SVHI AGM 2019 Proposals

Proposal: prioritize and implement Srila Prabhupada’s mandate for farm communities

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Proposal description

Implement Srila Prabhupada’s mandate for Saranagati as follows:

A- Initiative to reach out to the people of our prabhu datta desh, ie interior BC to share with them Srila Prabhupada’s model of land & cow protection through implementing & supporting outreach programs.

B- initiative for establishing a substantial cow protection program and use of saranagati’s 1700acres of land for agriculture leading to self sufficiency. 

 

Community comments

Bhakti Raghava Swami

Very much a priority!

Ramanath

SVHI's mission is to "Provide a rural community environment which supports and promotes the practice of Krishna Consciousness as taught by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada", so this proposal is very much inline with the founding principles of this farm community.

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Should eVoting be used for SVHI AGM and EGMs

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Proposal description
eVote does not replace the AGM, it replaces proxy voting.  eVote saves time counting little pieces of paper.  AGMs will be much shorter so more members will attend.
 

eVote Benefits

    •    vote anywhere any time - no need to attend 10 hour AGM
    •    confidential voting
    •    eVote hosts discussion forum on proposals
    •    long time frame for voting… even vote after AGM (think and talk about issues)
    •    eVoting saves paper
    •    no need for proxies
    •    no need for recount

eVote Issues

    •    Voters without a computer.  Solution = polling station computer available at AGM
    •    Voters must register online under official email address

Read more about Fair Voting

Community comments

Bhava Dasa

The two proxy limit that was a significant issue in last year’s AGM, which was claimed to be supported in the corporation papers.

Nowhere in the bylaws, lease agreement, shareholders agreement [or in the articles of incorporation] (that could be presented), does it state that there is a restriction on the number of proxies that can be held at an AGM. And yet, the shareholders are being instructed that at this AGM there is a restriction of only two proxies. As far as it has been proven, this is not correct—there is no such (written) restriction.

In addition, we see as one of the proposals, a statement that we should vote on it being including (in the bylaws). We haven’t signed any paper stating that we agree to such a restriction so far.

Therefore, I would suggest that this statement regarding the number of proxies, that can be held by an individual at this AGM, be removed waiting for the proposal to be passed, or not.

Members for Voting Improvements

online voting is anonymous and better represents members than proxy voting

Yoginath

this is a fun way to vote. Similar to online shopping

Steve

Its almost impossible for everyone to have a representative present at a meeting. I personally don't understand why a proxy needs a specific person present. Actually ALL proxies need only to be read and counted by 1 person at the time a meeting takes place . All that is needed is a personal e-mail out . Each shareholder be given a private code and a ballot ( that they personally download) then scan it and email it back. No postal expenses , no cheating.

Kapila

Voting isn't only about selecting something but also engaging in conversation, debate, and understanding. E voting may better enable selection, but it will also enable less dialogue, less nuance, and more misunderstanding and pure vote gathering. I prefer a system where at least the person in attendance can engage.

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Proposal: Fine System

Choices
Proposal description

Saranagati Village is unique in that we have several policies of self-governance.  Bylaws and rules "level the playing field" and every shareholder should know them, abide by them and expect all other shareholders to do so. Note that when shareholders conform to the bylaws, shareholders agreement, lease agreement they save forcing their Board of Directors , who are also shareholders and neighbours, from the embarrassment and distasteful duty of enforcing them.

Shareholders can change the bylaws, shareholders agreement, and lease agreement., "Nothing is written in stone", so if a shareholder can convince a sufficient number of other shareholders to add, amend, or delete a bylaw, shareholders agreement, lease agreement  by passing a resolution with a 3/4 majority vote, it is "so written".

Community comments

Kala

Everyone coming to Saranagati has given up a lot on the faith of good well wishing association therefore restrictive and punitive regulations are a complete turn-off as well as discouragement to new possible members.

We should also remember how kind and encouraging Srila Prabhupad was towards us even though we carried huge amounts of bad karma in our histories. This attitude should be ours especially now in our old age as we see so many dropping off this planet. More members contributing to the development of this project in time, energy and enthusiasm will dramatically also bring a level of financial well being. Our planning should be how to attract new members not how to tax the few old timers we currently are.

Mahidhara

The fine system, as is there in many organizations, and if passed at an AGM, would only be based on legitimate complaints and would only be implemented in the most serious cases and as a last resort.

Steve

I have observed a small group of the same individuals struggle to have a position and control over others lives to one degree or another. Your polices are directed towards certain individuals and making their lives more difficult. It's disgusting and offensive. NOBODY has any right to dictate a lifestyle, association, any idea, your opinion of your view of politics or in this case your opinion of a religion on another individual. You simply must put some trust In the other shareholders.

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Proposal: SVHI Rules governing growing of Cannabis

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Proposal description
This proposal is a further clarification of the 2018 Proposal "Prohibiting Growing Marijuana"  A proposal that SVHI prohibit growing medicinal and recreational marijuana as a business on corporation lands.  

New rules governing growing of Cannabis on corporation lands:
1. SVHI prohibits growing recreational Cannabis for a business, and the production of THC or any other psychoactive substance
2. SVHI allows growing Cannabis for seed, cloth, rope and building materials.
3. SVHI allows growing Cannabis for the production of CBD and non-psychoactive medicines.

