1st August, 2004
1st August, 2004
Present:
Dina Bandhu (chairman), Tarun Krsna dasa
(treasurer), Raghunatha dasa (secretary), Premananda dasa brahmacari,
Paramanada Puri, Gauraraja, Mathuranatha, Sanatana, Sanjaya, Gopali, Srimati,
Candra Kala, Jagat Mohini, Karuna Mayi, Braja Kisori, Vrndavanesvari, Radha
Priya, , Nandini, Capala, Lalavati, Malati, Syamala, Pitambari.
Proceedings:
Meeting commenced at 1.00 pm with Bhajanas/Kirtana and prayer for
Srila Gurudeva’s blessing to conduct a successful meeting.
The minutes of the previous General Meeting – held on Saturday 20th September 2003 – were presented and it was resolved that the minutes be accepted.
The Treasurer‘s Report was presented by Tarun Krsna. (Devotees may inspect details of finances any time by contacting TK.) Tarun Krsna was thanked on behalf of all members for the work he has put into keeping good financial records for the last year. Tarun Krsna explained the problem caused during Srila Gurudeva’s festival, when not all monies donated and spent were properly notified to the treasurer. It was resolved that a better system be in place for the next festival.
Election of Office Bearers
for the coming year.
Nominations for the positions of Chairman,
Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer were accepted and a vote was called.
Resolved: That the office bearers for the
Giriraja Govardhana Gaudiya Math for the coming year are:
Chairman – Raghunatha
Vice Chair – Malati devi
Secretary – Capala devi
Treasurer – Tarun Krsna
It was resolved that the rest of this meeting be devoted to hearing proposals regarding Srila Gurudeva’s Temple project and making a final decision on what we intend as a community to do in that regard.
Temple Project Proposals.
Proposal 1.
Proposed by Raghunatha that the block of land in Nullum St be paid off by a
concerted fund-raising drive culminating in all donations submitted by
Radhastami. The title to the land would then be put in the name of a Trust
formed by the Giriraja Govardhana Gaudiya Math.
A re-locatable building would then be
purchased with a bank loan, and this to be used as a temporary Temple with
Council approved kitchen, enabling Srila Gurudeva’s festival to be held on his
land as well as on going fund raising ventures to begin.
The building can be built and installed in 6
weeks by IDH homes of Murwillumbah.
Quote for the building was $60, 700,
installed on-site, not including toiled block. Final details of the building to
be decided later.
This proposal would provide short-term
gains, as well as giving the community time to fully explore long-term options.
The building could be sold and removed once work commenced on the permanent
structure.
Funds required – about $50,000 to pay off
land, and bank loan of about $80,000 (Repayments on loan of $80,000 over 25
years at 7.25% interest =$575.67/month or $134.32/week)
Proposal 2.
Proposed by Braja Kisori, that we purchase the Kangia Steiner School campus,
which consists of several classrooms, a large Hall which could be used as a
Temple, offices and other rooms which could facilitate a Child Care Centre.
This complex would provide all the facilities to fulfill Srila Gurudeva’s
request for a Preaching Centre, School and Medical Clinic/Dispensary.
It was estimated that the cost would be
between $800,000 to $1,200,000.
That profit from the sale of the land in
Nullum St (possibly $100,000) as well as donations ($100,000) be used as
deposit, and a trust be formed to secure finance to purchase the complex.
(Repayments on loan of $500,000 over 25
years at 7.25% interest = $3,597.94/month or $839.52/week)
Rent from various rooms would be used to
make loan repayments.
Proposal 3.
Proposed by Mathuranatha that we buy rural land close to Murwillumbah that has a
house and a shed on it which would provide a facility to host Srila Gurudeva’s
Festival. Income from rent of the house would service the mortgage as well as
provide accommadation for some devotees.
Profit from the sale of the block in Nullum
St. be used as a deposit. Estimated price $300,000 to $400,000.
Proposal 4. Proposed by Gaurarja, that the block of land in Nullum St be paid off as soon as
possible and that work then begin on building the permanent structure. He
presentd draft plans of the building which consisted of 3 floors designed in the
Vedic style and large enough to a Temple room, class rooms and rooms for a
medical clinic.
It could possibly be started by the end of
the year and if the first floor was completed in time it would enable Srila
Gurudeva’s festival to be held there.
Estimated cost of first floor construction =
$200,000.
Due to time constraints the meeting was adjourned at 5.00pm, to be reconvened the following weekend.
Sunday 8th August
3.00pm – the meeting was continued beginning
with Dina Bandhu explaining that if other proposals were unable to get off the
ground and if Mahaprabhu did want to force the sale of the block in Nullum St
then a back-up option would be to purchase the building that we presently rent,
since it is for sale.
A vote was taken on the proposals discussed
as well as a 5th proposal that we just pay off the block of land in
Nullum St without committing as to what to do after that.
The results of the vote are:
Pay Off Land Proposal 1
Proposal 2. Proposal 3. Proposal 4.
Param Puri Raghunatha
Baladeva Mathuranatha Gauraraja
Dina Bandhu Jagat Mohini
Candra Kala Sanatana
Braja devi Syamala
Caitanya Candra Tarun Krsna
Braja Kisori Sanjaya
Pitambari
Capala
Srimati
Karuna Mayi
Premanada
Lalavati
Malati
(Votes were not received from Vrndavanesvari
and Gopali)
Raghunatha offered to write a newsletter
ASAP to be circulated to all Srila Gurudeva’s disciples in Australia to request
for pledges of donations to be made by or on Radhastami (22nd Sept.).
Pledges totaling $8,000 were made at the meeting.
Proposed by Mathuranatha that he start a business in the name of GGGM and that the proceeds of the business be divided between the Nullum St project and his project of buying rural land. It was resolved that Mathuranatha be encouraged to do this, however the Temple Management Committee (TMC) would have to ensure that all legal requirements were met. The TMC would advise Mathuranatha at a later date of any conditions that may be placed on the activities of the business according to government regulations.
The meeting was closed at 4.00 pm.
Hare Krishna!
giriraja.org.au ©
2003-5
This page was last
updated on
Sunday, 14 August 2005 03:23:41