2019 – February – San Jose Betsuin

Betsuin Board Highlights

San Jose Betsuin Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday February 07, 2019

submitted by Joyce Iwasaki

Mission Statement

The mission of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin is to learn and to share the Jodo Shinshu understanding of the Three Treasures

Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

The intent of the Betsuin Board Bullets is to highlight Board actions, decisions, special events and projects. Please contact the Betsuin Board officers, directors or the ministers for details on any item.

Quorum

Since quorum was not established for this meeting (as well as for the January meeting), business could not be conducted. Reports were shared and discussed.

Property Management Report

Repairs

Various repairs are ongoing. The latest being replacing a tile on the roof of the hondo that slid off. A water leak in the Education Building was patched up. Two separate water leaks in the annex were noted after the recent storms. These were not in need of repairs since they were not consistent. But when these become a problem ~ we will have to hire a contractor for repairs.

Annex

Because of the size of the gym, it takes hours to heat the interior from a cold start. We need to remember to turn on the heater several hours prior to use. And for large morning services, we are advised to turn the heater on the night before.

The Salt Lake Court Parsonage

The parsonage was recently burglarized. Steve Onishi is repairing the broken door. Nothing was taken since the house is empty.

Minister Report

Reverend Mikame

Official documents are still being processed for Reverend Mikame to be able to work in the United States. Rinban Sakamoto and Rev Mikame have been in touch through email.

Minister Assistant

In August 2018 the BCA Ministers Association adopted updated guidelines for Minister Assistants, Assistant Ministers and Kaikyoshi. Rinban has begun implementing aspects of this program at the temple.

Ministerial Affairs Committee

Honda Accord

Rev Fujimoto paid the temple for the Honda Accord and the paperwork for the transfer is complete.

Education Committee

2019 FDSTL (BCA Federation of Dharma School Teachers’ League) Conference

Coast District is staging this conference which will be on April 26, 27 and 28, 2019 at the Holiday Inn San Jose – Silicon Valley and at the Betsuin. The theme is I am a link … heal ourselves, Heal the world with speaker Gregg Krech of the ToDo Institute. Registration packets and additional info are in the BCA website. The Coast District Ministers and leaders are encouraging not only teachers but all interested people to attend. Emi Tsutsumi and Jacque Yamaguchi are coordinating hospitality room food and drinks with all the Coast District temples.

Research and Planning Committee

Finance Committee

Kevin Kitagawa established a finance committee which consists of Lori Higashi and Stuart Inouye. A primary goal is to track yearly spending which should help us with projections and anticipated expenses going forward.

Website Committee

Correct information on any website is essential. This has not been the case with the Betsuin website. An initial step for people and organizations is to have correct info posted is to email their info to sjbcwebsite@gmail.com and cc Kevin Kitagawa as well. Most people have been emailing information to Mitchell Beutler’s personal account which is extremely full of other messages which makes it difficult for him to manage information specifically for the Betsuin website.

Phase II

The Betsuin offered a one-year contract to Dean Osaki of Osaki Consulting Group for our Phase II fundraising strategy. His experience includes corporate fundraising for Target as well as being involved in Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation as a consultant, a board member and on staff. Dean has already explored our donor software with Randy Suzuki and Deborah Aso; has met with key people who can help broaden our base of people and groups to contact for engagement of this project..

Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) Coast District Council

The Coast District Council (CDC) met on Thursday January 24, 2019 in Salinas. The 2019 officers were installed. Dennis Akizuki is the CD President, Richard Uyematsu is the CD Treasurer and Joyce Iwasaki is the CD Secretary. District Ministers Association Kyokucho is Rev Jay Shinseki.

2019 BCA Ministers Association and National Council Meetings

This is scheduled for March 05 -10, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Official Delegates from San Jose are Rinban Sakamoto, Ed Nodohara and Janice Doi.

Major presentations include:

BCA Strategic and Financial Planning Committee Report. This committee was formed in 2018 to study, research and make recommendations on long-term and short-term solutions to the Jodo Shinshu Center loan and to address utilization issues of all BCA properties. This committee reported on their progress at the 2018 National Board Meeting and will present their progress and recommendations at the 2019 National Council Meeting.

