ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 06/14/2015
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 06/14/2015
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes Simple Living, Cow Protection, Engaging Oxen, Local Agriculture, and above all, Loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Board Members: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Madhava Gosh (partial attendance), and Ranaka.
Participating Advisors: Sri Tulasi Manjari, Radha-Krishna
Participating Managers: Mukunda
Recording secretary: Jamuna Jivani
1. Manager’s Report
Mukunda gave a summary of the projects he has been overseeing his first month in his new role as an ECO-V co-manager:
– Training Oxen: Mukunda and the Ox-Training crew are presently studying various locations around the Bahulaban barn with the intent to prepare an area suitable for the next training phase of the oxen (learning to pull plowing implements for growing food).
– Teaching Garden: The shed is being repurposed as a storehouse for use over the next few months.
– Palace Rose Garden: With the help of Paul Zimmerman, an organic rose garden consultant, Mukunda is working with the Rose Garden crew to create a comprehensive month-by-month Rose Garden Care Manual.
– Prabhupada House: The final touches are being done to make it suitable for Mukunda and his family.
– Bahulaban Barn Renovation: Vyasasana prabhu is doing the work in between his other projects. The second floor wall on the road side has recently been restored, and new studs, sheathing, house wrap and insulated windows have been installed. The ECO-V Board requests that Vyasasan prabhu finish closing in the exterior of the barn by the end of September, 2015 (well ahead of the next winter season).
2. Ray’s Recovery
Ranaka reports that Ray is mostly recovered and has been back on the job part-time the past two weeks.
3. Palace Rose Garden Additional Funds Request
Jaya Krsna requested additional funding for another visit from Paul Zimmerman.
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support ISKCON New Vrindaban’s efforts in sustainable gardening.
RESOLVED: The Board authorizes an additional $2K for the Rose Garden project.
4. Eco-Village at New Vrindaban
Mukunda and Vraja-Dhama will be meeting weekly to research possible locations for a future eco-village site. Mukunda suggests that a hydrogeologist is needed to make a recommendation based on the possible locations.
5. Prabhupada’s Palace Renovation Matching Grant
Of the $425K allotted, $281K remains available. Some ECO-V Board Members have questions connected with the renovations and will ask them at the next joint board meeting.
