about the importance of introducing our close friends to the Family one friend at a time. The prophecies, meeting notes, and testimonies of the good fruit this is bearing with some of our close friends was sent to all the Homes. We are also working toward clearly documenting each Home's CTP efforts throughout the country and developing a comprehensive PR brochure.
The CGO board has been instrumental in getting the Activated magazine translated into Indonesian and in print. Since Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, we have encouraged the Homes to work toward developing an even greater Muslim ministry‚ and as a result, the first Motivated magazine in Indonesian is now being distributed, with more in the works. As part of the board's initiatives, more Treasure Attics in Indonesian are now available, as is a beautiful TA color brochure.
A united Activated meeting and Word study is being held monthly in Jakarta. For Christmas 2002, our board worked with the Homes in generating ideas and tips for a fruitful Christmas outreach, and helped organize singing groups and united road teams.
Philippine national board,
by Gabriel Peru
Board members pioneered and led a monthly GP Activated meeting for further follow-up and feeding of sheep and friends. Activated seminars and workshops have been held for Family members to exchange tips, ideas, how-tos, and testimonies of how to get out more Activated mags and other Family tools. To help keep everyone up to date on the latest happenings, a regular CGO newsletter has been sent out to each Home.
Groundwork was laid to set up an Activated desk in the Philippines, which we hope to have up and running in early February 2003. The recent lowering of the Activated subscription price had already resulted in more subscriptions‚ and with an even lower price for subscriptions once the desk is operational, subscriptions should skyrocket. To add to the Activated explosion, a special version of the NuBeat radio program is being prepared especially for the Philippines.
In an effort to document the Family's activities in the Philippines, as part of the board's goal of preparing for coming persecution, groundwork is being laid for a PR brochure and a video/VCD presentation‚ as well as careful documentation of CTPs throughout the area.
SEA national board, by Joseph and Patience‚ co-chairpersons
Having regular CGO board meetings for our board representing Thailand, Cambodia, and other nearby SEA countries has been envisioning and uniting for all.
Some accomplishments include the coordination of united COL meetings each month in Bangkok, translating and preparation of the Motivated magazine adapted for SEA‚ as well as the initiation of a local CGO newsletter. The meetings have also facilitated the coordination of efforts in area tool translations and productions.
SEA regional board
We held three Activated/outreach seminars (with the PI CGO board) to encourage greater tool distribution, including the many new Activated books and materials, as well as greater participation in the Activated program. We are working to help set up the Philippine Activated desk to be able to handle Activated subscriptions locally at a greatly reduced subscription price.
The NuBeat radio program was introduced and the Christmas program offered to radio stations throughout the PI. In conjunction with Simon and the NuBeat team as well as Nikki, a Philippine version of NuBeat is being worked on. The first 26 shows should be ready to air across the PI early in 2003.
Board members in Thailand are joining together to create a new PR brochure to represent the Family's work in Thailand, a new color calendar for 2003‚ and a bilingual Heavenly Streams booklet of motivational quotes for friends and contacts.
SPANISH SOUTH AMERICA
Compiled by Sam‚ regional CGO chairperson
Our two national CGO boards, ABCP and VEC, have focused on the training of our field Homes. We've held numerous seminars on Activated, tool distribution, follow-up, training in how to give seminars for large companies‚ etc. Both boards have actively participated in contributing their know-how and training to the young people by working hand in hand with the JT board, participating in young people reunions and giving one-day seminars on different aspects of witnessing.
ABCP (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,
Paraguay, Peru) national board
*Day seminar in Chile (by Juan PPC) covering tool distribution and sales and management tips. The brethren who assisted were given diplomas from the PPC association.
*Day seminar in Chile (by Rosi and Quiti): Training Homes in how to give witnessing seminars to large companies in a professional manner.
*Day seminar in Chile (by Zac) on the power of the keys of the Kingdom, followed by a healing class and a healing meeting in the afternoon for the Family, live–outs, and friends.
*FCF seminar in Chile, covering fruitful humanitarian ministries and documenting your work in your local community.
*Jonathan Nubes, Anita, and the Conéctate Home held monthly Activated meetings with the Homes in Chile.
*CGO board gave three seminars to the young people in Chile: day seminar on follow-up and provisioning, by Steven Colon; day seminar on witnessing and Activated, by Jonathan Nubes; seminar on witnessing, by Quiti.
*The CGO board contributed funds to produce 40,000 tracts to give to the JT board and Homes in the area.
*Board members held planning meetings with the JT board and PR board, to assist them with seminars and hands-on training.
