Dear fellow EUU Members and Friends,
I just read a lovely description of EUU, written by someone who is not a member of EUU – how nice! They mentioned “a vibrant community” “formed of many people.” Those words make me think of WHEN that “formation” happened, and I realize that it is not in the past, not really…
The “creation” of EUU happens EVERY TIME we come together – and here I am thinking more of the “work” side of EUU, though of course being a participant (online or in person) at a retreat is a way of co-creating our community.
I’m thinking of all the current retreat committee members (just received a message from Derek!) who are still actively creating during this smooth run-up to our retreat in Cologne. I’m not sure if my own experiences as an officer of EUU is similar or different for other volunteer creators of EUU, but I sure hope that they/you experience some of the rush and joy that I experience here as I work alongside you. We EUU creators – who meet, make decisions, exchange ideas, listen and reformulate, compromise, and recreate – our actions CREATE something good, useful, sweet, maybe powerful, maybe ephemeral, maybe enduring for a time.
A large bonus of the creativity within EUU is that we are co-creating… we do this together, and even better, often with people who really CARE about each other. As I read through the evolving EUU “Safe Community Preliminary Statement” – up for a confirmation vote at our November 17 AGM – I find the explicit description of the types of people we all wish to be – how we intend to behave – with each other, in this community. To have this kind of intentional social clarity with people I work hard alongside – this is one of the great aspects of being so involved in the continued creation of EUU. I’ve realized that our communal values are foundational for making “creative work” with EUU very different than my experiences and work in other domains.
At our November AGM, we will also be voting in a slate of new officers that will take the helm of EUU when the year 2025 begins. YOU might be one of the new officers that will have this special opportunity to work alongside committed and caring people on the continued creation of our EUU community – we are still seeking a secretary. YOU might be deciding right now that you actually would find this creative & social work energizing & gratifying. And as we face the need for new people to step up and help create future retreats, you might be realizing that working alongside others – and taking on more of the responsibility – actually is a possibility for you. You might be considering how our very important communication tool – the Unifier – might be something that you could help to co-create! I sure hope so!
None of us works alone here at EUU. We are a community. We are many with a desire to help each other. We are numerous, we step up, we get things done, and we are actively co-creating, every moment. Please consider how you can step into this active, creative process within EUU. We need and want you as a co-creator. Reach out to me (president@europeanuu.org), or any officers (officers@europeanuu.org), or to any name you recognize, and we will help you get connected & active in the way that works for you.
In warm and hopeful fellowship,
Karen Kyker