BDA Financial Reports 1993 to 2006
1993 REPORT - Our first year
For our first year as the BDF we raised a considerable amount
of money which is of great benefit to India. From all the children,
teachers and others in India we wish to thank our generous sponsors.
Also, for the committee, a great vote of thanks.
Our organisation is quite small, only thirty two donors, five
of whom are on the committee. Even with so few so much can AND
HAS been achieved. A$2,825.00 was raised last year.
1994 REPORT
Dear friends,
Last year was a great success in fund raising, with slide
nights, chai stalls, a gala fundraising party, mail outs and
many generous contributions. A$5,800 was raised in all; A$4,300
going to the school, A$700 to the destitute home, and a quick
go around just before I left for India raised A$800 for our new
project run by sister Jessie. All the projects are doing excellent
work and having a truly wonderful effect on so many people, please
read the individual reports enclosed. Once again thankyou so
much for your kind help, and feel assured every dollar you have
given has found a useful purpose in India.
Running costs for the BDF were all met by the committee who
have given generously in both time and money.
Thankyou
Eoin Liebchen-Meades
1995 REPORT
I'm sitting here in my comfortable lounge listening to the
sound track of "Forest Gump" and reflecting on the
great things achieved this last year from a small group of caring
dedicated committee members and our generous supporters. The
up tempo of most of the tracks seems very appropriate.
In total last year A$7,500 was sent to India or 165,577 Rupees
which is a very considerable amount of money there. The home
for the destitute and dying received A$1,000; Sister Jessie's
work A$2,000; and the Pragya Vihar School received A$4,500. Other
articles outline the fantastic achievements of these projects,
so please read on.
The money was raised by some very sizeable donations plus
lots of support from many good friends. Other money came from
the very successful preview of the "Little Buddha"
movie, held at the Village Twin cinema in July last year, and
several meditation courses. Also a special gift was received
from Brenda Bayliss who made provisions for her funeral that
money would be given to the BDF instead of flowers. Also the
family made some direct contributions. It was a privilege to
spend time with Brenda as she battled the disease that eventually
took her life. Thankyou Brenda & family.
This year a lot of effort is going into incorporation which
is the first step to becoming more organized and a charitable
institution. We're hoping this doesn't take too much of our energies
that might go into raising funds.
The work being done in India is of great value there, plus
there is a huge flow on effect for several other groups and people
finding avenues for service and help. We are a part of a growing
movement of grass roots help and connection with our poorer brothers
and sisters of our small world.
Yours in faith
E Liebchen-Meades
on behalf on BDF
96 REPORT
At year end a total of A$6,100 was sent to India. Pragya Vihar
School received A$3,500 and Sister Jessie's Work A$2,500. The
Destitute Home was given A$100 which was specifically donated.
It was felt this project had ample sources of funds and as our
funds were limited we have decided to forward specific donations.
General funds will flow to meet our primary projects needs.
Whilst fund raising this year has not been as successful as
last year, it seems we will be able to deliver at the previous
levels. This result is largely due to the A$2,000 raised at the
Interfaith Dialogue and a few large contributions. Naturally,
we wish to increase our offerings each year. Nevertheless a lot
of energy is going in organising a constitution and we hope to
direct more energy into fundraising. We are very grateful to
all the people who have supported us and there are several people
who have now been consistent donors for the four years of our
operation.
All donations are a blessing and two large ones deserve special
mention of the spirit of unity they embody. Someone had an unexpected
windfall and though of limited pecuniary means, found great joy
in passing this on for the benefit of our lesser brothers and
sisters. The other came from an overseas donor who had heard
of our work whilst travelling. We were thrilled with the interconnectedness
of us all.
Eoin Liebchen-Meades
for BDF Committee
97 REPORT
Due to the wonderful efforts of the committee particularly
at the fund raising film "Siddhartha" and the generosity
of our supporters we are raising our contributions. Sister Jessie
will receive A$2500 and the Pragya Vihar School will receive
A$4500. Though we hope to maintain this level of support we cannot
guarantee it but we hope to be as fortunate next year. Once again
I wish to thank everyone for their kind support - so little can
do so much for so many!!
