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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Session 8aManagement & Administration of Mandirs

Managing Growth

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Bridgewater,NJ

Dr. Bapineedu KuchipudiVice Chairman

September 11-13, 2009

Issues that arise in scaling mandirs from a small scale operation/facility

To a large scale operation

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Share the HTCS experience

Hindu Temple and Cultural society of USA Inc, Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir) and Community center,780 Old Farm Road, Bridgewater,NJ.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Needs Assessment and Balance Super size the Temple?

From Fast Foods, large Vehicles and Mansions the American mindset favors everything BIG. Hindu Temples are not immune to this ideology. Temple Administrators need to be grounded with a disciplined and restrained approach

Needs of the Community versus

Needing to build for the Community

RUNResources Utilization

Needs

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Winning over BureaucracyLocal, County, State…

Building bridges and Working Together (with your township, state, and federal legislators)…… The Bridgewater Experience

Zoning laws/FAR (floor area ratio) requirements Retain local counsel/planner that knows the codeRespect the system. Work with the system. Educate the township board, neighbors, and anyone who shows up at town meetings to oppose. Counter “Not in my backyard” opposition with Expert testimonials, DOT Studies, and if all else fails look at RLUIPA Federal Statutes.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Invite Federal,State and Local Legislators to Visit the Temple.Conduct guided temple tours to local community(Public relations)

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Governor Corzine receiving thertham and prasad.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen leading the Maha Ganapathi Procession

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Winning over Bureaucracy

Zoning laws/FAR (floor area ratio) requirements

Retain local counsel/planner that knows the code

Respect the system. Work with the system.

Educate the township board, neighbors, and anyone who shows up at town meetings to oppose.

Counter “Not in my backyard” opposition with Expert testimonials, DOT Studies, and if all else fails look at RLUIPA Federal Statutes.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

RLUIPA

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights DivisionA Guide To Federal Religious Land Use Protections The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. The law was passed unanimously by Congress in 2000, after hearings in which Congress found that houses of worship, particularly those of minority religions and start-up churches, were disproportionately affected, and in fact often were actively discriminated against, by local land use decisions. Congress also found that, as a whole, religious institutions were treated worse than comparable secular institutions. Congress further found that zoning authorities frequently were placing excessive burdens on the ability of congregations to exercise their faiths in violation of the Constitution.

In response, Congress enacted RLUIPA. This new law provides a number of important protections for the religious freedom of persons, houses of worship, and religious schools. The full text of RLUIPA is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/housing_rluipa.htm.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Contributing with a SEVA Attitude The local, state, and federal government has blessed temples with tax favorable treatment and freedom in exercising our faith. We are grateful. In return, the need to contribute and improve the quality of life and cultural enrichment becomes our duty and demonstrates good citizenship. Over the years HTCS has participated in many ways of giving back. Some of our efforts include:

1. Annual Health Camp for the uninsured and underinsured2. Annual Scholarships for the local graduating high school

students3. Indian American Festival (Tenth year)4. Helping local schools with funds for special programs5. Soup Kitchen with the local Catholic Charities 6. Disaster Relief as needed7. Contributions to many other local causes.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Taking care of our PriestsHTCS Religious Committee

Recruiting Qualified priests/monitoring priest services and devotee satisfaction.

Ensuring that priests follow established guidelines set by your religious committee. Reviewing and training on the right way to perform services based on practices and Agama requirements

Have a fair and workable Sambhavana and gratuity system. Housing, benefits and Quality of Life Issues. “Brahmana Santu Nirbhaya”

Taking care of the priest family has become an important social duty.

Ensuring that a few priests are qualified to perform Aparakarmas is critical to serving the Hindu American community

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Accountability and TransparencyChecks and Balances

• Treasurer• Finance committee • Audit committee

Fiduciary responsibility • Credit policy committee (An HTCS initiative)

Encourages fiscal responsibility and discourages deficit financing and debt to support growth.

Avoid the concept of “Build it and they will come” mindset.

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

It is a Balancing Act To Build Bigger

Temple’s responsibilities

•Do not grow the temple beyond it’s means•Discourage borrowing!

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Hindu Mandir Executive Conference

Sept 11-13, 2009

Thank you for listening

Hindu Temple and Cultural society of USA Inc, Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir) and Community center,780 Old Farm Road, Bridgewater,NJ.

Om Namo Venkatesaya!