Recreate + Educate = Perpetuate

NABO Facilitator Report to Delegates: Winter 2008 | Salt Lake City

/ Tri-annual Report to NABO Delegates
Winter Meeting
Salt Lake City
Feb. 2008
John M. Ysursa
NABO Facilitator
EGUTEGIA: 2008 NABO Events
Mus: May 31 | Chino, CA
Udaleku: June 15-27 | Buffalo, WY
Gaztealde: July 21-25 | Boise, ID
Convention: Aug. 29-31 | Chino, CA
Pilota: Sept. 13-14 | San Francisco, CA
Kantari Eguna: Oct. 11 | Rocklin, CA /
/
NABO is looking to find out what it can do to be of assistance to your club/organization. The hope is that your club has begun/can begin formulating a four year plan (2008-11) and perhaps a part of that is relevant to NABO and your fellow Basque communities.
NABO is continuing its development of “ZATOZ” and we hope that your club/organization will opts to be part of this (as you choose which parts are of use to you). Accordingly, over the next couple of months, the NABO Facilitator will endeavor to communicate with someone in your club. Please contact us at

Recreate + Educate = Perpetuate
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ARTISTAK: Shared Basque Performer Tours

Once or twice a year the Autonomous Basque Government of Euskadi sponsors a cultural tour to provide our communities an opportunity to experience some of the latest work of Basque entertainers. In Dec. 2007 the Basque txalaparta and duo of Iñaki Plaza & Ion Garmendia gave us quite a show.

GOAL. The Basque Government has created a special fund to send over Basque performers for a broad tour of our Basque communities. The objectives are threefold: to 1) help animate our Basque community with something out-of-the-ordinary; 2) reveal some of the new Basque artists and their works; and 3) get our area clubs/organizations working together on some joint events.

REQUIRED. Several Basque clubs need to work together to coordinate this. The performers are not paid a performance fee—they come over with the understanding that their travel is covered. While the Basque Government provides funds for travel, each host community is responsible for arranging a performance and negotiating lodging and food for the performers while they are there. Then after a few days, they move on to the next Basque community.

The following geographical distribution of our membership has been primarily utilized to rotate Udaleku, but is now being used to also help coordinate cultural tours of performers.

2011 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010
West / North / South / Central / Eastern
FresnoLos Banos
Marin-Sonoma
Rocklin
Seattle
SF Anaitasuna
SF Basque Club
SF Basque Center
SF BEO / Boise
Oinkari Dancers
Salt Lake
Buffalo
Rock Springs
Gooding
Basque Museum
Ontario
Mountain Home
Homedale
Cenarrusa / Chino
Bakersfield
Las Vegas
So. California
LA Oberena
Ventura County / Reno
Elko
Winnemucca
Gardnerville
Susanville
Santa Rosa
Colorado
Battle Mountain
Center for Basque Studies / Washington D.C.
NY EE
NY Society of Basque Studies

All the best ideas in the world remain just that, unless a group of people pick them up and make them happen. Taldeak translates as "teams" and the objective here is to create focus groups on various aspects of Basque culture that can in turn help to serve our various NABO members.

WHY GROUPS. At one end of the continuum is one person in NABO making decisions, and at the other is all the voting delegates. It's not advisable to go with either extreme (e.g., NABO has to be more than just one person but asking everyone to be engaged in everything isn't viable either). So the hoped for remedy is the use of focus (advisory) groups, consisting of volunteers who are specifically interested in this aspect of Basque culture. The aim is for this group to articulate and implement NABO's four year plan of "ZATOZ." The groups remain open to revision as necessary.

Organization of focus groups:
> All volunteer-based consisting of NABO delegates and NABO associates (those non-delegates/voting members who nevertheless step up to serve)
> Consists of getting together a few times a year via GoToMeeting phone teleconferences.

HERRI KIROLAK: Basque Sports

Volunteer members:
Coordinator/spokesperson: (Selected by this focus group)
Evelyne Garat (Pilota chairperson)
Xabier Berrueta
Recording Secretary: John M. Ysursa, NABO Facilitator

DANTZA & MUSIKA: Dance | Music Focus Group
/ Coordinator/Spokesperson:
Jill Aldape (Boise)
Valerie Etcharren Arrechea (San Fran)
Lisa Corcostegui (Reno)
Jean Flesher (SLC)
Annie Gavica (Boise)
Molly (Jauregui) Hill (Battle Mountain)
Patxi Kerns (Boise)
John Krakau (Boise)
John Ysursa, NABO Facilitator & group secretary

Available/ongoing development:
Dance Group Inquiry ongoing assessment of needs
Recorded dance music assistance for for dance groups without live musicians
Dance Video Clips assistance in learning dances
"Klika in America" Tribute at the NABO/Chino Convention 2008

