Jain Digest 2001 07 Vol 19 No 03

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

Page 37

YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA:
YJA Teams up with H4H
In cities all across America, YJA will help host a group of kids for a week to assist Habitat 4 Humanities' cause of helping those less fortunate. H4H is an organization that builds houses in underpriviledged neighborhoods nationwide. Registration for this phenomenal volunteering effort starts at the end of September and YJA starts building houses beginning in early spring. Last year, over 11,000 kids participated with Habitat for Humanity. Space is very limited, so sign up with the closest location.Contact Neel Shetti at Neel.shetti@yja.org for more information.
YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA
A FIRST TIME EVENT FOR THE EAST COAST!
New Jersey
Walking the Path of Jainism: Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Future... July 4th July 7th, 2002 www.yja.org
MIDWEST JATRA
The Midwest region of Young Jains of America will be embarking on a Jatra throughout the Midwest region during the Thanksgiving Holiday (November 22nd to the 25th). A bus full of enthusiastic young Jains will begin in Detroit, Michigan and head towards Chicago, Illinois. After one night in Detroit, and one in Chicago, the bus will travel north to visit the newly built beautiful temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The participants will return for one final night in Chicago, filled with social and religious activities. At each temple, youth will be able to participate in Chatyavandan, Pujas, slokas, meditation, and bhajans. The goal of this journey is to teach youth about Darasars and their decorum in the temple. The bus will return to Detroit on Sunday afternoon, the 25th of November. Please sign up early for this fabulous event.
For more information, e-mail the Midwest Regional Coordinator, Suchita Shah, at suchita.shah@yja.org.
YJA EXECUTIVE MEETS IN WASHINGTON
By Suchita Shah
During the weekend of August 9th, 2001, 13 of the current executive YJA board members with 2 former board members gathered in Washington D.C. for a four day meeting. Although flights were delayed, we finally joined late Thursday Night. We got to know each other through games and activities. These 14 other people would become an integral part of our lives in the next year.
Early next day, we started our meeting by first reflecting on the past events and what we could learn from them. It was long and tedious, yet in the end gave each of us a clearer image of what we wished to accomplish in the next year. Next, we held our internal elections. Each of us found our positions among the board and began to work towards our personal goals. After a long successful day, a formal dinner and driving tour of the D.C. landmarks.
Saturday, we arose tired, but ready to make decisions and brainstorm. We first met with JAINA representatives, in person and on the phone. We discussed their goals, and our goals, and worked on ways to strengthen our communication. Following long discussions, we decided on our two unified projects. We got to work on each of our committees, either Habitat for Humanities or Foster Focus. These two projects were geared towards developing smaller Jain groups, and reestablishing stronger groups. That night, we spent getting to know the New Jersey Convention Committee, who came down especially to meet with us.
Next morning with virtually no sleep, we woke up to meet more with the New Jersey board. They gave us updates, and developed their ideas further, making each of us excited for what would come out of this. We said some more goodbyes and then headed to a combined YJA/NJCC lunch. Finally, following the meal, the last of us left, sad to say goodbye, but happy at the amount of work that we had accomplished. The meeting laid out foundations for YJA this year, now we steer ahead hoping to make this the best year yet.
STRONGER JAINA-YJA IN THE FUTURE:
YJA board met with Girish Shah and Sushil Jain of the JAINA board, while teleconferencing Prem Jain and Bipin Parikh. The future between YJA and JAINA was discussed, as well as technological future.
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