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ASSOCIATIONINTERNATIONALUrantia Association InternationalAnnual Report 2017Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 ContentsA
ContentsThe Urantia Book — its studyand dissemination is central tothe Association’s mission.Our Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President’s Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2017 Accomplishments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1242017 Financial Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Your Help Brings a New Revelation to the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8International Representative Council (RC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9International Service Board (ISB) and Judicial Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Financial Contributors to The Association in 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Previous Annual ReportsBUrantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Contents
Our MissionTo foster study of The Urantia Bookand to disseminate its teachings.Study Group California, USALiberian Readers, AfricaUrantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Our Mission1
President’s ReportBear in mind, all that God the Father and his Paradise Sons do forus, we in turn and in spirit have the opportunity to do for and in theemerging Supreme Being. The experience of love, joy, and service inthe universe is mutual. [Paper 56:8.3, page 644 § 1]Chris Wood, PresidentDear Friends,That’s the word I’ve been lookingfor: “Joy.” As I think about thetransformations and progress of2017, I am filled with overwhelmingjoy. The promise of organizationalunity is that by agreeing to unite ourprinciples and our efforts towardachieving a common goal we willserve more people and achievemore goals. As more Urantia groupsjoin us in organizational unity ourreach and our capabilities expandexponentially.The most noticeable change to theAssociation in 2017 has been theshift to continental work groupsin Europe and Latin America. LatinAmerican Coordinator Wilson León(Colombia) and his team of leadersachieved many milestones last year,including increasing the numberof conferences and study groups,book fair participation, establishinga youth group, and webinar trainingsessions. The resulting unity ofpurpose stimulated several workinggroups to organize into Associations.Antonio Schefer (Netherlands)served as European Coordinatorin 2017 and traveled throughoutEurope visiting Associationmeetings, conferences and studygroups, helping to inspire the spiritof a united European community.Antonio organized a leadershipconference in Barcelona in Octoberwhere they drafted a strategicplan that includes a schedule2of Continental Conferences,multinational events, projects, andshared responsibility for the Urantiarevelation in Europe.With the European and LatinAmerican communities becomingself-sufficient, the InternationalService Board (ISB) is turning itsattention to collaboration withleaders, Associations and workinggroups in Africa and the Oceaniacountries.The highlight of my year has beenthe extraordinary expansion ofUrantia webinars in multiplelanguages with participation acrossthe globe. Just five short years agoa traveling tour of study groupsin other countries required weeksof time and substantial financialinvestment. Today the connectioncan be instant and relativelyeasy through technology andthe internet. This technology hasbrought the world together in studyand celebration. It has also increasedour leadership pool, allowingvolunteers from all over the world toexperience international teamworkon one of our committees. It nowfeels like technology is finallyworking hand-in-hand with theAssociation to unite this globalmovement.April 1, 2017 inaugurated anotheryear of leadership transition for theISB. Anton Miroshnichenko (Ukraine)turned the Membership CommitteeUrantia Association International Annual Report 2017 President’s Reportover to Luis Garcia Bory (Switzerland,previously from the United Kingdomand Mexico). Sheila Keene-Lund(USA) handed the EducationCommittee over to Jeannie Vásquez(Uruguay). Chris Mosley (UK) turnedthe Translation Committee overto Gabriel Rymberg (Israel). TheAssociation absorbs the characterof each of its outgoing leaders andretains their best qualities, whilealso benefiting from the renewedenergy, excitement and passions ofnew leadership styles. The currentISB has seven committee chairs fromseven different countries on fivedifferent continents who collectivelyspeak seven unique languages.This service team is truly a globalworking group.It’s easy to get excited about thework ahead in 2018 and beyond. Fourcontinental conferences in the spanof 16 months, a dozen internationalbook fairs, a new three-year themefor study: “Living the Teachings,”and new working groups unitingwith us in our mission to spread therevelation. Let’s take a few momentsto appreciate where we have been,where we are headed, and be filledwith Joy.Chris WoodPresident of Urantia AssociationInternational
