Joint BLIA North and South Islands Online Joint 2021 AGM

Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) New Zealand North and South Islands held their joint Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on 2nd October 2021. More than 150 people consisting of Abbess Manshin, Venerable Juexi, Venerable Rulian, Venerable Miaoyu, BLIA North Island President Lintao Yu, BLIA South Island President Bernie, all the advisors, subchapter presidents, directors and BLIA members attended in the online AGM.

In his speech, President Lintao Yu expressed his gratitude to FGS Buddhist Temple and all the BLIA members for their unconditional trust, support, assistance and tolerance during his seven years as president. He felt grateful for the opportunity to work together in contributing to society. Fo Guang Shan and BLIA provided a big platform for him to learn and grow. He is glad to see that the association has many talents, where they will definitely achieve and create more exciting activities in the future. Together, they can do more contributions and add more values to the society in New Zealand.

Motion Discussions:

1. BLIA North Island intends to organise the Cherry Blossom Festival in November. The activities of the Cherry Blossom festival include Baby Blessing Ceremony, Local Artist Sharing and Local Market Fair.
3. To celebrate Dharma Day, which is known as the Buddha's Enlightenment Day, BLIA North Island will start to distribute the Laba Congee in November for a month, wishing the public an abundance of wisdom and joy.
5. BLIA North Island intends to organise a series of Chinese New Year Celebration in 2022 to let the public in New Zealand experience the Chinese Festival's atmosphere overseas, wishing our society will continue to be peaceful and harmonious.
7. The BLIA North Island proposed to hold the 10th Board of Directors Election at the 2021 Annual General Meeting to elect a new president, vice president, directors and executives to shoulder the association's affairs with the hope to achieve more in the future. The new board members passed the first meeting and elected the new president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of BLIA North Island, who received enthusiastic support from fellow BLIA members. Police officer, Anson Lin, was also elected as a member of the Board of Directors of BLIA North Island.

The new president of BLIA North Island, Yuling Gu, said that Abbess Manshin always teaches us to break through ourselves, step out of our comfort zones, and grow in commitment. She appreciates the trust and support from the Temple and all the BLIA members. She was honoured to take up the duty as president and hopes to do more for the community with fellow BLIA members.

The meeting was then followed by the North and South Island joint AGM, where a video of the annual report of the BLIA North and South Island was presented, and the following activities were discussed:

1. The BLIA North Island NZ will hold the BLIA Oceania Fellowship Conference on 26th February 2022, and all members of BLIA Oceania are cordially invited to join the event.
3. The BLIA North Island NZ will hold the 8th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing in May 2022. The festival will be co-hosted by both BLIA North and South Island.

Abbess Manshin stated that BLIA members not only benefited the whole society but futher developed their own values. Through their dedicated service, they have added value to the society in the fields of culture, education and the arts, and together they have promoted the beautiful and virtues value in New Zealand.