Unity Council Recommendations
For the revised structure and program of PeaceWorks Center for the Dances of
Universal Peace
September, 2009

A. PEACEWORKS’ MISSION AND PROGRAMS
1. We recommend that PeaceWorks mission be to a) link the Dances around the world (primarily
through a revised, multi-lingual website) and b) support the MTG to ensure that the spiritual depthof the Dances remains paramount as they continue to expand worldwide. We can see no greater
purpose for PeaceWorks International than these two vital roles. The appendix contains a suggested
mission and goals and budget for PeaceWorks.
2. We recommend that PeaceWorks retain its responsibility in distributing the PW published dance
educational material (currently 6 published booklets and cds and the FDM/cd) throughdownloadable files and books on demand through the new website. We also recommend
contracting out the distribution “wing” of PeaceWorks Pubs to a private contractor to be operated
as a fulfillment service business.1
3. The new IN website should be completed and put on line as soon as feasible, with fulltranslations into German, Spanish and Russian. Maintaining the website and forums should be amain PeaceWorks activity intended to activate the existing dance network.
4. We recommend that the URL of the new website be changed towww.dancesofuniversalpeace.net. The existing URL can be directed to this one.2
5. We urge that understanding of the lineage transmission of The Dances and Walks be part ofevery Dance leader’s training.3
PeaceWorks Pubs ran a $13,800 deficit in 2008. In actuality, PeaceWorks has not published materials (with the
exception of the book Murshid) in some years and has effectively been subsidizing a fulfillment service for the dancematerials that remain. If the purpose of Pubs is to earn money for PeaceWorks, it should be abandoned. If the purpose
is to disseminate materials and resources for dance leaders, we recommend that PeaceWorks shift its methods to utilize
technology and the internet to the fullest. Eventually we feel that all Dance write-ups and many resources be madeavailable on line as downloads to mentored dance leaders. Where books (such as Spiritual Dance and Walk) remain
needed and wanted, these could be made available as “books on demand” and printed when ordered, with
PeaceWorks again receiving a royalty from this. PeaceWorks Pubs has suffered from not having an entrepreneur who isproactive in using web technology to market and promote materials to the worldwide dance community. Further, themajor cost of PeaceWorks Pubs is currently from fulfillment (filling orders, shipping and handling costs) and storage
costs. We do not see this as a necessary or important function to be capturing the financial resources available to
PeaceWorks at this time. These funds could be more effectively spent for staffing and expenses directed at the revised
goals for the organization. We therefore recommend that PeaceWorks look at the feasibility of contracting Pubs out toa private entrepreneur. The contract can provide that PeaceWorks receive a percentage of sales of existing inventory.
The contract should call for PeaceWorks and the contractor to evaluate the business relationship after an initial periodof no more than two years to ensure that the arrangement is working and mutually beneficial.
1

2

The .net URL refers to the longstanding dance network of individuals presenting and participating in the Dances andWalking meditations. The current .org URL implies an organization that is the same as the network. We feel this change
will help clear up the confusion between the Dance network and the organization that serves it.

The Dances and Walks are held in trust by The Sufi Ruhaniat International which extends this trust to the Mentor
Teachers Guild (MTG), the body of mentor teachers responsible for preserving the transmission of the dance lineage
through the training of dance leaders. The MTG Guidance Council, which oversees the work of the Mentor Teachers
3

Unity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 1 of 7

B. REGIONS AND REGIONAL NETWORKERS
6. We recommend that dancers/dance leaders in geographic areas find ways to work together cooperatively.
a. Where DUP regions have already formed, they should be encouraged and supported tocontinue, if it is their desire to do so.
b. Other ways of working together co-operatively in geographic areas should be encouraged
and supported. Future organization of the Dances into formal regional networks willcontinue to be entirely voluntary.
7. For geographic areas of the world not contained in an existing region PeaceWorks created a“world-wide region”. Mentored Dance leaders in the world-wide region may join PeaceWorks
directly by paying a $30 membership fee. These members may pay the fee directly on the IN
website now being created. Information regarding paying the fee is currently on the IN website.4
8. Current PeaceWorks policies regarding regions should be reviewed with an eye toward
simplifying and clarifying the PeaceWorks/region relationships, and increasing local empowerment.
We feel that PeaceWorks should conduct individual telephone reviews with the existing DUP
Regions to update PeaceWorks’ relationship with the region, review the changes and plan outlined
here, to obtain input and recommitment.