*CGO members in their respective cities/countries have held meetings to fellowship, work with, and set up works with the resident brethren and with sheep from the Homes.
VEC (Venezuela‚ Ecuador, Colombia) national board
Venezuela
*Pablo (of Joy) helped to host a three–day Activated‚ follow–up and witnessing meeting.
*Seminar held, covering topics such as working together in unity to win the sheep, setting up Sunday fellowships in each area‚ and setting up solid works to help bring support to the field (by Pablo).
*Seminar held on the power of the keys of the Kingdom and healing ministry.
*Activated seminar held (by Elimelech and Norma, from the Conéctate desk).
*Seminar held to share practical tips on how to give professional seminars to companies.
*Endtime seminar held for the young people in Venezuela.
*Area meeting held to organize a united Sunday Church of Love in Caracas.
*Meetings held to inspire the brethren with the healing ministry and using the power of the keys.
Ecuador
*Meetings organized to help bring the work together, to inspire unity, and to discuss reaching the rich.
*United meeting held to coordinate witnessing‚ Church of Love meetings, and to promote Activated, follow-up, and giving our friends and contacts a closer link‚ and to avail ourselves of their professional training and financial support.
*Endtime seminar for young people, adults, and friends of the Family
*Keys of the Kingdom seminar and healing meeting.
Colombia
*Three meetings held to promote Activated, follow-up, working in unity‚ and offering our board services.
*We presented the Homes with a package of 28 seminars to give their sheep, contacts, and friends.
*We hold a monthly meeting with CM and live-outs to promote the program, give a quarterly prize to the Conéctate shiner Home, and discuss new strategies together.
*Questionnaires were distributed to get input from the brethren on the needs of the field. Once the questionnaires were compiled, we presented the idea of holding seminars for the young people on the keys to the Kingdom, the Endtime, etc. Those meetings were then carried out by the board and there was a major revival amongst the young people. A ministry of witnessing and healing was born and it has grown to amazing proportions.
*Started Bible classes for the young people and are working to back them in their endeavors. We've helped them with the use of our house, training, and personnel to make their meetings with the sheep successful and well presented.
WEST EUROPE
Compiled by Andreas, regional CGO chairperson
The onset of the board vision was the beginning of a new day for outreach and the Family going on the attack with the Activated vision. Being able to work together and pooling ideas from many people is helping the Family in Western Europe to be more fruitful and to make witnessing the priority of our being in the Family. Following are some highlights from our two national boards:
Northwest Europe national board,
by Gideon
*A better synchronization of effort. We have attempted to help the Homes by suggesting that road teams visiting from other countries to our area check in with the CGO board. This is done as a service to help prevent a visiting team from going to an area that has already been recently visited.
*Encouragement of more local translations. We have seen a marked increase in the translation of more local language materials, ranging from tracts to Activated magazines. This is something we have tried to promote as we all become more engaged in consistent witnessing and follow-up. The first nine issues of the Activated magazine have been translated in whole or part (the "parts" being used as inserts) in several languages, including Norwegian and Dutch.
*More promotion of the Activated program. We have had Activated parties in Norway and Sweden and meetings in Denmark to encourage the Homes with ideas and how-to suggestions for using the full range of the wonderful tools we have through the Activated magazine and the feeding follow-up materials we have in the form of our books and booklets.
*A greater sense of unity. Previously many Homes felt isolated and unaware of what a great work the Family is doing worldwide. Board meetings and involvement with the Homes has filled a need in forming a sense of collectiveness and has promoted more unity and pride in our (the Lord's) accomplishments.
*A restored sense of vision. Many of us had felt that Europe as a field had had its day and that there were "no more worlds to conquer." Now we see a new generation to be reached as well as a battle being prepared for the hearts and souls of men in what will be the seat of power for the Antichrist and his world government. When we realize this, we feel like: "Wow, we are in the center of action!"
Southwest Europe national board,
by Angela and Simon
*We sent out a CGO survey and questionnaire to all the Homes in our area to pump people power and get their feedback on various proposals, and to give them a chance to express their ideas, burdens and suggestions. Quite a few Homes offered very good contributions.
*North Italian GP fellowships: In May, Simon and team came up from Rome to help Angela and team organize a North Italian GP fellowship. We met for two days with most of the FM and former members of the North Italian area, who also brought some of their sheep. In September‚ our second such fellowship was held.
*Our second CGO board meeting was held in May at Simon and Vicky's Home (in Rome), where the board members had a chance to meet some of their new dropped-out disciples and participate in a Bible study with a large group of their Active members.
