Proposal #5: Under 25?

I propose a change in Junior Branch's terms of reference that excludes the age limit of 25 years old.

Rationale:

Junior Branch has never, in fact, been an age group. It has always been a life-style, a way of seeing things in CISV, a group of people, a community or even a think-tank. None of these things (and the other ones you can think about) depends on age.

CISV is an organization that, in its essence, is against prejudice. Considering this, to assume that everyone over 25 don't fit the community Junior Branch is just... prejudice. There are many people that are more then 25 that can really benefit the community and CISV as a whole participating in Junior Branch. I' m sure you can think about an example. Why just kick people out when they can still contribute to accomplish the goals?

Junior Branch has got concepts clear enough to allow some freedom in the structure. Maybe some changes on the terms of reference would be needed to keep the group tight, but that's easy.

This proposal would enable people to be more active in discussions and questioning CISV's habits at the same time they work in regular committees, if they are interested. Why not through more people, more ideas on this community? This would also touch the "double structure" issue, enabling people to participate in the part of the organization they feel home, regardless the age.

Marcos (BRA)

Proposal #4: CISV Thursday

I propose that people, who work in positions of CISV international (committees, trustees, etc) should synchronize their working hours to Thursday evenings.

Rationale

Working on the international level of CISV may be an honour for some people, but in reality it comes down to sitting in front of your PC and typing e-mails, reports, etc etc. Usually you have a huge to-do list and finally one evening you lock yourself into your room and start working down your list.

How much more productive, interactive, enjoyable...would that be, if we could know, that during one evening per week, the people you work with were also sitting in front of their screens, doing their CISV tasks AND were available to answer your e-mails straight away, or even better - through an instant messenger client, such as MSN.

What I'm heading for is: If I want to do CISV stuff, I do it on Thursday. Because: If I miss something, or need an answer to a question, or I have an idea, to which I need a second opinion, I can just directly approach that person.

Agreeably time zones may be a bit of a problem, but in the end, people will be signing on and off all the time, and with a bit of luck you will meet the people you would like to communicate with.

Obviously, this proposal might as well be called "CISV Tuesday" or "CISV Monday" - but as I'm the person writing this proposal - I choose "CISV Thursday".

Nick, GER