Ecuador Conference 2017European Leaders Conference Sitges 2017Peru Book Fair 2017Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 President’s Report3
2017 AccomplishmentsIntellectually, socially, and spiritually two moral creaturesdo not merely double their personal potentials of universeachievement by partnership technique; they morenearly quadruple their attainment and accomplishmentpossibilities. [Paper 43:8.11, page 494 § 10]Another year, another long list of excitingactivities and adventures to report! Everymember of the International ServiceBoard, members of the National andLocal Associations, and teams of willinghelpers have been devoting many hoursof their free time to focus on the missionof Urantia Association International.Here are a few of the highlights for 2017:Outreach & Book DisseminationAn impressive number of book fairswere held throughout Latin America inBogotá, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala,Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Managua, SanJosé, and Miami. Over 1,500 books weredisseminated. Association members alsohad a booth at book expos in Goteborgand Vasteras, Sweden. Books wereshipped to Fiji where an enthusiasticteam is distributing them. The PrisonerInquiry Response Team (PIRT) answeredhundreds of inquiries from inmates andprovided over 100 books to hungry souls.Education & Study GroupsMore and more students who werepreviously unable to participate in faceto-face study groups for various reasonsare now able to participate in online(virtual) study groups. Zoom, an internetconferencing service, has allowed for anincrease in study groups, workshops andseminars/webinars. It has also enabledthe establishment of a virtual studygroup for Latin American youth. TheLatin American Continental Coordinator,Wilson Leon (Colombia) hosts ongoingvirtual leadership, study group hosting,and book fair participation training.Several lively discussion forums are beingheld on the Association’s website andFacebook groups and a series of webinars4in English and Spanish titled: “Teachingand Leading According to The UrantiaBook,” were hosted by the EducationCommittee. A new series of Educationaltopical brochures called “Lessons FromA Revelation” was launched with twobrochures titled “Teaching the Religionof Jesus” and “True Worship.” (Availableat: a-revelation)Groups Joining Our MissionThrough the work of the LatinAmerican Continental Coordinatorand his team, work groups in CostaRica, Peru and Ecuador decided to joinwith the Association in our mission.Groups in Bolivia and Chile have formedand are growing toward uniting withthe Association. The association inArgentina has revitalized, and the UrantiaAssociation of Mexico has determined tobecome a National Association in 2018. InEurope, groups are forming in Portugal,Italy and Lithuania, with Portugal hostingtheir first national conference in 2018.Conferencesin Amsterdam. Plans were also madefor the 2018 conference in Ghana thatwill bring many readers together fromall over the African continent, and forthe second Latin American ConferenceNovember 2018 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.Building OrganizationalInfrastructure SupportThe Central Administration continuesto find ways to provide organizationalinfrastructure support for ourassociations so they can focus theirresources on the mission. Organizationalinfrastructure—currently provided atno cost to our associations—includeswebsite services, database software,and Office 365 which provides onlineservices such as email, One Drive, Teams,SharePoint and more. Plans are alsobeing developed to provide projectmanagement and project fundraising.WebsiteThe Home Page was redesigned andthe website was upgraded to supportmultiple subsites for the National andLocal Associations. (A subsite is a websitethat is joined to a main website, butfunctions as a stand-alone website.)These subsites are offered at no cost aspart of our organizational infrastructuresupport that enables associations tofocus their attention on the mission ofspreading the revelation.In addition to the annual conferencesheld by the National