Message From Your Executive Director

Message From Your Executive Director, Margarita Suarez

Dear Friends and Avanta Members,

There has been a lot that has happened since our last Newsletter (April 2006) and there is a lot of follow up in this Newsletter. My transition, as my job is coming to an end is somehow harder than what I had expected. Please note that I feel the changes are good and I feel confident in what Avanta is doing. It is in the personal level the goodbye is painful. I decided to repeat here some of what I shared at the Annual Meeting in August.

In my time as Executive Director, 80% has been good or very good. And 20% has been difficult or very difficult. The 20% I believe is part of any group or organization. It is part of our own humanness. And I want to focus on the 80%. Some of this is reflected in what we have been able to do. I want to share some of what I see as our success as well as the hope for the future.

The success of the 2006 Conference (as you will read in other reports) is allowing us in the Central Office to feel we are closing the office with a satisfaction and gladness. As some said closing with a bang.
The many additions to the celebration of the Living Treasure, making this event a highlight of our meeting.
The support and many connections with individuals and other groups. Look at our Avanta Website and see all the links, events, and information we have there.
As Jean (President's Report) shared we can see the growth of Satir as we meet the third and fourth generation. A discussion at the Annual Meeting decided the following as far as generations:

First Generation: Virginia
Second Generation: Those who met and were taught by Virginia
Third Generation: Those who did not meet Virginia and has been taught by the Second Generation. Over half of the group at the Conference and Annual Meeting was from the third generation.
Fourth Generation: Those who have been taught primarily by the third generation. You may not agree with this division, but what is exciting about this is that it shows the growth of the teachings as well as the growth of future teachers.