Jain Digest 2001 03 Vol 18 No 02

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

Page 9

HEADQUARTERS NEWS....
Manibhai Mehta's suggestion was to send a Jain Digest registration form along with the calendar, so that we can increase the Jain Digest registration.
Kishore Shah suggested that JAINA General Fund should charge some amount to each committee for administrative expenses. This way we can build the JAINA general funds.
It was decided that Bipin Parikh should discuss the matter with Rajiv Pandya. It was also agreed to request JAINA charitable trust to give $10,000 for operating expenses of JAINA.
Dilip Shah put forth a proposal to make Jain Digest self-supporting by selling the advertisement space in Jain digest. To achieve this, he proposed that the Executive Committee should create a marketing manager's position. The marketing manager will compile the demographics of Jain Digest readers and present that information to companies to get their advertisement. This will create a continuous stream of revenue, which will support the publication of the Jain Digest.
Lata Champsee, liked the idea of making Jain digest self-sufficient. However, she felt that advertising fee would have to be between $500-$1000 for a page and there should be guidelines for the kind of ads we publish.
Vinay Vakani expressed skepticism about treating the Jain Digest as an advertising tool- like a for-profit publication. He also asked whether JAINA - as non-profit organization - could sell advertising space.
Bipin Parikh proposed Samprati Shah as marketing manager for Jain Digest. Dilip Shah suggested that Executive Committee should create an Editorial Board (at present there is an Editorial Board that will be dismantled) that can respond to the readers and the advertisers in a coordinated manner.
It was decided to establish a Managerial Board for the Jain Digest, which will comprise of Editor-in-Chief, marketing manager and circulation manager. It was also agreed that Editor-inChief would act as the chairperson of this board.
⚫ JAINA Patrons: JAINA should deliver all the services and privileges to the Patrons as promised. Bipin Parikh assured that steps have been taken on this issue for 2001 Convention to avoid the past mistakes. The Patrons will be given lapel pin and the preferred seating at the opening ceremony, cultural programs, etc. JAINA Committee Reports:
⚫YJA Committee: Chintan Shah reported that YJA have elected 4 new members to the YJA Board during their January meeting. They also started 7 new projects. They have started a project to involve more youths in voluntary activities at the local level. YJA was involved in collecting and shipping much needed supplies for the victims of the earthquake.
They have also started a project nicknamed Adinath to upgrade and enhance their website. The website will be more inter
active and will also feature online Pathshala.
Jain Education Intemational 2010_02
To celebrate the 2600th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir, YJA has created a play depicting the 27 lives of Bhagwan Mahavir. The play will be performed at various Jain Centers throughout North America. They requested donation for this effort.
He also mentioned that they had planned 5 regional conferences over Thanksgiving weekend last year out of which 3 took place. The conferences were self-supported by the attendees and no money from YJA was spent on it.
Shama Khandwala mentioned that YJA have started a project to update their membership database. She also mentioned YJA website has all the information about the projects that they are working on for 2002 YJA convention. The bids are being accepted from different cities to host the convention. So far one bid has been received. YJA is involved in the Chicago Convention
YJA is also in contact with young Jains in UK, Singapore, and Japan to have more open communication.
Anop Vora suggested to YJA members that they collect all the accounting information within 3 months after the YJA convention and submit it to JAINA Treasurer. This will make the accounting easier. Bipin Parikh suggested that all committees including YJA use accounting guidelines set by JAINA.
Mahavir Memorial Committee: On behalf of Mahavir Memorial Committee, Sushil Jain reported on the efforts that are being made to kickoff the North American celebration of 2600th Janma Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir. He stated that the committee had prepared a flyer narrating the history and the tenets of Jainism, and the life of Bhagwan Mahavir. This is for distribution to Jains as well as non-Jains while kicking off our celebration.
⚫ Education Committee: Pravin Shah (NC), Chairman of the Education Committee reported that he had contacted the Pathshala coordinators and Pathshala teachers to obtain their input in developing the plans for future activities. The committee will set up a website that will allow all Pathshalas to communicate with each other. Starting in May 2001, he wants to start a 2-day class on Jainism for the Executive Committee members as well as other adults. There will be $50 fee that will cover food and lodging. If there is good response to this offer, he plans to continue this program every month.
Website Committee: Girish Shah, Chairman of the Website Committee is planning to have 7 members to work on setting up the website and other IT infrastructure. The committee will have a sub-committee involved in fund raising to support the
IT projects. There will also be a sub-committee that will manage the content to be published on the website. Vinay Vakani asked about the advisability of publishing the phone numbers, e-mail
addresses and other personal data about the JAINA volunteers. Girish Shah also expressed his concern about this matter and promised to look into the potential problems.
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 2001/7 www.jainelibrary.org