The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield (HTGS) 1001 West Walnut Street, Chatham, IL 62629 Ph: 217-697-8174 www.SpringfieldTemple.org Email: [email protected] Tax-Exempt 501(C) (3) Organization December 26, 2014 Dear Temple Devotees, Namasthe Administration News General Body Meeting: From the inception of the HTGS organization, this is the first time that the members shown less enthusiasm to show up to the general body meeting. Due to lack of quorum at this meeting on December 14th at 1:30pm, official meeting was not conducted; however, committee updates and general discussions occurred with no voting. Here are some highlights: Governing Board of Trustees Elections: Nominations have been received for the board positions as follows: **5-year term (3 positions): Vacant, Vacant, and Vacant *3-year term (3 positions): Raj Sreedhar, Karthik Mani, and Sailesh Nandish *2-year term (2 positions): Manjula Mehta, and Ravi Pavurala 1-year term (2 at-large positions): Vinod Patel and Kalpana Madan (General Body needs to approve) *1-year term (3 positions based on donation contributions): Dr. Subhash Chaudhary, Vacant, Vacant *current board has to approve these positions **constitutional amendment has to be approved by the general body to either eliminate these positions or to fill these positions by the new board New Governing Board of Trustees will elect officer positions: Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer Executive Committee: No nominations have been received for the Vice-President, Secretary, Joint-Secretary, Treasurer and JointTreasure positions; As per the constitution, the Governing Board of Trustees appoints EC President and Treasurer; however, at the present time, they were not able to fill these two positions due to lack of nominations. It is presumed that unless all these positions are filled by December 31, 2014, the new governing board of trustees will assume the duties of the Executive Committee from January 1, 2015, and may appoint interim candidates to ensure no interruptions would occur to the general operations of the organization. It has been suggested that we may need to overhaul the constitution to avoid these kinds of situations in future. The new board may look into these matters as soon as they take the office. HTGS General Body Meeting Notice (REVISED DATE & TIME) December 27, 2014, Saturday @ 2 pm @ Temple 1001 West Walnut Street, Chatham, IL 62629 Priest Selection Update: It is ongoing, and we are considering inviting some of the candidates for an on-site interview at our Temple. We will inform the temple community when we schedule those interviews, and all interested devotees will have an opportunity to meet and assess the candidates. Strategic Planning and Construction Committee Update:  Village of Chatham’s Planning Commission, Public Works Committee, and the Board approved the HTGS large scale land development plan. This official approval is a major accomplishment to HTGS community, and we extend the congratulations from the Village Officials and Mayor Mr. Tom Gray. o After spending many hours in meetings with the Indian Stapathy Sri Santana Krishnan, Martin Engineering Inc.’s engineer Mr. Steve Walker, and the strategic committee team of volunteers (Alkesh Trivedi, Manish Patel, Vinod Patel, Dharmendra Nimavat, Krishna Rao, and Krishna Brahmamdam), we accomplished this most important task. o This plan consists of locations of detention ponds, sanitary and storm water sewers, parking, fire hydrant, entrance/exits, based on the designated locations of the temple structures (main temple building, current temple building, function hall, priest quarters, pushkarini, recreational area, and tapovanam etc). o Next steps: 1. Have Martin Engineering Inc. prepare the construction drawings which would cost approximately $50,000, and will take about 60 days; we intend to begin this work as soon as possible; 2. Continue working with the Indian Stapathi finishing up the sectional elevations for the main temple, which will cost about $15,000. 