C. STRUCTURE
9. Adopt a traditional nonprofit bylaws structure with a self-electing board. The board’s role will be
fiduciary, policy-making, and fundraising, working in cooperation with part-time professional staff.
We recommend a board of 5-7 members with specific, staggered terms and the board overlappingat least two personnel from the MTG Guidance Council.
10. We recommend that the MTG-Guidance Council become a key resource for guidance in setting
the program for PeaceWorks. We recommend that the MTG-GC Chair or an appointee and at least
one other member of the MTG-GC serve on the PW board.
11. Retire the Advisory Council as presented in the current by-laws and replace it with several
appropriate advisors with clear terms of service to assist the PeaceWorks board in a traditional
advisory capacity only.5
12. Retire regional networkers as formal representatives in PeaceWorks’ organizational structure.6
Guild, is appointed by the Pir of The Ruhaniat and its mission is supported by the International Organization.)4

Collecting dues on the IN website will greatly reduce clerical and bookkeeping costs to both PeaceWorks and theregions. We encourage PeaceWorks to explore this as a possible means of dues collection.
5
We feel that this change will help to empower the sitting board of PeaceWorks by providing clear authority and will
also eliminate a cumbersome board-election process. The Advisory Council in recent practice has consisted of theregional networkers. We feel that advisors should be invited to serve for specific terms and should be asked for advice
and assistance as individuals, rather than convening a “council” of advisers. Further, we feel that the important functionof information exchange provided by the regional networkers can be more effectively encouraged through the forums
committee process, proposed elsewhere.
6

The impact of the regional networkers has been almost entirely local as resources and coordination points for theirareas. In some areas the networkers have made significant contributions to the development of the Dances. However,PeaceWorks’ regional networker structure is a hold-over from its early pre-internet years in which telephone trees werethe means of moving information into and out from the organization. Some regional networkers have expressed
confusion about the ambiguity of their role vis a vis PeaceWorks. INDUP has had limited staff resources to devote to

Unity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 2 of 7

13. Move to a program of telecons, and/or webinars of people worldwide engaged in the Dances
as needed to move key information into and out from the organization. One method of organizing
and developing this strategy would be to create a “forums committee” of key individuals from theregions and from the PeaceWorks board. This group would meet by telecon periodically to decide
topics and methods for worldwide telephone or Skype forums for information or issue resolution.7

D. STAFFING AND OFFICE
14. PeaceWorks staffing currently consists of the office manager, a secretary to the board, and the
MTG Secretariat, a contract position, a bookkeeper, and some contract help for mailings. We
recommend that PeaceWorks combine these positions, shifting from a clerical to a managerial
stance in order to meet the new goals and objectives outlined in the appendix. We feel that a“Director”, even if only part time, will provide a needed “rudder” for PeaceWorks in going
forward, help to ensure continuity and follow through of changes, and begin to build renewedsupport for the organization. PeaceWorks managerial staff will require expertise in organization
development, fundraising, website maintenance and mass emailing, financial accounting,community development/networking, and an understanding of the needs of dance leaders. A job
description for a Director is provided in the appendix.8
15. The chair of the MTG-Guidance Council is a pivotal position for the Dance network inproviding continuity, vision and guidance for the strength of the spiritual integrity of the Dances.
We recommend that the chair receive a monthly stipend as appropriate for ongoing work incoordinating this world-wide effort.
16. We recommend that the Seattle office be closed and that PeaceWorks move to a home officearrangement.9
17. A great deal of time and expense has been spent upgrading and maintaining the
MTG/PeaceWorks data base. The new IN website will have the capability for registered users to
update their own records on the data base and pay dues on line. We strongly encourage themaintaining and communicating with these parliamentary bodies. We feel that the internet and other technology canbe successfully used to move information back and forth from the regions to PeaceWorks. We recommend the Forums
Committee as a mechanism to structure this communication flow.
Telecons and Skype meetings, and chat rooms on the new IN website can all be among the means used to gather input
and carry issues forward. Technology should be used to the fullest extent and be focused on issues that matter to those
involved. This exchange is named as a specific goal in our Mission/Goals Statement for the reorganized PeaceWorks(Appendix 1). We envision a self-organizing network in which the DUP regions enjoy more autonomy from internationaloversight and policies and take responsibility for the health and development of the Dances in their geographic areas.
8 PeaceWorks office staff hours in 2008 were allocated as follows:
Membership 83 (21%); Foundation Dance Manual 75 (19%); Finances 66 (17%); We Circle Around 47 (12%); General
31 (8%); PW Inc 27 (7%); Data base 25 (6%); Outreach grants 11 (2%); MTG 9 (~2%); Council 9 (~2%); Other 1%)
We see that if programs such as We Circle Around are discontinued and publications are contracted out that resources
will be freed up to support the management and direction of PeaceWorks, the effectiveness of the MTG and linking theworldwide network in new ways.
We see the role of the Administrator to include: Administration: Coordinating the work of the Board, recording keeping,financial accounting; Networking: updating and maintaining the IN website, communicating with language
representatives on needed site changes; maintaining contact with activity in DUP regions; Coordinating program with
the MTG Guidance Council; Fundraising: Working with the PW board to raise funds and collect regional dues. A full job
description appears in the Appendix.
9 PeaceWorks’ occupancy expenses in 2008 amounted to a total of $3,800, of which $1,950 was allocated to Pubs
inventory storage cost. We feel that these resources could be better used elsewhere in the organization. With the
preponderance of web technology for disseminating and gathering information, the PeaceWorks office can be mostly“virtual” and need not be located in a major city.
7

