WHAT YOU CAN DO ...

Several kind readers have responded to the recent appeal, asking, "I'm
interested.  Now what do I do?".  Although I think that the answer will
come from you eventually, here are some suggestions to get you started.
The list probably represents less than 10% of all you can do to help.

1. Spread the word.  That's what we started out doing.  Talk to others
about this issue.  Hold discussions, seminars.  Read.  Make presentations
and give talks.  Get others interested.

2. Start a Gurukul chapter in your area, if you wish to be formally
organised.  This requires that you
   a. have a core group of interested and dedicated volunteers
   b. elect/select/appoint the executive committee members consisting of
       President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary
   c. hold organisational meetings, brainstorm over what you can do,
       and record minutes 
   d. open a bank account -- use the parent group's tax ID number,
       so you don't have to go through the paperwork
   e. prepare an annual report of activities, including a financial report
A lot of our activities were initiated much before formal incorporation,
however.  It is perhaps even desirable that it starts out as a movement among
concerned people, a movement that organises itself as it gathers momentum.

3. Implement the `Shram-dan' program.  This consists of obtaining a block
of work-hours from an on-campus or off-campus employer.  This block is
filled by Gurukul volunteers working 3-5 hours a week, the income from
this work donated directly to Gurukul.  The emphasis here is on inculcating
the right attitude, something that cannot be developed by simply writing
a check.  You will need to negotiate with the prospective employer to be
allowed to do this.  It will probably help if you present the motivation
behind the organisation to the recruiter.  You should also identify one of
your volunteers as the person who will be fully responsible for getting
the job done, and take them along with you when you talk to the recruiter.

4. Organise public events, for example music shows, crafts fairs, car washes,
food festivals, etc.  The emphasis in these should be on (a) doing work,
(b) doing something for others, and (c) having fun while you do it.

5. Collect information on local charitable foundations, and write proposals
to them to fund projects.  Most of the other suggestions are aimed at getting
people into Gurukul.  In contrast, this step is aimed at actually raising funds
from plausible sources.  It is a good idea here to have a particular project
(and hence, a specific amount) in sight when approaching an organisation.
This allows us to state the purpose of the fund-raising crisply, and allows
the funding organisation to look at the merits of a concrete proposal when
making its decision on the request.

6. Get involved in local community activities, and slip in a word or
a presentation or short talk whenever the opportunity arises.

7. Visit India.  Spend time at SVT.  Go and live at SVT.

8. Organise fun events: picnics, potluck dinners, fresher welcome dinners etc.
(without spending too much money), to get people involved and introduced.

Don't worry too much if you don't raise a lot of money.  This is extremely
important, and this attitude will prevent discouragement, disillusionment,
etc.  Gurukul is not about raising money, although, in this world, nothing
happens without money.  Gurukul is about raising awareness, about touching
consciences, and about learning to be better humans.

We have done and continue to do all the eight points listed above.  We also
look forward to hearing from you about your experiences and your ideas!

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*    >>>  gurukul info available at: <<<              *
*  http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~setlur/gurukul.html   *
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