Information  for Subud CA Congress Virtual Attendees

from the CA Regional Helpers

We requested guidance from the International Helpers for our “hybrid” (in-person and zoom) Congress regarding the testing of the Regional chair and vice chair. A statement was provided, signed by all 18 International Helpers. Contained within was this guidance:

“Bapak asked video of testing be omitted from his talks. There is a reason behind that. Please respect this and do not make testing a video event.

When we are all in person, we sit quietly in a latihan state to observe testing of new officers for Subud. This is not really the case in some cases with the use of Zoom. Other people may be walking in and out of the room with the computer or phone, people may be eating, etc. Keep the testing to the helpers and candidates at the congress location and with the normal protocol for those present to witness in person.

Please do not film the testing. If you need to do testing of a candidate for a position who cannot attend the congress that candidate should have at least 2 helpers physically present with him or her to witness the candidate’s testing and report back to the congress that is meeting live elsewhere.

We hope those not attending the congress will trust the helpers conducting the testing and supporting the selection for new positions. Presentations, discussions of issues, cultural events can certainly be done very well with Zoom… just not testing, filmed and broadcast.

It may be that someone who will not be attending the California Congress in person wishes to test for chair or vice chair. We strongly recommend if you have any inkling to put your name forward that you test with your local helpers OR we regional helpers are available to test with you.

The question to test is: “Is it correct for (your name) to put my name forward to test for Chair (or Vice Chair) of Subud California?” This test question is not to determine if you are correct for the position, it is to determine if you should put your name forward for testing.

If the testing indicates it is correct to put your name forward, please notify Luqman Katz, Chair of the 2024 Congress.

Please note that to conduct this testing with you not present at the congress, you will need to make arrangements to have two helpers physically present with you. The regional helpers will also be testing with the virtual candidates to add their receiving.

In accordance with our bylaws, Subud CA members present at the congress will vote on the chair and vice chair, following the testing procedure approved by the national helpers as used at our previous regional congresses.

 

Our policy is that all person attending on site at UC Santa Barbara must be vaccinated per these guidelines from the Region’s Executive Committee, communication to members in June:

• The executive committee recommends staying the course with a vaccinated* Congress. Regarding masks, we recommended wearing them indoors. We do not know what the infection levels will be in August. Using the recent Santa Cruz kejiwaan weekend as an example: out of 14 fully vaccinated attendees, two members tested positive after the gathering, with the majority not wearing masks.
  * “vaccinated’ is two doses of Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of Johnson & Johnson and at least one booster, administered at least 14 days before attending the Congress.

Below is an outline of how we arrived at the decision to hold an in-person event and to establish and maintain this policy.  It was indeed a challenging process, as many organizations, both Subud and others, chose NOT to meet in person this summer.

A foundational step for the regional helpers was testing on whether it was right to hold an in-person congress at UCSB. The receiving was affirmative for being onsite together and also for offering a virtual option. This corroborated members’ responses to a Congress survey, reported in our February 2022 newsletter.

However, with variations of Covid still emerging, it was clear that the planning team’s top priority must be to do everything possible to protect the health and safety of all attending onsite. Review of national and state guidelines confirmed that this meant requiring vaccination; also, many survey respondents commented that a vaccination requirement was a key factor in their decision to attend onsite.

For members who may not be vaccinated, it was imperative to offer a virtual congress option. While holding a “dual” event increases the complexity of organization and execution, it enables all who desire to do so to participate, especially in the kejiwaan activities

At time of contract signing, our venue at UCSB campus required both vaccination and masks for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, which aligned well with our health safety priorities. In June, this requirement was waived for visitors or external groups holding summer events on campus. After considering the options, we decided to align our event with UCSB’s own Summer 2022 policy, which still requires vaccination for onsite staff and students.  This ensures the safest possible environment for our members attending onsite.

It will be truly meaningful for so many of us to gather, both in person and virtually, and to have this opportunity to deepen our surrender together.

With love to all,
Subud CA regional committee, regional helpers & 2022 congress planning team