Aum Sri Sai Ram New Officers Orientation Overview of Sai Center Young Adult Program Sathya Sai Baba Centers North Central Region (Region 5) Saturday March 21, 2009

Sathya Sai Young Adults

Agenda Who are Young Adults? Swami’s quotes about the Young Adult Program An overview of the Young Adult Guidelines - USA Upcoming programs: Sai National Youth Conference

Sathya Sai Young Adults Wing of the Sathya Sai Organization Age Range: 18-35 Young Individuals from all backgrounds and stages of life: Students Professionals Parents Householders Goal to practice Swami’s teachings: LOVE ALL SERVE ALL HELP EVER HURT NEVER

Purpose of YA Groups To encourage young adults to lead purposeful lives by learning and practicing spiritual values as defined and established by the life, message, and works of Sathya Sai Baba. To provide forums for young adults of like mind to meet and to discuss issues in leading spiritual lives in today's world. To enhance, not interfere with, harmony and understanding in family relationships and within the Sai Organization.

“The future of the country depends on the skill and the sincerity of the youth. Therefore, the necessary enthusiasm and encouragement must be generated among the youth. All my hopes are based on the students, the youth. They are very dear to me.” Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Speaks IX (old edition), 34, 184.

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR GROUPS Males and females conduct in the same manner as prescribed by the Sai Organization They may convene for the same meeting, but sit separately Males and females may join in service projects, but maintain discipline in their interaction with one another

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR GROUPS – CONTD. Dress code is modest, same as prescribed by the USA Central Council Meetings consist of regular study of Sai’s teachings, service projects, and devotional content. Make a conscious effort to promote unity of religions and cultures

Structure YA National Team YA Regional Team YA Local (Center) Teams YA Advisor: Dr. Joe Phaneuf YA Reps: Sangeeta Lekhi, Daniel Scovill YA Regional Team YA Advisors: Madhuri Lucas, Sai Diwakar YA Reps: Geetha Govindarajan, Vick Advaney YA Local (Center) Teams 1 Female Rep 1 Male Rep

Role of YA Rep Help foster an environment for spiritual growth Help create a good bond between the YAs for a healthy group Inspire the YA groups to participate and lead service activities Keep the YA groups up to date with the activities of the region and the country

Integration with Sai Center YAs should participate in all activities of the local Sai Center Use your gift of Youth to serve at the Center General: Set-up & Clean-up, A/V, Center Meetings SSE – work with Educational Coordinator & SSE children Devotion: Lead singing bhajans including English & Spanish Service: Participating in Center Service Projects Working on new ideas with Center Officers YA Groups are not separate from the Sai Center

Sai National Youth Conference Why NYC? Pre-Conference Initiatives Blessing to Host in our Region

Sai NYC – Why? Unity Inspiration Beyond 2 day conference Journey To Sai

Sai NYC – Pre Conference Initiatives 4 Disciplines to practice: Gayatri Chanting Channel Divine Energy Meditation Direct vision inward; calm mind Ceiling on Desires Remove attachment that separates us from inner divinity Living Service Attitude & Action

Sai NYC - Program Sessions for Youth, led by Youth Content for YAs in all stages of life Interact & Learn from Youth from all around the country

Sai NYC - Hosting Hosted by Region 5 in Chicago Camp Duncan - Ingleside, IL (close to Camp Henry Horner) Blessing to Host Swami’s children (over 300?)

Teams Athithi Devo Bhava Food Team Cabin Team Altar Team Medical Team Camp Setup Team Cleanup Team Media Team Registration Team Service Team Transportation Team Teams Athithi Devo Bhava 18

Looking Ahead Post NYC EHV National Initiatives Work with Creta Schiermann (SSEHV Coordinator) on proposal for EHV projects in the community

Sai Young Adults – Closing Thoughts Make the most of your Youth Serve ALL the time! Opportunity to transform yourself “I am present in all of you. Since I know this truth, I have faith in you. But you consider yourself separate from me, and so your faith is not strong, deep, and unwavering. In fact, I can change you all by Myself. But I don't do it that way. I want to bring about your transformation through and by you” - BABA