ABOUT SERVAS |
QUESTIONS
What is Servas?
What is the mission of US Servas?
Can I access the United States Servas Bylaw? Yes, Click here.
How can I join US Servas?
Is Servas open to all regardless of political ideology?
How did Servas get started?
How is Servas supported financially?
What is the structure and government of Servas?
What relationship does Servas have with the United Nations?
How can joining Servas help prevent war and global conflicts?
Servas is a worldwide cooperative cultural exchange network
established in 1948 and composed of member hosts and travelers working together
to foster peace, goodwill and mutual respect. Servas seeks to realize these
aims by providing opportunities for person-to-person contacts between people
of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Our mission includes providing approved
US and international travelers with opportunities to be guests of Servas member
hosts around the world.
This international community of friends works together on a volunteer
basis to create a climate of mutual understanding and tolerance. Originally
called "Peacebuilders," Servas now encompasses over 15,000
homes and institutions in more than 125 countries on six continents.
Our members believe that by meeting new people in our own homes and
sharing our everyday lives with them, individuals have the power to
build the necessary foundations for world peace.
As a Servas traveler, you may seek homestay exchanges with overnight host families—typically
for two days and nights—using the host list as your guide, or meet with "day
hosts," who do not offer overnight accommodation but who are interested
in meeting Servas travelers. During these visits, travelers are encouraged to
participate in the life and work of their hosts and the communities in which
they are guests. Servas host directories also contain information about local
culture, peace and social justice organizations, and related activities. All
Servas participants are encouraged to explore the cultures, outlooks, and problems
faced by other members around the world in relation to their own experiences,
both before and during the trip.
Servas members recognize the importance of personal relationships, the inherent worth of all people
and the value of cultural differences. By fostering open person-to-person experiences between travelers
and hosts, artificial barriers can be removed, lasting friendships can develop and social responsibility
is encouraged. Servas is a special way of seeing the world— a place where there are no strangers, only
friends you have yet to meet!
US Servas is a non-profit membership organization fostering understanding
of cultural diversity through a global person-to-person network promoting
a more just and peaceful world.
US Servas achieves its mission by providing approved US travelers with opportunities to be guests of Servas
member hosts around the world and offering visitors to the US a chance to learn more about American people.
United States Servas, Inc. is a non-profit, non-governmental, interracial,
and interfaith organization. Contributions are tax-deductible. US Servas is
a branch of Servas
International, the global coordinating body, incorporated in Switzerland.
US Servas is a United Nations Non-Governmental
Organization accredited by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
Over the past 60 years, dedicated peace-minded people have created the vital
worldwide hospitality network known as Servas. A core group of international
students and "Peacebuilder" families devised a system where those traveling
in pursuit of cultural education or peace work could stay in hosts' homes for
two nights. As the network grew, volunteers began circulating lists of participating
households more regularly. Travelers who make use of this system convey their
gratitude to hosts, not with money, but in honor, trust and service.
Servas members recognize the importance of personal relationships and the inherent
worth of all people as well as the value of cultural differences. By fostering
open person-to-person experiences between travelers and hosts, artificial barriers
can be removed, lasting friendships can develop and social responsibility is
encouraged. Servas is a way to unite those who believe that peace is possible,
once these differences are explored on a personal level. Members accomplish
these goals by opening their homes and hearts—welcoming approved Servas visitors
in the cause of peace.
Members of the Servas "family" cover the diverse spectrum of people
around the world. They may be working class, affluent, or facing larger problems,
such as economic depression, severe environmental degradation, extreme poverty,
or even violent conflicts. Visitors are invited to share in the home life and
community of their hosts, to share their concerns on social and international
problems, and to learn about one another's interests and pursuits, all in the
context of mutual respect. Servas is a special way of seeing the world: as a
place where there are no strangers—only friends you have yet to meet.
One may join either as a (day) host, a traveler, or both. The process is fairly
straightforward but does require some preparation on your part, first and foremost,
to determine if Servas is right for you. It takes about three weeks to complete
the membership application process.
All national Servas organizations exercise great care in approving those who
participate as hosts and travelers. Though specific membership policies vary
from country to country, Servas organizations in most countries including the
US require new applicants to have a personal interview and orientation with
a trained volunteer interviewer, who may also consider character references
supplied by the applicant.
