april 2004 volume 1 ~ issue 1

the keys

Right now I am working on a new project - a series of materials that address step by step what aspirants need to know to receive Knowledge. This will allow people to proceed at their own pace, as quickly or as slowly as they want. It will also make it possible for people who are in really remote areas to prepare. And those people who already have Knowledge will be able to take advantage of it, as well. These new resources will make it very easy for people to receive Knowledge - and be better prepared than ever before.

I'm excited about it. It's coming.
Maharaji

the gift

Knowledge Sessions are on the increase in North America. Plans are that these opportunities will be available in several locations each month. Knowledge Session teams have been specially trained throughout the region to facilitate these unique events in at least sixteen cities.

Asking for Knowledge" meetings are also being held more frequently. This allows for less time between someone completing the preparation process, confirming that they meet the requirements, and being able to learn the techniques of Knowledge

Maharaji did a four-month tour of India, including the Delhi stadium event in March with 130,000 people attending. A helicopter was used for the first time for transport to the events in India, saving many hours of travel time. 46,000 people attended the first Expressions event in New Delhi

 

 

CNA: Can you give us an overview of local activities that happened in 2003 in North America?

Cindy: There were nine programs with Maharaji, six of which were public. More than 6,400 people were introduced to Knowledge at these events.

In October 2002, a meeting was held in Miami at which Maharaji spoke of the many people he felt would be very happy to be introduced to his message. From then, through December 2003, more than 17,000 people heard about Maharaji and Knowledge at local video and broadcast events. The number of people introduced monthly to Maharaji and his message in North America more than quadrupled during that period. An average of 1,339 people a month were introduced to Knowledge in 2003.

During the past year, events have been held in hotels, libraries, homes, art galleries, assisted living centers, restaurants and even an airport, where an event was held for airline staff. In many cities, people can now hear Maharaji on cable access, on the radio channels of major airlines or watch the weekly satellite broadcasts. More people have been able to hear Maharaji than ever before in North America.

CNA: How many Knowledge sessions were held during 2003 and how many people learned the techniques of Knowledge?

Cindy: There were eight Knowledge sessions in North America in 2003 where 297 people learned the techniques of Knowledge.

CNA: Can you give us some highlights to last year's local events?

Cindy: The most beautiful thing is that people with passion can do things they didn't think possible, just by working together. For example, there is one team in Florida that has become a traveling "introductory event crew," doing presentations in community centers and apartment buildings. They covered a large part of their county just by making themselves available and using a little bit of ingenuity. Researching with chambers of commerce and other organizations that might have an interest enabled them to set up a series of events for one group that cares for the young and elderly.

It's really about taking creativity and simple ideas and actualizing them with the help of those who have the same passion. Sometimes it takes the help and support of other teams who have been doing similar presentations.

CNA: What's up for 2004?

Cindy: We are anticipating having a substantial number of public events with Maharaji speaking this year. A single follow-up event is tentatively planned for the end of the tour to be telecast to many other cities. Interested people could then attend a local program, and still be able to speak to Maharaji live, via the telecast.

CNA: Any other significant points or comments about the events of 2003 that you would like to mention?

Cindy: Maharaji expressed his gratitude and happiness at seeing what is happening in North America. He seemed very pleased to be able to speak to so many at last year's public events. He has expressed his thanks to everyone who has helped make his tours so successful.

KM

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An opportunity to participate in 1978 led to a life-long career for Jim Vuko.

At the first event in Kissimmee, Florida, I was the business manager. I got my start in event management there," he says.

Today Jim is a partner and vice president with International Conference Management, which provides software and web solutions for meetings, conventions and expositions. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife Evelyn.

Event management for Maharaji's programs still figures prominently in Jim's life. He is a member of the North American Regional Event Team.

last summer," Jim says, "representatives from the various teams involved in the recently completed tour got together in Miami Beach to talk about how to improve our ability to host successful events, particularly in communities that have had little previous experience. One of the outcomes was the formation of the North American Regional Event Team."

The team's mission, he said, is to serve as coach for local event teams - to help them develop volunteers, submit realistic proposals and focus their preparations. National team members train local teams in the best methods for managing events and recruiting the right people for key positions. "The regional team," Jim says, "also provides support once an event is confirmed and offers constructive evaluation so local teams can keep improving."

The NAM Regional Event Team even created a textbook of sorts. He says, "We wrote an Event Overview manual to serve as a standard for best practices in event management, based on lessons learned over the past two decades." Jim says that among other things, it contains job descriptions for forming a local event team and descriptions of more than 32 milestones in the life cycle of an event.

