Jain Digest 1995 11

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

Page 36

Young Minds
a publication of Young Jains of America
'96 Convention: San Francisco!
Amit Shah, YJA Co-Chair (MN) Mayur Mehta, YJA (TN)
After careful consideration, the YJA Executive board is proud to announce San Francisco as the host city for the 1996 YJA Convention.
The Northern California youth group competed with groups from three other cities, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Toronto, all of whom presented compelling offers to host. "These cities all had strong bids," commented Samir Mehta of the YJA Advisory Board Selection Committee. "It made our decision very difficult."
The bidding process took several months of intense preparation and analysis. In or
Amit Shah, YJA Co-Chair (MN)
At the conclusion of the 1995 Chicago Pratishta/8th Biennial JAINA Convention, YJA suffered the loss of fourteen YJA Executive Board members. These board members established the national base and provided numerous resources to local youth groups to help them prosper.
The twelve new YJA Executive Board members have all been part of YJA as local representatives, participants of Foster Focus, and/or active members. They range from the ages of 16-26 and come from a diverse
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der to apply, each city had to complete a comprehensive 60-page application form that included site information, budget, and resumes of all committee members.
After interviewing and evaluating applicant cities with a large list of selection criteria, the Advisory Board recommended San Francisco to the new YJA Executive Board. The new board evaluated the recommendation under additional criteria, after which it unanimously agreed to select San Francisco.
Upon hearing the news, Bay Area youth members were ecstatic. "We're really excited about hosting the YJA convention and look forward to coming up with new and explosive ideas to make this the best convention ever," said Convention Committee leader Elna Shah. "We are very excited to host the
New YJA board defines agenda, goals
sentation, the board agreed to start several new projects consistent with its newly-defined goals: 1) to increase interaction among Jain youth at the local and national level; 2) to educate and preserve Jainism among the youth.
In January, 1996, the YJA Executive Board, in cooperation with the San Francisco YJA Convention Committee, will meet to organize the 1996 YJA Convention for the next July 4th weekend.
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming involved in YJA at the local, regional, or national levels, please contact YJA via telephone or e-mail.
array of Jain communities and backgrounds.
However, they all share one common goal; they want to increase the awareness of Jain principles among youths at all levels: local national, global. Their motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment will help to achieve YJA's primary goal: to be recognized nationally and internationally as an umbrella Jain youth organization, establishing a network of Jain youths and preserving Jain philosophy, religion, and cul
ture.
In August, the new board held its first meeting in Piscataway, New Jersey. After two days of productive discussion and pre
1996 YJA Convention," commented Meenesh Bhimani, one of the chief preparers of the city's bid. "This will be an opportunity for young Jains from all over North America to unify in an environment providing educational and social activities, all nestled in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area."
Young Jains of America is on the internet!
www: http://www.utexas.edu/students/yja e-mail: yja@uts.co.utexas.edu
Starting in January of 1996, the YJA and the San Francisco Convention Committee will be creating a forum where youth can share ideas, beliefs, and concerns about the Jain heritage and religion with other youth nationwide. If you or your friends would like to get involved in Convention '96, then please contact Mintu Turakhia, YJA Public Relations, at (510) 548-6120 or mintu@po.eecs.berkeley.edu.
JAIN DIGEST
Sept./Dec. 1995