Servas: message from Jonny Sågänger. Suggested plan of action for Servas Argentina

[Jonny Sågänger]

att: Ana Manghi, Servas Argentina

cc: SI Exco, SI CRC 

Dear Ana,

I understand you're trying to handle a difficult situation in your capacity of National Secretary of Servas Argentina. I have today made new efforts to try to help you find a solution to this situation.

Today, the 17th of November there was a teleconference with the participants Clare Mateke (SI Conflict Resolution Committee), Danielle Serres (SI Exco) and myself. During the conference Marneo Serenelli (SI Conflict Resolution Committee) was able to join the conference. 

I presented the following to the rest of the group: 

a background that I have based on information regarding the situation inside Servas Argentina and in one particular region that has made you reach out for help from me and SI Exco. 

The conclusion and the plan of action that the group made was that I personally - on behalf of EXCO - should urge you to make a formal complaint to the SI Conflict Resolution Committee (SI CRC), so that the Committee can take over this matter as soon as possible. The SI CRC will try to hear from both sides to get to the bottom of the issue. CRC will then advise EXCO if any action is required.

I'm personally convinced that this will be the best way for you to get support and to reach a solution that will benefit your case, the members of Servas Argentina and all the members of Servas International around the world. 

I hope you realize that without hearing both sides of the story and getting down to the actual facts of the case, it would be wrong for EXCO to take any immediate action. 

Since this involves a Servas administrative and personal conflict issues it should be handled by the CRC.

Having said this, please let me reassure you about one thing: if you experience any definite threat of physical or mental violence I, Exco and CRC urge you most definitely to involve the police and make a formal complaint.  

I have attached a modified job description for SI CRC, so that you understand the mandate of CRC in the in a case like yours. 

Jonny Sågänger

President

Servas Interntional 

Job Descriptions Jun 2012.doc  - 33 -  2012/06/30 

(names of members made up to date by Jonny Sågänger, President Servas International 2013-11-17).

SI Conflict Resolution Committee 

Date: Month Year (2011) 

Name (or Members): 

Julie Dotsch, (convenor), Canada (Female) 

Clare Mateke, Zambia (Female) 

Marneo Serenelli, Italy (Male) 

Responsibilities:

June 2006 TERMS OF REFERENCE: 

Term of Office: The length of time between Servas International Conferences (e.g. 3 years) 

Members: There are three committee members who are Servas members. They are elected by the 

General Assembly. 

Purpose: The committee will hear complaints and try to resolvethese conflicts using agreed upon 

procedures (see below). The aim is to resolve conflicts in a timely, peaceful and 

confidential manner. The group will also offer confidential advice on handling conflicts, 

in case the complainant does not feel ready to file a formal complaint. 

Responsibility: The committee will confidentially hear complaints from EXCO, area coordinators, 

national secretaries and national groups (boards), and international committee members. 

Individual members (hosts and travelers) will use the processes available in their country. 

If there is documented proof that this process has been unsuccessful, then the committee 

will consider intervention. 

Authority: The committee will gather information, review Servas International policies and 

procedures and, after discussion with all parties, it will reach a conclusion for the 

most peaceful resolution. The conclusions are binding on all Servas members. The 

committee is directly accountable to the General Assembly. It will inform EXCO of its decisions. 

Procedures 

Acknowledging Complaint

•  Complaint must be in writing – form is available 

•  Complaint is distributed to all members of the committee 

•  Reply is sent to the complainant to acknowledge receipt of complaint 

Investigation

•  Complainant is asked for further information, documentation and what outcome they hope for 

•  Person/group being complained about is informed of the complaint and is asked to respond to 

questions and to offer their views 

Resolution

•  Whenever possible, resolution will be decided by all parties 

•  The committee will use peaceful means to resolve conflicts 

General Comment from convenor: It is important to note that the committee has not truly been given 

any power to make decisions by the GA. This can be confining and limit the effectiveness and use of the 

Job Descriptions Jun 2012.doc  - 22 -  2012/06/30 

committee. The main use of the committee has been for informal advice and mediation, in other words 

advising individuals and groups willing to participate in the mediation process. 

Description of Conflict Resolution Committee from 2009 Nominations Committee: 

Duties 

•  To try to resolve conflicts within Servas 

•  To offer advice to Servas members about conflict 

•  To offer advice to EXCO about conflicts 

•  When appropriate, engage conflicting parties in conflict resolution 

Limitations 

•  Many conflicts are able to be resolved at a local or national level or directly between conflicting 

parties (without the need for committee intervention) 

•  Conflict resolution is only possible (at present), if both/all sides agree to enter into the 

resolution process 

Authority 

•  The Conflict Resolution Committee is responsible to the General Assembly 

Skills 

•  Conflict management experience and/or training 

•  Proven conflict resolution experience in Servas is preferred 

•  Exceptional listening skills 

•  Organizational management, e.g. time management, project management, ability to see steps 

to achieve goals 

•  Professionalism including confidentiality, conflict of interest awareness, respect... 

•  Negotiation skills 

•  Ability to read and write in English simply and clearly (at least one member) 

•  Ability to work as a team member so each stage and decision is reached collectively 

•  Access and ability to use e-mail and Word 

Time 

•  At the present rate of requests, about one hour per month, but this becomes more intense 

when there is a request for a conflict to be resolved

•  The number of requests for suggestions on handling conflicts will vary depending on the 

relationships and the knowledge and trust developed between the committee, EXCO, national 

secretaries and other Servas members 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Job Descriptions Jun 2012.doc  - 23 -  2012/06/30 

names of members made up to date by Jonny Sågänger, President Servas International 2013-11-17).

[Jaime Romero]

Dear Jonny

Thank you very very much for this wonderful way of being and acting.

Today i have a meeting with alvany Santiago and other Servas members and we concluded that it is urgent to have the área coordinator of south América

Hipe you Will have a very nice week

In peace

Jaime

Enviado desde mi iPhone

[Jonny Sågänger]

Dear Ana,

I forgot to give you the email adresses to the persons in SI CRC, to whom you should email your formal complaint. You find them below.

Julie, Marneo & Clare:

could one of you you please make sure to email Ana the document she needs to use to submit a formal complaint to SI CRC?

Please email it to me too, or indicate on which website I can find it. 

All the best,

Jonny 

Ana, you should send you formal complaint to these three delegates of SI CRC: 

Julie Dotsch

onew...@sympatico.ca

Cc: 

Marneo Serenelli

07191...@iol.it

Clare Mateke

cma...@gmail.com

All the best,

Jonny

2013/11/17 Jonny Sågänger <jon...@gmail.com>

[Jonny Sågänger]

Jaime,

thank you for your kind words.

All the best,

Jonny

2013/11/18 Jaime Romero <jar...@yahoo.es>