Minutes from the general meeting on 27th April 2008

Election of a chairman: David David

Election of a keeper of the minutes: Henning Poulsen

The committee’s report

One committee meeting has been held during the past year, and otherwise the contact between the committee members has passed off by mail or telephone. There is a close contact to Lakshmi Ashram by mail, so all the time we are well informed about what is going on in the ashram. In 2007 we sent out two Sanchars (no. 100 and 101) in springtime. No. 102 came out in January 2008 with an annual report for the year of 2006/07. Twice a year (February and August/September) we send money to the ashram.

Marie Thøger’s book: ”Sarala Devi – the woman of the mountains” has been sent out free to the members in Denmark. It has been printed for private money with a little contribution from the inheritance, that is Danish kroner 2000 (about 270 Euro) to a graphic designer, who gave the money to Lakshmi Ashram. As agreed with Lakshmi Ashram there will also be given an amount from the inheritance to a new Danish folder and maybe some show material.

Friends of Lakshmi Ashram is now a society, and it gives us one day the possibility to apply to the Danish tax authorities about allowance to deduct the amount given to the society on one’s tax return. There are different rules that shall be kept, before we can apply, among other things ”the number of the persons that gives money must surpass 100 on average for a year for a period of 3 years”. In 2007 we had 67 persons who gave money = 67 members. In the general meeting we agreed to try to get more members. We can e.g. do this if a married couple signs for two memberships instead of one. It will not be more expensive, we will jut put Danish kroner 150 (about 20 Euro) in the administration account instead of Danish kroner 75 (about 10 Euro). Profit from the administration account will of course be sent to Lakshmi Ashram.

News from the ashram

Ruth Sillemann and I visited Lakshmi Ashram in March 2008, and a very relevant subject was discussed at that time, because the government in the state of Uttaranchal has decided that they won’t allow students from private schools to have their exams in the government schools. Of course this becomes very important for the students in Lakshmi Ashram, because they have exactly had their exams in the public schools, as the ashram is not entitled to give their own exams. The staff of workers is now finding out, if it is possible to be a member of National Institute of Open Schooling – NIOS. It is an All-India institution that is entitled to give exams. That means that the ashram students could have their exams from here. At the same time they discuss, how the academic teaching can be improved, and maybe this is the start of a new era.

Just now it has implied that some of the oldest students in the ashram have gone home to finish their schooling in the local schools. They arranged a parents’ meeting about this, while we were there. It was a great experience, and all the parents wanted that their children would stay in the ashram, because their view was, that the teaching in Lakshmi Ashram is much better than the teaching in the government schools. There are many young enthusiastic workers, so they have to aim at education of these.

Ruth and I carried out a workshop ”Appreciative Inquiry” for all the workers in Lakshmi Ashram. The theme of the workshop was ”the good learning situation”, and it took place during two days, and it was an extremely positive experience. Everybody (20 persons) participated very actively in the programme, and we think that we have contributed to start something. Ruth distributed material about ”Appreciative Inquiry” at the meeting.

The old historical building – this very Lakshmi Ashram – is now rebuilt. It is a very beautiful and functional building. Just now they have started to prepare the place for a new kitchen building. It has been a very heavy work to carve out in the rock wall to make room for the building and at same time take care of the possibility for natural light in the building. Above the kitchen they will build a room for computer education.

Lakshmi Ashram is also very active in a project ”Save the River”, which means to protect and preserve the rivers. By now it is a big problem with water in the mountains.

Radha Bhatt reaches 75 years on 16 October 2008, and on that occasion they will arrange different festivity. Among other things they are working with organizing youth camps during the year in the name of Radha Didi.

The report was adopted.

The account

The account of 2007 was presented and adopted.

A special contribution from Lions Club in Soelleroed has been used to the start of the new kitchen building. In January we have opened a new account for the inheritance money to keep them separated from the account of Friends of Lakshmi Ashram. We have sent money from the inheritance in April to the kitchen and computer building. They are discussing to use most of the inheritance for some kind of pension scheme for the elder workers, but of course it demands that everything is considered thoroughly.

The expenses have been modest in 2007. It is a result of help from Vestervangskolen in Glostrup to print the sanchar, and at the same time I have received free envelopes from a friend.

Subscription: The subscription is kept on Danish kroner 75 (about 10 Euro) yearly per member.

The subscription was adopted.

Election of the committee and substitute

The following persons were elected:

Lone Poulsen, Praestehusene 6, 2620 Albertslund

Hanne Stenager, Jonstruphøj 23, 3500 Vaerloese

Ruth Sillemann, Gl. Kongevej 109, 2.tv., 1850 Frederiksberg C

Substitute: Peter Kristensen, Jonstruphøj 23, 3500 Vaerloese

Election of auditor and substitute

Revisor: Claus Broskov Soerensen, Bavneaasen 79, 2640 Hedehusene

Substitute: David David, Bredebovej 35, 1.mf., 2800 Lyngby


The meeting was ended with slides from Ruth and Lone’s visit in Lakshmi Ashram in March 2008.


04.02.07 Henning and Lone Poulsen