Minutes of General Meeting Marc

Minutes of Committee Meeting
March 11, 2005

HELD AT THE REGENT CINEMA, AT 6PM.

PRESENT:

Ragunatha Dasa – Chairperson
Paramananda Puri Dasa – Vice Chairperson
Lilavati Devi Dasi – Treasurer/Public Officer
Capala Devi Dasi – Secretary
Tarun Krsna Dasa – Committee Member
Mahaprabhu Dasa
Subal Krsna Dasa

QUORUM:
The Secretary noted that a quorum was present and declared the meeting open at 6.10pm.
KIRTANA was led by Sripad Mahaprabhu

MINUTES:

1 & 2: Invitation and voting for Mahaprabhu and Subal Krsna to join the committee of the Giriraja Govardhana Gaudiya Math Inc.
Both Mahaprabhu and Subal Krsna agreed to join the committee. A vote was taken and it was unanimously agreed by the other members to welcome them both as members.

3, 4 & 5: To discuss and decide on a course of action regarding Pure Bhakti Inc’s purchase of a house in Murwillumbah to be used as a temple. Membership and Land Pledges:
Paramandanda advised the committee that the house that was intended to be purchased by Pure Bhakt had been sold. Discussion ensued about the possibility of purchasing a “Queenslander” which could be re-located to the land to serve as a preaching centre/temple. As the community had previously voted on a demountable building being purchased, the Committee voted that a “Queenslander” would serve this purpose as it could be sold later down the track as “re-locatable” or simply sold “as is” on the land if the Community decided to build a more permanent structure elsewhere. Vote was unanimous.

Mahaprabhu advised the Committee on Srila Gurudeva’s recent instructions to him in Hawaii, that unity is of utmost importance. Srila Gurudeva will then manifest the temple when this happens. Mahaprabhu advised that he will pledge $100.00 per week towards the project.

Proposal by Ragunatha, “To invite Mathuranatha to work with the Committee in getting the temple on the land prior to Gurudeva coming to Australia” A vote was taken and it was unanimously decided to follow this proposal.

Proposal by Ragunatha – to send a positive newsletter to all devotees advising them of the plans to purchase a “Queenslander” and to promote harmony amongst all. Vote was unanimous.

It was decided that Subal Krsna Dasa would work on this newsletter. Other items/information to be included in this newsletter will be the following:

Membership Forms – with an explanation of why this is necessary
Publish the names of devotees who have already become “official members of GGGM”
Pledge form – either lumps sum donation, weekly pledge or both.
Reply paid envelope (fully addressed to GGGM PO Box address)
Free CD – Mahaprabhu has offered to include a CD of Srila Gurudeva’s recent lectures in Hawaii.
If petty cash re-imbursement is required for any item purchased on behalf of the Association, a receipt for the goods MUST be given to Lilavati (the treasurer) otherwise NO RE-IMBURSEMENT can be made. (Legal reasons)
Due to low funds in the Temple Account it would be appreciated if Devotees can donate Bhoga for Festivals. Sahadeva will be able to advise what is required.

6 & 7: Public Liability Insurance for general programmes and Festival Event:
It was decided not to take out public liability insurance at this stage for general programmes, however insurance will need to be taken out for Srila Gurudeva’s Festival of Devotion. Risk Management Documentation will need to be organised to keep premiums down. Capala is organising quotes from the two insurance companies that offer Public Liability Insurance to not-for-profit organizations. Subal Krsna has agreed to assist with Risk Management documentation.

8: General Business:

Lilavati asked for a vote to be taken on the following: Whether or not GGGM is responsible for funding the bhoga for the Lismore Programmes. It was unanimously voted that GGGM is not responsible for this – the Lismore Programme should self-fund.
Capala discussed applying for an authority to Fundraise. If we do this the accounts of GGGM would then have to be audited annually. It was unanimously voted that we would not apply at this stage. All fundraising will have to be by way of donations from members and if any other venture is undertaken it must be carried out by devotees personally and then proceeds may be donated to GGGM according to the personal desire of the devotee.

CLOSURE :
The meeting closed at 7.40pm