*Third advisory to Homes was sent out, in which we offered a few board services, such as a weekend seminar on the 12 Foundation Stones, assistance with potential new disciples‚ coordination between Homes for better organization of area witnessing projects, provisioning, etc.
*Witnessing activities for youth: We organized some summer activities to inspire our young people and help them catch the vision for witnessing. A team of on-fire young "professionals" from Angela's Home went down to Greece and took some of the local young people out on witnessing attacks. Some other young people from Portugal and Germany also came for outreach and witnessing training, road trips‚ etc.
*Youth festivals: During the last weekend of July‚ young people from a few Italian Homes participated in a witnessing attack at the Festa della Luna (Moon Festival) in the north of Italy, where thousands of young people were gathered, and won hundreds to the Lord. A similar event took place in Switzerland with a joint venture of our board with the JT board.
FAMILY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PILLAR
AFRICA
Compiled by Amber, regional FED chairperson
I can't begin this review without first saying how thankful I am for the board vision. I've been working with the EURCRO FED and CVC since the Charter came out in 1995, and I'll admit, it's been sort of a lonely job. When I say "lonely," I mean not enough hands to do the work properly and efficiently in order to meet the needs of the area. From Russia to England and on to Africa, the needs were so diverse that it often bewildered our two-woman FED/CVC team.
This past year has been like a dream come true, as we have people on the field who are talented, ready, and willing to do the job. We now have 13 FED board members in Africa alone!
This first year has been a time of "foundation setting" for the board vision in Africa. It's been inspiring and envisioning to meet all the far-out board members in each national area. And they're just an e–mail or phone call away from the Homes, ready to help those that need it!
Our first goal was to learn the needs of the area and see how we can help. The Lord led us to set up a FED Resource Center on a regional level for all of Africa. This is now set up and fully functional, with more materials being added all the time.
At each national meeting that was attended, we spent some time going over the CVC with the JT/CP and FED boards, so that the national boards can help get the CVC going locally.
On a regional level, we've completed the STEPs program (see GN 980).
Our focus is to work with the national boards in seeing how we can help with the homeschooling and record-keeping of our children and teens, as well as work toward getting the CVC up and running on a larger scale.
East Africa national board‚ by Ruth
Our area is quite small‚ and having five board members makes it easy to keep track of what's happening in the Homes. We've had a class on how to use the CVC. We've talked about all the items available from the FED, and discussed what would be priority for the kids and teachers.
After the showing of the videos from Peter and Mama, there's more of a vacuum from the teachers and parents for help in their schooling.
Southern Africa national board, by Spring
It has been a thrilling year as the Lord led us in establishing the Southern Africa national board. Our main goal was to get a firsthand view of each Home's educational standard, and assist the Homes in keeping the Charter standard.
Some of our goals reached for the year were:
*Established a video lending library for the Homes to have easy access to fresh educational videos to show their children.
*With the help of the PR board, we investigated the local laws regarding homeschooling and sent our findings to the Homes.
*Worked on indexing the Heaven's Library stories. Our team of Kristina, Charity, and I have theme-indexed 183 stories thus far in 89 Heaven's Library mags.
*Worked on establishing CVC supervisors in each city.
*Worked on looking into books on Southern African history and geography, to complement the correspondence courses the children are taking.
West Africa national board, by Lili
Two batches of FED mailings went out to the Homes, all via courier. That in itself is amazing. Travel and mail here are unreliable, so at first a FED mailing didn't seem feasible, but with the Lord's help and confirmation, it worked out.
Two newsletters went out covering topics such as the Charter schooling standard‚ ideas for making portfolios of the children's schoolwork, CVC tips, Word libraries, lists of items to receive by e-mail, promoting the MO site to parents and teachers, and bringing out ideas and pointers from the recent Word on schooling.
BRAZIL
Compiled by Lily, regional FED chairperson
As our two national boards sought the Lord for the priorities for our area, both boards received that we need to tune in to the educational needs of our Portuguese-speaking legally school-aged children (ages 7-14).
The Rio FED board, along with the CP board, organized a seminar for parents to highlight and discuss points from "Where to Now?" in preparation for upcoming teacher training workshops.
Patti, our ever-faithful CVC coordinator‚ continued to provide personalized educational counseling for junior teens through SGAs.
Mariane and Patti started a primarily Portuguese school lending library for the Rio area. They provisioned a variety of textbooks (mostly teachers' editions) and made them available for parents' and teachers' perusal, answering questions and giving counsel when requested.
In Salvador, Clara, together with the others in her Home, held preparatory classes for the "Supletivo" tests (Brazilian school tests) for young people from the Salvador area. In November the young people took—and passed—their last test.
