by Deirdre Marlowe and Bill Magargal               

This was a conference for the record books… big turnout (71 + presenters); 3 NEW members plus several more interviewed after the conference (that makes 2140 and counting); and based on evaluations returned so far it was truly a Five-Star Event (see graphic below). Kudos to Fouzia Bhat and Adil Najar for making it such a well-organized and meaningful event. In fact, one reviewer stated “Fouzia should be in charge of all future conferences.” Visit the Conference Photos web page to view candid shots taken by Adil Najar and Joanne Fergusson Cavanaugn.

Heard at the Conference:  Our wonderful wandering reporter, Deirdre Marlowe, overheard some great comments over the two days including:

A new member from Georgia said: “It’s exciting to travel to Minnesota to meet like-minded, peaceful people dedicated who believe we can make a difference together.”

A member from VA said she joined because of the geographic diversity Servas represents.

A member from Indiana thought the conference was terrific. She’d participated in the South Korean bike for peace and believes that strengthening local bonds enables better outreach.

Another said that it is important to learn curiosity instead of investing in preconceived notions. This will allow us to better handle difficult conversations.

A long-time member said that he appreciated the conference's focus on activism, noting that being a pacifist does not mean one cannot be an activist.

Retirees can join the Peace Corps and serve as paid short-term consultants for various projects. These roles require extensive experience. 

Or you can WorkAway.com all over the world – from farming to pet sitting, IT, plumbing, and more. Your food and lodging are covered for job specific or time-limited opportunities.

Conference Evaluations: We are amazed with the “official” conference evaluations. We have already received responses from thirty attendees, who gave the Overall Conference a rating of 4.93 stars, and Organization 4.97 stars. In addition to the ratings most of them took time to add extensive comments (see sampling below). If you would like to see more details, click on the following Conference Evaluations link.

••• A Few of the Take-aways ••• 

“The experience was certainly more profound than what I anticipated. In retrospect, I cannot imagine a better theme and a better venue for a Servas conference. The experience was at times overwhelming, and this was clearly a mutual feeling. “

“The organization was stellar, and I have returned humbled after meeting many great people and learning important things about how to promote peace and about resources to more effectively resist the Fascism in our country. “

“This was one of the best conferences of any kind I’ve ever been to because the speakers were so good and so relevant. The people were so kind, and it was so well organized. “

“The panel for me was the highlight, even though I live in Minneapolis, just hearing from other people’s experience.”

“I loved the focus that was given to the Minneapolis ICE response. It would have been such a missed opportunity to not have given that attention. “

“Food was not only delicious, but I appreciate how and where Fouzia sourced it.”

“In a word, the conference was fabulous. So much gratitude to Fouzia and her team for their hard work to create a very moving and informative experience, well-planned and executed down to the last detail.”

“This was the best Servas conference I have ever attended. It was extremely well organized, relevant, fun, informative, and emotionally moving. “

“You packed an amazing amount of information into a very quick session. I haven't yet joined Servas, but after this conference I will be applying soon. Thank you for all the obvious planning work, and all the details you managed. Brava!!”

“I like the efforts that were put into sustainability. Given the events in MN with ICE, the location, topics and peace awards were spot on.”

“Everything was well done and planned to keep it moving. Speakers were interesting and relevant. Loved the choice of city.”

“Kudos and gratitude to organizers and volunteers for making this such a wonderful event. I appreciate the resources and knowledge passed on community building and the stories about what a difference peace building efforts make.”

“The presenters were informative and clarified what was taking place over the winter. They inspired me to take action when I return home and get more involved in our local social groups. “

by Bill Magargal

I have attended five US Servas conferences over the years, including one I organized in 2023, but this one was the best yet. While I could point to many reasons why the conference was outstanding, I want to focus on the emotions the presenters evoked in me and why they were so meaningful.

Our first session on Saturday was the ICE panel discussion, where eight panelists shared deeply personal experiences from ICE’s “Operation Metro Surge.” It was a beautifully run, open, and heartfelt session. Their stories revealed a community moved by outrage, compassion, and courage—people rising instinctively to protect and support their neighbors: driving children to school when their parents could not, helping immigrants prepare custody documents in case they were deported without their children, and shopping for those too afraid to leave their homes.

One panelist, a schoolteacher serving as an “on-call observer,” responded to an alert about an ICE incident just two blocks from her school. She watched and recorded as agents detained a man, then sprayed a powerful “Bear” tear gas directly into his eyes from only inches away. The cruelty of that moment was hard to absorb. It did not seem necessary; it felt deliberately violent.

Another presenter described how 35,000 people in the Minneapolis metro area signed up for and received ICE observer training. What struck me was that this happened organically, without a large campaign or established structure behind it. It was simply people deciding they could not look away. One panelist, an observer training instructor, shared some of the materials he used, including the SALUTE chart of actions observers should take (see graphic). He emphasized that witnesses should never interfere with agents and should obey all lawful orders, while also noting that observers are legally permitted to record events with phones or other video equipment.

