At the annual BAPS North American Activities Meeting (NAAM) held in Atlanta, GA, over 800 BAPS volunteers learned tools to navigate through challenges in their respective roles, or sevas, across multiple teams. The meeting agenda centered on a critical assessment of last year’s successes and identified areas of improvement.
From October 8 through October 11, participants worked together to develop enhanced planning strategies for the 2016 year. During the meeting, the karyakars attended workshops, discussed solutions to roadblocks in focus groups, and became familiar with each other through team-building exercises.
The theme for NAAM this year was “Shanti Through Samjan.” The theme was designed with karyakars in mind who are looking to take a step forward in their satsang and implement the concepts of attaining shanti learned during last year’s NAAM. Presentations, breakout sessions, and goshtis were tailored towards practicing a peaceful life built on self-awareness.
The karyakars were able to impart samjan that would help not only themselves progress in satsang, but also help balaks, balikas, kishores, kishores, yuvaks, and yuvatis do the same.
Sessions were structured to encourage teams to look at the big picture and think outside of the box. Through the presentations, karyakars were taught to develop samjan in their seva, communicate, and ask better questions. These perspectives helped karyakars understand the importance of participating in seva with diligence.
Speeches by Pujya Swamis and fellow karyakars shared practical wisdom on creating a life held together by shanti. As North American Activities Meeting 2015 came to an end, the eventful weekend served as a stepping stone for karyakars to tread forward towards progress.