The South FED board has been working on the creation of our Portuguese curriculum. Similar to CLE's "Scope and Sequence," these are guidelines in list form of what students in each grade, 1–8‚ are expected to learn in each subject. These guidelines are in sync with the national curriculum guidelines established by the Ministry of Education.
Esther and Joy‚ together with Victoria (CP board regional chairperson), helped organize an area school in São Paulo‚ which from all we've heard has been a tremendous blessing to our families there, and helps to prepare interested young people in the São Paulo area for the upcoming (Supletivo) test in December.
Cristina, together with Mike from the JT board, held a CVC seminar attended by 16 young people from the five Homes in Curitiba.
EASTEURASIA
Compiled by Sherah‚ regional FED chairperson
It was a victory to have our regional board meetings. Over this year our national boards have had time to get a feel for the needs of their areas, so now was the perfect time for us to meet on a regional level. Getting to know one another and learning to work together has also been a victory.
When the boards began we were all anxious to see our projects and initiatives get off the ground right away; however‚ it seemed that the first steps were learning how to communicate within the boards, both during national board meetings and via mail. One victory that's come from this was the CP and FED boards in the AMBER area joining together to prepare a CC seminar that was a wonderful success. It seems to have "hit the spot" in that they first took the time through surveys, communications and visitations to find out what the greatest needs were.
We held two OC/MC camps, also joint efforts between the CP and FED boards and our dear parents.
We had a joint visitation team in the B2B‚ as our CP and FED chairpersons visited the Homes in Poland and worked together to give well-rounded CC and parenting counsel.
One of the goals the Lord gave our boards when we began is to help make the Word on childcare and parenting come to life. We've tried to keep this in mind in our projects and initiatives over the year.
So far the Lord has led us to dedicate a Kidkare newsletter to sharing tips, testimonies, and reactions on some of the topics from the latest CC/parenting GNs. National board members helped by collecting and sending in testimonies on child training and discipline, making movies and computer games meaningful, visiting System relatives, etc., and this material was then pubbed for the EEA. We are working on a newsletter covering the topic of persecution prep in light of the recent study month.
AMBER national board
We held a CC seminar for our area which 36 people attended. At this seminar the FED board shared Word compilations on the advantages and superiority of Family education, as well as the recent counsel about the possibility of coming persecution and what we can do to prepare on the education and conviction front.
We had a FED exhibit, a small workshop on CVC, record-keeping and portfolios, and a show-and-tell time where parents could demonstrate their personal methods of record-keeping, family albums, Word curriculum logs, etc. We conducted an open forum on learning the local language, touching on how to help the national kids in speaking their mother tongue and foreign children becoming conversant in the local language.
At the beginning of the year the Lord showed us that the main need in our area is regarding the education of the national children, and we discussed this at length. Each national parent received an information pack containing the laws and legalities, national curriculum, expectancy levels, and much more. We gave each attendee a FED presentation booklet with an overview of activities and projects, as well as assorted articles and compiled research on various aspects of the education of our children.
This past year we adopted the ASCRO PEP survey to fit our field's needs and have sent out personalized questionnaires for each child in the area. Much of the FED board's latter initiatives were inspired by the responses we received from the 20 Homes that participated in the survey.
We started a dialogue regarding learning the local languages with the parents in our area and shared with everyone their terrific contributions: testimonies, tips and ideas, and two beautiful local language drama and song tapes. We compiled research on bilingual families and tips for learning two or more languages in early childhood and included the material in the above–mentioned FED presentation pack. We've included a local language corner in the CP board's MC/OC newsletter and are presently reviewing the local national curriculum's literature resources and praying about putting together a recommended list for familiarizing our national children with national literature.
We are regularly looking into‚ accessing‚ and promoting material from other FED areas and have made it a goal to make the childcare material posted on the MO site available for Homes that don't have a good enough Internet connection to access the data and products offered there.
We appointed a CVC overseer. Diamond was able to spend time with the teens and give a CVC introduction and how-to class at a summer teen camp. We cooperated with the JT board to use opportunities to promote CVC.
We regularly check out homeschooling programs and Web sites advertised in Kidland‚ Grapevines, and other pubs, as well as browse educational sites of our own finding. We are researching alternative learning programs‚ accessing lesson plans, and curricula, investigating the chances of making them available for our Homes. The URL addresses of useful sites are sent out to the Homes.
