Text of the live on-line News Conference from Utrecht, Holland,with Rick Kajiura (Assistant GC Dept. Director) and Sysop Ralph Blodgett (Assistant GC Department Director). Thursday evening, July 6, 1995, at 8 pm Utrecht time (2 pm ET). This is an unedited version (with some duplication removed): Bernard V. Bowen | Madison College, Tn., greetings Janet Hancock | Greetings Ken Ford | Afton, Virginia. Greetings Dan Pabon | Hialeah Hospital here! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Evening, All IAD ISS Shared Stat | Hello from sunny Miami, FL Barry/Thelma Burton | Denver Reed Christman | I'm Reed Chirstman waiting on the GC news | conference. Don King | Don King from Alberta, Canada. Dan Pabon | evening Reed! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Rick Kajiura will be with us this evening, | and has typed up his statement. Anybody else care to | comment about where they are from? | He is on line now (Rick) Dick E. Hanson | Dick Hanson, Oregon Conference Steven Norman, III | Steven Norman from Nashville, TN Janet Hancock | Greetings from Palmyra, near Lincoln, Nebraska Jay E. Prall | Jay Prall, Clackamas, Oregon Ken/Frances Schande | Niles, MI USA Reed Christman | Reed Christman --- Knoxville Tn. Sysop Ralph Blodget | We have about 2 minutes to go before 8 pm | Or is my watch off? Dan Pabon | Hialeah Hospital, FL Rick Kajiura | Greetings from GC Session '95--Utrecht, The | Netherlands Barry/Thelma Burton | Your watch is correct Verland Erntson | GC Office, Silver Spring, MD Sysop Ralph Blodget | As you know, our practice is to have a | statement from the news moderator (this time, | Rick Kajiura) and then Questions from the | floor (by using "?" and being recognized by | the Sysop) | Go ahead Rick Rick Kajiura | Today's business session began the discussion | of setting | a cap on the number of delegates to future | General | Conference Sessions. Robert S. Folkenberg | presented two | options, one with 2,650 and one with 2,000. | The proposed caps would help keep costs down | for future | GC Sessions, and if the 2,000 member cap were | accepted | could reduce expenses for the 2000 GC Session, | scheduled for Toronto. Unresolved at the end | of the | morning business session, the matter was | tabled until | tomorrow. | At 12:30, local time, a press conference with | Robert S. | Folkenberg attracted nearly 60 people. | This afternoon, the delegates attended six | break out | sessions on six topics of concern to many | Adventists | today. The topics were: | The Use of Scripture in the Life of the Church | The Authority of Scripture | Relationships Among the Community of Believers | Tobacco Issues | Religious Liberty | Abuse and Family Violence | Tonight the mission reports are by the | Euro-Asia division | and | the South American Division Sysop Ralph Blodget | If you have a question, type "?", or a | comment, type "!" (Then | type your comments while waiting for a GO | from the Sysop.) Dick E. Hanson | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dick Jim Redfield | ? Dick E. Hanson | Did Dwight Nelson accept the Ministry | position? Charles R. Taylor | ? Rick Kajiura | We have not yet heard on that. I saw him | today but did not have a chance to ask him. | I have heard various things, but nothing | confirmed. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Jim Jim Redfield | Did Walter Pearson move from the White Estate | to Ministerial? IAD ISS Shared Stat | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Rick is typing Rick Kajiura | Walter Pearson was elected to be an associate | in the Ministerial Association. I have heard no word | as to whether he is accepting or not. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Charles Charles R. Taylor | Is there any word on transfer of territory | from MEU to EUD, and TED? Verland Erntson | ? Rick Kajiura | I have not heard any formal action on that. Sysop Ralph Blodget | We're not being too helpful, are we? | Go IAD IAD ISS Shared Stat | When is the updated Election list going to be | posted, especially IAD? Rick Kajiura | There was no report from the nominating | committee today. | I expect more will come tomorrow. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Verland Verland Erntson | Is it true that Ann Gibson has declined the | GC Assoc Treas position? Rick Kajiura | Yes, that is true. Clarence Small | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Clarence Martin Weber | ? Has Dwight Nelson accepted the call to | Ministry? Clarence Small | What is the mood of the convention following | yersterday's decision on WO? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Martin, If you have a question, type "?", or | a comment, type "!" Don King | ? Rick Kajiura | I've spent most of the day in the press room | monitoring the meetings on a moniter. | In the corridors many people are expressing their | disappointment. Sysop Ralph Blodget |We answered that Martin | Go Don Martin Weber | Sorry--just entered Sysop Ralph Blodget | Naughty, naughty! Rick Kajiura | Martin, we do not know as yet. Don King | Is there a posting of the schedule of events | for the weekend? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Yes, in Church Resources library | Second file from top last time I looked Don King | Thanks Janet Hancock | Janet Hancock? Sysop Ralph Blodget | To be honest, this has been a slow day for | news Clarence Small | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Janet Janet Hancock | What were the results from Con. Comm Changes | re auditors? Ken Osborn | ? Ken/Frances Schande | ? Reed Christman | ? Rick Kajiura | Those have not yet been brought to the floor. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Clarence Clarence Small | For Ralph, how are the CIS packets holding | out? What is the response? Sysop Ralph Blodget | We have given out about 2,500 packages | Will have packets left over Rick Kajiura | Auditing staff was asked to meet with the Con | & Bylaws committee to express their concerns. A | recommendation should be coming tomorrow. Sysop Ralph Blodget | But bulk is for tomorrow, so..... | Go Ken Ken Osborn | Ralph, from ur contacts with delegates | world-wide, how effective will CompuServe | be in the future on a world-wide basis? Dan Pabon | ? Reed Christman | Are there any more items relating to | reorganization coming to the floor this week? | If so --- What? Sysop Ralph Blodget | We are giving out a lot of European packets | so it is hard to tell what impact this will have. | The Europeans are *certainly* interested in CIS! Charles R. Taylor | ! Sysop Ralph Blodget | We have plans to expand our forum after GC Dawn Reynolds | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Ken/Frances Ken/Frances Schande | Here is a question you can answer: What is | today's weather like in Utrecht? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Pleasant!!! Not hot, not rain, just right Rick Kajiura | I've been coming to work about 7 a.m. and | leaving about 12 midnight. The weather is dark!!! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Reed Reed Christman | Alrady acc. asked Sysop Ralph Blodget | Rick is trying to answer, reed Rick Kajiura | I'm not sure how many are coming. Many were | referred | back to the committee and should be coming | back. But I | have no figure. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dan Gina Saville Meekma | ? Dan Pabon | Can you guys see the main auditorium from the | CS booth? and if you do, would a broadcast | live report will be given of the last | service on Dabbath? Sysop Ralph Blodget | If you have a question, type "?", or a | comment, type "!" (Then | type your comments while waiting for a GO | from the Sysop.) | Not from any booths | But we have it on screen in the News Room | where we are now | Go charles Charles R. Taylor | The session has been a great blessing, | considering all the volume of propaganda | (negative) | before hand--especially enjoy ACN, ANN! | ? Rick Kajiura | Thanks Charles. Dan Pabon | ! Rick Kajiura | It's nice to know that what we are doing is | appreciated. Sysop Ralph Blodget | By the way, we have uploaded 66 files since | the session started on Utrecht, not too bad! Rick Kajiura | Sometimes it seems like we are producing all | these articles for no one. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dawn Dawn Reynolds | What direction will the Forum expansion take? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Ah, ah, ah! Not yet, Dawn Dawn Reynolds | :) Sysop Ralph Blodget | We are planning to create a second forum | and it will be included in the same $7 montly fee. | More info later! | Go Gina Michael Kelsey | Reed Christman | ! Gina Saville Meekma | How is ADRA's Global Village doing? Are many | local people able to enjoy it? Hi Rick! Bernard V. Bowen | ! Milton. W. Sterling | ? Dan Pabon | Would it be possible for one of you guys to | type for us from the main place sometime this | week-end, live? Rick Kajiura | Hi Gena, Hi to Chip. I see many children | coming and going. But I haven't had a chance to see it | myself.Sorry, Gina. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Charles | Dan, you are out of turn Charles R. Taylor | How has the translation worked? Any comments | from delegates? From staff? Rick Kajiura | I think it is getting a good response. | I understand that there is a problem with | some headsets breaking and some not being | returned. I see many people wearing them | and they seem to be satisfied with the translations. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dan Charles R. Taylor | :> Dan Pabon | Sorry,,pushed wrong button! Rick Kajiura | There is quite a parade going on with the | South American Division report. Very colorful Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Reed Ken Osborn | ? Reed Christman | Great Job on the news and Forum!!!! I have | loved every minute !!! My church | appreciates it as well. I was able to keep | them informed. Don King | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Bernard Michael Kelsey | ! Bernard V. Bowen | I'm copying your data and sharing with my | church. Thank you. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Milton Milton. W. Sterling | Do you think the vote on WO will have any | effect on the work in NAD? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dan Rick Kajiura | I think the work in NAD will continue as | before. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Charles Dan Pabon | just wondering if any of you guys could type | live sometime! Thanks Rick Kajiura | Type what live? Sysop Ralph Blodget | You have to be kidding!!!! | We can hardly do this News Conference Dan Pabon | any of the good programs! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Ken Dawn Reynolds | You're going a great job!!!!!!!!! Ken Osborn | Will my straight shooter friend from Newbold | days Ray D be entering conf. today? If not I'll enter | question today for him to deal with tomorrow hopefully. Sysop Ralph Blodget | (Thanks Dawn) | Ray stepped out, sorry | Go Don Don King | Which division is reporting on Friday night? Rick Kajiura | Friday night there are no reports. Dwight | Nelson is speaking for vespers. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Michael Michael Kelsey | I've been reporting to my church last | Sabbath, at prayer meeting, and this Sabbath. | We even sang verse two of "We Have This Hope" | with y'all, in our 11 o'clock service. (FYI) Don King | Thanks Dawn Reynolds | ? Rick Kajiura | Good to hear that you are thinking of us here. Ken Ford | ? Ruth Swan | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dawn Ken Osborn | ? for Ray tomorrow Dawn Reynolds | Did you all get the information on Sligo | pastoral staff? Lori Condon | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | That was true, but old info Dawn Reynolds | I sent it about 15 minutes after the news | conference yesterday. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Re Sligo | Yes, I have a copy with me right now | It is not the current Sligo staff--that is | the point Right? | Go Ken Dawn Reynolds | Exactly Ken Ford | When we download your excellent info, is the | best method ASCII DOS TEXT?It seems the spacing | is not the same always... Sysop Ralph Blodget | We have about 5 minutes to go, folks Ken Osborn | Every GC Session raises the ? of how much | internationalizing there will be at the GC | itself. Taking | "Convention Wisdom" as expressed on the | floor, in the | crowded corridors, & the smoke filled back | rooms (sorry u | can ignore that one) is there perceived | progress in this | areas or is NAD still viewed as controlling | the election | process? David Wolkwitz | ? Sysop Ralph Blodget | Ken, that is mentioned, but much less strong | than in the past | More names from other divisions in Nominating | committee, for | example Janet Hancock | ! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Ruth Ruth Swan | Is the additional verse of the theme song | available yet. We will want to use it | Sabbath. If so, where? Sysop Ralph Blodget | That was posted last weekend | It should still be available, but I'm not | sure where | Go Lori Lori Condon | Has Eric Korff accepted the position of GCAS | Director? Rick Kajiura | He has not given formal acceptance as yet. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go David David Wolkwitz | I just came online. Has Dwight accepted | Ministry editorship? Rick Kajiura | We have no word on that as yet. I had heard | he was | supposed to give some indication by tonight. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Janet (we are nearly done folks) Janet Hancock | I want to say praise God for the vote on the | WO . God is still speaking to His people! Dan Pabon | ! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Thanks, Janet--a lot of people feel one way, | and a lot feel the other. | Go Dan Dan Pabon | You guys are doing a great job, thank you | for being patient withu us here! Sysop Ralph Blodget | (Ralph stays on the fence) Dawn Reynolds | ! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Thanks, Dan Donna Webb | Wise choice Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go Dawn Dawn Reynolds | Many people are very disappointed with the WO | vote!! Sysop Ralph Blodget | My normal answer is: my wife and I feel | exactly the same (on WO) | We dealt with this topic last night Rick Kajiura | Please, let's not get into a discussion on | the vote in this press conference. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Check that News Conference for details | Well, Folks, it's been a half hour | So let's call it quits for the evening Michael Kelsey | ? IAD ISS Shared Stat | ? Bernard V. Bowen | I hope you have a saddle! enjoy your show. Clarence Small | Thanks for the good job, Ralph and Ric. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Last 2 questions!!!! | Go Michael Michael Kelsey | pass good night! | :) Sysop Ralph Blodget | Go IAD IAD ISS Shared Stat | will you have a live conference on Sabbath? Jim Park | Thanks for all your hard work. It is really, | really appreciated for those of us who just | can't wait to open the mail everyday. Sysop Ralph Blodget | No, let's not do it Saturday night! | Besides, it will still be Sabbath here by 8 pm. Rick Kajiura | The sun sets very late here. So no, there | will not be a conference Saturday night. Sysop Ralph Blodget | But Friday night we will have a news | conference, OK? IAD ISS Shared Stat | Thanks! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Fri will be our final one | Lots will happen Friday, so it should be a | good news day' Jay E. Prall | Great job, Team Communications! Sysop Ralph Blodget | Thanks for your attention Dawn Reynolds | Thanks a lot to you, Ralph, and your team for | making this Session accessible for those who | are not there. Appreciate it very much!! Sysop Ralph Blodget | and for the great attendance at our News Conf. Rick Kajiura | Thank you for the questions. Farewell from | Utrecht. Don King | Thanks folk for your coverage. Sysop Ralph Blodget | Bye now | Thanks Dawn and all | Bye now