Those two hours were powerful and unforgettable. We heard how thousands of people mobilized to help their neighbors, offering whatever skills they had—something as simple as “I can cook” or “I can drive,” as well as legal knowledge, organizing experience, and much more. The session was emotional for both the presenters and the audience, and I felt it deeply too: empathy at the unfairness of it all; togetherness in realizing I was not alone in my grief and concern; hope in seeing how Minneapolis had responded; and humility in knowing I need to do more. By the end of the session, I was really choked up… The America I know and love is still here. Caring people are still willing to step forward to help others in need.

Come join us in the wonderful city of Minneapolis!  Your US Servas’s 2026 conference is  right around the corner, but there's still time to register.

Start the weekend by joining us on  a  Friday  evening dinner cruise on the Mississippi River.  It will be a great time to greet old  Servas  friends and make new  ones.

At the conference we will hear the stories about the residents of Minneapolis  reaching  out to support their  neighbors  during the  ICE  surge. We will learn about the hospitality of taking other people's children to school, doing their shopping, driving them to work, and how this experience  impacted  them as individuals and a community.

The Servas  International’s  Peace Secretary and  President will share stories from around the Servas world. We will award  two Servas Peace Awards, each with a prize of $5000. Saturday night we will be inspired by  a  Danger Boat Productions presentation.  Danger Boat Productions  The conference will provide workshops,  breakout  sessions,  and much more all on the beautiful campus of the University of Minnesota.

You really  don’t want to miss this chance to mingle with fellow Servas members and Minnesotans who have shown us the way to make a difference. You can still  REGISTER for the conference (until July 24^th).  It’s a  great  value  and you are guaranteed to meet some of the most interesting people in the world!

We look forward to seeing you there

US Servas Conference Team

If you are intrigued about this year’s US Servas national conference, or you have already decided to attend, the conference web pages are online and ready to use. Simply visit the US Servas website and click on the NEWS & EVENTS menu at the top of any page, then choose 2026 CONFERENCE. This will land you on the conference VENUE page that provides information about the conference location (Univ. of Minnesota in Minneapolis – Twin Cities), and how to get there.

There are four pages dedicated to the conference. They are easily accessed by using the blue navigation buttons located on each page below the Minneapolis skyline graphic. Since the 2026 conference link above takes you to the Venue page we will describe that first.

VENUE - This page shows the exact location of the conference and how to get there, whether driving or using public transit. It also has short descriptions of conference meeting space, lodging, and dining space in Pioneer Hall (the specific building).

PROGRAM – The program is listed by day showing each session or activity scheduled for that day. We will update this page as more details become available, so plan to visit it again before and/or during the conference.

FUN – The Fun page lists information about social events that will occur as part of the conference, i.e., paddleboat dinner cruise, and peace walk. It also includes information about the Minneapolis area places you might want to visit including: the world class Science Museum, “Free” Thursday nights at the History Center, and the 81st Nagasaki-Hiroshima Commemoration scheduled for Thursday evening.

REGISTER – This link takes you to the event registration form. We recommend that you look at the other three pages before registering as this will help you answer questions included on the form, especially lodging and the optional paddleboat dinner cruise.

by Fouzia Bhat & Rick Wolfe

There is no reason to miss the US Servas National Conference being held the weekend of August  7 - 9 at the University of Minnesota. Attendance is cheap ($80 for two days), and Minneapolis is easy to get to by bus, car, or air, and has an excellent  public transit system. Subsidized lodging is cheap too ($25/nite double occupancy, $35 single).

So, join us for a gathering rooted in peacebuilding, cultural exchange, and learning from Minnesota's rich traditions of community care, civic engagement, and social action. This conference is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet fellow Servas members from across the country, and build meaningful, lifelong connections. 

Accommodations and Arrival 

Accommodations at the University of Minnesota will be available beginning Thursday, August 6. The conference officially begins on Friday, August 7, with an optional paddleboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi River. Advance registration for the cruise is required (Adults $51, Kids under thirteen $30). Participants should gather at Pioneer Hall at 6:00 p.m. to carpool or take public transportation to the departure location. 

Conference Theme 

This year's conference will explore how communities come together to strengthen democratic values, foster civic participation, and respond to social challenges through cooperation, dialogue, and collective action. 

Program Highlights 

Current program highlights include: 

• A panel discussion on immigration, community response, and civic engagement 
• The Servas Peace Award presentation 
• A possible Monarca/Unidos training focused on democracy, legal rights, constitutional observation, and community response initiatives 
• A presentation on the Boundary Waters and environmental concerns related to mining 
• Servas workshops and practical "how-to" sessions 
• Morning grounding and mindfulness activities 
• An easy walk along the East River Park Trail to Bridal Veil Falls 
• An optional visit to the Science Museum 
• We are also intentionally leaving space in the schedule for informal conversation, storytelling, and connection—an essential part of the Servas experience. 

Sunday - Departure, Optional Stay-over

The conference concludes at noon on Sunday, August 9.  There will be boxed lunches which can either be eaten in the conference hall, or be taken with you if you need to leave.