JAKINARAZI: "To Make Known"
Education & Communication

Volunteer members:
Gina Gridley (Mtn. Home) Izaskun Urien (Washington D.C.)
Ricardo Yanci (Boise) Phillipe Acheritogaray (San Fran)
John Bieter (Boise) Nicole Hauscarriague (San Fran)
Xabier Berrueta (San Fran) Aitor Sotes (Basque Government delegate)
Michael Matassa (Denver)
Coordinator/spokesperson: (Selected by this focus group)
Recording Secretary: John M. Ysursa, NABO Facilitator

Already developed/underway:
"Hi Kantari" song booklet
Basques in the media

Zer|What: Integration of periphery Basques
> Joint viable methods
Zer|What: Support of the Basque Studies Consortium
> Promotion of joint ventures for education?
Zer|What: Prepare a standard form response to inform about Basques
> To address Basque image
Zer|What: BG cultural tours via regions
> Regional distribution for fairness
Zer|What: Education element at NABO Conventions
> To have at NABO events to provide information

DIRUA: NABO Finance Focus (Advisory) Group

We are looking at potential problem that can develop if we are not careful how we grow NABO. Now with more money coming into NABO, it's going to get more competitive among us. See the BG doesn't grant the full 100% so it ends up being our problem how to best divide the money. That's one of the potential pitfalls. I'd like to hear your ideas about this and other matters you'd like to raise.

Coordinator/Spokesperson:
Grace Mainvil (NABO Treasurer)
Amaya Michelena (Seattle)
Bob Echeverria (Elko)
Joe Lasuen (Mtn. Home)
Secretary: John M. Ysursa, NABO Facilitator

Primary Goal
Zer|What: Coordination of 2008 Basque Govt. request
>Noiz|When: due date should be March 2008
>Non|Where: Submitted to the BG office
>Nor|Who: NABO Facilitator will prepare and send final draft
>Zergatik|Why: No one is as smart as everyone. This focus group can help to keep our NABO finances coordinated and thus giving our delegates confidence that money is requested and expended appropriately.
>Nola|How: Periodic phone conferences & emails; if possible meetings

EUSKARA, SONG & MUS
Volunteer members:
Martin Goicoechea (Rock Springs)
Pierre Etcharren (SF)
Gina Gridley (Mtn. Home)
Gloria Lejardi (Homedale)
Begona Echeverria (Chino)
/ /

1. KANTATU This mini songbook is an effort to promote the Basque language, song & mus. Entitled Hi Kantari ("You’re a Basque Singer"), the booklet is about getting more people speaking, singing & playing in Euskara! It's coming out February 2008.

2. EUSKARATU Translating into Basque. NABO could offer a service to our members to translate portions of their websites, newsletters, clubhouse signs, for example, into the Basque language so that it becomes more visible to our membership and community.

3. AURKITU This year we actively seek to identify potential candidates for developing into new Euskara instructors. They can be from zero to intermediate level of Basque; HABE has developed a successful program to accomplish this task as witnessed in Argentina.

4. SUSTATU Continue to sustain our current volunteer Euskara instructors with regular workshop(s) and offering of learning materials for use in classes. This year BOGA is scheduled to be completely internet base thus doing away with the discs. Furthermore, HABE is at work developing more English based material for our use.

5. BOGA(tu) Having a person to serve as the universal BOGA coordinator for all those using BOGA in the U.S. & Canada (English speaking).

6. IKUSGARRITU Promotion of learning Euskara involves raising an awareness of the necessity of learning/using it and making known the options to learn. Previously we ran with the "Got Basque?" campaign. Do we continue with that or use something else?

7. MUS. Creation of custom NABO playing cards (See Mus report)

GAZTEAK: Youth Focus (Advisory) Group

Youth categories: 9 & under | Udaleku (10-15) | Gaztealde (16 - 20)

Volunteer members:
Valerie Etcharren Arrechea (Udaleku)
Amaya Ingram (Gaztealde)
Maite Maisterrena (Chino)
Lisa Corcostegui (Reno)
Coordinator: (Selected by this focus group)
Recording Secretary: John M. Ysursa, NABO Facilitator

Zer|What: Udaleku
>Noiz|When: June
>Non|Where: Buffalo
>Nor|Who: Valerie Etcharren Arrachea, coordinator
>Zergatik|Why: Teach youth about Basque culture
>Nola|How: Two weeks of classes & activities;
>Zenbat|$$: Will request support funds from BG $______
Zer|What: Gaztealde ("Support of youth")
>Noiz|When: July
>Non|Where: Boise
>Nor|Who: Amaya Ingram, coordinator; bring over 2 instructors
>Zergatik|Why: Embrace young Basque adults 16-20
>Nola|How: five days of classes & activities; bring over two Euro-Basques to assist
>Zenbat|$$: Will request support funds from BG $____
Zer|What: Haurbildu ("gather youth")
>Noiz|When: Chino Convention (Aug 30-31)
>Non|Where: Assembly to inaugurate this shared learning resource
>Nor|Who: Lisa Corcostegui, coordinator
>Zergatik|Why: Facilitating materials for monthly or bi-monthly programs for kids
>Nola|How: Arrange a weekend workshop for interested potential local instructors
>Zenbat|$$: Request airfare for the quest instructor

Autonomous Basque Government of Euskadi

The Autonomous Basque Government of Euskadi (the union of Araba, Bizkaia & Gipuzkoa) has made a concentrated effort to reach out and assist Diaspora Basques with various programs.

