The Annual NAC Conference 2019 in Camphill Soltane, Pennsylvania

Author
Charles Kyd
​Camphill Communities Ontario, Canada
President of the North American Council

​Every year in the spring season, the NAC holds its annual conference. We make an effort to hold the event in a different place each year across this vast North American continent. It has travelled through Canada, the U.S. midwest, New York, New Hampshire, and this year Pennsylvania. Our theme was; I and the World, Finding Healthy Balance In Community, and it was attended by more than 100 people from as far away as Hawaii, California, Wisconsin, from the Ontario Provinces of Ontario and Quebec and as far east as the Atlantic shore of Massachusetts. Almost all the member communities were represented.
In the traditional manner we gathered on Friday for a festive supper and an evening presentation from the host community. On Saturday we had the fortune to start the day with an address by Jan Goeschel, one of 3 members of the leadership of the world wide Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development in Dornach Switzerland. He spoke to the theme with imagination and humour and gently encouraged us to find the right attitudes to what can look like overwhelming issues in today’s world. How can we live on the earth together? What needs to change? How can we differentiate between the perception and reality in the news? How can we find resonance with the natural rhythms on the global, community and individual levels? He suggested that each of us can contribute in small ways towards such a goal by how we approach each of our daily activities; with intentionality, with determination to do a task well. Jan gave the example of preparing a meal and bringing meaningful conversation to such an event.  Attention to the details.
Throughout the day Saturday we broke up into small artistic groups and took up different activities relating to the theme. At the end of the afternoon we came back together in a plenum form where everyone had an opportunity to contribute from our group experiences and accomplishments.
After a Mexican style supper it was off to an evening of dancing with a local group of musicians who led us in contra style dances. A great evening!
On Sunday morning some of us attended religious services at a neighbouring Camphill. In Camphill Village Kimberton Hills the Festival of Offering service is a regular Sunday event.
Back at Whitsun Hall in Camphill Soltane we ended the morning and the conference with the Annual General Meeting of the NAC which aside from some perfunctory agenda items, was mostly graced with sharing from all the places represented at the conference.  We created a detailed imaginative image of the collective work of the many places and made a space for everyone to contribute their piece of the picture. In addition, our delegate to the International Council, Anya Hobley, added to the tapestry we wove with a detailed description of her time at the conference in Dornach last October.
 At the end of the morning, we were treated to a hearty lunch and made our fond farewells to all our old and new friends. We left looking forward to the next conference with some ideas of where we would like to have it.
​
A few observations from the hosts’ perspective: from Sabine Otto, Camphill Soltane
-It is daunting to anticipate the arrival of ca. 100 people.  But the culture of this conference is one to be admired!  
 -A “can do” attitude from those who come.  “Can do” meaning: we deal with the comforts and discomforts of this adventure.   So many smiles!
 -Such a joyous atmosphere among the participants.  People were happy to be together, to give support where and as needed.  Old friendships restored and new ones kindled.  
 -Striking was a deep sense of inclusion.  That extends to the workshop leaders, who did so well with working with their groups!
 -Lastly, what a gift to us as hosting community.  Thank you