Unity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 3 of 7

PeaceWorks board to activate this capability as soon as possible for the worldwide region and workwith the existing DUP regions to see how this capability can reduce overall administrative costs toeveryone in the long run. We stop short now of recommending a global shift in collecting regional
dues on the IN website. This issue needs further exploration with the DUP regions before a change
in dues collection methods can be recommended.

E. DUES18. Regions currently pay a portion of membership dues they collect to PeaceWorks. The MTG
currently requires mentored dance leaders to be members of PeaceWorks by joining their region, or
if not living in an existing region to join the worldwide region. We recommend that beginning in2010 regions send $30 to PeaceWorks per mentored dance leader member. Regions would not pay
dues to PeaceWorks for memberships from Dancers and other contributors. PeaceWorks may
negotiate a lower membership fee for those in regions with emerging economies.10

Appendix – PeaceWorks International Draft Organization Plan
The Unity Council recommends a mission statement that includes the following elements. The
mission statement to be adopted will need to be shaped by the incoming board.
Draft Mission Statement
Peaceworks International supports and links the worldwide movement of the Dances of Universal
Peace and works through the Mentor Teachers Guild to set a high standard for the spiritualtransmission of the Dances. or
Alternate from Current INDUP Website Home Page:
The International Network for the Dances of Universal Peace links the many Dance circles aroundthe world. Peaceworks Inc, the supporting not-for-profit organization, maintains a registry of dance
leaders and networkers, publishes journals, supports the work of the Mentor Teachers Guild andoffers tax deductible membership.
•

•

Goals
o Strategies
 Objectives
Ensure that teachers of the Dances of Universal Peace embody and teach from their
spiritual deptho Support the MTG Guidance Council to provide guidance on transmission, resources
and standards of excellence for Dance leader and mentor training By December 31, 2010 support one in-body meeting and administrative
assistance as needed to maintain guidelines, leadership for depth and effective
dance mentoring.

This policy change signals PeaceWorks’ shift in emphasis to strengthening the spiritual capacity and skills of dance
leaders. Dance leader members will have access to a special area of the new IN website containing the standard dancerepertoire and other resources as .pdf downloads. We see the need to increase dues from the present $15 to $30 inorder to raise additional resources for PeaceWorks to provide the leadership and service which the Dance network
requires in the 21st century. Increased funding is needed to 1) Provide professional staff and direction; 2) meet the everincreasing costs of operations; 3) Replace Oneness Project support for PeaceWorks which has been discontinued. We seethat the Dances have flourished in many countries formerly viewed as “developing economies” and that many dance
leaders in such places are now able to support the international network.
10

Unity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 4 of 7

•

•

•

o Maintain certification and mentoring records and make public as appropriate
 By June 30, 2010 conduct annual audit of mentor/mentees
 By December 2010 insure that records are accurately maintained and displayed
on-lineo Provide Dance Leader resources, information and links to training information on lineo Support regions and assist financially as possible to support local/regional translation
projects
 Translate IN website into German, Spanish and Russian in 2009-2010.
Disseminate information about the Dances and locating Dance eventso Create and maintain an international web site for the Dances in English, Spanish,
German and Russian languages for Find the Dances and MTG certification.
 By December, 2009 bring new IN website on line.
o Provide key DUP resources and information in native languages to dance leaders anddancers worldwide
 By June, 2010 complete translation of entire IN website site into noted languages
Link the DUP regions and individuals in the worldwide region into a coherent whole
o Facilitate healthy exchange of communication between and among the various local
and regional dance communities as appropriate as well as between the local/regional
communities and the international organization/s.
 By December 2010 conduct two semi annual forums by telecom or webinar toallow information exchange among the board and the world wide network Direct management staff to maintain ongoing contacts with regions

