Letter from Deepak Chopra

Correction to Alliance for a New Humanity letter of May 26

Please be advised that the Alliance for a New Humanity letter, dated May 26, was inadvertently distributed with the signature of Roberto Savio, who did not see the text. The letter should correctly have been signed by Deepak Chopra alone, in his capacity as President of the Alliance. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

May 26, 2009

Dear Alliance Community, Founders, Directors, Visionaries, Management Team, and Friends,

In the brief life of our Alliance for a New Humanity, there have been several turning points in the history of the organization. Some of these carry a greater level of significance than others. 2003 will always be known as the year of Beginning, when a conversation became an entity; 2005, the year of Renaissance, when the entity found a voice; and now, 2009, the year of Transition, when the voice takes on new dimensions. Transitions, in the life of an organization, can be very challenging. Fortunately, and in keeping with the values upon which it is founded, the Alliance is very appreciative of the loving care with which these changes are taking place. 

Roberto Savio has been the Chairman of the Board of the Alliance for a New Humanity since its inception, in 2003. He has stewarded the organization through the painful steps of organizational development with the skill, talent, and patience that have marked a long, and very distinguished career in the halls of the world’s largest and most influential diplomatic and political organizations. Roberto announced his intention to move away from the Chair in late 2008, and has been an active participant in the selection process of his successor, Fred Matser. Fred will assume the Chair of the Board at the upcoming June 9, 2009 Board meeting. Gratitude doesn’t seem sufficient to capture the deep appreciation for the work done by Roberto over these years. We can, however, comfort ourselves with the fact that he has agreed to remain on the Board, and will continue offering his wisdom to the Alliance from a different vantage.

Jorge Colmenares assumed the position of CEO in 2008, with a determination to help the Alliance find a deeper, more efficient level of organizational structure and clarity. Along with his wife, Mariela, both of whom are members of the Visionaries Circle, Jorge worked long hours, tirelessly, on a pro bono basis, in service of a vision that has captured us all over time. Through their efforts, the Alliance has achieved a greater level of clarity in identifying those responsible for carrying specific areas of the organizational mission, and strengthened the tools needed to fulfill that mission. This work has often resulted in the need for difficult decisions to be made, and challenged the communication within and among different members of the management team. This forces everyone to confirm their levels of transparency, and adherence to the mission and values of the Alliance. We are very grateful for all of the time and energy that the Colmenares family has dedicated to this work, and appreciative that they will remain active members of the Alliance family. We do, however, recognize that Jorge needs to address the growing demands of his renewable energy business, and wish him continued success in this endeavor.

The vacancy created by Jorge’s resignation will be filled by an Executive Office, which will consist of the present members of the Executive Committee consisting of Fred Matser, Howard Rosenfeld, and Gaby Cusco and Deepak, in his capacity as President. This group, which will function until such time as a new Executive Director can be named, will liaison with the Management team, in order to ensure that the efforts and initiatives of the Alliance continue to meet the needs of its growing base of partners, advocates, and supporters.

In keeping with the emphasis on strengthening infrastructure that we are witnessing in the United States, as put forward by President Obama, and other countries around the world, the Alliance leadership has decided to postpone the Human Forum, which was scheduled for November 2009, in San Diego, CA. Instead, the time, energy, and financial resources of the organization will be used to ensure that the Alliance for a New Humanity continues to fulfill its mission of connecting people, who, through personal and social transformation, aim to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world, reflecting the unity of all humanity. We can find no higher priority than this, during the challenging times that we face as a planet, and as a humanity.

We thank you for your support, and look forward to continuing to work alongside of you, and other collaborators for change, in the months and years ahead.

I take the vow,

President
Deepak Chopra