Eoin Liebchen-Meades
1998 FUNDRAISING
The light of generosity shone brightly this last year. Fund
raising was boosted by a substantial donation from Action for
World Development, a grant from funds raised by The Dalai Lama
in Australia 1996, the very successful "Kundun" function
and the wonderful generosity of all our regular donors, including
many who choose to give and remain anonymous.
In November, our usual distribution time, A$5,500 went to
Pragya Vihar School and A$3,000 to Sister Jessie.
After researching local needs, a further A$7,000 has been
sent to Sister Jessie .... and we hold residual to offer support
to the extra two projects and also funds in reserve for the P.V.
School.
How inspiring are the young! Children at St Aidan's are working
this year for our projects, raising money from sweet stalls and
free dress days. Special thanks are extended to our youngest
ever donor, Michelle, who was so touched by the plight of others
that she broke open her piggy bank and left a note for her Mum..."Give
this to Eoin for the children".
Pamela Grayson
THE FISCAL REPORT - 1999/2000
by Pamela Grayson
Again this year, our fund raising efforts were fruitful, and
we have been able to continue the past support level to our two
main projects ... the Pragya Vihar School and Sister Jessie.
Our fiscal year runs from March to February, and each November
the more regular allocation of funds is sent. Often this is personally
delivered by a committee member making a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya,
which is invaluable, as it also provides us with feedback on
other projects worthy of support if extra funds are held.
Distributed funds in November 1999 were:
Pragya Vihar School A$5,500
Sister Jessie A$3,000
Between April & June 1999 other projects supported by
surplus funds from 98/99 year were:
Sister Mary Lobo A$1,000
People First International A$2,000
Sister Jessie A$7,000
Reports and stories on these projects featured in last year's
very informative newsletter, compliments of Keith O'Neill who
had journeyed to Bodhgaya. Surplus funds this year are limited
so no extra one-off donations have been made.
2000/2001 REPORT
Despite the absence of a major fund-raising function we were
still blessed with strong financial support, which came from
varied sources and from the constancy of smaller ongoing activities.
From retreats organized by Victor, teachers and managers donated
to the BDA some or all of the dana received by them and participants
also gave generously. We were privileged with an inspiring dharma
talk by Christopher Titmuss, a co-founder of the Pragya Vihar
School and all monies given benefited the school. At the the
Cloudroom at Richmond Road regular weekly/monthly dharma talks,
meditation circles and reiki sessions are freely given and the
magical 'donation box' at the door provides a constant flow.
Other funding came from greeting card sales, chocolate drives,
garage and market sales...all new ventures this year and our
Web site as well as our recurring donors.
Funds were again personally delivered by a committee member
making pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, which brings a two-fold benefit.
On return, the member's stories re-inspire the committee and
we gain up-to-date and direct knowledge of current project activities.
Distributed funds in November 2000 were:
Pragya Vihar School A$ 5,500.00 and Sister Jessie A$ 3,500.00
Pamela Grayson
FINANCIAL REPORT - 2001/2002
by Pamela Grayson
One Nameste from the Treasurer .... For me, daily professional
life encompasses running a business where a product is provided,
a price is paid, India type bartering takes place and a constant
monitor is needed to retain integrity. It gladdens my heart and
keeps community spirit flowing to be a part of a group of people
who just give. On behalf of the BDA and the children of Bodhgaya...
Thank you for your generosity. It helps to shine a warming light
in what is a difficult environment.
Distributed funds to India were $3,500 to Sister Jessie. $5,500
(equivalent of last year's distribution) has been allocated for
the Pragya Vihar School but, as this year's school running costs
had been met, we were asked to hold our distribution either for
a shortfall year or pending decisions for the commencement of
High School.
This year we raised $10,795.87 before running costs expense
(which expenses are met by committee members). Our nett yearly
target is $9,000 so the extra gives us options … to give
to another worthwhile project ; to keep reserve funds should
we have less fruitful future fund raising times; or to increase
funding to Sister Jessie. Just now, no option decision has been
made.
