KNGN Website

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KNGN Radio

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Nursery and School

KNGN School Committee Submitted by Shaivite 1-22-10

We left KNGN meeting 12/26/2009 having concluded that a school has traditionally been a part of Kashi and would be a natural fit for the future.

We acknowledged that though an attempt at seeking to build a charter school had been met with disappointment, there was a window of opportunity for pursuing the construction of a school at Kashi.

Our discussion was newly being shaped when it was time to adjourn; we left with the goal of meeting again in the following week to continue our conversation about:

• charter versus private school
• identifying our student population
• pinpointing specifically what Kashi had to offer that would set us apart 

To this end, we would expand our school discussion to include past and present educators, Kashi board members, and additional KNGN members.

Second school subcommittee meeting: the following weekend was well attended including Sw. Ramayana, Kashi Ma, and Matagiri who all shared their expertise and experience as educators.

• It was concluded that pursuing a charter school would put limitations on the schools potential and with regard to local opposition, would not be worth the effort.  
• Much of the discussion focused on expenses. 
• Sw. Durga Das made a convincing case that a private school could be funded through the combination of tuition and grants.
• Was agreed that a preschool would provide a foundation on which to grow, was the most financially viable as far as startup costs and income potential, and would meet the needs of KNGN members seeking to build a school at Kashi that their children could attend.

We were made aware that the River School and River Preschool had an established reputation in the community on which we could build. In addition to academic success, trust was an integral part of this legacy.

1. Having a committed director in which parents could put their trust would be necessary for the schools success, e.g. Yashoda Ma and the River Preschool.
2. Annapurna was acknowledged for already having a circle of parents and good name through Mommy and Me and previous work as an educator.
3. Bhagavati Braun, studying education at Smith College, was a standout and inspiration expressing interest and a commitment to building something “from the ground up.”

Community, health, and service were identified as parts of Kashi that would set our school apart from other schools.


CONCLUSION:

Market research would help us hone specific details including a better understanding of our potential student body. Sw. Ramayana offered to help design a survey. We asked those in attendance to research schools in their area with qualities that appealed to them, specifically looking at how these schools addressed community, health, and service, in addition to gathering data on tuition, enrollment, type of school, mission, etc.

Action Steps:

1. Bhagavati volunteered to set up an online school group where we could communicate and follow up.
2. Sw. Durga Das planned to meet with Sw. Ramayana and Bhagavati to take a tour of Kashi and discuss research and resources.
3. Jaya Ma, Sita, Annapurna, Shaivite, and any others with interest were to research specialty schools in their area and provide feedback.

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Business Development

Business Creation Group                     
KNGN 12-26-09 Meeting -
Tara, Tony, Priya, Ned, Soo Se, Ramesh

1. Do we all want to get in on a venture, invest our own capital funds?

OR

1. Do we want to build something here in Florida and create jobs for members of our group?

Business Ideas:

1. Land—a lot of people have interest.

2. Yoga—need to capitalize on what Kashi has in place already. A large majority of our group is interested and participates in yoga in some way.
1. Yoga clothing: KNG ownership

1. Keep style mainstream
2. Anyone of use can sell it anywhere in the world

3. Retreat Center—plenty of opportunity. Need wealthy business partner, preferably once which same experience.

4. Radio Station—bring in people for interviews, music, Kashi activities, kids hour
1. Ramesh interested in running it
2. Purpose to raise awareness, keep it interfaith and generate an income
3. Need $5-10,000 to start and operate

5. Tapas Restaurant—Ned has business plan already
1. Access to property on US 1 in Wabasso
2. Enough room for restaurant and land to grow food and well as space for possible other activities
3. Need $500k to get running

6. Ma’s India
1. Can we participate?
2. Can it grow larger?
3. Can we invest in it and share in the profits?

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Mission Statement and Logo

What is a mission statement?
A mission statement is a simple message that identifies and unifies us as a group with a purpose.

Who are we? other than spiritual superheros?
At the core, we are the youth and young adults who have grown up at Kashi as well as our extended family and friends.

What unifies Us as a group? other than being able to count to ten in Korean?
All of us have a vested interest in the future and future direction of Kashi as it includes Ma's legacy as spiritual teacher and Guru, continuing the message of service and care for eachother and all, and the sustainability of Kashi as a community.

* Certainly growing up together as family with Ma is a strong unifying factor, but
this is not the primary reason why we are now coming together as KNGN.

What is our Purpose?
To help plan and facilitate the future of Kashi. To continue to strengthen our network of community and family. To create our own safe and welcoming community within Kashi. To increase self fullfilment and act on a universal humanitarian mission. To be youth in action.

Working Logo and Mission Statement

Some more notes and verbiage from our meetings

• to be a voice in the future of Kashi
• The legacy of Kashi and Community
• to be a support community for like minded people
• to Educate people about Kashi
• to remove the local Kashi stigma
• to be a support community for ourselves
  
• to make kashi sustainable both fiscally and in purpose
• The desire to keep Kashi as a community after Ma and the founding members are gone.
• Youth in Action
• Universal Humanitarianism
  
• Self fulfillment
• Define the relationship with kashi as we
• Focus on community
• Educate others about
• Integrate with others
• Mutual respect and non judgment desire to continue fostering a sense of community
  

As it pertains specifically to KNGN, our mission statement should be memorable and understandable by everyone, whether or not they are familiar with Ma or Kashi. With that said, Ma and Kashi will be identified and described in depth as the founding energy and root of KNGN. The message, in idea and articulation, should be clear, fresh, and speak to the image and personality of KNGN. It should also be general enough to be something that we all identify with, while covering (and not lmiting) the wide variety of future KNGN initiatives. The mission statement is the beginning of the "first impression" and "brand" feeling of KNGN.

Organized action network committed to service and compassion to ourselves, our community, and the broader world.


Other scripting and iterations of the statement:
Universal humanitarian action network, committed to ourselves, our comunity, and the broader world.

Committed to service and compasion to ourselves, our comunity, and the broader world.

Fostering an increasing sense of community, committed to supporting eachother and reaching out to like minded individuals.

Thanks to all the contributers: Radhe Schiff, Dhumavati, Luke Madhava, Shiva Kali, Laksman Frank, Jewel Lotus, Hanuman Joyce, Bhagavati and Ganga Devi Braun, Peter Turner and Jaya Frank

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KNGN House Project

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