New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

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 Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, and Ranaka.

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Radha-Krishna, Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Managers: Mukunda

Recording secretary: Jordanna

1.  Refining ECO-V Mission Statement

Whereas: The ECO-V board wishes to continue refining its mission statement for clarity and brevity.

Resolved: The board adopts the following as our updated mission statement:

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.

2. ECO-V Posters

Whereas: The ECO-V board wishes to have posters designed related to its mission and “Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban.”

Resolved: The board authorizes up to $500 for poster designs.

3. Kacey’s Retirement and Replacement Search

Kacey got an opportunity to be a director at a non-profit called Grow Ohio Valley and she resigned from ECO-V in February. The board members are simultaneously sad to see her go and happy to know she found a position where she will still be able to regularly interact with ECO-V because she oversees Grow Ohio Valley’s local food production efforts in Marshall County. There was a general discussion defining Kacey’s contribution to the garden and what sort of person should be considered for the position. The ECO-V team will continue a search till a suitable Garden Manager replacement is found.

4. March Onsite Meeting Preparation

A brief overview of the weekend schedule:

Saturday

Morning: Department Head Presentations

Afternoon: Community Dialogue

Evening: Sanga with Prabhupada at his Palace

Sunday

Morning: Parikram Tour

Afternoon: Temple Program & Service Appreciations

5. Mukunda’s Relocation Plans

Mukunda plans to relocate to New Vrindaban the end of March; he will have a clearer idea of when exactly that will be by the on-site meeting.

ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) allocated $25K budget toward the renovation of the Prabhupada House (aka the “Green House”). Vyasasana will start the renovations. Once underway he will be able to give a clearer picture of the timeframe required.

6. ECO-V Bahulaban Barn Rehabilitation

This project has been on hold since January due to the weather and will resume once conditions improve.

7. INV Bahulaban Utility Building Roof & Window Repair

The roof was completed in December and some exterior clean-up has been done. The Stone Shop roof has not been done. The Amish workers are offering a good price to finish that section of the roof. The Joint Boards will look at this project during the on-site meeting.

8. INV Palace Renovation Matching Grant

There are three projects currently in the works:

1)      Part of the exterior wall

2)      The upper stairs

3)      Expanded 80-car parking lot.

9. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Water Filling Stations

The existing stations are being used. The outside filling station still needs to be installed. This should be done by summer in time for the festival season.

10. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Signs

A sign was placed at the new water filling station near Prabhupada’s Palace. This project has been completed.

11. INV/ECO-V Garden of 7 Gates 3 High Tunnel Greenhouses

These are completed, but still need shelving. David will install them when weather warms up. Vidya will start growing flowers in March.

12. Solar Equipment

Additional panels will be installed on the existing solar electric system to offset the increased electric usage at the Prabhupada House (formerly known as the Green House).