New Vrindaban’s Monthly Joint Boards’ Meeting Minutes – June 20th, 2013
Members of New Vrindaban’s Joint Boards with Srila Prabhupada at his Palace, April 2013.
Monthly Meeting of the Boards of Directors for ISKCON New Vrindaban & ECOV – June 20th, 2013.
Present from INV: Jaya Krsna, Dayavira, Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna, Gopisa, HH Varsana Swami (Emeritus)
Present from ECOV: Anuttama, Madhava Gosh, Kripamaya, Chaitanya Mangala,
INV Secretary: Laxmi Honest
Item 1: Increasing Transparency
Chaitanya Mangala proposed that the joint boards begin publicly posting the minutes of the monthly meetings. The motion was unanimously approved and the arrangement will start with the minutes from this meeting.
Item 2: Expanding Communications
It was agreed that the boards would initiate a practice of meeting at least quarterly with the principals of the other non-profits in New Vrindaban, including Dham Seva, ISCOWP, Small Farm Training Center and Gopal’s Garden.
Jaya Krsna proposed 4:00 pm July 18, 2013 as the date of the first meeting.
Dayavira, as the Chairperson, will send invitations to representatives of the other Boards. He requested that board members consider items for the agenda of the expanded meeting. Two suggested questions: How can we all better serve Srila Prabhupada? And, how can we all better support one another in our respective services?
Item 3: Improving Community Spirit
Jaya Krsna reported that the 24 hour Kirtan was very successful. A concert is set for Saturday night, June 22nd. There is a Srila Prabhupada Remembrance program at the Palace on Wednesday June 26th. There will be a department head meeting also scheduled for the 26th. There will be a four day Family Constellation Seminar with Krsna Lila dasi in early July.
Item 4: Bahulaban Pink & Utility Buildings
ECOV already agreed to provide up to $30,000 for the project: $15,000 as a grant and $15,000 as a loan to INV to be paid back from future gas lease royalties. There is also a $5,000 commitment from ECOV for the temporary repair of the Utility Building roof. Since the demolition of the pink building may not cost the full $30,000, it was proposed that the balance of those funds be added to the $5,000 and allocated to a permanent roof for the utility building. If there are still funds available after the permanent roof is completed, those funds will be used to improve the appearance of the front of the structure; at a minimum covering the windows.
Another part of this discussion involved the disposition of the wood coated with foam that will be removed from the pink building. HH Varsana Swami advised the board that using dumpsters will slow the project considerably due to lack of workspace and downtime waiting for dumpsters to arrive and leave. Gopisa reported that dumpsters are very hard to obtain and the contractor hired for the project said he didn’t know if he can get any. HH Varsana Swami suggested that the materials can be temporarily placed at an existing landfill/dump that is on our property. This will clear the way for continued work and the debris can be dealt with at a later time.
Jamuna clarified that this will be done with the intention that within 30 days of the temporary dumping a decision will be made as to final disposition of the materials and then action will be taken within 30 days after that.
The comprehensive motion was unanimously approved.
Item 5: Srila Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban
Chaitanya Mangala shared a PowerPoint presentation based on in depth research of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for New Vrindaban. After some discussion and a few revisions all members approved adopting the following as a succinct statement expressing the essence of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindaban:
“Srila Prabhupada envisions New Vrindaban as a sacred place known worldwide for Cow Protection, Self-Sufficiency, Holy Pilgrimage, Spiritual Education, and, above all, Loving Krishna.”
Item 6: Gas Lease Royalties Update
Madhava Gosh reported that the Snyder H1 Well has been steadily in production since May 1. From this news it is reasonable for those with acreage included in the unit to begin receiving royalties sometime in July.
