Gestalt!, vol 8; no 2 - The Working Corner

Amsterdam:

During a community meeting at the 2004 conference of the AAGT, planning proceeded for the annual meeting in 2005. Tine reported that her fantasy of having the annual meeting in Amsterdam was possible both financially and logistically.

Tine had found a place for everyone to have the meeting and also have sleeping room; it may cost approximately 100 Euros plus airfare. The facility is an old silo that has been renovated in a lovely way and there is a beautiful Zen Garden. Attendees could order food in or plan other options and there will be an opportunity for 24 presenters. The dates are 8/4 thru 8/9 2005. There was a show of hands of about 60 people who expressed interest in attending. There is a sign up sheet available and anyone who is not at this conference and wants to help can contact Tine. More information will be in the AAGT Newsletter and will be announced as the time gets closer

There was a proposal to support the committee that is working on the annual meeting in Amsterdam, and the community of those in attendance at the AAGT conference in Florida, 2004, voted in favor of this.

Charlie Bowman offered to peer review the proposals for the meeting in Amsterdam. It was emphasized that this was not intended to be a large scale conference, but an opportunity for individuals in Europse and elsewhere to participate in some of the workshops they couldn’t make during the Florida conference.

Vancouver:

Notice was given that a planning group has assembled and made decided progress toward the next international conference of the AAGT, in 2006. There is a contract signed for the 2006 conference at the University of British Columbia.

Conference point person, Dr. Bea Mackay, has support from Warren Weir and Philip Brownell.
The dates are August 9th –13th 2006. Those planning on attending would be advised to allow a day or two in advance and a day or two following as often the AAGT conference and program planning committees create pre- or post-conference offerings. In 2004, for instance, they offered a marathon group. That may well happen again.

Nancy Woldt suggested the formation of a Theme Committee. Subsequent to the end of the 2004 conference that committee was formulated, and progress is currently underway. With the discovery of a theme, a formal call for proposals will be issued. At this time, people are advised to set the dates aside and plan to join what promises to be a rich international community of Gestalt Therapy theorists and practitioners. With the transition between president Brian O'Neill of Australia and President elect, Peter Philippson of the UK, and with the 2005 annual meetings having taken place in Amsterdam and the 2006 venue being Vancouver, British Columbia, the AAGT has emerged as more truly an international association of Gestalt therapists. Attendees are sure to enjoy the experience, and professionalism, and the impact of being together.