BLIA South Island Annual General Meeting
The annual BLIA South Island general meeting was held on the afternoon of 13th November and attended by 50 patrons including Venerable Abbess Manshin, guiding venerables Venerable Juexi and Venerable Miaoyu; president of the BLIA South Island, treasurer, presidents of the North, West and English Chapters as well as the president of the YAD South Island. Each group presented the events they have organized for the year ended as well as thanking all the volunteers involved. The meeting also acknowledged the award received by Fo Guang Shan South Island New Zealand during the 2010 International Conference, for Culture Propagation.
The agenda of the general meeting included: 1: Discussion of the 2010 International Conference theme “Conservation of the Environment and of the Heart”, each sub-chapters may organise their study groups to discuss the contents and applying it into the events they organise in the coming year. 2: The utilisation of Information Technology as a communication medium, to reinforce the theme of environmental conservation. 3: Discussion of the Education Fund Charitable Trust to promote the public welfare. 4: Announcement of the 2011 January to April events.
The main discussions were then followed with the presentation of presidential certificate to the newly appointed North Chapter president Ms. Christina Wang, West Chapter Ms. Susan Wu and English Chapter Ms. Glenda Hope. The six new BLIA members were also introduced. In addition to the presentations, there were some performances brought to the patrons from many different BLIA groups including dancing and singing.
The final speeches from the venerables and the Abbess noted that the Grand Master has created a stage for the Fo Guang people, they should use this opportunity to create their own stage for others as well with an attitude of selfless contribution and the will to form good affinities with others. The award received by the Fo Guang Shan South Island is an honour, also recognition of the hard work being put into culture and education. Everyone is encouraged to use a heart of faith to grow, to leave behind a rich history in a limited life span, learn from what the Grand Master has been propagating: “Environment and Spiritual Preservation”.