NEWSLETTER |

DECEMBER 2003

The staff of US Servas would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone the very best this holiday season has to offer and the hopes for a world full of peace in the coming New Year!

      NEW EVENTS PAGE ON SERVAS WEBSITE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY-DESIGN A POSTER FOR SERVAS
SERVAS DINNER WITH FULBRIGHT STUDENTS
ARTICLE REVIEW: BACKPACK NATION

New Events Page on Servas Website

It is more important than ever that Servas members and friends gather in their local areas to support peace and international understanding. We have placed a new page on the website for listing monthly dinners, local peace and culture events and conferences. Events Page >

If you have regular gatherings in your area or are organizing an upcoming event please email Julie Schumacher Cohen to have it posted on this page. Please indicate the date and time (e.g. every third Thursday at 6:30), location (if possible), contact person information and any other pertinent information. If your area does not have regular local gatherings, contact your area representative and see if you might be able to help organize one! As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Volunteer Opportunity- Design a Poster for Servas

US Servas is going to be sending out the quarterly paper newsletter, Open Doors, in January. We will be including a contest for the design of recruitment posters. Posters should target either travelers or hosts, or both for recruitment. Be creative! Help us design for all targeted audiences; college students, retirees, activists, anyone interested in promoting world peace.

The current plans are for posters that are 8.5 by 5.5 inches. Once designed and printed, the posters will be available at the US Servas web site. Poster designers will be given recognition and thanks in the next newsletter. If you have any suggestions or need help email Mike Trueheart.

Servas Thanksgiving Dinner with Fulbright Students

Servas host, Loraine Heller, had quite an international Thanksgiving this year, with guests from Germany, Croatia, France and Japan. US Servas is working with the Institute of International Education's NYC headquarters to provide day-hosting opportunities for their international Fulbright students, giving them a chance to learn more about American life and culture.

Loraine Heller volunteered to help students experience a real American Thanksgiving dinner. "My Thanksgiving dinner with the Fulbright students was a complete success," Loraine said. "They were happy to be hosted, and they were very sociable with each other. The conversation was lively and touched on a wide variety of subjects." Mina Muraoka, a Fulbright Scholar at the thanksgiving party, had no plans for thanksgiving. "It is sometimes hard when you are in a foreign country by yourself. I really enjoyed her Thanksgiving dinner and heartful hosting. It was really nice, and I am happy that I was able to experience one of the famous holidays in the United States." If you would like to find out more about hosting Fulbright students visit our Collaborations Page or email Julie Schumacher Cohen.

Pictured from left to right: US Servas host, Loraine Heller and Fulbright Scholars, Joachim (Germany), Dragana (Croatia), Eravan (Laos) and Mina (Japan).

Article Review: Backpack Nation

by Susan Binch Earl

Many authors are sharing the same ideals of Servas. The Pacific Sun recently printed an article concerning author Brad Newsham's tour to launch a new project, Backpack Nation.

This project was launched to counteract the damage that American foreign policy has created in the world. Newsham describes the possibility of helping to transform the world by sending roving peace ambassadors to developing countries. That is not a new idea; Servas was developed on that idea 54 years ago, when Bob Luitweiler brought it to the USA. Although Newsham adds a twist; he has fundraised $10,000, which is given to a chosen ambassador to use by the end of his or her yearlong trip, to be used to enhance the life of a person, family, village or organization in the Third World.

Newsham has published 2 books, "All the Right Places," and "Take Me with You: A round-the-world journey to invite a stranger home". He also works as a cab driver.

This idea of travel with a purpose is catching on. Liz Scherle has designed a website, www.whereisliz.com, which is a "how-to-guide" for people (especially women) wishing to travel. She is planning to be a goodwill ambassador herself.

To learn more about this project, log on to www.bradnewsham.com Many individuals in the world are relating to Servas ideals without being aware of our organization. It is the responsibility of all members to reach out and make the connection.

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"Peace is the first thing the angels sang" - Leo the Great.

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Thank you!