and LocalAssociations, European leaders andmembers of Urantia Youth AssociationInternational (UYAI) gathered for aLeadership Conference in October. Theresult was a renewed sense of commonpurpose and a strategic plan of jointprojects and common goals. (See fullThe Spanish and French translations ofreport at: https://urantia-association.the main website were completed. Workorg/2018/european-urantia-leaders-meet) continues on the Russian, Ukrainian andPortuguese website translations, and theMembers of the Urantia AssociationDutch website translation was launched.in The Netherlands worked hard inThe website is at: https://urantia2017 planning for the 2018 UrantiaAssociation International Conferenceassociation.org.Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Accomplishments
2017 Chief Financial Officer Report“The progress angels.labor incessantly to make thingswhat they ought to be.” [Paper 114:6.6, page 1255 § 5]Bradly Tharp, CFOGreetings to our members, donors,volunteers, and friends! Generousdonations in 2017 supportedUrantia Association’s progress inform, function, and results. TheNational and Local Associationsworldwide are now benefitting fromour investments in infrastructuredevelopment and systemsintegration. For example, ourwebsite, database, digital meetingand recording media, leadershipand volunteer training libraries,translation services, and socialmedia platforms, are all available tomembers, volunteers, committees,and constituent associations fortheir own needs. Every associationcan now create its own website,database, social media group, andeducational resources—developed,managed, and provided by UrantiaAssociation and its financial donorsand volunteers.The International Service Board andRepresentative Council are creatingan infrastructure that supports theAssociation’s priorities and projectsas determined by the Local andNational Associations, each withunique opportunities and challengesbest determined and served locally.We best serve dissemination andgrowth of the Urantia revelation byproviding organizational support,by sharing resources with ourmany regional, national, and localvolunteers, servants and leaders.Once again we spent less in 2017than was budgeted and remaincommitted to the efficient andresponsible management of theprecious donations and volunteerhours we receive from our members,donors, and supporters. Our successis due to the generosity of thesemany donors and their financialgifts, and also to the hundredsof dedicated volunteers who arecommitted to this ministry of lovingservice to our world.The opportunities are growing innumber and in scale. Success resultsin more need and greater challengesevery year. We need your help!Urantia Association Internationalspends money in two ways: to buildSubsite ANZURAand maintain infrastructure for ourNational and Local Associations,committees, and members, and forresources delivered around the worldto our constituent associations insupport of local members, activities,and organizational priorities.The Association is organized forthat purpose—local support. Tothat end we have been developingmore regional, continental, andlocal support teams to increase thenumber of local events, includingmini-conferences, and to supportmore local and regional book fairs. Inpartnership with Urantia Foundationwe are increasing our efforts withlocal and national distribution forThe Urantia Book in places where ourmembers can help ensure availabilityof the book.Please consider donating to thisvaluable work by so many dedicatedservants working so hard and withsuch skill, producing such tangibleresults. Thank you!Bradly TharpChief Financial OfficerSubsite ArgentinaUrantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Financial Report5
2017 Financial ReportStatement of Activities—Income and Expense For the Full Year 2017;January-DecemberIncome (in United States dollars)Ordinary Un-Restricted ContributionsEarned incomeRestricted fund contributionsOther incomeTotal IncomeExpensesProgram Services CostsAdministration Services ExpensesGeneral Operations ExpensesTotal ExpensesChange in Net Income AdjustedThe Balance SheetCash (USD)LiabilitiesEquityYear beginning Cash/Equity BalanceNet income (loss)Total Equity (year end cash balance)Comment 60,944709,8091,27672,099 80,74840,1237,879128,750(56,651) 107,920none 164,571(56,651)107,920Assets include the following Restricted Fund account balances:Conference Loan FundFuture Event Support FundConference Financial Aid FundGlobal Seeding FundWebsite FundPrisoner Inquiry Response Team (PIRT) 20,0003,5821003,5738,3234,311Total Restricted Funds Balance39,889Total Un-Restricted Fund Balance68,0316Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Financial Report
