Long-range Community Vision & Planning
On March 27 and 28, New Vrindaban Community hosted a series of management meetings. Many of the attendees reported that the meetings were very positive and a feeling of moving forward from the past. One of the main topics of discussion during the meetings was the long-range planning for New Vrindaban.
The result of the discussions is the formation of the Community Vision and Planning Team. Three devotees, Soma dasa (Chairman), Dayavira dasa, and Gaura Shakti dasa have agreed to serve on the Community Vision and Planning Team. The team received two mandates at the management meetings.
The first mandate for the Community Vision and Planning Team is to survey all the full-time residents of New Vrindaban, as well as many pilgrims and guests. “Srila Prabhupada’s vision is that New Vrindaban is a place of pilgrimage in the Western world,” said Soma. “Therefore, New Vrindaban must offer facilities for the people who visit the holy dham.”
The data from the surveys will be analyzed and then combined with Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for New Vrindaban. The main points that Srila Prabhupada stressed are cow protection, sustainable agriculture, simple village life, a place of pilgrimage in the West, a place of higher learning, and above all a place for people to develop their love for Krishna.
The second mandate for the Community Vision and Planning Team is to design a long-range plan for New Vrindaban. “Right now, the team is studying how other communities go about long-term planning,” explained Soma. “After choosing an appropriate model, we will engage as many devotees as possible in the design phase, and also hire professionals as necessary.”
“The potential in New Vrindaban is unlimited,” said Soma enthusiastically. “Therefore, it will require the input and expertise of many people. I urge everyone to come forward to offer assistance to the Community Vision and Planning Team.”
If you have any questions or you would like to offer any specialized skills for the design phase, please contact Soma dasa at Soma108@gmail.com or Vijaya Radha devi dasi at VijayaRadha108@gmail.com.