University accommodations will remain available Sunday night. Unfortunately, extended stays before or after the conference cannot be accommodated through Servas. Attendees who are interested in staying longer can reach out to the University directly through their website. 

The University does offer summer housing to non-University guests based on dorm availability. If space is available, they may be assigned the same room in Pioneer Hall (as they will have for the conference), but it would be at the University’s standard summer housing rate, paid directly to the University. 

Registration

The registration form can be  accessed from the Conference webpage, which also has information you probably want to review before Registering. Or, you can use this link to directly access the Registration page.

Additional Information 

For local attractions, please visit Explore Minnesota's summer travel resources. 

Registration Opens Soon    by Fouzia Bhat, Conference Chair

The Türkiye Peace School is an alternative school held in Ekinci village of Antakya, Hatay, Turkiye since 2009. This school has been held every year in July and invites volunteers from all over the world who dream of a more peaceful world to the village. 

Servas volunteers stay with families in the village and share their culture and experience with the family. Families share their tables and stories with them. 
During most of the day, volunteers come together with the children of the village and do activities whose main theme is peace, love of people, love of animals, love of nature, as well as sharing their skills with the children (foreign languages, arts, handicrafts, cinema, astronomy, science, chess, mathematics... ), and they increase children's horizons and world awareness by providing information about their countries and cultures. 

After the February earthquake that deeply affected Turkey and Syria, this project, which has been carried out only in the summer months for 15 years, has spread throughout the year in order to combat the cultural blood loss, lack of socio-cultural activity and loss of motivation caused by the catastrophe.

 
Peace School's local volunteer team, together with volunteers from dozens of different parts of the world, has been organizing events for children, young people and adults since February, trying to find sustainable solutions to the deficiencies created by the earthquake. 

If you would like to be a volunteer and take part in the recovery process of our beautiful city of Antakya, and its beautiful children/people. For more details and registration visit the Türkiye Peace School 2026 webpage.

By David Schwartz

We have formed a group to help US Servas members who have been displaced from their homes by natural disasters. We are calling our group Emergency Servas. At this time, we’re initiating an informal pilot program in which you may wish to participate.

First a little background:

Three of us live in the Los Angeles area. When the fires struck last January, we wondered if there was anything we might do to help those affected. Deirdre reached out to members to see if they might be able to offer temporary housing, basic household goods or other forms of support. We put together a list of people who could help in our area, and we created a master list of where people affected by the fires could go for assistance. Although no one who responded needed assistance, we received encouragement to continue and expand the project.

We then reached out to the US Servas Board to see if they would approve this initiative. We have the go-ahead for the next exploratory stage.

Now we are entering hurricane season. Before a full-scale disaster strikes, we are trying to put together a list of people willing to assist other Servas members in the event of an emergency. Specifically, we would like to know if you wish to fill either or both roles so we can put together a database. We hope to find volunteers who will:

• serve as point people in your state or portion of your state (for example, Gulf Coast of Florida or South Carolina). The point people will serve as contacts for those needing and offering help and will try to put them in touch with each other.

• offer housing or other forms of assistance to members in need. The details would be worked out between the parties. Normal Servas hosting procedures such as two-night limit for regular Servas travel would not necessarily be followed but it the hosting is still meant to be short-term.

We are also looking for additional ideas as to how Emergency Servas might best serve our members. Please respond to emergency.servas@usservas.org

Virtual Open House: July 27, 2025 4:00 PM, PDT

Are you curious about our wonderful international peace-through-travel and hosting organization known as Servas? Are you a Servas Friend who has yet to become a Host/Traveler? Are you a current or former Servas member with family or friends who are intrigued by the idea of hosting or traveling through Servas? If so, consider attending this virtual open house on Sunday, July 27th. 4:00 PM PDT. It will be monitored by Teresa Crockett and Anne Cordon, both are long-term Servas members and volunteers.

If you don't plan to attend but have friends who might wish to, please forward the confirmation email that you will receive immediately upon registration. It will include the virtual meeting link for them to add to their calendar. Already an active Servas host or traveler? Please feel free to join the meeting to share your experiences.

Experienced Servas members will answer questions about the organization and describe the many ways that we can create meaningful cross-cultural connections through hosting and traveling.

Click this link to Register for the event and follow the simple instructions. You will receive a link to join the meeting in the confirmation email, and also in reminder emails prior to the meeting. Please add this to your personal calendar!

Please RSVP by clicking the Register link above.

Hosting a National US Servas Conference is a great way to develop Servas connections in your local area. The team effort pulls people together and creates a lasting energy for all attendees, but especially for the hosting region.

Could the 2026 US National Conference be held in your city? You don't have to reinvent the wheel to do so. We have planning documents, budgeting spreadsheets, and most importantly we can assemble an advisory team of previous conference hosts to meet with you and assist in the effort.

The most recent conferences were held in NY (2023), UT (2022), and NC (2021); see map for others. Generally, we like to move the location around so everyone eventually gets a chance to have it near them. If you have a suggestion where we should hold our 2026 conference or if your SERVAS community would like to host our 2026 conference in your state or city, please contact Tim Sullivan at  tim.sullivan@usservas.org