URI Multiregion

The weather gods seemed to be in our favor. Although it was forecast to rain all weekend, I arrived to a beautiful March afternoon in the Bay Area. I felt excited and a sense of urgency as this was going to be our first Multi Region gathering in which our entire region would be participating. Some last minute jitters…after all, after being a “virtual” community for the last 10 years mostly via email, phone, and Skype we were all finally going to meet face to face for the sole intention of having a Multi Region gathering. While most of us had met multiple times via other regional and global meetings, many had not yet met me. I think some people did not really think I existed!

And so I went through my checklist: did I bring the regional information packets that I spent some much time on? Yes, check. Did I remember to bring my suit for the Circles of Light dinner? Yes, check. Did I get everyone all of the information they needed to get to our gathering from the various parts of the globe that there were traveling from ? – Yes, check. Okay…now where is this retreat center?! And how do I get there…

I did not quite know what to expect about the Brahma Kumaris Anubhuti Retreat Center…I mean I knew that there was not going to be any flat screen TVs in the rooms, and that it would be strictly a vegetarian weekend – which, from a carnivore’s perspective, not an easy feat for a long weekend. But were we going to be sleeping on a bed of nails? I guess I would find out soon enough.

I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived. The place was set in the midst of pristine surroundings in a forest-like location. After being greeted by Rachael – our official greeter for the weekend (thanks again Rachael), I got to see and meet several people whom I had been in contact for years and yet had never met; it was wonderful to finally put a face and personality to a voice and an email. After settling into my room and being very happy with the room size, the beds (no nails visible) and the nice showers and bathrooms! – I decided to take a little stroll behind the center. Turns out there was a muddy path that lead around enormous homes surrounded by water from the San Francisco Bay. I took a 45 minute meditative walk, thoroughly enjoying the majestic atmosphere – soaking up the views – the sights (the several deer I saw), the sounds, and the smells. Finally I realized it was time to get back to the gathering, and to be fully present, for our opening ceremony was about to begin.

As the sun was closing its eyes for the evening, we began our opening ceremony outside on the terrace. Yoland, Audri, Sarah, Matt, and Linda all had an important part to play and Charles was there as well to lend his support and wisdom. We all formed a circle that consisted of twenty-two people and in the cooling evening breeze we warmly welcomed the sacred – and each other into our auspicious gathering.

The rest of the evening went by very quickly – a group dinner filled with good food, good cheer, good atmosphere, laughter, and the meeting of old and in some cases new friends. For those who were disciplined enough, the meditation room was opened each morning at 4am for individual and group mediation. Some did this. Others followed their own unique style: individual meditation in their rooms, meditation through finding a place that served coffee! – or just meditating in one’s sleep by counting sheep! - Everyone seemed to get just the right balance for each person seemed to arrive at group breakfast on time and energized for the day’s gathering.

Friday we had a full day of meetings – it officially started by Vrajapati and Biswadeb (both Hindus from India) leading a chant of “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. Deborah for her part lit candles on a small table that we made as our altar in which several people placed “sacred objects” . Matt, our fearless trustee helped us in the reading of URI’s Charter. I spoke about our Multi Region goals and Yoland led an important group exercise in which we visualized and imagined the future of the Multi Region.

Since the weather gods were still favoring us with nice sunny weather I recommended that we get a group photo while we had the opportunity and so we all went out and took this wonderful group photo:

What followed were important presentations from each member present about the CC (Cooperation Circle) that they belong to or represented. To learn more about this, please see the recent blog posting from Don Frew and Rachael Watcher that I posted from their blog onto our Multi Region blog. It is an excellent and detailed overview of the weekend and in general a fine resource.

An example selection from the blog:

...After the individual CC presentations we had group presentations on the International Day of Peace by Monica and Deborah, on Peace, Media, and Public Relations by Rachael and PK, on Nonviolence, Education, and Communication by Linda, Anne, and Sarah, and finally we had an update from Sally and Debra – our new Director from our Global Support office in San Francisco. It was an extremely information packed day with some exciting updates such as the URI now has almost 500 Cooperation Circles in over 70 countries, which includes over 1 million people working for peace, justice, and healing.