The goals of this proposal are:
A. encourage growing and processing of the cannabis plant for health, wealth and sustainability

B. stimulate the farm economy in our community
 
Growing cannabis for any business purpose will require a business plan approved by the Board.  Health Canada requires that the landowner must sign off on applications for a license, so any shareholder or sub-lease must meet the approval of the Board.   Any straying from the conditions of the license will constitute a breach of contract and give the board the authority to shut down the whole operation

Community comments

Michael

Just finishing Manu and Satarupa's cabinets with milk paint and now a hemp oil sealer. Can't express how much i love the non-toxic process. So beautiful to put hemp oil on the paint and the raw wood. I want to grow hemp seed for food, food oil and wood work finishing products. Please include me in any research and movement towards growing some test acres next year and buying a press.

Mahidhara

I personally have no problem with hemp, but subleasing our land is at the heart of this and the shareholders who vote have the right to know. This should have been discussed a long time ago and it was up to the “proposer” to have done so. Don't mean to be disrespectful,but I find this proposal to lack sensitivity and should not be included as an AGM proposal.

Bala Krishna

I am very enthusiastic to support and participate in moving this opportunity forward. I see many benefits . In many circles hemp is seen as a miracle plant . It is/was a very important crop in India, especially in northern India and the Himalayan region where it has been grown for generations to provide food, clothing, fuel, medicine, and building materials. Learning how to grow hemp can help facilitate our Saranagati transition from almost total dependence on the present outside, global, upgrades-karma economy to a self-sufficient, localized, village economy as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada.

Bala Krishna

Growing hemp as a medicine can be seen as a first step in expanding and diversifying into the growing and wildcrafting of medicinal herbs leading to Saranagati developing a Health and Wellness Centre and Retreat. Many Ayurvedic herbs that grow in the Himalayas also grow wild here in our mountains and others that don’t grow wild can be grown in our gardens. There is much support for this by many devotees.

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Proposal: Future temple building be independent of ISKCON operaing under directive of Srila Prabhupada

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Proposal description

Future temple building be independent of ISKCON but operate under the shelter and directive of Srila Prabhupada for the reason of potential legal implications & opportunities for grants as a cultural center as experienced by Edmonton and Calgary  yatras. 

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Proposal: $3,500 for Permeter fencing

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Proposal description

This is in order to continue and complete the west side of the fencing.  There are several supporting documents that are attached to this proposal for your perusal. You will find them below.

Fence Management Philosophy:

  • Fence Project manager makes detailed proposal to the board of directors for section to be worked on including budget, timeline etc.
  • Board of directors approves or asks for more revisions until satisified. 
  • Community is informed after approval is there.
  • Work contractors provide cost estimates and proposal on how the work will be done (devotees or outside workers)
  • Ongoing communication between board and project manager takes place as project proceeds.  Community is informed regularly.
  • All receipts are submitted to project manager.  When project is completed, community is presented budget and project report.
Uploaded Files

Community comments

Yoginath

SVHI owns nearly 2000 acres of land. We are the only non rancher, non commercial entity in the entire region (perhaps in all of western Canada) holding that volume of land resource. What we choose to do with the land tells the world who we are. Our entrance sign announces that this community project is dedicated to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, therefore the choices we make for managing our land is also a reflection on Srila Prabhupada.

In 2006 it was documented by an independent 3rd party study funded by the government that the overgrazing by beef cattle in Venables Valley had a number of negative and environmentally destructive consequences. Specifically the overgrazing was resulting in a loss of flora species, introduction of invasive weeds, and increased volumes of pest
populations. If left unchecked, the study concluded, such a practice would eventually turn former hay fields into lifeless hard-pan. That same study also noted that the entire riparian zone of Venables Valley was being degraded by trampling. Unfortunately the laws of the land favor the ranchers. If we wanted to prevent unrestricted beef cattle on our land it was going to be our responsibility to fence them out, that's the law, that's what all private land owners do.

At the 2014 AGM we SVHI shareholders formally accepted the challenge to take back
Krishna's land. We terminated the contract with Bob Pasco, applied for our own farm status, and began the process of fencing our land. The attached map explains in a glance how much fencing has been completed since then and how much fencing remains to be finished. The lay of our land is such that we do not have to fence every single foot of our property boundaries. In many places steep hillsides act as natural barriers which prevent access by cattle.

The Vaisnava's vision is that the earth is a divine being, a goddess. Taking this opportunity to use our land as a vehicle for Krishna's service is indeed “Bhakti Yoga, Country Style” and is a living confirmation of our belief that the earth truly is sacred. Having a share in 2000 acres of land is a responsibility. It also affords us a chance to demonstrate our inspiration to please and serve God.

Bhakti Raghava swami

The fencing controversy points to a previously existing divide within the community connected with the very mandate and mission of the Saranagati Village project. Is the project meant to serve primarily as a retired home for senior Vaisnavas or is the project meant to be primarily a vibrant agrarian based community where cows and land form the basis of the community's activities and its economic base?

I would humbly suggest that this matter needs to be addressed in all seriously. I don't think these two visions need to exclude one another, but for that to happen, some in dept discussions and introspections are needed by all residents.

When the focus of the majority of Saranagati residents will encompass and support the primary objective of developing a localized self-sufficient and sustainable community where land and cows become the center of attention, we will more easily see the vital importance of fencing to protect our crops
and maintain a herd of our own productive cows.

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