| JAINA
Convention 2005 Update
Convention board had major meeting during 4th of July weekend.
The Board has been having teleconferences every two weeks at the
very minimum to discuss various policies and procedures. The Board
has appointed various convention committees and its chair and
vice chairs. Board has set about milestones to make sure that
all events take place on timely basis to meet the final deadline
to bring about the best convention ever in all aspects.
Board has appointed following chairpersons:
Facility: Ketan Itchhaporia; Finance: Keerti Shah; Food: Pramod
Patel; Fund Raising: Kundi Kapadia, Chair, BOD JCNC; Guest Services:
Smitin Mehta; Marketing: Jayesh Kamdar; Planning: Bharat Kamdar;
Programming: Parveen Jain; Technology: Devang Shah; Youth Programming:
Nita Itchhaporia
Programming: They have identified scholars, dignitaries, various
topics of lectures, workshops, etc. They have created various
tracks or themes and each of these tracks may have up to eight
to ten lectures in each. This will help get maximum exposure to
attendees on given themes. For those who want to explore the subject
deeper they would have opportunity to attend day long workshops
to maximize the benefits from the convention. Programs have been
laid out for morning sessions from Pratikramn to Yoga.
Finance: They have created policies and procedures for budgets,
approval of the expenses and payment methods. The checks and balances
have been created to keep better control for accountability. Target
budgets have been set out for various departments. Now various
department heads would come up with their requirements. This would
help set registration fees.
Fundraising: Most of you are aware that the registration fee
does not cover 50% of the total cost of the convention. Many of
us have found that professional convention registration fees costs
us in upwards of $500 without any meals. and are also heavily
subsidized by major industry leaders. In the past our North American
Jain Community have generously supported fund raising efforts
to make convention affordable for anyone.
Marketing and Publicity: They have created logos and sent out
first flyer to all Jain Sanghs. Many of you who have seen this
were so impressed, that they have started making weeklong plans.
They will be working with news media to bring out press releases.
We have been discussing with Nipul Shah of San Diego to create
memorable displays. He had created masterpieces at Philadelphia
and Chicago conventions in the past. Look for still better displays.
None of the displays will be discarded, but rather will be given
away to major donors supporting the conventions.
Lodging and Facility: We have negotiated excellent rate agreements
with four-star hotels such as Westin, Marriott and Hilton. Hotel
reservations will be made with JAINA for those registering for
the convention. This will avoid double booking, and help ensure
everyone getting rooms close to the convention facility. Pre convention
daylong tours are being planned to explore San Francisco and surrounding
areas. There is also seven-day post convention tour with a major
tour operator. For those who do not want to go for sight seeing
there will be Swadhyay sessions. Family would be able to plan
two weeks vacation and get the best of both the worlds, entertaiment
and Adhyatmic at very reasonable cost.
Food committee: Delicious Jain menus have been planned keeping
in mind everybody’s needs. Kids and elderly will find American
food to full desi mouthwatering meals.
Technology Committee: They are working on on-line registration
forms to simplify the process of registrations including hotel
room requirements, youth programs, etc.
Overall, we are making excellent progress. Jain Center of Northern
California has hosted JAINA convention in 1993. They have created
one of the outstanding facility, the visit to their Derasar is
most memorable. Their members are very enthusiastic about this
convention. They want to make this to be the best of all conventions.
It would be truly a Teerth Yatra for all attending this convention
The Convention board is looking forward to welcome you to JAINA
XIII Biennial convention.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please do
not hesitate to call on any of us:
Convener: Kirit C. Daftary, 254-776-4209
Co-Convener: Girish P. Shah, 408-373-3564
Members:
Anop Vora, President JAINA, 585-473-9290
Bipin shah, President JCNC, 408-873-1004
Samprati Shah, 847-524-0463
Dilip Punatar, 937-848-3228
Hasu Shah, 510-657-5927
Secretary : Jitendra B. Shah, 408-729-7916
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