Hindu Samaj of Hamilton and Region

Minutes of the Eighth Board Meeting for the Year, 2006

Held on June 9, 2006 at the Temple

 

Chair: Ram Kamath         Secretary: Mahendra Deonarain

 

Board Members Present: Ram Kamath, Perumal Rajaram, Shikha Sareen, Shammi Gandhi, Dr. Mani Subramanian, Dr. Naresh Sinha, Indu Singh, Abha Gosain, Rita Varma, Dr. Mahendra Deonarain, Ajay Sharma

 

Regrets: Subhash Dighe, Rakesh Sharma, Romi Sareen, Lalita Kumar

 

In Attendance: Nithy Ananth

 

The Meeting was called to order at 7:25 pm, followed by opening prayers by Mahendra Deonarain.

 

Copies of Minutes of the last two meetings and agenda, which were emailed/sent to Board members, were distributed for convenience.

 

Shikha Sareen moved that the minutes be approved, seconded by Rajaramji.  Mani commented that some further details were needed in the matters related to the Priests. There was a vote and the minutes were approved unanimously.

 

Construction Update: 

 

·                 Nick made a suggestion to the Board to have the two rooms at the South East and South West corners on the upper floor more functional. He suggested that South East Room could be made into a utility room with a sink and the other room could be used for storage. Both rooms were to have doors.  Ram moved that the Board  adopt these suggestions, seconded by Shikha.  It was discussed and put to a vote. It was approved unanimously.  Estimates would be given to the Board as soon as possible.

·                 Contract has been given out to fix the roof leak.

·                 Historic Site plaque would be installed.

·                 Health & Safety regulations would be addressed.

·                 Stench from the leak below the murtis unto the stage area downstairs  has been fixed.

·                 Glass would be placed in the front of the temple.

 

 

 

Adequate Insurance :

Ram confirmed that the Hindu Samaj has enough insurance. However, we should keep the exterior lights on from dusk to dawn.

 

Nav Graha Pran Pratishtha:

After discussing potential dates for Nav Graha Pran Pratishtha , the Board suggested that the Pran Pratishtha be done on July 7, 8 and 9th.  Rajaramji accepted the dates tentatively and would confirm these dates after seeking confirmation from the sponsors, his daughter and son-in-law from Flint, Michigan, USA. Shanmughan was ready to begin the construction of the foundation work for the Nav Graha Pran Pratishtha.  Alternate dates for the Nav Graha Pran Pratishtha were July 13, 14 and 15th (avoiding the Samaj Picnic on July 16).

 

Future Pran Pratishtha:

·                 Kartika Pran Pratishtha would be during Nav Raatri, 2006.

·                 Shiv Parivar would be during Shiv Ratri, 2007.

 

Occupancy Permit:

Ram reported to the Board that he would submit the rest of the papers to the City of Hamilton as soon as he receives the drawings from the surveyor.

 

Wellness Club:

Dr. Sinha reported that volunteers are required for the Club because the plan was to have the Club running at least 3 times per week. Subhash would be willing to train volunteers. The Board was informed that

·                 all members of the Club must be registered

·                 flyers in various languages (English, Urdu, Punjabi) would be prepared

·                 $4300 still remains in the budget

·                 a place was being suggested for the gym, perhaps a four-season bubble tent.

 

 

Finance Committee:

·                 Ram reported that $7990 was collected form the last Mataji Chowki

·                 Box collection for the month of May was $2441

·                 Revenue for the Month of May was $34 450

·                 Expenses for the Month of May was $17 298

·                 Audited statement completed for year ending, October 31, 2005    (to be placed on Web-Site)

·                 Board trying to get a mortgage to replace the Line of Credit of $250 000

·                 Our loans amount to $368 000

·                 Nithy, chair of Finance Committee, suggested that the Board re-visit the situation with the bookkeeper of the Samaj. Perhaps, the previous bookkeeper should be asked to continue and eliminate the need to hire a new bookkeeper

·                 Nithy strongly suggested that, even though he was not on the Board as a Director, he had a responsibility as chair and that he should be consulted before the Board pass any motion relating to matters of the Finance Committee.  This matter would be re-visited at the July Board meeting.

 

Kitchen Request:

Bob Nayyar suggested that we should purchase 5 stainless steel pots costing about $2000. The Board recommended that we buy 2 pots immediately.

It was suggested that if sponsors  use Temple supplies (plates, spoons etc.) then the sponsors should pay extra ( $51 for plates and $20 for spices).

 

Priest Contract:

Mani and Rita would re-visit the Priests’ contract

 

General Suggestions:

·                 The sub-committees of the Samaj should be used more efficiently

·                 Roles of Chairs of the Committees must be respected.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:15 pm