B2B national board
Initially our board wrote personal introduction letters to each family in our area, including specific questions that would help us get an idea of the quality of the schooling of our children. We've assigned Homes to each board member to communicate with. Collectively, our national board members have paid personal visits to quite a few Homes in the countries in our area, offering assistance‚ show–and-tells, giving or loaning available materials, giving instruction in early learning, the use of Hungarian kindergarten and first grade curriculum books, other curriculum catalogs, etc., counsel about homeschooling, teaching reading, and answering questions.
One of our board members, together with a national mother, was appointed our Hungarian homeschooling counselors and liaisons between Family parents and the sweet friend/school director who enrolls our children in her school, enabling them to be schooled at home legally.
Besides the national board meetings, we held a workshop for our board members. The purpose was for our board to become familiar with the FED CDs, PEP videos and materials, the educational CDs‚ and other materials our FED Resource Center has available for our area, so that we could be more knowledgeable and fully updated ourselves on what to promote and recommend to our parents for their children.
INDIA
Compiled by Promise, regional FED chairperson
*A nationwide local language push was launched, with a regional newsletter and Word compilation addressing the topic. Follow-up is being done at the national level.
*Working with the Hindi Lit-Pic to produce audiovisual teaching aids for young children.
*CVC workshops held, in conjunction with the JT board, in all national areas.
*Push to update academic record-keeping and student portfolios as per the Charter requirements.
*Home visitation in all cities.
*Encouraging Homes to combine efforts on the homeschooling of their children where feasible.
*FED Resource Center in full operation.
*Ongoing research in an attempt to provide our national students with sufficient documentation of their education, which will be legally acceptable to the Indian authorities.
Central national board
*CVC workshops/meetings in Mumbai, Goa, and Pune.
*Some moves toward having combined homeschooling between Homes in close proximity.
*Local language push: Homes have been encouraged to start making progress toward learning one, either Hindi or another Indian language, as desired.
Northern national board
*Helped the Homes that needed encouragement or assistance with keeping school records up to date.
*We were involved with promoting local language studies, although most of the Homes in the north are already quite faithful in this area. The Home in Nepal is teaching their kids Nepalese. In Calcutta, one Home has an outside teacher coming to teach Bengali and the other Home is learning Hindi. In Delhi, six out of eight Homes are actively teaching Hindi to their kids.
*Overall the Homes in this area have been very faithful with the schooling of their children.
*We held two painting competitions in Delhi, one for OCs and MCs and one for JETTs and teens, in cooperation with the CP and JT boards.
Southern national board
*We held an art competition for MCs, OCs, JETTs, and junior teens and an essay competition on "India: A Land of Diversity" for MCs‚ OCs, and JETTs. We also held a spelling bee on a city level. We gave certificates to all who participated, plus prizes for the top three contestants. These activities have helped to create an excitement about scholastics and inspire the kids to do their best. These are projects the kids can display in their student portfolios and are meant to make learning fun and challenging for them.
*We sent out a variety of Home messages on teaching tips, finding the frustration level of a child (from CLE), science equipment info, compilation of places of interest to visit for educational excursions in each city‚ and follow-up reminders on local language study‚ etc.
*Encouraged Home visitation by board members.
*Placed emphasis on fulfilling the Charter requirements of keeping logs and records of the children's schooling.
*The CVC push has taken off in Bangalore since the JT board has been working very closely with the FED board. Almost all the junior and senior teens in the city are now doing the CVC, with at least one vocational course each. They have training overseers who meet with them every two to three weeks for tests, review, follow-up, and planning.
*In Bangalore, in light of "Where To Now?" we have started a once-a-week united school day, mainly for young people who are working toward the junior high exam or who need extra tuition in math. In Bangalore‚ two Homes have joined forces with their toddler and pre–school group in one Home and their kindergarten group in the other. In Hyderabad the older children all have Hindi classes twice a week in one Home with an Active member. In Madras they are working on united science classes and setting up a science lab for the city.
*On a city–by-city level we had an appreciation event for teachers and childcare workers.
JAPAN AND KOREA
Compiled by Mary‚ regional FED chairperson
One of the first things our two national boards did was send a simple survey to see what kind of services the Homes would like, how they school their children and teens, how they are doing with CVC, etc. The replies received gave us insight into the needs of the field.
One of the major concerns and questions we all had was regarding the Japanese language level and standard of our children and young people. Japanese is a difficult language which uses three distinct alphabets, and although progress has been made over the last few years in many Homes, we wanted to seek the Lord as to exactly what level and goal the Lord wanted us to shoot for in teaching Japanese to our national and/or half-national children in speaking‚ reading, and writing. We brought this question before the Lord and He made it quite clear through many prophecies what the requirement and goal was.
