The New Jain

December 2009

Minds Wide Open…

Jai Jinendra

Welcome to the Young Jain Professionals newsletter, The New Jain!

YJP’s mission is to increase the awareness and understanding of Jain principles and heritage by promoting networking among Jain professionals.

In this newsletter: 

·    YJP Is Back!

·    Call For YJP Executive Board Positions

·    New Website

·    Upcoming Events

·    Call For 2010 YJP Convention Ideas

YJP Is Back!

Yes, believe it or not, we are back.  Well, we were never really gone… it just looked that way.  We are now ready to move forward with the organization and take it to new levels.  And here are some different ways you can participate...

Call For YJP Executive Board Positions

In order to move forward, we need your help.  After all, fresh minds and fresh ideas are crucial to keep things going.  YJP is looking for applicants for the following Executive Board positions.  Please send your application by no later than January 17th, 2010 to yjpboard@gmail.com.

Technology 

 Key responsibilities include: develop YJP’s website and take care of all online needs. 

 Regional Coordinators (6) Canada, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West

Key responsibilities include: Hosting all events in their regions; assist with planning annual convention with Co-Chairs; liaison with JAINA / YJA Regional Coordinators; and promote YJP at a regional level. Regional coordinators should be from the region they would like to lead.

Public Relations / Marketing / Publication / Membership Director

Key responsibilities include: develop on online newsletter; send communications to members and non-members; send regular updates to members; promote YJP.

Secretary

Key responsibilities include: Keep the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee; ensure timely running of meetings; record all votes; incorporate any updates to Operating Guidelines as decided on by due process; maintain membership list.

If you’re interested in applying for the 2010 YJP Executive Board, please send a statement of interest which includes your reason for applying, past experiences, how you want to contribute to YJP, and any additional information you feel will benefit YJP.  Please also attach your resume to the application.

New Website

YJP has launched a new website!  You can find all you need to know about YJP, the board, upcoming events, forums, blogs and a photo gallery at http://www.jaina.org/group/YJP

To receive our newsletter and other emails regarding our events and the convention, please register and choose "Young Jain Professionals” member type via http://www.jaina.org.

Upcoming Events

YJP Dinner in Washington DC – Saturday January 23, 2010, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Come on out, meet new people and bump into some familiar faces too. Enjoy great food and even better company. Find out what YJP is all about and how you can get involved.  Please feel free to invite your friends, but just let us know as soon as you can if you will be able to attend.  To guarantee a seat, please RSVP soon!

On the YJP Website: http://www.jaina.org/events/event_details.asp?id=87191

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=232319172616&index=1

Location: Science Club, 1136 19th St NW, Washington, DC  20036-3602

YJP Dinner in New York City – January 2010 

Details to follow. Please contact us if you would like to help out with this or other future events.

Call For 2010 YJP Convention Ideas

YJP is looking for unique and creative ideas for a convention for 2010.  In the past, we have had events at the following locations:

·          Hotel conventions in various cities (Los Angeles, DC, San Antonio, Montreal, Miami)

·          Cabin trip in St. Petersburg

·          Beach trip in San Diego

·          Trip to Everglades National Park

·          Camping and white-water rafting in Sacramento

·          Cruise to the Bahamas

At these events, we have covered a multitude of Jain related topics, including the following:

·          Applying Jain Principles to Ethical Dilemmas

·          Ending Gang Violence

·          Minimizing Our Ecological Footprint in the World

·          The Power of Forgiveness

·          Creating Inner Balance in our Hectic Lives

·          Jain Responses to Terrorism and War

·          Living by the Five Vows Today

·          Eliminating the Four Kashayas: Anger, Ego, Deceit, and Greed, from Our Lives

·          Pressure We Face in Professional, Social, and Religious Arenas

·          Socially Responsible Investing

Session styles have ranged from discourses from experts to peer-led discussions and to interactive learning.  In addition, we have engaged in a wide array of activities, including the following:

·          Garba, salsa dancing, and and a night around town

·          Indian stand-up comedy

·          Board games and charades

·          Yoga and meditation

·          Sitting around a bon fire

·          Dinner and dance cruise

·          Canoeing, hiking, and bike riding

·          Snorkling and scuba diving

·          Frisbee and football on the beach

As we move forward, we would like to continue with YJP’s tradition of exceptional and innovative activities, sessions that relate to who we are today as Jains in North America, and chances to connect with our fellow Jains.  If you have any ideas for locations, activities, session topics, etc., please contact us via the YJP website or email us at yjpboard@gmail.com. 

New Beginnings

As a New Year begins, it is time for new beginnings.  Let this be a time to reflect on what is most important in our lives.  Is there any negativity in your life that is bringing you down?  This may be your job, the home you live in, the people you surround yourself with, etc.  If so, then use this New Year to take control, remove the negative influences from your life, and replace them with something positive and uplifting. 

Happy New Year!

YJP Executive Board

Suchita Gala

Co-Chair

Sejal Lakhani-Bhatt

Co-Chair

Rushabh Gudka

Treasurer

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and family

 For more information: yjpboard@gmail.com

Visit YJP and register at http://www.jaina.org/group/YJP