Proposal #3: Annual Theme
I propose that CISV International select a specific theme ever year. All NAs would then work towards exploring this theme in order to raise awareness on the society to CISV values. EDR in cooperation with the other committees will be responsable to selecting yearly relevant theme and all the organization from the International level to the chapter level will be responsible for the implementation of relevant initiatives.
Responsibilities of International Committees:
- Develop a concept to integrate the theme into ALL programmes (Village, Summercamp, IC... Etc.)
- Facilitate working with this topic in Seminar Camps, Youth Meetings and IPPs
- Evaluate and publish activities centrally and on the web
- Explore the topic in local initiatives and Mosaic projects
- Find ways of fundraising for this project
- Develop activity-templates that can be applied in all NAs
Rationale
I think it is important for CISV to relate the activities and projects we do towards modern life and the issues that surround us locally and internationally. For any member CISV needs to be more challenging, politcal issues can be discussed and debated without our organisation taking a
stance.
The beautiful thing about CISV is that anyone can be in it with whatever beliefs they have. CISV gives us the chance to meet other people and discuss issues which we are passionate about. We can then formulate our own opinions about where we stand in the world, and our own personal beliefs about the way forward to creating a more peaceful society. By making a stand on
certain issues within the organisation we risk becoming exclusive, meaning that, unless you agree with us on this issue then you're not welcome in our organisation. The tools that we get from the education/experience in CISV, I believe, create lots of well rounded citizens who will touch the world in their own way.
Teo (ITA)
5 Comments:
In general I like the idea of a theme on which the organisation works together. However, I think that one year is too short a) for EDR to come up with something, communicate it, have all programme committees implement it, communicate it to the NAs and have activities on it. Doing this every year can very quickly end up in stress. I would argue for themes, or priorities to be set every three years, NAs can submit proposals, the board discusses them and agrees on a three year theme or three year area of activity or three year priorities and then NAs have time to really implement it, work on it, think and discuss about it. Within this theme, there can be variations in the time of three years of course.
Generally I like the idea as well...
I agree with Basti that one year is too short. Maybe we could have a theme every 3 years, because from what I know it takes a while for information decided on AIMs get to the NAs and chapters.
Besides what Basti said about how things would work in EDR.
But I like the idea... with MOSAIC it would be even more interesting.
Just for the record: Similar proposal have been discussed on the EEC (expanded executive committee) list about two years ago, and it has also been a motion from CISV Italy a few years ago. Not trying to say, this is old=>boring
In fact, I think it's a great idea, and I'm more in favour for an annual theme, than Bastian's 3Y-suggestion. People get tired of a theme quite quickly, so having the same theme for 3 years may not work.
I'm a little concerned about the top-down approach. Many chapters are already sick of "getting told" what to do, so I think as many people as possible should be included in finding a theme.
Once chosen, a theme can be promoted well ahead of the "start" of the year, and then the information will have time to trickle down (better: around) CISV.
While I'm at it: I think there's a lot of work to be done to narrow down the gap between "big brother" CISV International/AIM and the people working in the chapters. A new CISV News, as suggested in Proposal #1, may help, but also an annual theme is a great way of pulling CISV chapters closer together.
An annual theme might have some utility if EDR were to provide some resource materials. Otherwise it's a top-down initiative that many NAs and chapters, I expect, would ignore.
Thanks, Nick and Anonymous for your comments. I am pleased with your expression of chapters' concerns.
As LW (Mosaic) was being retuned, we had discussed the idea of themes. From small local chapter members' perspectives, it was our feeling that if we had an opportunity to contribute to a worthwhile project, then we should take advantage of it. With a theme, it may happen that that proposed concept will enjoy priority over other opportunities; with limited resources, chapters often do well to exercise prudence in utilising these resources.
If one suggests the option of opting out of theme-based activities for every chapter, then there will have been no real point to implementing the theme.
The possibility of adherance to a theme in lieu of other, more locally advantageous projects, is a 'loose-end' in the idea.
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