The East Japan national board held an educational seminar in Tokyo that focused on the importance of learning and teaching the local language. We presented the language goal that the Lord showed us to shoot for, shared the reasons behind it, and offered tips and ideas. This educational seminar also covered CVC how-to and homeschooling tips. Some educational materials were available to purchase at the seminar, and many Homes took some.
Both East and West Japan boards made a CVC presentation at the junior and senior camps held by the JT boards. The students were encouraged to apply for CVC student cards and enroll as CVC students, if they hadn't already. As a result, 30 teens applied.
In our board meetings, the Lord has emphasized the importance of prayer, so we came up with a FED-related prayer list which is passed to all FED board members to pray for during our vigil time.
MEXICO/CENTRAL AMERICA
Compiled by Esther, regional FED chairperson
One of the biggest victories for us this year was the blessing of having Sara D. come to hold CVC seminars. We were able to hold one seminar in the north and one in the south. We filmed it as well, so we can show it in Central America and offer it to Homes that could not attend. It was an inspiration to the Homes and young people in particular, as Sara very clearly explained how Family education is superior. Since these seminars were held, a lot of people have signed up for CVC. This is a big change, as previously there was not much interest.
Central American national board,
by Sara, Claire, Peter‚ and Tom
Our main focus has been CVC. A letter was sent out to the Homes in September about the importance of record–keeping, together with some simple forms and a basic plan for using them.
A video circuit is now in place in Central America, and the Homes are benefiting from English educational programs and rated movies.
We have gotten the go-ahead from the Lord to work toward setting up an area school for the Guatemala City area. Some close friends have offered us a house rent–free for five years, and with some help in the handyman department‚ it can be used as a school. In the meantime, we plan to start small by schooling certain groups of children together in one Home three to four days a week, to economize on our teachers and give them a chance to major on the age group they most enjoy teaching.
MIDDLE EAST
Compiled by Emmy, regional FED chairperson
*We've set up the regional FED Resource Center.
*150 new videos added to the FED library.
*295 CDs added to the FED library.
*ME FED video/CD catalog completed and sent out to the Homes in December 2001, updated in August 2002.
*Approximately 160 videos and 90 CDs sent out to the Homes.
*Six PEP seminars held in the region.
*Five CVC seminars held in the region.
*Sent out a questionnaire to the Homes regarding their needs for early learning materials, to be able to assess the needs and see what we as a FED can do to help produce them.
ME central national board,
by Rosey
*Three follow–up parenting meetings were held to cover the A to Z's of enrolling in the CLE full program‚ the CLE training program‚ record-keeping, and student portfolios. Another focus was to increase parental awareness and hands-on participation in their children's schooling.
*Three CVC meetings were held in the national area, resulting in an increased awareness of the CVC and new CVC students working on certificates.
*A "Homeschooling for Kidz" file (on how kids can explain their homeschooling to outsiders) was sent out to the national area Homes.
NORTH AMERICA
Compiled by Sara D., regional FED chairperson
Seeing the FED board vision come to fruition has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my 31 years in the Family. As soon as I witnessed the talent, gifts, and anointing in these FED boards I knew‚ "Hey, this is gonna work great! This is a dream come true for the Family! So much can get done, by such faithful, talented people!" The job takes time and self-sacrifice, but working with such an awesome team is a reward in itself.
NACRO has four national areas, with 16 FED board members: three FGA males, 11 FGA women, and two SGA women. It's a fun, varied, fruitful, dedicated (and busy!) team who have worked hard at offering help to our dear Family and done a great job.
Delegation
The Lord has led each national FED board to take on different portfolios according to each one's talents and burdens: early education, curriculums, CVC and secondary education, legalities, research, or special education kids.
Linking boards and Homes
A major initiative that we've started has been to research the local homeschooling laws for each state and send them by e-mail to every Home in the region, along with a reminder about Charter requirements and record-keeping. The boards have worked at establishing a personal link with each Home by phone and e-mail, so that they know that our services are made available to each Home and CC teamworker. We usually contact the main teacher in the Home or CC teamworker, offer our help if needed, ask if they have any questions, and how they think they may do under scrutiny.
We've been pleased to discover that our Homes have received us beautifully and welcomed our services, and they generally have a good schooling routine; in fact, we gain great tips and resource helps from our many experienced parents and teachers.
The CVC works!
