September 19, 2026 World Subud Council Recap

We started the meeting by identifying additional languages needed for key helper materials such as the Helper Handbook, opening statement and Bapak’s talk to applicants. A generous donor has agreed to sponsor these translations.

Our WSA Communications Coordinator, Amanda Rivera, led a

discussion following up on discussions at the Rungan Sari Council

meeting. Some identified areas:

• WhatsApp is widely used for communications, so the WSA and Zone

communications need to be in this format as well as the usual email.

However, Canada, the United States and Australia continue to be strong

email users. The wings can use this information to have their

newsletters available via WhatsApp. WSA Connect can be optimized for

reading on phones.

• The Committee Councilors can be brought in for their role of distributing information to countries. Send the contact information for countries who have Committee Councilors to WSA and we can make sure they receive the latest news.

• It is important for individual members to be encouraged to add their WhatsApp or email contacts to receive the WSA Connect newsletter and keep informed. It’s difficult for some Zones and countries to “pass on” the newsletter to members, mostly because there aren’t member databases available to use. The Zones and countries that maintain WhatsApp member groups can utilize these to post the newsletter. Note that WSA Connect is available in Spanish, French, Indonesian and English.

• We don’t have enough information on how to reach younger members, and what they are interested in hearing about?

• The idea was forwarded to invite country chairs, national helpers, Committee and Kejiwaan Councilors to a WSA Council meeting to show what types of work we do and get their input.

• Sometimes there seems too much information coming our way which can cause members not to want to click them open. We discussed the Connect being a source for lists of various newsletters to click on to read.

• From the International Helpers: their communications don’t get the distribution necessary, and they will follow up with the Kejiwaan Councilors to see how they pass this news on, how it was received, and what follow up is necessary.

Finally, communication works “both ways” – if people know what information is available to them and they are interested, they reach out for it. There is an inner component: can we motivate members to want to be part of the Subud world, and learn about how the wings are bringing the latihan into so many people’s lives?

Check the WSA Communications Report: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/z0kyger2/production/7be280e31897a319122cc57836c41d1313b1cd98.pdf

2027 In Person Council Meeting:

Hannah DeRoo, WSA Deputy Chair, is leading the fundraising for the 2027

World Subud Council meeting in South Africa so members from Zones 5 and 6

can attend. These Zones are arranging a zoom meeting to identify who can

attend with sponsorships. The goal is collecting $35,000 and an informational

video will be distributed.

2028 Subud World Congress Updates:

Hamid DaSilva, coordinator, held an in-person meeting with the Communications and Program team members this month.

The dates and spaces for the International Helper program, plenaries and

delegate sessions have been set. Program planning software has been

further refined, and Luthfi Bustillo is designing an easy to read program

schedule. The Congress website will be online early next year, with

registration scheduled to open July 2027.

Hamid meets weekly in Fatima, continuing planning for the modular

structures for latihan at the SDivine Hotel and blocking reserved hotel rooms

with set rates for 2028 which will be available along with the registration.

Gathering of the Americas in Chile, November 2026

Zone representatives Lamberto Arevalo and Ricardo Alvares have met with the organizing committee and report 165 registrations so far. The team sent out a questionnaire on areas of interest… “latihan” comes up on top! There are planned cultural events and music and theater presentations to be developed at the event.

Our next Council meeting will be October 17 and remember that these are all open to members on YouTube. Watch for the link in the Subud World News “Events” page.

It is my pleasure and honor to serve as your WSA chair and please contact me with any questions on Council business… or other items.

With love, Rifka

Rifka Several, World Subud Association Chair