Yet again we have been blessed to achieve our yearly target.
Temporarily the Garage Sales (with a carry over from last year)
has provided the substitute income usually derived from a major
fund raising event such as Movie or Dinner gathering. Funds raised
via the Retreat when Christopher Titmuss was in Australia have
contributed to this year's overflow. This, however, is subject
to Christopher's coming to Australia and at most only a bi-annual
happening. It is reassuring that aside from the Garage Sales
and the bi-annual Retreat that much of our funding comes from
recurrent donors. Thank you for your consistency.
The minimum needed for the India projects is $9,000. We still
continue to explore other ways and means to raise funds... keeping
within our constitution guidelines that any fund raising event
should enhance community spirit here in Australia and contribute
to people's understanding.
Efforts for the year:
Newsletter response (mostly recurrent donors) $1,400.00
School Students $ 902.65
Greeting Cards sales $ 329.55
Chocolate Drive $ 616.94
Global $ 50.00
Retreat & Coorparoo Talk - Christopher Titmuss, participants
& managers $2,404.70
Garage Sales $2,256.30
General (rec. donors) $1,575.00
Cloud Room $ 711.70
Interest earned $ 549.03
New donors $ 745.00
FISCAL REPORT 2002 - 2003
Pam Grayson
Thank you for your continued support and generosity. This
year $10,323.08 in funds were generated. Running costs have been
met by the committee members.
REVENUE
Cloud Room $1,144.95
Garage Sale $2,303.40
General Donations $1,795.00
Greeting Card Sales $ 40.00
Global Donation $ 800.00
Newsletter $1,008.96
Organisation $1,000.00
School Students $1,448.25
Retreat (Metta Day) $ 100.00
Chocolate Drive $ 245.01
Interest Earned $ 357.51
We distributed $3500 to Sister Jesse. The Prajna Vihar School
still has funds to cover its running costs, so the Bihar committee
asked us to put aside $5,500 for later distribution. Some of
the funds may be gifted to the proposed high school next to the
PV School project, although it is still in the research and decision
making stage.
While we trust there will be enough money to support the projects,
in our humanness, we have also sometimes felt concern that a
shortfall of funds could jeopardize them being able to continue.
It is such a blessing to have residual funds for an emergency.
Once again ... on behalf of the children and communities of
Bodhgaya ... thank you!
TREASURER'S REPORT: 2003 - 04
Thank you for your continued support and generosity. This
year $14,663.31 nett funds were generated. Running costs have,
as usual, been separately met by committee members. Donations
were received from the following sources:
· Anonymous $1,550.00
· Dharma Cloud - Room Use $1,644.00
· Eoin Meades - Relaxation Centre Courses $2,170.50
· General $356.00
· Global Nil
· Greeting Cards sales $45.00
· Newsletter $2,994.96
· Organizations Nil
· DharmaCloud Retreats - Teachers' & Managers' Dana
$2403.00
+ Donations
· Bluegum Sangha $1690.25
· Tallowwood
Sangha $114.55
· Interest earned $568.30
· Function - Film @ School $1,195.00
Distribution to India this financial year was $4,000 to the
works of Sister Jessie. Once again funds have been allocated
for The Pragya Vihar School pending request for them to be transmitted.
This year we have again been blessed. Dana has come from many
new donors. Our recurrent donors, a large quorum of whom have
been giving to the BDA since the first Newsletter, have again
honoured us with fiscal funds. And … those who donate their
services and time to the activities and running of the BDA have
continued their aid. On behalf of the children of Bihar India
… "Thank you".
Pam Grayson
FINANCIAL REPORT 2004-5
Pamela Grayson
Last year, we were unable to acknowledge individual donors…but
are back on track now. For this fiscal year – March to February
2005 - our thanks are extended to these donors.
