2023 BLIA South Island Annual General Meeting
The 2023 Annual General Meeting of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island was held on September 23. Nearly 40 members including FGS NZ Abbess Manshin, President of BLIA South Island, Bernie Siew, Vice President James Low and Zhang Dong, Advisor of North Island BLIA, Lintao Yu, President of BLIA North Island, Yulin Ku, Subchapter Presidents, and BLIA South Island members.
President Bernie reported on activities organised and held in the past year including participating as an open building in Christchurch Open Day event organised by Christchurch City Council, participating in global events organised by Oceania, Taiwan, and World Association such as Dharma Talk, VEGRUN, and Oceania Buddhist Association Examination, as well as local events such as Chocolatte International Food Festival, Sharing Laba Porridge with Neighbours, and New Zealand Sangha Offering Dharma Function, Ullambana Festival and other local events. With the leadership of each Subchapter Presidents, Tiffany Su, Cao Qian and Elsa Lee, every member was provided with the opportunity to participate based on their strength and accomplish these activities. An award ceremony for the Oceania Buddhist Examination were held to candidates for their hardwork and dedication.
The AGM had discussed and announced the following upcoming activities:
- Humanistic Buddhist Reading Sharing Seminar will be held on 18th November 2023,
- Buddha’s Enlightenment Day Sharing of Laba Porridge held yearly in December will be extended from 3 days to a week programme,
- FGS Chinese New Year Reunion Celebration on 27th January 2024,
- FGS South Island Chinese New Year activities will be held from 9th to 11th February 2024,
- Encouraging every member to participate in preparation meetings for Buddha’s Birthday Festival.
President Bernie announced that Cao Qian, President of Subchapter 2 whom been serviced for five years and Elsa Lee, President of Subchapter 3, serviced for two years are stepping down. Donald He and Danni Jiang is elected as the new President and Vice President of Subchapter 2 and Pei Yi Keow and Kong Hooi Saw as the new President and Vice President of Subchapter 3. President Bernie thanked Cao Qian and Elsa Lee for their active assistance in promoting vegetarianism and propagating Dharma during their service. He also thanked every member for the collective creativity and joint efforts in making every activity a success.
Abbess encouraged new Subchapter presidents and all members to be actively participate in the activities and events as a Buddhist shall implant the seed of goodness and beauty in our thoughts and enhancing the values of life through volunteering and spreading good thoughts and beauty within.