Thank you note after the VRO Europe meeting in Königstein,

Frankfurt March 21 st 2010

Thank you Father Michael

Ronald mentioned this is the first meeting without you. However you seem to be present here in the
heart of us all very much indeed.

Let us not forget those volunteers who could not make it today, their contributions are no
less. When you return on Monday do not forget to share your experience with them.

To the Contributors of today

Christine
I would like to share a small story about the farmer walking on a Sunday morning with the local village
priest. They passed the first field of the farmer which was a grass pasture with cows. The grass was
green and full, as if nature wanted to demonstrate orgasm. The farmer explained the work he put in this
field and he was very proud indeed. However the priest said “It is the work of God!”. The next field was
full of wheat. The richness of the soil was showing clearly with the rich golden wheat reflecting the sun.
The farmer wanted to start talking about all his hard work but the priest interrupted him…. The work of
God.. The farmer was disappointed till they came to the third field which was a complete mess with
rubble and only some useless weeds..

The farmer replied: this is where I let God do his work by himself….

We had the discussion a few times during the last days about the difference between spirit and
structure, building houses or building communities (Wolfgang). Management without vision is just as
useless as vision without management. Like Father Michael said, head nor hand is not enough. We also
need the step by step growing awareness. This is why Father Michael calls VRO a movement.
(Bewegung) .I believe that you Christine, are epitomizing the holistic approach that father suggests.

Gandhi said “Mach die Dörfer activ mit Arbeid und Structuur! “ Martin Kämpchen in Ronalds reading
spoke about “Hände und Geist im Kunst”, let’s conclude that if Hände un Gheist go Hand in Hand we
will move ahead.

Prof. Heinz
Your publications contribute to the collective memory of VRO. They are important to spread the Fire
into the future.
Ronald
You have the biggest challenge of all of us. Once Germany comes on stream proportionally with
Switserland or Austria, VRO will grow by 50%. Your personal zeal which you have demonstrated for so
many years inspires us all.

Linsi Stiftung
Rita und Walter, I believe you should become honorary Jesuïts. The combination of your patience and
perseverance embedded in a long term vision should qualify you.

All of you,
I started with thanking all of you for bringing Michael here in this meeting. But I also observe that a lot
of inspiration also comes outside the official meetings. Leo and Max proposed a fantastic concept to sell
books for VRO in coffee shops. We could set up a “Coffee and a book concept ”in chains of coffee shops.
Instead of naming it the Max Havelaar fair trade coffee we will call it “Max VRO Coffee Book “ shops.

I look forward to contribute to the VRO structure and I will strengthen

the bridge between Europe and India. My vision element will be limited to the
transparency value that we started this weekend with. I believe the website
can become an important tool to achieve this. I commit to promote a spirit and
a culture of uncompromising transparency in all my VRO dealings between
sponsors and the villagers that we may serve.

Website notes:

EEEE structure
Volunteer projects

Engineers without borders on student section

TO DO chart student volunteer projects and make program

Max VRO coffee literatuur

Gepensioneerden, lage prijs onbemande winkel, boekenbeurs, auction, patneteer formule

OIL tanking: Lo Van Haelen

Rombout tank cleaning BASF