2017 Financial Report GraphsContributor Support12% 8,500Expenses10% 7,2251% 1,40462% 79,34411% 7,52567% 47,42631% 40,1236% 7,879Total: 70,753Association MembersNon-membersTotal: 128,750AdministrationISB General OperationsAssociations and AffiliatesCorporations and Foundations1201% 551% 844% 2018% 403118110100948070605040524733302027242014201524% 1,255Total: 5,3071510062% 3,30976706259Fund RaisingMembers and Friends by RegionMembership Applications90ISB Programs and Projects200620072008200920102011201220132016North America2017South AmericaContributions to Annual FundEuropeUSD 76570,00075,08680,00092,448Australia / New Zealand90,00002004 2005 20062007 2008 2009 2,58026,6986,59238,18840,00046,39650,000Restricted FundGeneral Fund20122013201420152016 2017Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Financial Report7
Your Help Brings a New Revelation to the WorldIt is a daunting mission to bringa revelation to the world. We onlyhave to read Part IV of The UrantiaBook to appreciate our challengesand what it takes to accomplishour mission. For the apostles ofJesus, it took training and practicesharing the message and servingthe people, working together,discussing their successes andfailures, and repeating the processfor new followers. Jesus alsobegan his ministry by helping theapostles establish themselves asan effective organization—suchefficient administrations as arefound throughout the universes.Organizations are simplypersonalities working together toachieve goals more effectively.And that’s why UrantiaAssociation International exists.To serve devoted students ofThe Urantia Book who want toshare its uplifting message byworking together on bringinga new revelation to the world.The Association provides theorganizational infrastructure thatallows these working groups andvolunteers to accomplish thiswork.Achieving our mission dependson introducing people to theteachings, encouraging themto form study groups and beginliving the teachings, helping todevelop leaders, and assistingthem in forming working groups.Then supporting and encouragingthem in their efforts to fosterstudy groups, establish bookdistribution outside regularchannels, share their best results,and further disseminate theteachings. And when a workinggroup wants to organize, theAssociation provides the necessarytools and a team to join that has aproven success record.But lest we forget, the apostlescould not have done their workwithout the charity of generousdonors. And so it is today, theAssociation needs financialsupport to do all this importantwork.Tireless, dedicated volunteersmake all of this possible, anddonors like you. The Associationtruly would not exist, but for ourgenerous donors. This year Africawill be the focus of our effortsand your donation is needed nowmore than ever to help developleaders and working groups.Please consider increasing yourgiving by 20% to help us providethe services, organizationalinfrastructure and support tospread the revelation throughoutAfrica and then to Oceana.You can donate online at theDonation section of our website orby clicking here: Donate nowClip and send with your support donation:Yes, count me in!Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I authorize regular monthly charges of US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .to my credit/debit card ( Visa / MC / AmEx)A/C # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exp. date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CVV2 (3 digit number on back of Visa/MC, 4 digits on front of AMEX). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Name appearing on card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I choose to send a check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Please help us maintain up-to-date records:Mail this form with payment to:Urantia Association InternationalP.O. Box 409174Chicago, IL, 60640-0025, USAAddress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .State/Prov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Postal Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Donor Support