After a long day of meetings we were rewarded with (by all things) a puppet show! The puppets, (which were really cool by the way) – were orchestrated by Heng Sure, Rachael, and PK. It was lighthearted and often and surprisingly funny at times. Following this was music! Heng Sure played guitar and we joined in a sing along fashion while Biswadeb accompanied him on his tabla. It was immediately apparent from his playing that he is a world-class musician and tabla player. After our musical event people told stories and funny anecdotes from their lives and travels. I proceed to talk about using a pee bottle while on Mt. Everest and relayed my climbing teammate Tonya Riggs' story about how a woman does this…for some reason people seemed to find this quite amusing! I guess I should have told them the climbing club that Tonya belongs to: Chicks with Picks. That probably would have also gotten a laugh or two!

Saturday’s meetings came and went before I could even realize it. Again, we had a great breakfast and lunch; food made and served with love by the Brahma Kumaris staff. In between we had important meetings that covered such diverse topics as Towards a Sustainable Financial Future for the Multi Region which was lead by Yoland, Bobbi Jo, Linda, and Mussie and a presentation about the URI Global Youth led by Sarah and Matt - and how they have set up an example template of efficiency for the rest of us to learn from; sometimes the youth really does know how to lead and perhaps mentoring programs to the Youth should be going the other way around! What followed was Starting a URI Women’s Global Movement, and Creating a MCC.

After lunch Audri gave a presentation titled What’s So Sexy About Peace and following that was a two hour Open Space section that Sally led. This open space gave everyone an opportunity to talk about and assemble into small groups on issues that are important to them such as changing our name from the Multi Region to the Global Region. Will that happen? Stay tuned...!

It was now getting time for the Circles of Light dinner, URI’s annual fundraising event held at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. It was an opportunity for all of us to get dressed up and attend a fancy affair. It was the polar opposite setting to the simple and austere Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center. At the heart of it, this is the main fundraising event for URI to bring in much needed donations to help cover its operating expenses so it can continue its mission and good works across the globe.


– Other than finally getting to eat some meat! - The highlight for most were the URI drummers: Masankho Banda, who through African drumming and storytelling told us a moving story about the founding of URI - and Biswadeb Chakraborty, who followed with an incredible drum solo on the tablas and some powerful words: "Namaste! I bring the rhythm of joy to all of you from the URI members in East India and from my homeland. Blessings from the elders, who express the highest hopes for the world to unite, to heal and to build cultures of peace."
...The event also included the premiere short URI film titled Saying Yes to the Dream – The First 10 Years of URI. It is a well produced film and was received warmly by the crowd.

Of course, we all enjoyed schmoozing and seeing old friends and posing for photos wearing our nice clothes (See below):

Well, all good things unfortunately must come to an end. The closing ceremony on Sunday was done by Linda and Matt . Matt read the inspiring and lovely poem titled Footprints in the Sand, which brought a few tears and sniffles amongst us. It was a nice ending to a beautiful gathering. In closing, I must say that the Brahma Kumaris Anubhuti Retreat Center gets an A+ for everything. They were all extremely friendly and helpful people who truly seemed happy to help. It was a wonderful weekend – moving, inspiring and filled with friendship, hope, and energy. Thanks for everyone who attended and who helped make this event possible.

In peace,

Lance Trumbull

• To develop a stronger Multi Region identity and strengthen sustainability for the Multi Region (greater URI and global awareness that we exist and are making an impact in the world) – areas in how we will help achieve this:

A. To encourage Multi Region CCs to participate in the International Day of Peace.

B. To provide regional leadership to develop a strategy for regional fundraising and Self-Sustainability.

C. To increase audience for Multi Region CCs through developing media and public relations outreach – getting the news out about the Multi Region, its works and good deeds, its Web site and blog.

• To nurture the Multi Region CC's – provide support services to help the CCs achieve their goals.

A. CC support will be facilitated (if requested) by quarterly contact with trustees and/or regional coordinator.

B. Mutually beneficial synergy among CCs will be encouraged whereby CCs can help and inspire one another, share best practices, and create win- win situations for all CCs.

• Recruit at least 5 new CC’s in 2010.

• Develop at least 2 MCC’s in 2010.

• To welcome two new Global CCs (established by the GC) to the Multi Region and incorporate their contribution within this region.

• To create a basis for an emphasis on and platform for women in URI.

• To have more CC participation on conference calls and future gatherings.

• To have more CC participation with the URI Multi Region Web site:

A. More depth about each CC on individual CC page.

B. More news stories sent to Lance (the Webmaster) to post your CC news stories & updates.

C. More involvement from individuals to our Multi Region blog.