2008 GRANT REQUESTS. Delayed until March (perhaps even April). The regulations are being changed and will be announced shortly.

DIGITAL CARD. Each Basque Club can submit on online application for 2008 but they must first request a digital card that can be found at BG digital card. It must be asked bythe legal representative of the Basque Club. The digital card (including NABO's one) is valid as far as the legal representative is the same person. If the digital signature of the card doesn't match with the legal representative of our records, we can't accept the application.

CLUB DATA. In January 2008 another campaignon data requesting will be announced for the purposes of the new grant Decrees will require applying Basque Clubs to follow the obligations in the 318/1994 Decree of Recognition and Registry, in particular, the Article 11 and the Apendix II.B: "List of members (attach list indicating name and last names, date and place of birth, nationalities and languages)". So, when we do the request, we'll ask for the specific format (presumably, all of the Decree plus sex). Periodic updates of officers et.al. are also requested.
FOUR YEAR PLAN. Clubs are requested to submit their four year plan (2008-11) as soon as they can; this will also be required as part of the grant application process to show how

GAZTEMUNDU 2008: Due date announced; application coming soon (follow link in the gray column)

JIRA KULTURALA: Due date announced (follow link in the gray column)

/ Josu Legarreta
Director of Relations with the Basque Communities

Benan Oregi
Department Assistant

Andoni Martin
Department Assistant

Lehendakari Ibarretxe speaking at Stanford

Can a lasting peace settlement finally be found to the decades-long Basque conflict? Lehendarkari Ibarretxe believes so, and the President of the Basque Autonomous Government of Euskadi will discuss his "Road Map to bring an end to the Basque Conflict."
Juan Jose Ibarretxe is the political leader ("Lehendakari") of the three historical Basque regions of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa (Navarre has its own autonomous government in Spain and the northern provinces are administered from Paris). He has been in the forefront of trying to bring a final resolution to the decades-long violence in the Basque Country and Spain. He will be presenting his vision for achieving this at a special forum being hosted at Stanford University on February 14, 2008.
Included in his presentation (in English) will be his offer of a political agreement already made to Madrid, based on a rejection of violence and an embrace of democratic principles and a Basque society plebiscite. Principal Stanford organizer Prof. Joan Ramon Resina, the chair of the Spanish and Portuguese Departments, extended the invitation to Ibarretxe in conjunction with the Forum on Contemporary Europe (FCE) as part of an ongoing speaking forum for European political leaders from across the political spectrum. The FCE is particularly interested in anyone who can address issues of pressing interest. As quoted in the The Stanford Daily, Prof. Resina believes that “President Ibarretxe’s talk has particular interest in the European context" and that "under certain conditions [Ibarretxe's plan] could prove to be the elusive tool to negotiate a definitive ceasefire by ETA, which in the last decade has declared 10 long-term truces only to break them later for lack of political progress in the negotiations.” For more information and to register for this special seminar that is open the public go tohttp://fce.stanford.edu/events/5134
Also, the President of the Basque Autonomous Community will have an official reception held in his honor on Saturday, February 16th at 1pm at the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center, which will be open to the public. It will be followed by a reception and pilota (handball) games as part of the anniversary festivities. Click on www.BasqueCulturalCenter.com for the weekend schedule.
Like most things of this kind, there is controversy around Lehendarkari Ibarretxe's plan for peace. This is no surprise, actually, because parts of it don't go down well with Spanish nationalists. This conflict has been raging for decades now, so a dispassionate discussion of these matters is possible but rarely probable and this passion has now reached the Stanford campus (click on The Stanford Daily). Protestors circulated a petition to have Stanford cancel this event, but fortunately this has been disregarded in the name of freedom of speech and assembly. Tellingly, Stanford organizers of the event have been put off by the tone of the critics. Prof. Resina said the majority of those who have signed the petition come from Spain. But "the intensity and scope of the unsupported accusations against President Ibarretxe are among the ugliest things I have seen in my long academic life” Resina said. “The organizers of the protest have chosen the path of confrontation rather than the democratic one of discussion with the speaker, according to academic protocol.”
How about if you go to hear for yourself what is said? There is a real desire on the part of some self-identifying Basques to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict with Spain. Thanks to Stanford, Lehendakari Ibarretxe will be provided an opportunity to present his vision. Then the listener can assess if this is indeed desirable and viable.