Jim notes that the team also provides personalized, specialized coaching based on the area of expertise of each of the five team members. Jim coaches event management; Richard Groden, productions; Jim levin, finance; Betsy Gibson, guest services, and Linda Gross, communications. "This," Jim says, "gives each local manager a counterpart on the regional team so they can focus together on the same tasks."

They also provide on-site training, he says. "At the Ft. lauderdale event in February, for example, each of the regional managers organized a training session or 'event classroom' in their respective areas." The session Jim arranged for event managers consisted of six hours of actual classroom time, followed by a day and a half of guided observation. "That means," he says, "that I guided a small group of event managers while we observed the setup process for the event. We interviewed the managers involved, asked them to describe their functions and the challenges they faced. All the event classroom participants thought that the approach was very helpful and gave them a lot of insight.

Maharaji would welcome the option of speaking to audiences in communities that he's never visited before," Jim says. For that to happen, he says, we need to make sure that the events we plan are the very best we can provide.

Maharaji: A Joint Effort

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Maharaji: A Joint Effort

We need to let people know about the possibility of Knowledge. If they don't want it, fine. No pressure. But we need to let people know about the possibility. It's as simple as that.

There is a lot of potential, and it can be a beautiful thing. It is all our effort that will make the difference. Not just mine - yours, too. I know what I can do. You should know what you can do. You cannot give Knowledge. I can. But I cannot go to your friends' house and give them a video. You can. I cannot go around inviting your family, your friends, and other people you might know, to come to an event. I can't. You can. I can give Knowledge - I can talk to them about Knowledge, I can talk to them about life, and I can help them after they receive Knowledge. If you know what I can do and what you can do, then it becomes a joint effort, and everything can happen really well.

There is so much demand in the world. The number of cities inviting me to come is much greater than there are days in the year. Where do I go? Some criteria have to be used. Otherwise, there is not enough time. So I told all the countries I will go to those cities where there is a lot of interest.

More and more people need to hear about this. More and more people need to come, need to understand. And it's a beautiful opportunity. Everywhere around the world, this message is so fresh. My only request to all the people who have this Knowledge is to, please, let it remain fresh. Knowledge works. I am here. You don't have to give me a label. Do what you can do to help because your heart says so. Let the inspiration come from your heart.

Knowledge is for the generation now. Knowledge is for the generation before. And Knowledge is for the generation that is yet to come. No generation should be come so selfish that it impedes the progress of the generation yet to come. What will their roles be? What will their responsibilities be? I don't know. But Knowledge is for everyone - and it always will be.

Maybe things in this world are difficult, but receiving Knowledge should not be difficult. I am working on that. This is what I have been doing. I have been speaking about Knowledge since I was four years old. And since I was around nine, I have been traveling. But I only go to people. I don't go to countries; I go to people. Every human being on the face of this earth is the same. We are taught to see the differences. I don't see those differences. I see a human being who wants to be fulfilled.

These are the opportunities. If you understand, then like that person who has recognized the value of a diamond, you, too, can be rich beyond belief. You have life. You have existence. And most importantly, you have the gift of Knowledge. Practice. Practice in earnest. And get together as a team in your little communities and let's see what we can do. And hopefully, I will see you very soon.

Maharaji

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cordially invited

In the interest of maximizing the number of guests who will attend public events with Maharaji in 2004, the website www.invitationlist.org has been developed to enable newly interested people to register their interest in being invited and their contact information. They can alternatively do so using the so-called "Blue Cards" at local events. Ask the introductory team contact in your area to supply these, if they are not already available

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promoting a message of peace

In 2004, materials to promote Maharaji's message come from various sources. The most prominent come from The Prem Rawat Foundation, which produces all materials that directly represent Maharaji in the public domain. The International Materials Team (IMT) produces these fine quality products.

There are also materials of a different sort, developed by individuals around the North American region who want to promote his message of peace. The NAm Materials & Promotions, or MAP, team was formed in spring 2003 to help support these initiatives.

After hearing what was needed, we developed a website www.materialsresource.org a place where people can find materials to help them in their efforts. One exciting feature will be the display and distribution of materials from the IMT for anticipated 2004 events with Maharaji, including invitations for your guests. Another project is this "Connect North America" publication, a collaborative communication effort from various teams engaged in helping Maharaji's message reach more people, which will be available on the website. It will also be printed and distributed locally by some areas who choose to do that, like the S.E. region.

The site will also feature samples of MAP team-produced templates for local ongoing promotional use, including print display ads suitable for TV listings to promote the satellite and cable telecasts, as well as posters, flyers and invitations for ongoing local and special events.

