Connect Magazine 2018 ENG

OUR SUBUD WORLD
CONNECT MAGAZINE 2018
1
Muhammad Subuh
Foundation
2017 Grants for
Subud Houses
“MSF will be working on a display at the World
Congress featuring over 25 years of grants
that have benefited the 3 Areas and indirectly
through grants to WSA, International Helper
Travel, Archives and the purchase and
renovation of many Subud centers around
the world. The display in the “Subud Village”
will be an effort to help members understand
the significance of remembering MSF in their
wills and bequests. We also hope to have
some Trustees at the booth or volunteers
who can answer questions. Subud members
are welcome to attend our meetings held at
congress.” Marston Gregory, Chair MSF.
W
hile the priority of the
Muhammad Subuh
Foundation is the
establishment of new
Subud houses, this year we were able
to assist in the capital improvement of
five existing Subud houses.
With a total 2017 Subud house budget
of USD 64,500 grants were awarded to
the following Subud groups:
1. Subud Armenia, Colombia:
USD 5,000 to divide their one latihan
room into two latihan spaces, and for
mold/humidity remediation, and other
repairs/improvements. There are thirty
members, and they had previously
raised USD 400 towards the project.
2. Subud Cape Town, South Africa:
USD 10,000 to replace the old roof. The
group raised sufficient funds themselves
to purchase new carpets and renew the
fire-door. The upper floor is currently
rented out to a Subud member. In
future, they hope to renovate this space
to bring in more income.
3. Subud Johannesburg, South
Africa:
USD 26,500 to replace the roof/ceiling
which is in a dangerous condition,
replacement of doors for security, and
upgrading the bathroom facilities.
4. Subud Perth, Australia:
Has completed major
renovations at a cost of over
AUD$ 200,000 which was met
from group funds and members’
donations. An MSF loan will
help fund the next stage of
renovations which will complete
the project. - creating an indoor
social area, flowing through into
an outdoor garden space and to
purchase chairs, tables, and a
storage shed - basic equipment
essential to rent out the space
commercially. Subud Perth
agreed to accept USD 56,000
as a loan. This effectively
enabled MSF to increase the
grant amounts to several of the
other grantees by USD 20,000
as loans do not come out of the
Subud house budget. Thank
you Perth!
5. Subud Peru:
USD 23,000 for kitchen and
bathroom renovations and
additions. They plan to convert
the first floor of the property
to bring in income from Airbnb
rentals, which is very exciting
as the house is located in an
interesting tourist section of
Lima.
Property
Maintenance
Fund
Initiative
The Muhammad Subuh
Foundation is preparing a new
property maintenance fund
initiative that will be offered for
one year, as a trial:
The maximum grant funds
available worldwide for this
initiative will be USD 30,000,
with a limit of USD 5,000 for a
single grant.
Reports and bank statements
will be required by recipients
of the grant, after which, at the
end of 2018, MSF will disburse
a grant of 25% of the fund’s
value.
MSF recommends that a
minimum of 2% of the group’s
monthly income be set aside
for a long-term property
maintenance fund.
The zone reps can help
familiarize their respective
areas with this initiative, not
just to help the groups but
also to assist MSF and WSA
to be able to prioritize funding
appropriately in the future.
This initiative arose from
increased requests to MSF
for funds for repair and
maintenance. While MSF is
willing to help out, Subud
groups should really have
property maintenance funds
in place for these expenses.
WSA has also been discussing
proactive initiatives and are
hoping to have a meeting
with group chairs during
world congress to discuss
use of premises to bring in an
income. MSF will take part in
the meeting, sharing success
stories from Perth, Seattle,
Portland, etc. The aim is to
create a culture of long-term
sustainability. Bapak spoke about
taking a practical approach,
suggesting that the latihan times
could be moved if necessary to
accommodate renters. Sarita
Rodriguez, IH, said that when the
IHs travel they encourage groups
to share their latihan space for
use as an enterprise. Nahum
Harlap, IH, suggested SES could
work with groups to establish
enterprises to ensure financial
sustainability. g
Subud Johannesburg, South Africa:
24 25