Helping Homes to understand and benefit from using the CVC has been our other main initiative, as we have found the CVC to be the answer to almost every need for our teens and youth. We first explain how superior the CVC is to any other course, as it is more than mere scholastics: It provides Christian missionary training with fun‚ Word-based learning, vocational studies that train and give credit in useful skills, as well as academics. Everything is easily and officially documented for record-keeping—it's a valid, effective, tried and proven high school and junior college course. You can earn as many as 47 different well-deserved certificates and three diplomas, and can choose the courses you like.
I wish I could portray here how encouraged our young people are when they finally start to use the CVC. Discouragement is erased by the fulfillment and inspiration they gain when they realize that the Family has an effective, superior educational program that gives them credit for what they can do and have already done. CVC gets faster results, with diligent students graduating early and earning well–deserved certificates from the age of 14, with‚ best of all‚ tons more interesting Word–based education than any System course.
PACIFIC (ACTON)
Compiled by Joy D., regional FED chairperson
Australia national board
In Australia we have been working on sending good books, available here, to Taiwan and China. These workbooks are in key learning areas like math‚ phonics‚ English, word building, or spelling. With increased travel due to board meetings, this is now possible, and we have sent over two lots so far.
The FED in Australia‚ NZ, and the Pacific Islands is focusing on giving the kids more Family-based projects to work on, art contests, coloring, writing essays, etc., with prizes and incentives for the kids. The FED is working closely with the CP board on this. The FED is starting to push the CVC more and will be holding seminars in conjunction with the JT board.
China national board
In China, the FED is working on scanning more material, as it is so difficult to obtain good educational materials. Even to bring in CLE or A Beka is difficult, due to restrictions on books coming into the country, as well as the mail service being unreliable.
The China FED is working on sending educational CDs to the Homes and a FED newsletter. China FED worked with the JT board to hold CVC seminars.
Taiwan national board
The FED in Taiwan has held seminars on the CVC, as well as record-keeping. They also have a project of scanning Chinese readers and workbooks for the Homes and sending them out on CD, along with various early learning ideas: PowerPoint slide shows to teach reading, flashcards, etc. Their first CD mailing has been sent out already.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Compiled by Leah and Tiago‚ regional FED co–chairpersons
Indonesia national board
In September, Tiago held a YA/SGA meeting while in Jakarta‚ before heading to Bali for a three-day meeting with the teens there. One of his main objectives was to show the teens how to use the CVC as a way to strengthen their interests, rather than seeing it just as something the Family has to offer. This meeting gave us national FED board members more of a vision for the CVC and how to get the most out of it‚ plus ways to help challenge the teens in using the CVC.
Points of interest: Tiago brought out the use of videos in teaching our young people, and how it helps to spark their interest in the subject matter being taught. Another point was in regards to "multiple intelligence," how people can also be gifted in areas such as speaking, creating, music, personal relations, etc. He shared some of his research on this and gave a test to help the teens find or discover their gifts and talents. Tiago has found that through using this test‚ young people gain self-esteem by finding the areas that they are most interested in. The idea is to help stretch existing strengths.
Tiago, in coordination with the Indonesia FED board and the Bali Home, held a three–day teen camp in Bali for all the teens in Indonesia‚ covering in more detail the topics he went over with the YAs and SGAs. Not only were there inspiring Word classes and CVC instruction, but also fun-filled activities and fellowship for the teens.
We held a CP/FED early learning seminar in June, covering the theory and practical application of teaching younger children. The regional FED board sent educational CDs and VCDs for children, as well as other teaching aids for teachers and parents. We had a very nice show-and-tell time in the host Home, which had a good sample school set up. We showed educational materials available locally‚ and shared ideas, suggestions and practical tips on how to better meet the educational needs of the younger children.
Philippine national board
The PI FED board has set up a local FED Resource Center in order to make videos and CDs more readily available to the Homes on a local level.
Joy (PI FED chairperson) has worked on getting needed educational materials for the surrounding countries in the SEA area since English educational materials are readily available there. In our travels we bring samples of these and take orders for them from the Homes.
In August, Joy was able to attend a JT camp and cover points and how-tos in using the CVC program, as well as covering other areas along the lines of education.
In September, the FED and CP board held a two-day seminar for the Homes in the Philippines, with about 35 attendees. Our regional FED (Leah) and CP (Sarah I.) chairpersons were able to attend the seminar.
Thailand national board, by Faithy
The Lord highlighted the following points for our board to focus on:
*The homeschooling of our national children and the legalities entailed.
*The academic input of our teenage children, as well as what options were available for their vocational training.
*Expanding the FED Resource Center to include more educational reference materials for scholastics.
SEA regional board
The board vision and implementation was the most cataclysmic change in our FED work this year. We were privileged to sit in on many of the national FED board meetings. It's exciting to see how many people are envisioned with the education of our children.