3. Resume conversations with the Building architect and finalize the contract (aprox. $65,000); 4. Continue collecting information with regards to deities manufacturing cost and shipping cost; 5. Continue engaging conversations with the temple community, and all the vendors and contractors since some of the tasks are interdependent 6. Continue fundraising efforts o It is our sincere desire to break the ground in Uttarayana Punyakal (jan – july 2015) and start developing the land which could cost approximately $500,000.00 o Please note that some of the items mentioned in the next steps items have to be done simultaneously and need careful planning and coordination; we are putting our best efforts to meet the temple community’s expectations; more public forum type meetings will be announced soon Current Financial Status: as of Dec 13, 2014 (aprox.) Capital Project (New Temple): Savings $202,000 + Checking $10,000 = Total Balance $212,000 Current Temple: Building Fund $13,000 +Operations Savings $25,000 +Operations Checking $9,000 = Total Balance $47,000 Certificate of Deposit: $27,692.55 matures 1/3/15 Annual Financial Report will be released during the 1st week of January 2015 2015 Temple Calendar: We are in the process of preparing the calendar. If anyone is interested to sponsor for the Calendar, please notify [email protected] It will be free for paid members and sponsors; and $5 for nonmembers. Sponsors Ads will be included in the calendar (¼ page $50; ½ page $100; Full page $150). Please email your Ad to Dr. Dharmendra Nimavat and sponsorship amount to HTGS 1001 West Walnut St., Chatham, IL 62629. PUJA COMMITTEE NEWS The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is mentioned in the 'Padma Purana'. As per the legend, the Devas, unable to bear the tyranny of 'Muran', a demon, approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. A battle ensued between Lord Vishnu and the demon, and the Lord realised that a new weapon was needed to slay Muran. In order to take rest and create a new weapon, the Lord retired to a cave called 'Himavati' in Badrikashrama. When Muran tried to slay the Lord, who was sleeping, the female energy that emerged from the Lord burnt him to ashes in one look. Lord Vishnu, who was pleased, named the female energy 'Ekadasi' and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadasi, instead, beseeched the Lord that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins. The Lord thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshiped Ekadasi, would attain Vaikunta. Thus came into being this first Ekadasi. The demon Muran symbolizes the rajasic and tamasic qualities in people, which are lust, passion, inertia, arrogance, etc. When one conquers these tendencies, one attains the purity of mind, Sattva, indispensable for attaining moksha, liberation and realization of the self. ‘Vaikunta Dwara’ or ‘the gate to Lord Vishnu’s Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day in hindu temples. Thus, Hindu temples perform “Dwara Pooja” on this day. Please join us on December 31 for Dwara Pooja in our own temple. Scheduling A Private Puja: If you wish to schedule a private puja at the temple or at your residence; please contact Andy Aiyer at 217-721-9927 or email [email protected] Dec 20th Saturday 11 am Masa Sivaratri – Sri Shiva Abhishekam Dec 21st Sunday 11 am Sri Hanuman Jayanthi Celebrations Dec 28th Sunday 6pm Sri Swamy Ayyappa Padi Puja and Bhajans Prasadam / Annadatha (Maha Prasadam) Committee News (Lakshmi Brahmamdam, Chair [email protected] 217-793-6734 / 217-553-2354) Annadatha Program: If you have any questions or comments regarding this program or would like to sign-up, please contact Lakshmi. AnnadathaSignUpSheet Saturday from Noon to 2 PM December 27th Saturday Suggested Donation: $5 Per Plate Coordinated by Ramaa Raghuraman Menu: Plain Dosa, Masala Dosa, Sambhar, Chutney, Lemon Rice, and Dessert Volunteers: Giri & Latha Swaminathan, Kalpana and Madan Damodaran, Devi and Sree Nair, Andy and Preethi Aiyer, Ramaa & Raghu Raghuraman, Kasturi & Kripa, Raj & Vidya ------------------------------------------------*****************------------------------------------------- Regular Temple Hours: Mon. – Fri.: 6pm to 8pm; Sat.: 9am to 2pm; Sunday 9am to Noon Contact: [email protected] Ph 217-697-8174 1001 West Walnut Street, Chatham, IL 62629 www.SpringfieldTemple.org ------------------*****************-----------------Thank you. Sincerely, HTGS Executive Committee (Dharmendra Nimavat, President; Shipra Somani, Vice-president; Kalpana Madan, Secretary; Krishna Mohan Brahmamdam, Treasurer; Khushal Patel, Joint Treasurer; Avinash Anneboina, Joint Secretary, Board DelegateKrishna Rao). Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu