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Organizational Networking and Leadership Development for like-minded Hindu Organizations------------------------------- Dr. Bala Aiyer -------------------------------------

Strategic Planning for Realistic Objectives, checks and balanceswith Committed Leadership Development and working in Cooperation

=====================================================================Some new ways to think for proper strategies and realistic Organization

1. Introduction:

We have many Hindu Organizations around the world working for the cause of improving and strengthening the cause of Hindu Dharma and Hindu Rashtra. Several of the Hindu Organizations, political, social and Religious, are all organized well. Their leadership is strong and command good respect among their followers. Still many of them lack universal support among Hindus at large. While most active members of these organizations may feel that they are all in good shape with business as usual and the situation keeps them in power and popularity; we often get a question why they do not have a mass support of the Hindu community. There are many organizations setup in Tamilnadu and the surrounding states which are formed by a group of 2 or 3 committed individuals with few of their friends. They have vision and plans of a limited nature but lack mass support due to lack of public relations, publicity and are not able to establish credibility for their fund collection and for their master plans. Often they lack long-term vision for on-going upkeep and maintenance of the projects that they develop. They face an ongoing problem in their effort to preserve and propagate the interest among their community members and at the same time have a problem in projecting a proper image of Hindu Dharma with pride to the community they are living in.

There are many small groups, some political, some social and some protective, but often without proper objective, direction or leadership. Often our general public get a mixed message of the priorities that they need to work on and mix several aspects of the needs in one organization without a focus. Often there is pressure for each organization to take-up varying causes as and when the need for each one arises. This includes Temple renovation, education, political activities and also fighting with alternate religious forces. We can not afford to work on different fronts at the same time. Many of our leaders talk and work with great ideals and conservative spirit. They take up all types of causes without proper objective and division of work among different groups and without competing with one another for the same cause. They have not prepared the leadership at second level and have not shown proper directions for the followers at the ground level who often lack sincerity and discipline. Many often confuse their personal agenda and social actions with the proper Hindu Dharma cause. In this early 21st century, the political situation has changed around the world and needs new thinking, new planning and new strategies to face the situation and can not be business as usual. We invite our participants to analyze and discuss the problems and to give their inputs for proper leadership development and for working with one another.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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2. What do we need to do for our Hindu Dharma and for our Society?

The Leaders of the various organizations working for various causes of Hindu Dharma, should meet together once or twice a year as needed to discuss their problems and their plans. They should discuss to sort out the strategies, objectives and plans in a closed session and also meet and talk in an open meeting. We need to arrange for a “Think Tank” formed among leaders to meet periodically to plan proper strategies and once decided all should abide by the decisions and work on them. While the volunteer workers in various groups can associate themselves in more than group of activities, the leaders should confine and concentrate on one set of objectives and work for those causes. The workers, if they are interested in any other cause, they should not mix that with the Hindu group activities in the same time. They should not mix the problems or use the platform of Hindu organizations for their personal agenda. This must be controlled and governed by the leaders properly. The controversial persons should be asked to confine to one or the other, however dear they feel about it.

Similarly, the leaders should not insist on their personal social habits or Achaaras on the group and say “let us do it my way”. We must understand the realities of the situation and keep within the needs of the community. We have to understand that there are several causes for Hindu Dharma we may be working on. There are the “Satvika” causes related to Hindu Dharma education, Temple activities and Hindu community activities with faith based spiritual work. Then there are the social needs of the community, as “Tamasika causes” including education, vocational training, and health education and health care, for which the poor community members will need assistance and will be needed to keep these members involved in the spiritual and temple related activities. While working for the needs of the community, we need to identify what is needed to work for the spiritual needs of the society and to strengthen Hindu Dharma.

While many Hindu leaders and workers are talking about cultural problems and trivial things in the society, they should find an answer to the real problems that is really affecting the Hindu Dharma. While we work for the spiritual development of the people to gain a better future, we need to assist them in their current needs. We need to work on social uplifting all members of the Hindu community including the very poor and the handicapped and support them without hurting the others. Educational programs and social service work in city slums and villages are a must for all Hindus. Villages need clean and safe water supply and also proper health education. So, while the leaders try to form the organizations and plan their objectives, there must be a place for all these. We need to support the social activities for the development and uplifting of the poor Hindus. Then there are several groups of organizations which are working in “Rajasika” type of activities. We need to develop a 100 percent support of all Hindus in India in the political field to support pro-Hindu members in any political party. These are the groups that work as political parties to fight with groups that are detrimental to the Hindu Dharma and Hindu society. There is a certain need to keep any such political activities separate from religious activities. Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust is a non-political, social organization and we do not want any political activities associated with it.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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3. What is Positive planning for Leadership development?