Another major issue that will be discussed is the benefits and salaries of BCA Ministers. Glenn Kitasoe represents Coast District on this committee and commented on how directly related attracting high-quality ministers and salaries are. Of the 46 current BCA kaikyoshi ministers, 20 are 65 years old or older. Another aspect that was pointed out was to have temples offer disability insurance for the ministers. Recent examples of not having such policies are with the death of Rev Hanayama and the current medical condition of Rev Himaka.

Rev Carol Himaka

A copy of a letter of Rev Himaka’s health condition was circulated at the CDC meeting. Those interested in knowing more about Rev Himaka’s condition are welcome to read a copy of the letter which is on file in the Betsuin Office. As some of you know ~ Rev Himaka served @ the San Jose Betsuin.

CD Delegate and Alternate for the Joint Selection Committee of the Next BCA Bishop

By August 01, 2019, the CDC will select one district delegate and one alternate to serve on the BCA Bishop’s Selection Committee. This BCA committee is comprised of 8 ministers and 8 lay members to bring forward a recommendation to the December 2019 BCA National Board Meeting for consideration. If the Board accepts the recommendation, it will report the approval and make a recommendation at the 2020 National Council Meeting and request a ratification. If approval occurs at the 2020 National Council Meeting, the information is sent to the Monshu for approval and appointment. The new bishop will take office on April 01, 2020.

Each BCA district’s ministerial representative and alternate will be selected by a vote by the district ministers. Each BCA district’s lay representative and alternate will be selected by a vote by each district council.

CDC Nembutsu Family Conference – Fall 2020:

The Nembutsu Family Conference is scheduled for Fall 2020 with Watsonville as the host.

Next CDC Meeting is set for Thursday April 25, 2019 in Mountain View.

Safety Issues

The Board is setting up a Betsuin Security Committee. Ed Nodohara will be talking with people to serve on this committee.

Events

Yu Ai Kai’s 45th Anniversary Celebration – March 16, 2019

The Betsuin Board will sponsor a table with Rinban and Mrs Sakamoto and Mr and Mrs Ed Nodohara as Betsuin representatives. The remaining 6 seats will be filled by Board members and spouses, Komon members or other Sangha Members who will pay for themselves. If there are additional people interested, additional tables can be requested.

Lotus Preschool Benefit – Unite – March 23, 2019

The Betsuin Board will sponsor a table with Rinban and Mrs Sakamoto and Mr and Mrs Ed Nodohara as Betsuin representatives. The remaining 6 seats will be filled by Board members and spouses, Komon members or other Sangha members who will pay for themselves. If there are additional people interested, additional tables can be requested.

San Jose Betsuin Special Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday February 14, 2019

President Ed Nodohara called a special Betsuin Board of Directors Meeting to discuss and resolve pending business items (due to previous lack of quorum).

It was moved, seconded and passed to accept Gloria Yamauchi and Amy Lin-Furukawa as new Betsuin Board members.

It was moved, seconded and passed to accept the request from the College YBA group for the use of the annex during October 11 – 13, 2019 for an activity.

It was moved, seconded and passed to accept the request from Suzume ne Gakko for use of the annex on July 18, 2019 from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

It was moved, seconded and passed to send a gift of $150.00 the New York Buddhist Church on their 80th Anniversary observation.

It was moved, seconded and passed to give Reverend Fujimoto the Betsuin-owned laptop he’d been using.

It was moved, seconded and passed to follow the BCA recommendation of covering $333.00 per month for Rinban Sakamoto’s IRA contribution retroactive from January 01, 2019 and going forward.

It was moved, seconded and passed to negotiate a contract with the architectural firm, Cody Anderson and Wasney, for the limited purpose of conducting initial research with the City of San Jose on the regulations, restrictions and compliance of concepts for the Education Building and surrounding parcels.

It was moved, seconded and passed to accept the recommendation of Rinban and Betsuin President to add Alvin Hironaga to the Komon Group.

It was moved, seconded and passed to accept the request from Fuji Tower to have their holiday party at no rental fee charge in the annex on December 04, 2019 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.