A core team has formed organically over the past few months and we hope the team will grow and continue to offer material sup port as needed. As project-oriented designers, writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, publishers, printers, producers and project managers hear what the MAP team offers we hope more of them will contact us. There is much to discover about working as a creative arts team and we intend to have fun learning to produce results in a timely way.

RL

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let's go to them

When the threat of SARS in 2003 required that the Toronto community suspend events for a couple of months, the local team spent this "down time" considering other kinds of outreach. They decided to host "Go-to-Them" events, where Maharaji's message is presented in a setting that is familiar to or comfortable for a particular audience. Toronto has since had great success with this format, as have many other communities in North America. Some examples of this type of event include:

• A speaker reading from Maharaji's materials at a book club meeting
• A speaker and video presentation at a trade show
• A "Lunch and Learn" series of video presentations at a library

One event was held in an apartment complex where 80 percent of the residents speak and read only Chinese. Hand-rolled invitations read simply, "You are invited to a presentation on peace" and were tied with a red ribbon to indicate good fortune. More than 200 new people watched videos with Chinese subtitles and received a Chinese newsletter to take home.

The individuals who deliver Go-to-Them presentations often start by asking the organization or club they're part of if they'd be interested in a presentation about enjoying life, self-development and joy. The group's regular meeting place may be available for the event, and it may produce publications that can promote the presentation.

Helpful resources for organizing Go-to-Them events include:

• Speakers who are comfortable interacting with the group
• A video, often customized for the audience
• Musicians to foster a fun, relaxing atmosphere
• Posters and invitations
• Contact cards for registering interest
• Follow-up materials that guests can take home
• Advice from someone who's put on an event like this before.

There are ongoing conference calls for those interested in hearing more about these special functions, or for those who wish to talk about their own experiences with these presentations. If you would like to attend one of these calls, please write to Katharita Lamoza at NamIntroCalls@aol.com or on First Class

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field report: mexico

In Tampico, we placed announcements in the newspaper and prepared for an introductory event for about 50 people. To our surprise, 330 people showed up. The next time, we prepared for 300 people. A half-hour before the event, the room was almost full. Before it began we had to get more chairs. People stayed after to chat and ask questions. The guests seemed very happy when they left. A few months later, we held another large event. 340 people came, with 158 to the follow-up.

The number of attendees seems to depend on the date and time of the event. We try not to hold events on holidays and weekends.

Follow-up events have been very successful. There are now 60 people preparing to learn the techniques of Knowledge in Tampico. Some come to the events and others take videos home. We also hold satellite events that we translate live. If some people don't understand what is being offered, we try to be as clear and informative as possible. We do not ask for their phone numbers but we offer a packet that contains Maharaji's excerpts and information on follow-up resources.

When we first started our events, we didn't have a video library. Now we have a fully stocked facility with introductory materials and videos of all kinds, all with translation.

For promotion, we used newspapers, radio, posters and flyers. One announcement in the newspaper read: "Conference on Knowledge introduced by Prem Rawat. Prem Rawat offers a practical method to experience inner peace. His message is not part of any philosophy or religion, and it is compatible with all religions. Free entry and no need to sign in." That ad was modified according to the type of questions asked at the events and ran for five days before an event. A 30-second radio spot aired eight times a day for five days on a music radio station.

In addition, several people simply handed out flyers and hung posters the "old-fashioned way." There are so many ways to try to reach people.

DT

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connect directory

The "Connect Directory" is a supplement to this "Connect North America" newsletter. You will find it referred to in some of these articles. A valuable tool, the directory includes a wide listing of contact information. To access and print "Connect North America" and the directory, go to www.materialsresource.org. You will see a link to the directory.

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enjoyment tip

simpler with smart card

With expectations high that Maharaji will attend events this year in North America, this is a good time to get a Smart Card. This permanent event credential is for people who have learned the techniques of Knowledge. It displays a cardholder's name, photo and a unique Smart Card number. For further information or to apply, visit www.smartcardoffice.org or write to: Smart Card Office, P.O. Box 2278, Agoura Hills, CA 91376.

Fax is: 818-707-6378

There is a new website where you can read about and purchase words broadcast videos, DVDs and audio CDs. Go to www.wordsofpeace.com to listen to excerpts, view new release titles and more.

The www.eversound.com site still plus the music CDs and DVDs of peace

For phone orders, call 805-496-3996, ext. 51 offers these items as well, by Eversound artists.

T h e P r e m R a w a t F o u n d a t i o n

F e a t u r e d I t e m: Maharaji on Campus - Four CDs

Featuring four university events where Maharaji spoke in 2003 including University of California at Berkeley, University of Colorado at Boulder, Nova Southestern University and the prestigious Salamanca University in Spain.

