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OUNG JANG
Young Jains of America Young Jains: Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders
The 11th Biennial Convention
In Partnership with The Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington YOUNG JAINS OF AMERICA
www.yja.org 2014@yja.org Dear Young Jains of America Convention Attendees, Distinguished Guests and Supporters,
Jai Jinendra and welcome to the 2014 YJA Convention!
Every two years, hundreds of young people come together for the largest Jain youth convention in the world. On behalf of the YJA Executive Board and Convention Committee, and along with the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington, we are very excited to host all of you. It is an exciting time for the Young Jains of America organization ("YJA") as we continue to grow and reach out to Jain youth across North America. We can proudly say that this year's convention is one of the largest conventions to date, and is also the fastest convention to sell out. This year, the convention is being held at a major metropolitan city for the first time in YJA's history. YJA is growing faster than ever before and it will continue to bring inspired youth together to ensure Jains from around the world can gather to share ideas, stories, and knowledge about leading a Jain way of life for years to come.
The theme of this year's convention is "Young Jains: Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders." This theme not only reflects the location of the convention, but also seeks to remind Jain youth to use the lessons learned from Jainism to lead a Jain way of life and to guide and assist others in living a more physically, spiritually and personally healthy lifestyle. Becoming a leader involves taking the initiative to correct a wrong, showing compassion, being altruistic, performing service to benefit those less fortunate and working to improve the human condition.
Many great leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, and Mahatma Gandhi, came from diverse backgrounds, but they all shared a vision of a better society, in which all people are treated equally, have the same kinds of opportunities, and are able to live a better life. These aforementioned leaders achieved what they set out to do by having the courage to stand up and challenge what society felt was correct, and by learning how to instill change. Change does not have to happen immediately, but can arise organically through dedication, persistence and continually learning.
As young Jains, we are full of potential and there is no better time than now to explore what we are capable of accomplishing! We believe the sessions presented throughout the weekend will assist in developing your awareness about issues facing our generation, which is the next wave of leaders. As you hear our speakers share stories, think about what you want to do in the future and how attaining your goal will impact society as a whole. Take the time to share your knowledge with fellow attendees, speakers, Board Members, and volunteers, because your personal development can only be enhanced by such interactions.
We encourage you to internalize what you hear and experience throughout the 2014 YJA Convention because these experiences will allow you to continue to grow into an individual that can make a difference locally, nationally or even internationally. A good place to start is within your local sangh because, as young Jains, we will be carrying on the mission of Jainism. Ensuring our sanghs continue to thrive will be our responsibility, one that is very much in capable hands. We leave you with one final thought: tomorrow's leaders will always be learners. As John F. Kennedy said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
SO Sincerely, Your 2013-2014 YJA Executive Board and Washington, D.C. Convention Committee
Chairpersons Sejal Dhruva Parag Parekh Aakash Shah
Pathik Shah chairs.dc@vja.org
Adult Volunteer Committee Leads
Kayuri Shah Kunal Dagli Vaishali Shah volunteer@vja.org
Fundraising Committee Leads
Sunny Dharod Anshul Mehta
Ravi Doshi fundraising.dc@vja.org
Hospitality Committee Leads
Bonita Parikh Khushali Gala
Aanal Gandhi hospitality@vja.org
Jain Networking Forum Committee
Leads Mayha Parikh
Krupa Shah inf@vja.org
Daytime Programming Committee Leads
Priyal Gandhi Shikhar Shah Harsha Nahata daytime@vja.org Security Committee
Leads Kunal Shah Viraj Mehta Vishal Mehta security@yja.org
Public Relations Committee Leads
Amit Shah Megha Vipani
Virag Vora pr.dc@yja.org
Registration Committee Leads
Ankit Shah Bharat Srikishan
Priyank Shah registration@yja.org
Site Committee Leads Neeketa Sheth
Paras Goda Salonee Shah site@vja.org
Social Committee
Leads Jinen Shah Sneha Parikh Charmi Vakharia social@vja.org
Souvenirs Committee Leads
Sonny Shah Anika Jain
Neil Shah souvenirs@vja.org
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Young Jains of America (YJA) is an umbrella youth organization of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) a Non-Profit Tax Exempt Religious
Organization. IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) El 954-1280028
2014 YJA CONVENTION WASHINGTON, D.C.