Build an effective and trained Board of Directorso Coordinate in-body meetings of MTG-Guidance Council and the Board of Directors
o Conduct training of Board regarding effective roles and function

Draft Organization Chart
Sufi Ruhaniat
International
PeaceWorks
Center for the
DUP
Board ofDirectors

MTG GuidanceCouncil(Chair)IN Forums
Committee
MTG andDance Leaders

MTG Guidance Council gives
guidance to the Board in shaping
the programs of PeaceWorks. We
envision that the two bodies would
share an in-body meeting. We
recommend that there be overlapof the two groups but that thePeaceWorks board remain its own
self-electing entity.

DUP Regions
and Areas
Director

The Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Meditations are held in trust by The Sufi Ruhaniat
International. The Ruhaniat extends this trust* to the Mentor Teachers Guild, the body of mentor
teachers responsible for preserving the transmission of the dance lineage through the training ofUnity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 5 of 7dance leaders. The MTG Guidance Council, which oversees the work of the Mentor Teachers Guild
is appointed by The Pir of The Ruhaniat. The work of the MTG is supported by The PeaceWorks
Center for the Dances of Universal Peace, a non-profit, public benefit corporation, which also serves
as the central hub connecting the worldwide network of dance leaders and dancers.
We recommend that the new board share some overlap with the MTG-Guidance Council so that thetwo groups work closely together.
Staffing
PeaceWorks Director – Draft Position Description
General Administration
1. Assist Board of Directors creating annual budget and annual work plan.
2. Administer programs and budgets as approved by the board of directors.
3. Coordinate and assisting the work of the Board
4. Financial accounting and report preparation
5. Maintain board policy/training manual.
6. Facilitate Board training process
7. Assist Directors in orienting to board service.
8. Assist and coordinate Board committees and other working groups as needed.
Fundraising
1. Work with the PeaceWorks board to develop and implement membership campaign
2. Coordinate fundraising efforts of the board to implement plan and make special solicitations
3. Thank donors as needed
Program Administration
1. Assist MTG Guidance Council in policy development and program initiatives
2. Oversee maintenance of MTG data baseBudget/Goals and Objectives
9. Work with Board of Directors to prepare annual budget and statement of goals and objectives.
10. Administer budget and prepare reports
11. Maintain records meetings.
Network Community Development
1. Maintain and update IN website
2. Coordinate with language assistants in Germany, Russia and South America as needed to keepsite current.
3. Maintain contact with mentors and leadership in DUP geographical areas
4. Initiate problem solving and forums on issues of common interest and concern in the DUP
worldwide
5. Assist the MTG-Guidance Council as needed

Unity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 6 of 7

DRAFT BUDGET
IncomeRegional Dues ($30 X 1234 Active leaders)ExpenseDirector’s wages
MTG-GC chair office expense & stipend
Office expense
Website hosting fees
MTG-GC/Board in-body meetings
TelephoneInternet
Webinars/Conference Call Technology
Outstanding Contracts - Pubs Royalties
Office Records Shipping and Storage$36,930$36.930$20,000
7,500
1,450
300
$5,000
1,000
180
1,000
??
500
$36,930Dance Network Membership Statistics – March 2009
PW members = 1407
SRI members = 376
but 117 are both PW & SRI, so:
PW only members = 1290 (1407-117)
SRI only members = 259 (376-117)
PW & SRI members = 117
Total members = 1666 (1290+259+117)
Active leaders = 1234
Active leaders who are PW members = 796
Active leaders who are SRI members = 149
but 93 are both PW & SRI, so:
Active leaders who are PW only members = 703 (796-93)
Active leaders who are SRI only members = 56 (149-93)
Active leaders who are both PW & SRI members = 93
Total active leaders who are members = 852 (703+56+93)
Total active leaders who are NOT members = 382 (1234-852)

Unity Council Recommendations September, 2009 – Page 7 of 7