In Sub Nim at Global Cranes Club Assembly

B eloved Fellow Cranes! received many constructive suggestions for It is a tremendous joy and honor for me to improvement. Many wanted to see Cranes Club have this opportunity to greet you all here become an organization that was very interactive, today. focusing on dialogue, connecting, and networking. I am profoundly grateful that each and every one of you have gathered for this special Cranes Club Purpose of Cranes Club meeting, where we will share together and discuss Overall, I think there are several key motivations our plans and goals for 2016. for starting Cranes Club based on my personal First of all, I want express my deep appreciation to experience especially as a second generation. True Parents, for their lives of love and sacrifice First of all, on a very personal level, growing up as for all of us. second generation, I experienced numerous Also, I want share my boundless gratitude to True workshops, Sunday School programs, and summer Mother who is carrying the heavy burden of camps, up until the time of the Blessing. leadership of our worldwide movement. The church did a great job in educating and We are very proud of her and I know we all want to supporting me as a young person, by sponsoring do our best to support her, doing the best we can, many of these workshops and camps. despite our limitations. The deep friendships that were formed and our In developing the Cranes Club with the guidance youthful camaraderie as we grew up together as an and blessing of True Mother, many people asked extended family, left an indelible mark in my heart. me “what is its purpose?” Also, in many respects, it was only the other Frankly, in the beginning, the project was met with second generation who could really understand the some skepticism and doubt. numerous challenges, difficulties, and issues that However, as we launched Cranes Club in the USA, second generation had to deal with. Europe, and Korea in 2015, we received a lot of This time spent together, learning that we all shared feedback and recommendations. We received much a precious common background and history, was a encouragement and inspiration, but we also great source of inspiration that both strengthened 1

our relationship to God and to one another. As we then, like a cup with a hole in the bottom, water grew to know and understand one another, we will leak out, even as we keep trying to fill it. could also support each other. Like HARP, CARP, or Youth Federation, which But, over the last twenty years, I began to notice tries to connect high school or college students, I that for many of us, especially after receiving the hope that the Cranes Club can inspire us to build Blessing, and for very understandable reasons, stronger connections with each other. We can priorities began to gradually change. strengthen our bonds of friendship, supporting each The practical and very necessary responsibilities of other, and building a community, especially among trying to raise and support a family became the the older second generation of the movement, number one priority for many of my peers. many of whom are working professionals. Also, given that the movement was still developing About a month ago, I was in NYC and had an and growing in terms of human resources, many of opportunity to meet an older 2nd generation the second generation even had to take on the “hyung” who I had not seen for probably about 20 added responsibility of trying to provide for and years. support their parents as well. As I greeted him, thinking about all the unique So, again, very understandably, it is easy for people challenges and difficulties he must have faced and to drift apart because priorities have changed. overcome, and feeling very proud of all his Under such circumstances it’s easy to lose our accomplishments, despite the difficulties he faced, connection to one another. I was moved greet him with a big hug. I don’t think this situation is unique just to our I felt sincere joy as we reconnected, especially after movement. It is a natural part of the natural life such a long time. cycle, and naturally happens in many organizations Cranes Club, from an external point of view, can or groups, for example, among university students provide a great professional network among the after they graduate. This is why universities form 2nd generation. IN this way, we can mentor alumni associations. younger brothers and sisters, engaged in I know that the church is very much focused on voluntarism and philanthropy, and support each investing in our youth. Still, in the back of mind, I other professionally. am very concerned that if we do not provide a From an internal point of view, Cranes Club forum for meaningful interaction and a way to provides a great opportunity for us to rekindle, reconnect, especially among the older 2nd reconnect with and maintain lost connections with generation after they have received the blessing, all our extended and international family, that 2

worldwide family that True Parents’ and our first and challenges you must have had to deal with in generation elders have built with their vision, and your life. their blood, sweat, and tears. In conclusion, and with a spirit of family, with a Cranes Club can help all of us find strength through spirit of reunion, and a spirit of reconnecting with knowing that we share a precious common history, joy, love, care, and support, I encourage you to be and we that have each other, no matter what actively involved with Cranes Club. Let us work difficulties we may face. together to develop and expand the Cranes Club, Cranes Club can help us continue to nurture and for the sake of our movement, for the sake of the develop our precious community, as we, the 2nd world, that needs what we have to offer, especially generation, grow older and wiser. when we come together in harmony and cooperation. I sincerely applaud each and every one who has gathered here today. I deeply respect your Thank you very much for all your support and accomplishments in life, for I know that these investment in Cranes Club. accomplishments were not won easily. I admire May Heavenly Parent and True Parents bless each you all the more, knowing of the many difficulties one of you and your precious families always!!!