Newsletter 17: Sunday 27 April 2025

Anthroposophy in Hawkes Bay          

Calendar of Coming Events
-- Diary Dates

In the Rudolf Steiner Centre, 401 Whitehead Road, Hastings
unless stated otherwise.

• Tuesdays 29 April to 24 June. "The Great World of Angels" - a study. [see previous Newsletter]
• Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May in Auckland. A Workshop on finances with experienced UK speaker Christopher H Budd.
  

  The Committee ask that visitors to events in the Centre pay a contribution to the Koha box in the Foyer, as we have regular bills for electric power, city rates, insurance, and maintenance for an ageing building.

-- Current Study Groups

• Fridays fortnightly at 7 pm in the Foyer. Topic: Rudolf Steiner's Michael Letters and the accompanying Leading Thoughts in GA26.  The Group is open: if you wish to join come early at 6:50 pm and we will help you borrow the book from the Library.

Leaders of Study Groups - you invited to list what you are doing; when and where and how those interested can join you.  Details to info@anthrohb.nz

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Annual General Meeting 

Here are some notes from our AGM.
The meeting was opened by a reading of Rudolf Steiner's Motto of Social Ethic 

It is only healthy
When the whole society is formed
In the mirror of the Human soul.

         (Outwardly: Threefold structure of Society )  

And when, in each community 
The virtue of the individual soul
Is living. 

         (Inwardly:  Loving recognition of our fellow human beings.)

We welcomed Jen Speedy, who joined John Jackson, Mike Lawn, and Andrew McGovern as Trustees, and Gerrit Raichle, who joined John Jackson, Robin Bacchus, Angela Hair, and Mike Caris as Committee members.

We were reminded of the objects and purposes of the Branch Society as expressed in our constitution:

"The Branch Society is intended to be a community of human beings who desire to further the life of the soul, both in the individual and in human society, based on a true knowledge of the spiritual world. This is to be attained not only by studying the works of spiritual science but also by fostering educational opportunities for those people in all walks of life who seek answers to contemporary issues out of a renewal of human culture. It is a purpose of the Branch Society to cultivate Anthroposophy through artistic, scientific and educational activities (in the broadest sense of these concepts) and the Branch Society intends to devote all reasonable means available to realise this purpose. This shall include the appropriate supporting of libraries and providing lectures and publications."

This led to some discussion around the Committee's Annual Report of activities during the year.

The meeting acknowledged the work of Robyn Hewetson on the Committee over the last seven years.  In particular, the fine state of the grounds and building were due to her care and initiative.

The Budget approved for the coming year had an enlarged section for "Events".  A request was made for the Committee to acquire more comfortable chairs in the Foyer (some current chairs being notably uncomfortable).

The Trustees shared that they hold financial bequests that can be used to support anthroposophical initiatives within Hawke's Bay and New Zealand.

It was reflected at the end of the meeting that we need to find ways to deal with essentials more quickly so that the major part of the meeting can be devoted to discussion.

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COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD:
Requests; Exchange; Wanted; For sale

Notices to info@anthrohb.nz ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL EVENTS
IN THE LIGHT OF THE THREEFOLD SOCIAL ORDER

The News has recently been dominated by seemingly arbitrary political decisions. How are people/leaders authorised to make decisions that affect so much of the world financially and in other ways?   What Rights and Responsibilities are involved?  What is the role of Democracy?  Who is ‘enfranchised’?   Is there a problem with a ‘tyranny of the majority’

The three major realms of society need radically different approaches to decision making.

In the Cultural realm of life, which is concerned with individual personal artistic pursuits, education, science and religion, do I want a majority vote deciding what I can read or do?  No, I want to be FREE to make my own decisions – autocracy (self rule) – providing it does not adversely affect the rights (social) of others nearby.

In the Economic sphere, does the architect (or worker or manufacturer) seek a vote on how to solve a technical design problem.  They would seek expert advice before making a decision -- epistocracy (knowledge rule).

Democracy (rule by the people) belongs to the Political Legal Sphere, not elsewhere.  However, it is not so straightforward – next week I would like to share gleanings from a recent book by A C Grayling: “Democracy and its Crisis”.  One problem is ochlocracy (government by the populace; mob rule)

Robin