ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 08/16/2015
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 08/16/2015
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, Madhava Gosh and Ranaka
Participating Advisors: Sri Tulasi Manjari, Radha-Krishna, Jaya Krsna
Participating Managers: Mukunda
Recording secretary: Jamuna Jivani
1. Village Council Update
The New Vrindaban Village Council Steering Committee made an informal request to the Joint Board members to engage a person (or couple) in a ministerial role to help reconnect the residents of the New Vrindaban community. The Steering Committee also proposed a budget to cover one year’s expenses related to this effort. There is a general mood of support and encouragement from the ECO-V Board and the board members are looking forward to hearing additional details from the Steering Committee.
2. Clarity of Relationship Between INV and ECO-V
Mukunda expressed a desire to clarify ECO-V’s relationship with ISKCON New Vrindaban. Chaitanya Mangala suggested that much of this will be worked out on the day to day managerial level and that the relationship is dynamic and will continually evolve, so the ongoing challenge is to find ways the two organizations can best work together in mutually beneficial and supportive ways.
3. Mukunda’s Project Management Updates
Mukunda reported on the previous month’s projects:
- Prabhupada’s Palace Greenhouse: Improvements have been made, including the old plastic removed and new double layer of greenhouse plastic installed, the old air pump removed and new air pump installed, the old yellowed single-layer fiberglass end walls removed and replaced by clear double-wall polycarbonate panels, and the old inefficient propane heater replaced with new one.
- Palace Gardens: Vraja Dhama is working at the Palace Gardens and is training to be a Palace Manager.
- Teaching Garden: Radhanath (Raphael) has been taking care of the Deity Flower Garden, which is going well.
- Rose Garden: The garden crew is working with Paul Zimmerman to determine the best varieties of roses to grow for garlands.
- Temple Goshala: There is a broken fence in need of repair. Also, there are plans to install insulation and a bathroom. Mukunda would like to dedicate a couple days each month to the goshala’s maintenance.
- ECO-V Conference Room: Mukunda and Ray are renovating the space next to Ranaka’s office for a designated conference room.
- Trailer for Nitaicandra prabhu: Mukunda has made some needed repairs to a trailer near the G7G in order to make it ready for his arrival.
4. Nitaicandra as New ECO-V Staff Member
ECO-V signed a contract with Nitaicandra. He comes to New Vrindaban after completing a 5 year engagement at the ISKCON Escondido Farm. Nitaicandra has a broad skill set, including gardening, cow care, carpentry and running equipment. He expects to arrive in New Vrindaban in early September. The ECO-V Board Members eagerly await his arrival.
5. Testing Water at Bahulaban
The water was tested at this site five years ago. As ECO-V previously committed, Mukunda will repeat the same tests to see if anything has changed.
6. Creating and Adopting a Simple Recycling Policy
Mukunda brought up the point that INV and ECO-V do not have a recycling program in place. Jaya Krsna requested a proposal for a recycling and disposal program, which Mukunda will work on.
