Urantia BROTHERHOOD
September 21, 1989
Trustees of Urantia Foundation
533 Diversey Parkway
Chicago IL 60614Dear Trustees:
As you are well aware, the General Council of Urantia Brotherhood met in special session this past weekend to evaluate the actions taken by the Executive Committee at its meeting of July 17, 1989 and to determine a course of action for Urantia Brotherhood in the future. We wanted you to have, as soon as possible, a full report of our decision‑making at this historic meeting. We hope you will agree with our belief that there is great potential for significant progress and enhanced service by both Urantia Brotherhood and Urantia Foundation in the course we have chosen.
In an effort to separate the elements of the meeting into a format which is both understandable and consistent with a framework offered by The Urantia Book, the content of this meeting will be presented on the levels of fact, meaning, and value.
FACT
The General Council passed in order the following resolutions:
1. "The General Council supports and affirms the action taken on behalf of Urantia Brotherhood by the Executive Committee at its meeting of July 17, 1989." This motion passed by a vote of 31 in favor, none against, and 2 abstentions.
2. 'The recent culmination of events affecting the relationship between Urantia Brotherhood and Urantia Foundation has led the General Council to embark on a course of action which redefines that relationship. We therefore resolve to evaluate our organizational goals and plans and to institute such measures as to affirm our existence as an independent, autonomous organization, operating on the basis of group wisdom, and in keeping with our highest understanding of the teachings of The Urantia Book." This resolution was passed unanimously.
3. "Be it resolved that the fund raising function of Urantia Brotherhood pertain only to the raising of funds for Urantia Brotherhood." Motion passed with 28 in favor, 3 against, no abstentions.
4. "Be it resolved that the Executive Committee of Urantia Brotherhood immediately and responsibly re‑establish a separate office services operation/staff." This motion was approved with 28 in favor, none against, and 3 abstentions.
5. 'The General Council directs that the officers of Urantia Brotherhood formally request from Urantia Foundation a lease at 533 Diversey Parkway for the entire first floor and basement (or other adequate and appropriate space) and the placement of 'Urantia Brotherhood' interior and exterior signs in order to facilitate the social /fraternal work of Urantia Brotherhood." Motion passed with 28 in favor, 3 against, no abstentions.
6. "The General Council directs the Executive Committee of Urantia Brotherhood to proceed to take any and all actions necessary to effect a smooth working transition of headquarters office operations in all pertinent areas and to work harmoniously with Urantia Foundation whenever possible. The General Council also requires a written report at its next meeting as to any actions and/or decisions taken on this matter." This motion carried unanimously.
7. 'Be it resolved that Urantia Brotherhood use its mailing list in any manner it deems appropriate." Motion carried unanimously.
8. "Be it resolved that the General Council of Urantia Brotherhood affirms the principles for which Urantia Foundation was founded and the purposes we share in common, as stated in the Declaration of Trust." Motion passed with 23 in favor, 1 against, and 3 abstentions (some members had left the meeting to return home).
MEANING
It should be clear from the decisions made by the General Council at this special meeting as detailed above that we are consciously recognizing our responsibilities as a separately‑constituted organization with clearly defined purposes. Although the need to undertake the evaluation which led to these decisions was organizational behavior which we believe affected our ability to do our work, it should be obvious that our actions simply represent our determination to blend the high spiritual values we derive from the teachings of The Urantia Book into our performance as an independent organization. This does not in any way mean that we are taking action against Urantia Foundation; rather, it is a clear expression that we intend more fully and consistently to base our organizational integrity on our constituted group processes and on the spiritual values expressed in the teachings of The Urantia Book. In essence, we have chosen to increase our own commitment to those principles which we have come to believe are the only ones which will facilitate the achievement of our purposes.
VALUE
It was evident from the tenor of this meeting that the members of the General Council are more deeply committed than ever to the performance of our work based upon our faith that high spirit values can be expressed therein. We are certain that this can be as true for Urantia Foundation as it is for Urantia Brotherhood and we are hopeful that your actions will be reflective of your concurrence with this approach. Whether or not you decide to give attention to this matter in your deliberations, we, the members of the General Council of Urantia Brotherhood, have clearly declared our separation from any organizational behavior which we feel is devoid of or antithetical to the high spiritual principles and values expressed in the pages of The Urantia Book. Those values we identified at this meeting which served as the context for our decision‑making include:
Faithful, friendly, self‑forgetful, teachable, self‑correcting, open, self‑critical, group‑wisdom and group‑process oriented, committed to seeking both good ends and good means, cooperative, communicative, facilitating, coordinating, unifying, committed to full disclosure, accountable, flexible, active, truth‑oriented, ethical, pluralistic, democratic, respectful, valuing integrity, truthful, tolerant, caring, theo-centric, trusting, socially engaged, confident, forgiving, inclusive, just, fair, patient, kind, merciful, cherishing diversity, progressive, humble, responsive to our stewardship responsibilities, service‑motivated, and loving.
In summary, we hope you actively support our commitment to consciously move our organization in the direction our decisions clearly point, and that together and separately we actively seek to blend spiritual values into the stewardship work our respective trusts require. Please contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the implications of these decisions personally. We invite your cooperation in an enhanced spirit of fellowship and goodwill as we both seek to address our own organizational problems, needs, and opportunities.
Yours truly,
David Elders
For the General Council
cc: General Council Members