Order at www.tprf.org or call 1-800-616-8755 $29.95

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cable ready

Volunteer Tom Giles was at the studio of WYOU community access in Madison, Wisconsin when the station staff handed him the phone. "Who is this that I'm listening to?" the caller asked. "I was just flipping through the channels and found this program. I can't believe it! My jaw has been on the floor for the past half hour! This is such good stuff he's saying!"

Tom explained that the speaker was Prem Rawat and that the show was not a one-time broadcast, but part of a regular weekly series called Prem Rawat / Words of Peace. This show can now be seen on scores of public access television stations and the numbers continue to grow. This introductory initiative could eventually put Maharaji's words in reach of about 120 million North American households with access to cable. Most broadcasts are in English, but translations in Spanish and Tamil are also on the air.

Three Steps to Success

Each cable broadcast is a local introductory initiative: local because the broadcasts are arranged, operated and funded entirely by local teams; introductory because the broadcasts have the potential to introduce tens of thousands of people to Maharaji and his message; initiative because it requires commitment, careful planning, clear communications and consistency. There are three components to successful cable outreach: (1) promotions, (2) broadcast, and (3) production.

Promotions:
Invitation to an Intro

The first step in cable outreach is planning promotions. Each video broadcast is really a televised introductory event. How will be people be invited to this television event? Local teams have placed program descriptions in local TV listings, advertisements in neighborhood publications, and posters and flyers in local businesses. Some teams have included the Dish Network broadcasts in their promotion plans. The North American Materials Team has prepared templates for print ads promoting cable.

Broadcasting:
Playing by the Rules

Most American communities have public access channels that charge little or nothing to broadcast non-commercial shows produced or sponsored by local residents. The staffs of these stations are eager to help get programs of local interest on the air. Before contacting the station, prepare a simple neutral explanation of your team's volunteer efforts and the content of the broadcasts. Each public access station sets its own broadcast policies and procedures, and require some form of written agreement. Please send a copy to David Weinberg for a legal review.

Production:
Ready, Tag, Action

Production is the process of preparing program content for the local cable access station. Visions International provides a flexible array of subscriptions for cable, in half-hour and hour formats, in English and Spanish. Communities who are geographically close or those who use similar tape formats can share subscriptions. Volunteers who make their living in the video industry will often help with production for a modest fee.

Public access stations have different requirements for tape format, length of broadcast and what must be placed at the beginning and end of the tape. A broadcast should be followed by professional quality tag screens. The first should say "Prem Rawat/ Words of Peace is broadcast every Thursday at 7 p.m.," and the next, "For more ways to learn about Prem Rawat, visit localwebsite.org, or call 888.###.####."

Finding Help

For help getting started, contact David Weinberg, (mail to:weinbergd@aol.com). For technical assistance, contact Girbe Eefsting (mail to: girbe@grcmc.org) who has been producing public access television for nearly 30 years. For advice about public relations, contact Kirk Laidlaw (mail to: klaidlaw@email.com) Be patient, and get ready for the phone to ring.

DW

Visit www.materialsresource.org for more information on cable initiatives.

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margie's
mailbag

Dear Margie,

I live in a remote area and would like to share Maharaji's message, with friends, but I can't spend a lot on materials. Can you help me? Signed, "Budget in the Boondocks"

Dear "Budget",

If you have a computer or can find one at a library to use, go to www.tprf.org, to the "bookstore". There are lots of free articles to download and print. Also, for a small contribution to cover shipping, there are video libraries that make it easy for interested

people to borrow tapes. Those are listed in the "Connect Directory." As Maharaji tells us, the best brochure is you enjoying your life. No charge for that!

~

Dear Margie,

I want some nice invitations for a presentation I'm planning to a group of nutrition counselors I work with. Is there a design somewhere I could use? Thanks. "Ginseng George"

Dear "Ginseng",

www.materialsresource.org is a good place to start. This new site offers templates of invitations, posters and other nifty things to help make your event a "class act". (Share with those health-conscious people that "Peace looks

good on them", as "someone" always remind us!)

~

Dear Margie,

I want to contribute money to support the work Maharaji is doing, but I often forget to do that. It sounds simple, but it seems to slip my mind?

Signed, "Tend to Forget"

Dear "Tend,"

I set up automatic monthly debits from my credit card to Elan Vital and Visions. So easy! The amounts I send don't seem like much, but it adds up and that feels good. I was sent a CD recently, for contributing, with music and Maharaji speaking. What a "Thank You" note!

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