Buddhist Society

Background

In November 2004, the BSWA committee, under the guidance of the Ajahns, formally passed a motion for the BSWA to become a member of the Buddhist Council of Western Australia, (BCWA).  In association with this BSWA has an elected representative on BCWA. The core role of the BSWA representative on the BCWA is to canvas and represent the opinions of the BSWA members to the BCWA.Sol Hanna is presently our elected representative on the BCWA. He is due to step down shortly. The development of the BCWA has been an important step in the Buddhist history of WA. To encourage the development of harmony amongst all Buddhist groups within WA is not easy but is something worth striving for. At the BCWA meeting in April 2008, for example, 9 different Buddhist groups were presented all working in harmony.

Requirements of BSWA elected member

1. To be a full member of BSWA.
2. May be a member of the BSWA committee but this is not necessary. (It would be helpful if they've had some committee experience, although this is not essential.)
3. Will not be the BSWA President.News
4. Able to communicate clearly and firmly.
5. Be culturally sensitive, as the BCWA is made up of people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
6. Be able to work in a harmonious way with members of the wider Buddhist community from different traditions who may not operate in the same way or have the same focus or beliefs as BSWA.
7. Will be familiar with both monasteries and Dhammaloka.

Responsibilities of BSWA elected member

1. To pro actively seek the views of the BSWA constituents (Sangha, committee and BSWA members)
2. To represent the views and interests of the BSWA constituents at the BCWA meetings and not their own views or agenda.
3. To attend meetings of the BCWA on behalf of BSWA.
4. To directly report back to the BSWA constituents.

Canvasing procedures

1. The elected member is to gain input from and determine the viewpoints of the members, committee and Sangha.
2. The member is to collect input from a wide variety of members.
3. Input is to be gained by various means, eg,
3.1. Through the website
3.2. Through the committee
3.3.. By regular face-to-face discussions with the Ajahns
3.4. Via Friday night notices at Dhammaloka
3.5. Via the Armadale group
3.6. By discussion with the President
3.7. At major events, such as Katina days, Vesak days, etc.
3.6 Other means as appropriate.
4. It is not sufficient simply to send out e-mails to people or put notices on a website.

Reporting procedures

1. Must report back to the BSWA constituents (the Sangha, committee members, other members) in a timely and thorough manner.
2. The BSWA committee (including Sangha) must be formally informed of upcoming BCWA and FABC committee meetings and AGMs in sufficient time to submit agenda items, and to comment on the agenda items submitted by others.
3. The BSWA committee and Sangha must receive prompt feedback on the discussion and resolutions of the BCWA and FABC committee meetings, in the form of personal report from the BSWA representative, and the official minutes and financial reports of the BCWA and FABC meetings, (including AGMs).
4. It is not sufficient simply to send out e-mails to people or put notices on a website. Reporting must also to be face-to-face.
5. The minutes of the BCWA meetings, including financial reports, to be placed on the noticeboard at Dhammaloka and also on its website.
6. The member to be part of the BSWA e-mail system for ease of contact with the committee.
7. The member does not have to attend BSWA committee meetings, however he or she may be requested from time to time to attend in order to report and discuss issues.

Additional requirements

1. Names of suitable or interested members to be forwarded to the BSWA committee for consideration.
2. The committee will elect the representative from the choice of people available. Should no-one be considered suitable then further people will be approached.
3. Should the elected member become one of the four officer bearers of BCWA then a second BSWA elected member will be elected by the BSWA committee, if such a person does not already exist.

We would like to elect two representatives, Lay or Sangha, to the BCWA and not one.

Portfolio for BSWA elected member on the Buddhist Council of Western Australia (BCWA), as agreed to at the committee meeting on 20th April 2008.