The Thai national board is sending PDF newsletters via e-mail to the Homes.
"Codebreakers"
Another inspiring project was the making of the first of a series of Bible-based classes on video called "Codebreakers." Its inception came from one of our COs, who is a concerned father and has been burdened by our children's limited knowledge of the Bible compared with those who had been raised in combos and training centers and got a healthy diet of the Bible daily. Together with David Komic, who did the skits, and Benny, our creative digital kitchen cameraman and technician, we produced the first 10 hours of a series of 52. We have started the second series and hope to have it available to all Homes in the beginning of the coming year.
Resource Centers
We've spent a lot of time reproducing materials for the regional FEDs and our local national FEDs in the PI and Indonesia. We have had a vision to set up indigenous FED Resource Centers in Indonesia and the Philippines, but the implementation of the board vision has made this dream become reality. The board structure has raised up people with a vision to make educational materials available to the Homes.
We've received many requests worldwide for materials to set up FED Resource Centers in other regions. We have been able to supply what we can to these fields as well as our local area.
FED publications in color and PDF format
We colored and converted many of our FED publications to PDF format and they are available on the Family's MO site. Again, thanks to modern technology and the availability of the FED section on the MO site, any Home can now download the many materials we have published in our area since 1996. Besides Family flannelgraphs, we also compiled a high school test based on the GED which our teens can use for testing.
SPANISH SOUTH AMERICA
Compiled by Carmen, regional FED chairperson
It's exciting to watch how the board structure has propelled us into an era of greater works. Even though our fledgling FED has mainly focused on research and building the structure of our FED, we're amazed at all the Lord has done in such a short time. We can feel His blessing and the growth brought on by the uniting of our efforts by the boards.
Below is a synopsis of what the FED has been involved with, and we're thankful to the many people who have made all of it possible through their prayers, hard work, sacrifice, and by supporting their board members.
*Put together a Resource Center for the area.
*Attended book/educational fairs in Colombia and Chile with the intent of researching and provisioning. Contact with several education-oriented companies/stores was established, through which the Lord has supplied good quality books, with promising opportunities in the works.
*Held two CVC seminars in Chile, one for senior teens, and one for the FED, CP‚ VS, and JT board members, a number of whom have since become CVC course supervisors. We've also given personal classes to Homes or individuals who were interested in CVC how–tos.
*Regionalized our CVC ICs (Instruction Coordinators), so we now have ICs in Chile and Brazil. Besides English‚ the CVC ICs handle mail in Portuguese and Spanish.
*Looking into potential field translators to help us get more of the kids pubs and materials into Spanish. (GBY, dear volunteers!) The kids vitamins have been translated into Spanish (thanks to Pandita in Chile!) and are in the layout stage.
*Our Resource Center manager has put together two info packs the board members can have on hand for reference, information, or as samples for parents and Homes. Such packs include info on record-keeping, children's portfolios, CVC‚ as well as samples of the very useful material available on the MO site.
*Did quite a bit of research regarding Spanish curriculums, CDs, textbooks, etc.
*The FED board was involved in helping a good number of teens and YAs work toward their high school diplomas (some have already graduated), as well as imparting training and counsel to teachers on how to organize scholastics, school programs, schedules, curriculum contents, etc. Diagnostic tests were administered to students, and letters were written and sent to the parents of the kids involved.
*Compiled homeschooling laws from the countries in our area‚ and one for those requesting clearance for Argentina.
*Colombia/Venezuela FED held a CC seminar for parents, with the help of a psychologist friend and a former member educator. The FED will be working with her over the next few months on visiting the Homes to evaluate the children's level of education and help parents and Homes organize their homeschooling programs.
WEST EUROPE
Compiled by Joi‚ regional FED co-chairperson
Several meetings have been held on an area level both in the north and the south. During the latest fellowships in Italy‚ Spain, and England, FED board members let the Homes know that we're there to help. We have been giving counsel and information concerning homeschooling laws, how to go about switching from System schools to homeschooling, etc. We've made textbooks available to those in need, and generally tried to help in whatever avenue was opened to us.
We've worked on setting up resource libraries on a national level. Meekness (in the north) managed to find some great discounts and cheaper contacts for obtaining books‚ and the Lord has also been supplying material at book fairs.
We launched a newsletter on a regional level entitled "Well FED" (Western Europe Learning Link—FED). The newsletter contains questions and answers, suggested links to Web sites, articles of interest, prayer requests, announcements, and a large variety of information we've managed to gather.
Copyright © 2003 by The Family
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