Representative CouncilLocation of Associations worldwideThis legislative branch of Urantia Association International is comprised ofthe Presidents and Vice Presidents of the National Associations and the LocalAssociations in regions where no National Association exists.National AssociationsAustralia & New ZealandWilliam Wentworth, PresidentNeville Twist, Vice PresidentBrazilEnrique Traver, PresidentSella Leonardi, Vice PresidentCanadaNathen Jansen, PresidentAlain Cyr, Vice PresidentColombiaIsabel Reinoso, PresidentWilson Leòn, Vice PresidentFinlandRisto Mäntynen, PresidentEija Seppanen-Bolotinski, VicePresidentFranceIvan Stol, PresidentLucas Perier, Vice PresidentMalawiGrevet Moyo, PresidentSenegalMoussa Ndiaye, PresidentSpainCarmelo Martinez, PresidentJaime Garcia Marco, Vice PresidentUnited StatesPio Park, PresidentRick Lyon, Vice PresidentKarmo Kalda, Vice PresidentSouth KoreaKim Jinwoog (David Kim), PresidentPark Gahyang, Vice PresidentPark Pansoo, Vice PresidentMexicoAlfredo Esquivel, PresidentFederico Folchi, PresidentPresidentArgentinaLuis Miguel Morales, Vice PresidentBelguimJean Annet, PresidentChiliHoracio Gamboa Verdugo,PresidentLissette Mancilla Asenjo, VicePresidentDACH (German SpeakingAssociation)Alexander H, PresidentLinda Mtambo, Vice PresidentThe NetherlandsDominican RepublicSamantha Nior, Vice PresidentPeep Sober, PresidentLocal AssociationsSandra Burga-Cisneros, VicePresidentJaap Terra, PresidentEstoniaJulio Cesar de la Cruz, PresidentJafet Diaz, Vice PresidentRogelio Ángel Rosas Mata., ViceSwedenMichael MacIssac, PresidentJacob D, Vice PresidentUkraineAnton Miroshnichenko, PresidentAlexander Alyuev, Vice PresidentUnited KingdomGary Rawlings, PresidentCostas Diamantopoulos, VicePresidentZambiaJoel Chongo Mvula, PresidentEvans Mwale, Vice PresidentUrantia Association International Annual Report 2017 Representative Council9
International Service BoardThe executive branch of Urantia Association International that conducts the daily business of the AssociationUSAPresidentLuis Garcia BorySwitzerlandMembership ChairLibardo Antonio ScheferAndrés RamirezKathleen SwadlingGabriel RymbergSusan OwenJeannie VásquezDavid LinthicumGaetan CharlandMargaret Slater ThompsonUSAExecutive AdministratorChris WoodColombiaVice-PresidentUSASecretaryBradly TharpUSAChief Financial OfficerAustraliaCommunications ChairUruguayEducation ChairCanadaStudy Group ChairNetherlandsConference ChairIsraelTranslation ChairUSADissemination ChairJudicial CommissionThe judicial branch of Urantia Association InternationalTravis BinionUSAChief Judicial Commissioner10Benet RutenbergUSAJudicial CommissionerJoyce AndersonUSAJudicial CommissionerUrantia Association International Annual Report 2017 International Service Board
Financial Contributors to The AssociationIn appreciation of their support for Urantia Association and our activities in 2017, we wish to thank all of thefollowing contributors: Names posted with permission. Not all contributors are listedNameAssociation Francophone des Lecteursdu Le Livre d’UrantiaAssociation Urantia du QuebecAustralia and New Zealand UrantiaAssociation (ANZURA)Holly ArvanitesAnne BarnabyW. L. BeardBill & Share BeasleyTerry Sue BeuretTravis BinionZailyn Prada BlackburnChris BohlerBoutique Videotron Le Carrefour deNordTeresa BradleyScott BrooksBruce BrownSandra Burga-CisnerosBob & Linda BuselliRobert CadieuxDeanna CarrGaétan CharlandDavid & Trish ChiltonKonstantino DiamantopoulosJimette EnglandRobert EzriJohn FarringtonFinland Urantia AssociationJoe ForemanClermont FortierAlfonso GarciaEllen GaynorDaniel Love GlazerGeorgia GleavesAlan & Cheryl GlickerGreater Lake Michigan UrantiaAssociationThomas HansenRobert HerseyGard JamesonNathen JansenRichard JerniganBruce JohnsonRichard KeelerBenjamin KingCountryFranceCanadaAustralia/New SAUSAUSANameArnold KrohnertMarylin KuliekeMark & Karen KurtzJean Claude LaFreniereRobert LamockGiles LapierreDavid & Cheri LinthicumOlga LopezRick LyonPatricia MartinJulian McGarryTimothy S. MinasianRobert OliverLino OlivettaEd & Susan OwenPatti Page PerdueJames PerryRebecca PicouNick ScalzoRita SchaadJeanette SchaferCharles (Chuck) SmithPatricia SnyderMichael StaffordLine St-PierreJoanne StrobelSuperClub Videotron St-JavierTrevor & Kathleen SwadlingJake & Margaret ThompsonKaren L. ThorntonErline Betty TownerUrantia FoundationJudy Van CleaveMeredith Van WoertVirginia-Carolina Readers AssociationNeal WaldropRick WarrenJeffrey WattlesWilliam WentworthDr. Wendall WilsonJose WinumChris & Alice WoodJames SAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAAustraliaUSAFranceUSAUSA
Urantia Association International Annual Report 2017 International Service Board4901 DESIGN DIRECTION12
members of Urantia Youth Association International (UYAI) gathered for a Leadership Conference in October . The result was a renewed sense of common purpose and a strategic plan of joint projects and common goals (See full . report at: https://urantia-association . org/2018/european-urantia-leaders-
