AGM at Fo Guang Shan North Island 2014

The Annual General Meeting was held in Guang Ming Hall on the 14th of September for Fo Guang Shan North Island.

This meeting was attended by Venerable Abbess Manshin, Minister in Charge Venerable Juehao, North Island BLIA president Dolly Tsai, Vice President Bo Cheng Huang, Advisor Peter Young and various other directors including Linda Daniell and other committee and general members totalling 120 people.

At this meeting it is decided and voted on who the next president and directors would be.

The meeting commenced with Dolly Tsai thanking all BLIA members for their continued support towards the Temple and propagating Humanistic Buddhism through education, culture, art and Dharma functions. Through all of these areas it has brought recognition to the Temple in terms of the world stage.

Following Dolly Tsai's opening speach there was a short film showing Temple activities for 2014 which was enjoyed by everyone present. Annual activity reports were given by all sub-chapters including the youth chapter.

The meeting then flowed into a discussion of new agendas for the rest of the year. These included such things as the Medicine Buddha Function, a Spinal Health Seminar and BLIA Dharma lectures. A temporary agenda was raised by the ESC to fundraise for remediation of the South Island temple by offering car valet services to visitors

A total of 23 newly elected directors were voted in and Stephen Lin was elected as the 9th BLIA North Island President. He is the youngest BLIA President to hold this office so far. Stephen expressed gratitude for the confidence of the voting members and expressed his determination and faith to do a good job.

As an addition an advisory board was also elected consisting of all the past advisors who have depth and experience to help with temple matters.

Just prior to the conclusion of the meeting, the local Botany MP Jamie Lee Ross came to offer his support and express his appreciation toward the temple for promoting social harmony.