If you are unable to host or travel at this time, you may still become a Contributing
member of US Servas. Contributing members support the organization in a variety
of other ways, financially as a donor and/or as a local volunteer. Contact the
office for more information about volunteer opportunities with Servas.
All members receive newsletters from US Servas and Servas International, as
well as periodic mailings about national and international conferences, local
Servas gatherings, and other events. US members may also become voting members
of the organization and participate in annual elections of our volunteer Board
of Directors.
Membership is open to all who support the ideals and aims of Servas. Prospective
hosts and travelers must have a broad identification with the goals of Servas,
a keen sense of responsibility, and integrity. All US Servas members must sign
a non-discrimination pledge, subscribing to the goals of Servas.
Servas was originally established with the goal of eradicating war and the
social conflicts leading to war. Although Servas has pacifist roots, it has
always welcomed anyone with a commitment to peace, recognizing that there are
many avenues to achieving this objective. Recognizing that military personnel
also sacrifice in the cause of peace, past and current members of the military
are welcome.
Servas flourishes precisely because of the rainbow of differences among us.
By understanding and exploring these differences on a personal level,
we learn more about ourselves and the world. Servas accepts people from
all walks of life who agree with our philosophy and sign the US Servas pledge:
"I/We understand and subscribe to the goals of Servas, which are to
promote peace, the unity of mankind, and mutual understanding of the cultures,
outlooks, and problems of the people of the world and we will accept Servas
travelers of any race, creed, sexual orientation, or nationality, and seek to
have a meaningful visit with them. I understand that Host Lists are to be used
only by approved Servas members for their intended purpose. Using the Lists
for any other purpose (e.g. as a mailing list) is ground for the immediate termination
of Servas membership and possible litigation."
The organization was conceived in 1948 by a small group of pacifists, representing
several peace organizations in Birmingham, England, who were joined by an American
conscientious objector to war, Bob Luitweiler. While a student at one of Denmark's
well known folk schools (Askov Hojskole), Bob studied cooperative communities
and alternative methods for settling disputes. The founders were deeply committed
to social justice and the prevention of another tragic World War II holocaust.
They believed it was possible to build stronger foundations for world peace
by helping concerned people meet and learn from one another.
This informal group formed a small Peacebuilders team, which later became the
coordinating body of the European program. Volunteers were first found in countries
of northwestern Europe who gathered lists of people who could offer free hospitality
to approved foreign travelers. In grassroots fashion, staffed completely by
the voluntary efforts of concerned people, the movement spread. It was hoped
that, by traveling in an "open door" style, people would work together to develop
new intercultural and service programs in their home communities. These relationships
and the local projects they spawned would in turn become the building blocks
of a more just and compassionate world.
The first hosts were mostly families wishing to help, but supporters were also
found among ashrams, workcamps, Quaker and other cooperative communities. Their
concern led them to establish a global network of hosts, which would make it
possible for dedicated people of various nations to visit each other's homes,
learning to know each other through shared experiences.
Meanwhile in California, "Grandma" Esther Harlan, a Quaker and dedicated
disciple of Gandhi, expanded the hospitality system in North America using only
her correspondence and index cards to compile a roster of people identified
as potential Peacebuilders. Early US hosts included leaders in race relations;
Quaker, Jewish, Protestant and Catholic leaders; leaders of cooperatives, peace
leaders and village rehabilitation workers. From the dedicated efforts of a
small group of volunteers Servas reached out to people all over the world. Within
a few years, the movement had taken root in a number of other countries.
Here in the US, a medical social worker, Reva King, called together a New York-based
working committee. Through her contacts with the Ethical Culture Society, the
War Resisters' League, Churches, and personal friends, Reva built up the US
host list. Among Reva's many accomplishments was to secure federal tax-exempt
status for the US branch of Servas, enabling the organization to raise funds
in order to pay staff and rent a permanent office space.
This new hospitality system came to be known by several names: Peacebuilders,
Work-Study-Travel, and Open Doors. The name "Servas,"
meaning "we serve" (in the sense of "we serve peace") in the
universal language Esperanto,
was later adopted to highlight the spirit of international mutual service
which characterizes this movement. Today, with hosts in more than 135
countries, Servas has become a global program of more than 15,000 member
hosts and thousands more travelers. Servas members are educators, artists,
laborers, business people, students, retirees, scientists and social
activists—as broadly based as society itself.
Volunteer national committees have expanded into countries around the world
and provided bridges of understanding between people of many languages and cultures.
Servas has never rejected anyone because of his/her ideology: open mindedness
and a commitment to cooperation are the only criteria for membership. As it
has grown Servas has become more inclusive, rather than exclusive, but it has
never relinquished its goal of striving for world peace by providing opportunities
for people of all cultures, races and backgrounds to meet and share their mutual
concerns.
All over the world, dedicated peace-minded volunteers form the backbone of
this grassroots organization. In the US, hundreds of volunteers handle most
of the day to day work, serving as area representatives, interviewers, board
members, and as members of national working committees. A small national office
staff are our only paid employees.
US Servas' primary source of income is from member contributions. Travelers
pay an annual membership fee. Participation in the Host and Day Host
Programs is free, though hosts are asked to make a voluntary contribution
annually. These fees and other donations help offset the administrative
costs of processing membership applications, producing and distributing
host lists and newsletters, convening local gatherings, and other activities.
Donations from other sources are welcomed.
US Servas is exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and is incorporated under the Laws of the State of New
York. Contributions to US Servas are tax-deductible. The Certificate of Incorporation,
bylaws and audited annual financial reports of the organization are available
upon request.
Servas membership fees and policies vary from country to country. US Servas
bases its fees on the expected costs for administrative expenses and its financial
commitment to Servas International. In most cases, each country is expected
to pay Servas International for the stamps affixed to every international traveler's
Letter of Introduction. This provides the international organization with a
small budget which minimally covers overhead expenses.
United States Servas, Inc. was incorporated in 1963 and has its headquarters
in Arcata, California. A national Board of Directors, which meets quarterly, insures
that the activities of US Servas are in accordance with its goals and bylaws.
The US Board also coordinates national committees, membership policies, conducts
long range planning, and cooperates with other service organizations. It communicates
with Servas International and other national groups for exchange of information
about hosts and travelers and news of mutual interest.
Servas International is composed of national committees (branches or
chapters) and their individual members. In each country with ten or more hosts,
Servas is organized around a volunteer national secretary who works alone or
develops a working committee responsible for establishing local membership policies
and procedures. The main governing body of Servas International is the General
Assembly, which meets face-to-face every three years at an international conference
to which each national branch is entitled to send one delegate plus observers.
The Servas International general secretary, president and treasurer are elected
by this body along with two other officers to form an Executive Committee (Exco),
charged with carrying out decisions made by the Assembly between meetings. Also
elected by the General Assembly are the peace and social justice secretary,
host list officer and newsletter editor(s). Exco then appoints three chief representatives
to the United Nations to be based in New York, Geneva and Vienna, an official
archivist, and other officers, called area coordinators, to serve as representatives
of various geographical regions.
Servas is committed to the United Nations and its goal of world peace. In 1998,
US Servas became a Nongovernmental Organization accredited by the Department
of Public Information. Since 1973, Servas International has served as a United
Nations NGO associated with DPI and also has consultative status with the Economic
and Social Council. This association provides our members with direct access
to the world organization and its constituent bodies. In these roles, Servas
has the opportunity to address UN committees, suggest agenda items, and request
circulation of views. US and International Servas representatives work at the
UN to review issues from a global community perspective and originate and support
efforts to achieve a more effective world organization.
War is the multiplication of many individual acts of violence and indifference.
The destruction war causes is often indiscriminant, leaving in its wake a trail
of death, misery and ecological disaster. Many countries today are at war or
experiencing violent internal conflicts over social issues, such as political
or religious intolerance, human rights abuses, racism, indigenous peoples' rights,
extreme poverty and the exploitation of labor and the environment.
Servas members seek viable non-violent solutions for resolving conflicts on
every scale, from the international arena to our own homes and communities.
Servas visits can play a vital role in bringing harmony to a troubled world
by helping people explore different cultural perspectives and ways of life.
In the context of the ancient guest-host relationship, our members invite outsiders
to share in their daily lives during brief homestay visits. It is on this person-to-person
level that Servas seeks to foster change. Hospitality and cultural education
are our weapons against the spread of misconceptions which can lead to mistrust,
antagonism and war.
