ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 05/15/2016
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 05/15/2016
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari.
Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Radha-Krishna, Vraja
Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra
Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani
1. Designate Remaining “Project” Topics to ECO-V Managers
Jamuna Jivani will compile a list of ECO-V’s projects list for everyone to review and the managers can discuss in their regular Thursday meetings.
2. External Grant Request: ISKCON Alachua
The Board indicated it is not currently funding additional external grants. Chaitanya Mangala will respond to Mukhya prabhu’s request and inform her.
3. Kripamaya’s Sabbatical Request
In anticipation of the opening of his upcoming Ramayana musical work, Kripamaya has requested a three-month sabbatical from June to August. The Board has agreed to this request with the stipulation that he be available should an additional Director be necessary to constitute a quorum for a vote.
4. Mukunda’s Monthly Report
Mukunda reported on the previous month’s projects:
- Working with, and engaging Krsna Nama prabhu part-time in various hands-on projects.
- Repaired the gates at the flower garden.
- Repaired some fencing at Nandagram and Bahulaban
- In the process of providing and taking inventory of the needed equipment to our various service locations.
- Helped with some of the logistics for Festival of Inspiration and Kuli Mela ‘16.
- Continuing to act as Chair of the Steering Committee meetings and help with the recent Village Association expansion.
Anticipated projects for the upcoming month:
- Clean and organize the area outside of the milking goshala
- Build a fence for Dharma the bull
- Continue to prepare sites to be used for upcoming festivals
5. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report
Nitaicandra reported on the previous month’s projects:
- Ordered ox yokes (should be ready soon)
- Planted potatoes with Ranaka and Ray
- Started summer vegetable and flower seeds indoors about three weeks ago. Caitanya Bhagavat was caring for them.
- Cows have been moved to Bahulaban. Caitanya Bhagavat is caring for them.
- Tilled and planted a cover crop in community garden
- Krsnanama prabhu composted and mulched about 75% of our young trees in Madhuban.
- Mukunda and Krsnanama prabhus have been helping with the clean-up of the community garden
- A half dozen or so devotees claimed garden space in the Community Garden
- Strawberries arrived
- Vidya and Julie planted out flower starts in the teaching garden and Vidya’s gardens.
- Meeting held at the Goshala to discuss how to best serve the cows, cow herds and guests. We came up with a plan to improve the overall appearance and ease of use, including moving the dung pile, improving drainage, adding gravel to road and parking area, and painting.
Anticipated projects for the upcoming month:
- Covering young fruit trees for cicada protection
- Planting out early seeds
- Plant strawberries
- Plant starts (tomatoes, eggplant, okra, peppers, herbs, etc.)
- Heavy mulching
- On-going maintenance
- As soon as the ox yokes arrive, we will kick start the ox program and resume training.
6. Monthly Team ECO-V Meetings
Ranaka, Mukunda and Nitaicandra are establishing monthly meetings for those involved in ECO-V projects with the intention of increasing camaraderie and cooperation between team members.
7. ECO-V’s Involvement in Kulimela 2016
For the upcoming Kulimela Festival, ECO-V plans to:
- Prepare sites to be used, including moving stones from the stage area, making the sites look presentable, building a fence and removing trees
- Offer tours of various locations with cows and gardens
- If possible, offer demos or workshops
8. Upstairs Bahulaban Barn Community Center Proposal Update
The Board has determined that in order to proceed with any plans for usage, first they must investigate possible health code requirements and have an evaluation made by a structural engineer. The Board asked Mukunda and Ranaka to work on those two issues and report their findings.
9. Village Association Liaison – Service Description & Funding Request
The Board had a brief discussion on the topic, but due to time constraints, agreed to wait until the next meeting for further discussion.
10. Funding for Dump Trailer
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to invest in equipment to support its ongoing farming-related projects.
RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $10,250 for the purchase of a dump trailer.