While any group may have several active workers, if the cause is proper, they can get sympathetic support of all members of the community. We need a 100% support of the community. Many are talking mostly of the problems of the recent past or the glory of the ancient past and often stop short of even thinking about a solution or an action plan. There is no need to talk bad about other religious faiths. After all, they are doing their job right and in a very smart way as they are ordained or ordered to do and now we need to do ours. We can have other groups of political activists to watch over the activities of other religions. In LDSFT and its cooperating organizations, there is no need to join any political groups to support any political activities or support any fight with other religious groups. In organizational networking, we need to align only with like minded non-political organizations of “Social Activists” that work for Hindu Dharma, Temple rejuvenation, Hindu Dharma education and community social welfare. We should never attack or talk ill among our own groups or sections while joining hands with other Hindu religious groups to fight with another section of Hindu community. In an essence, we must think, talk and act positive only, as negative action begets failure.

In networking, all groups of members of various organizations should plan to work together, explain each one’s vision, plans, past activities and future needs. They must show some checks and balances of their plans and financial control and commitment. For the proper credibility among the general public contributing to our efforts, we must show transparency in our plans, honesty in our transactions, accountability of our expenses and periodic auditing as necessary function for fiduciary control. We need to develop proper leadership with proper command and control, with ability to plan and execute the projects on time. What we need to do is a plan of action and organization of all our efforts with a realistic thinking and a strategic planning to reach our ideals, but not just in the idealistic way. We need discipline to prepare such a strategy and a follow the plan. We need a good command and control by the leadership. We need to establish a discipline for the workers and group members to follow the plan, keeping aside their own ideas and alternate and independent thinking. Unity among all Hindu Dharma followers should be the most important. Survival of the Hindu population and establishment of Hindu Rashtra should be the basic aim and the only goal.

They must have the following principles in their work and organization:1. Closed loop communications – discuss all information;2. Clear messages to be given – proper Objectives;3. Clear roles and responsibilities assigned;4. Everyone must know one’s limitations;5. Knowledge sharing – exchange of ideas;6. Specific orders and plans of Action;7. Following orders and actions with full support.8. Constructive interventions – New Ideas;9. Re-evaluation and Summarizing;10. Mutual Respect for all members of the team.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. What is Organizational Networking of like-minded groups?

Planning for the mission of each group should be made with realistic, clear approach and strategic planning objectives and goals need to be analyzed according to the needs of the community, needs of the hour and for the future and listed properly. We all need to work as a team in cooperation, with each one have his or her own assigned duties and not to mess up with each others work. Let us follow the principles of coordination and cooperation for the survival of the community. Each group of active organizations, their regional entities and the grass-root members should recognize and have a team leader and a set of team members at various levels. The position of team leaders should be on rotational basis and not assigned to one member or one family. The small organizations in local areas with limited agenda like a Temple renovation, one small educational program in one location or other similar goals should form a network to work together or unite and adjust their objectives if needed.

The leaders should have strength through clear support from the members of the group, proper knowledge and understanding of the objectives and should be prepared to leave aside their personal opinions, desires and attachments for the sake of the common cause. The Leaders should be able to work in cooperation with other Hindu organizations working on other aspects of the objectives in their group as well as other similar groups. This is very important in organizational networking as it is not a one-way street of just getting help and financial support and expects to be left alone. Now, we must analyze and consider what is needed of the Team Leadership and of the Team Members of each group and of their objectives and directions. We must consider what is lacking and what will get strength and popular support without diluting our principles and at the same time get the needed strength to keep the ideals of Hindu Dharma.

While each group should get clear limitations of objectives and not to take up the work of other groups in the same region, different groups can work on similar type of activities in different regions. Here, each member should be expected to work with the other groups in their areas and their leadership and directions. Here, each group of members will help the other groups when needed and work together. To put it as simple example, when one group goes for arranging class room activities, members of Temple activities can join them to assist in organizing the class rooms while they get help in reverse in temple rejuvenation activities and similarly both will work together in the same area for a health camp when organized by another group. Similarly, groups with similar goals will work together on the same project in each ones place of choice. Team Leaders for each social activist’s group selected with concurrence for efficiency in directing the followers and volunteers. Leaders should have periodic conferences and conventions to discuss the objectives, policies and procedures among the workers and with other group members to get proper support from other groups of different areas of activities. Leaders should develop and earn the respect and confidence of the members in all their programs and plans and discuss with all members. Leaders should not mix their projects which are not directly related to the Hindu Dharma causes in their agenda.

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Needs of the hour and for the future for organizations in Tamil Nadu:LDSFT and other groups to work together – Vision to be analyzed and listed – Realistic Clear approach and Strategic Planning for Objectives and Goals

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Team Members should study and understand the principles, objectives and limitations of their group activities and obey and follow the directives of the leaders for the good cause. Each Hindu organization and their leaders can take up one or more of the group of activities outlined as their total objective and also work with other groups for the total success. Both leaders and members should act and perform such actions as a service to Hindu causes without harming the society at large or injuring the Hindu Image.

