20 Jul FROM YOUR GENERAL SECRETARY – JULY 2017
Dear Friends,
In April, during the Annual General Meeting of the General Anthroposophical Society, Justus Wittich, the treasurer, spoke of the alarming situation regarding the Society’s finances.
For the 2016 fiscal year, a deficit of 300,000 Swiss francs (CHF) was registered. This was attributed in large part to the low audience turnout for the new Faust production during which the hall was never more than half full. In fact, in mid-season it was decided to cut the production budget by 20% in order to be able to save 3.8 million francs.
In an attempt to absorb the debt, it was necessary to withdraw an amount of 2 million Swiss francs from the Society’s general budget. We should mention here that, on average, individual members worldwide contribute 75 CHF per year. In order to deal with the present deficit, the annual contribution from each member would need to be 125 CHF. Previously, any lack of funds was covered by dipping into inheritance moneys and accumulated reserves. However, the situation has now come to the point where, if the Goetheanum cannot manage to find the funds necessary to cover the present deficit, it looks like some services provided for in the 2017 budget will have to be cut. One of these cuts would involve eliminating the financial support for the upkeep of the archives, which, as we know, contain exclusive artistic treasures. There is also the possibility of not being able to provide continued additional support for the Eurythmy troupe at the Goetheanum. And if worst comes to worst, several properties will have to be sold.
Following the General Secretaries’ meeting, there was a meeting of the Executive Committee with the treasurers of the national societies. As our own treasurer was not able to attend, I sat in for him during the two-day session. As it happens, it was the representatives of the European societies that were present. Once they had been made aware of the critical financial situation, they asked the members of the Executive Committee to leave the room. One hour later, they reached the unanimous decision to commit substantial amounts from their respective national societies to help cover a part of the deficit. In the last issue of Anthroposophy Worldwide we read that a sum totalling approximately 400,000 CHF has been pledged by the societies in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.
In the same issue, Justus Wittich states his firm intention of meeting a zero-deficit goal by the year 2020.
What support can we give?
At our AGM in Vancouver this May, I explained the situation and stated that I had not made a specific pledge in the name of our Society, but that I had said I would put the question to our members. A brief survey among some members (resulting in pledges totalling over $1000) has led me to believe that many of our members would be willing to add an additional amount to their annual contribution. It goes without saying that your support would be greatly appreciated.
Our treasurer, John Glanzer, suggests the following method for making an additional donation: “Extra donations to the Goetheanum, over and above regular Membership contributions, can be made by donating to the Anthroposophical Society in Canada, and marking the donation “Goetheanum – Extra”. Donations of this type will be collected and forwarded to the Goetheanum once a year after the AGM in accordance with our Agency Agreement with the Goetheanum. Canadian tax receipts will be issued to the donors”.
The ongoing question is of course how to find new sources of income to support the work of the General Anthroposophical Society and the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. It would be extremely important at this juncture to explore how our national Society’s reserve funds could best be put to use. Fundraising initiatives are presently being discussed. Certain individuals have made provisions for inheritance or life insurance money to be awarded to the Society, and other ideas or initiatives along these lines can certainly be taken advantage of.
Our Council: members who are stepping down
The Council’s task is not exclusively an administrative one. Study and artistic work help create a circle of initiative and mutual support among the council members. This working together strengthens our ability to serve the Society and the membership. When a member with whom we have worked intensely and joyfully for some time has to step down, we always feel both a certain sadness and also a deep sense of gratitude for the effort the individual has devoted to the work.
Two of our active and committed colleagues will no longer be able to serve with us as Council members next year.
John Bach, from Vancouver, who was our Council member from the West Coast and took on the task of Secretary, has withdrawn for personal reasons. During the 2016 Ottawa conference, it was John who coordinated the research project presentations. The Council thanks him most sincerely and wishes him well for the next phase of his life.
Ida (Karen) Liedl has also left the Council, in her case due to the fact that she is moving with her entire family to Europe. Karen brought lively artistic exercises into our Council work, stimulating our creativity and bringing us a sense of cohesiveness. We wish her a wonderful stay in Germany.
Two guest speakers from the Goetheanum are to visit us shortly
Robin Schmidt will arrive from the Goetheanum to give a lecture in Montreal on August 11th, a meditation workshop on August 12th, and a lesson for members of the School for Spiritual Science on August 13th. He will be in Toronto the following week. Olivia Hannah has organized a meeting with the youth circle for August 16th.
Taking advantage of Robin’s presence among us, we are organizing a meeting to explore the possibility of creating a sustained anthroposophical meditation initiative in Canada. Robin has a great amount of experience in the field of meditation (see the announcement for the event).
Programme
Christiane Haid, who heads the Section for the Literary Arts and the Humanities and is also the editor for the Goetheanum publishing house, will give two lectures in Montreal:
FAUST – REPRESENTATIVE OF MODERN MAN
Saturday, September 9th, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Location: École Rudolf Steiner de Montréal
4855 Kensington
Flyer
and
THE MISSION AND TASK OF THE SECTION FOR THE LITERARY ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
Location: 263 Duluth St. East
Flyer
For further information, please read the description in this newsletter.
Wishing you a sun-filled, restful and inspiring summer,
Arie van Ameringen
General Secretary
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