JAINA Convention 1999 07 Philadelphia

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 37

10th Biennial JAINA Convention
Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West) of North America? We should provide them the opportunity to spend their golden years in a religious and social atmosphere.
VEGETARIANISM: This should not be dictated to our children, but explained on a scientific basis, the benefits of vegetarian food as far as health is concerned. Of course, in no way does this replace our basic teaching of non-violence and compassion for all living beings as the main reason for Jains being vegetarians. We should join hands with other vegetarian societies to promote vegetarianism. To the next generation, vegetarianism should be sold on ethical, environmental and health grounds in addition to religious grounds.
We should work on the subject of Jain food on airlines and make sure every airline provides Jain food. Once we have a few airlines agreed to that, we can boycott others and in turn force them to respect our principles.
INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUTH -No organization can succeed in achieving its goals unless women and youth are actively involved. Therefore, the board of directors, JAINA's executive committee, Chairman of various JAINA committees and similar office bearers of local Jain centers should have at least 50% women and youth. We have noticed very positive results because of Young Jains of America (Youth wing of JAINA). and evolving of JAIN DIGEST. This will help our youth not only to learn Jain way of life, but also to select the life partner who follows the same.
JAINA should support YJA to have one regional convention every year in each of these six regions of JAINA in order to provide our children the opportunity to learn basic principles of our religion as well as to know each other. This will increase the confidence of our children and help them to preserve their identity.
MATRIMONIAL INFORMATION SERVICE -Now that there are substantial numbers of Jains living in North America, attention should be given for the preservation of the community through the next generation. If we, first generation of immigrants, do not encourage and provide means to our youth to marry within our own community, the Jain religion has a chance of dying out after hundreds of years of existence in North America. JAINA's marriage Information Service should be expanded. JAINA's web site 'Jaina.org/ should be extensively used for this purpose. Frequent gatherings of Young Jains of America and Young Jain Professionals should be encouraged and all the necessary support should be extended by JAINA, so our youth will come in frequent contact with each other, which may lead to marriage.
FULLY EQUIPPED JAINA HEADQUARTERS - Including fulltime Executive Director and secretary and if necessary additional staff to fulfill growing needs of Jain Community of North America as well to assist in implementing all of the above programs. Headquarters should be built in a major city like Chicago, New York or Washington where large numbers of volunteers are also available.
COMMUNICATION -- No person, politician or organization can succeed without proper communication with its constituents. JAINA has 'had 'Jain-Digest' for last 15 years, published quarterly. The time has come to convert it into a monthly publication and 'JAINA FOCUS' should be used only for breaking news or news which needs to be conveyed to our constituents without waiting. This will cost money. If we have 1000 patrons contributing $251 yearly and JAINA Charitable Trust contributing $251 out of every trustee's contribution, there will be enough money. Jain Digest should have at least 5000-life members.
We should have nationwide TV & radio program at least once a week to reach out to every Jain living in North America and spread the message of non-violence and peace, not to Jains only, but everyone who
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