Still working on the following texts:Working on last 2 pages – where LDSFT and the other groups in Tamil Nadu can work together as or as a group.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each Hindu organization and their leaders can take up one or more of the group of activities outlined as their total objective and also work with other groups for the total success. Both leaders and members should act and perform such actions as a service to Hindu causes without harming the society at large or injuring the Hindu Image. Team Members should study and understand the principles, objectives and limitations of their group activities and obey and follow the directives of the leaders for the good cause.

Team Leaders for each group as well as national leaders should be elected or selected with concurrence for committed leadership qualities and for efficiency in directing and controlling the followers and volunteers / work-force. Leaders should have periodic conferences and conventions to discuss the objectives, policies and procedures among the leadership groups and among the workers to get proper grass root support and proper support from other groups of different areas of activities.

Leaders should develop and earn the respect and confidence of the members in all their programs and plans and discuss with members. Leaders should not mix their projects which are not directly related to the Hindu Dharma causes in their agenda. Members should realize that they should not mix any of their personal projects along with the national Hindu Dharma causes in their activities and will not get support from the leadership for any personal activity especially if they do not get mass support.

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Strategic Planning for Realistic Objectives in Organizational Networkingwith Committed Leadership Development – A framework – to achieve:==================================================================

1. - What are the problems that we are facing now? Let us be realistic: Let us first concentrate on Problems for Hindu Dharma in India.

In various parts of India, the challenges and opportunities are quite different. There are many groups, some political, some social and some protective, but often without proper objective, direction or leadership. While some of the Hindu groups are working hard with several ideals for good causes, most of them lack in projecting a powerful image to win the public support and sympathy. They have not developed a “we are Hindus” feeling among themselves or among the 80 percent of the Indian population. Many of the leaders talk and work with great ideals and spirit and take up all types of causes, without proper objective and division of work among different groups who are competing with each other. They have not prepared the leadership at second level and have not shown proper directions for the followers at ground level who often lack sincerity and discipline. Many often confuse their personal agenda and social actions with the common cause. =====================================================================

1a. – Which objectives are the ones that are most important?1b. – Which ones we can bear with and ignore for the time being?1c. – Which are the important goals that we need to achieve?1d. – What has gone wrong when we could not achieve these goals?

=====================================================================2. – What are the possible solutions to these problems?

2a. – What do need to do to educate ALL our Hindus about our faith?2b. – What do we do to create a unity among all Hindus to get support?2c. – What do we do to improve our institutions to function well?2d. – What do we do to prevent conversions and get more into our faith?

=====================================================================3. How do we develop Leadership from grass roots?

3a. – The Leadership governs, guide and regulate the activities of the members and if necessary discipline them to stay within the path and objectives.3b. – Organizational leadership at headquarters meets and plans the basic Objectives and minimal areas of activities and give directions to membership.3c. – Is there is a place for family membership and grooming of future leaders from qualified candidates or family members – who decides?3d. – The grass roots at Regional, District levels and at Zonal levels create the policies and procedures for direction.3e. – The leaders plan and organize periodic regional and headquarters meetings. They organize both closed meetings for policies and planning and open meetings for propagation and execution of plans.

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4. How do we work together to plan activities to each organization?

5. How do we plan to assign activities and goals to each group and areas?

6. How do we work and plan changes in vision in existing organizations?

Let us think as to what has gone wrong in our acts and what we need to avoid.Again – let us all be realistic, -- allowing for human emotions and desires.

There is a veritable need to develop a framework to facilitate effective networking between activists and leaders of all organizations, in order to optimize the resource input and increase the overall output of the collective social work with increase in popularity and general public support.

What is needed now for reorganization and Leadership Development?Let us plan as to what we need to do now and how we have to work on. Again – let us be realistic, - allowing for human emotions and desires. =====================================================================Now, who will bell the cat? - Now, how will you catch a flying crane or a running cat? Remember: “Who moved my Cheese?” Any organization can improve only by doing the job better and more organized with proper planning and efficient execution.

Let us think as to what has gone wrong in out acts and what we need to avoid.Let us plan as to what we need to do now and how we have to work on. Against – let us be realistic, --- allowing for human emotions and desires.=====================================================================

Outlines:1: Introduction – 2. What and where is the Problem? - 3. How it has affected us? – 4. What has happened in the Past? - 5. Objectives and plans. – 6. What changes will be helpful? -7. Communication and meetings. – 8. Public relationship to communicate with people. – 9. Autonomy, freedom, respect, control and discipline; - 10. Clear thinking and clear plan execution; - 11. Realistic Objectives and Strategic Planning; - 12. Respects for all Hindus of alternate thinking;

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