New Donors: Pine Rivers High School – L Dorrington –
S York – S Binney – M Popplewell – W Lawrence
& J Gardiner – M Maclurcan – S Clarke – H
McNamara
Recurrent Donors: J Russell – M Smith – M Hill &
G Newbitt – S C Russell – M Heron – M Burford
& P Rothlisberg – B Clark – Bill Knight –
K Uzsoki – Tallowwood Sangha – St Aidan's Anglican
School students – S Crawley
Retreat Teachers and Managers
Retreat participants plus : R & T Allen – S Williams
– K McCleod – D pearsons – P Fittock & L Poole
Those who wish to remain anonymous - others who donate time or
expertise in lieu of monetary support – Kemsley Schmidt
for his audit services – The Cloud Room – BDA Committee
members – Overseas donors.
A dissection of the funds received this year:
· Newsletter response (mostly recurrent donors) $1,356.38
· St Aidans Anglican School Students' activities $
491.25
· Pine Rivers High School – talk by Eoin Meades $
100.00
· Retreat donations and donations to
· retreat manager (Victor von der Heyde) $1,993.00
· General (mostly new donors) + a gift of $1,000 $1,475.00
· Cloud Room: donations for room use & Meditation
nights $1,025.80
· Tallowwood Sangha
$ 431.20
· Eoin Meades for teaching services at Relaxation Centre
$2,225.50
· Direct Credit deposits to Bank A/c $
525.00
· Interest earned $1,326.27
Every single dollar donated is a blessing. Some of the highlights
are:
· Our recurrent donors .. who reliably keep the coffers
filled.
· Unexpected, bigger than usual donations.
· Funds that are raised by school students and the schools
that encourage those students.
· The efforts of two new meditation groups: Bluegum Sangha
in Sydney and Tallowwood Sangha in Bellingen
· Regular direct credits made to our bank account to honour
the spirit of Patricia Borger.
We endeavour to acknowledge all our donors but errors can
happen and also, with direct credits to the Bank A/c, sometimes
names are not available.
Our baseline funding of the PV School and Sister Jessie's
program is $9,000 each year. This year produced income of $10,949.40
before running cost expenses (which are all met by committee
members). $3,500 was sent to Sister Jessie. The funds that were
temporarily held over for the Pragya Vihar School, $18,000, went
to the school in January.
Thank you all
Pamela Grayson
Treasurer
FINANCIAL REPORT 2005-6
Pamela Grayson
Thank you to all our donors … including those who give
of their time or expertise. After due debate, the Committee has
agreed to simplify the Treasurer's Report and we will no longer
include the names of individual donors.
A dissection of the funds received this year:
| Anonymous |
$ 800.00 |
| Dharma Cloud – by donation for room use
& Meditation Nights |
$1,799.60 |
| Dharma Gatherings - Teachers, Managers
& participants |
$1,270.00 |
| Dharma Teaching services by 2 committee
members |
$4,139.25 |
| Direct Credit deposits to Bank A/c |
$ 450.00 |
| General |
$3,148.80 |
| Newsletter response |
$5,464.88 |
| Sangha communities/groups |
$1,957.00 |
| St Aidans Anglican School Students' activities |
$ 522.40 |
| Drought Relief remitted |
$3,000.00 |
| Drought Relief – later |
$ 100.00 |
| Interest earned |
$1,249.91 |
It's difficult for me to put this into words. Every donation
is special. This year, however, income exceeded all expectations.
It was $23,901.84 including the $3000 for the special Drought
Relief drive. The resources and generosity of some new and recurrent
donors saw 13 major donations of between $500 and $2,000 each.
The deserving children of India have been blessed.
Our commitment to India is a minimum of $9,000 each year.
$5,000 was sent to Sister Jessie for drought relief .. comprised
of $3,000 direct donations plus $2,000 from BDA discretionary
funds. $3,500 also went to Sister Jessie for her education and
ancillary projects. Pragya Vihar School has again required that
the yearly commitment of $6,000 remain here until requested.
All moneys received are recorded and allocated as specified
by donors. Should any surplus to a particular project be held,
it is trackable to that project. Donations were specified as:
Pragya Vihar School $ 3,320.88
Sister Jessie $ 1,150.00
Drought Relief $ 3,100.00
Discretionary $15,081.05
Thank you all
Pamela Grayson
Treasurer
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