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Indo American News • Friday, May 14 , 2010
Sikh Association of Gurdwaras in Texas (SAGT) is Formed
By Dr. Tejendra Singh Gill HOUSTON: The idea to constitute a state level organization of Sikh religious institutions was conceived on the occasion of 2nd Sikh Day Parade held in Houston on November 22, 2008. A year later, the proposal was unanimously adopted by the Sikh Sangat assembled for the 3rd Sikh Day Parade held in Houston on October 17, 2009. Several prominent Sikhs representing Sikh Gurdwaras across the State of Texas agreed in principle to undertake the arduous task of working out the details of the structure of the proposed organization. To get everyone on board and agree to a common format is not an easy task, especially because the constituent Gurdwaras are scattered all over the state, plus the fact that in a democratic set up, the people have the right to differ! Despite hurdles and a variety of constraints, history was made on March 27, 2010, when about 37 delegates representing their respective Gurdwara Managements met at the Breen Gurdwara Sahib, Houston, and passed several resolutions which would give final shape to the state level body. The spade work for this meeting had been done earlier by Dr. Kanwaljit Singh and Prof. Sukhchain Singh, who had put together the by-laws for the proposed organization. This formally convened state level meeting was attended by: Dr. Harnek Singh Bains, Lakhvinder Kaur Bains, Gurjeet Kaur Nagra, Trilok Singh Budwal, and Mohini Budwal (Austin), Surinder Singh Gill and Gurmail Singh (Richardson, Dallas), Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Brar (Garland, Dallas), Hira Singh Chamdal, Sarvjit Singh Mand, Nachhatar Singh Legha, Tara Singh Grewal, Harbhajan Singh, Hardev Singh Mand, Gurcharan Singh, Aman Sidhu, Mohan Singh Grewal, and Bakshish Joshan (Breen Gurdwara, Houston), Dr. Kanwaljit Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Surinder Kaur Pinglia, Dr. Hardam Singh Azad, Prof. Sukhchain Singh, and Manohar Singh Mann (Sikh National Center, SNC, Houston), Charanjit Singh Sandhu, Jaswant Singh, Gurminder Singh, Prof. Sampuran Singh, Jarnail Singh,
Kulwant Kaur, and Harcharan Singh (Sikh Center, Houston), Kabul Singh Batala and Naunihal Singh Brar (Nanaksar Gurdwara, Houston), Dr. Tejendra Singh Gill (GSSWH, Houston), Balwinder Singh Dhillon and Narinder Kaur Dhillon (San Antonio), and special invitee, Dr. Pritpal Singh (American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, AGPC, Los Angeles). The meeting chaired by Prof. Sampuran Singh, President, Sikh Center, started with preliminary welcoming remarks by the chair outlining the agenda to be discussed. Subsequently, Hira Singh Chamdal, President, Breen Gurdwara spoke about the need for a viable association of Sikh Gurdwaras, which will provide cohesiveness among the constituent entities. Dr. Kanwaljit Singh, Secretary, SNC, gave a detailed explanation of the by-laws, emphasizing the fact that the proposed organization shall be an ‘umbrella organization’ which shall be made up of individual Sikh religious institutions like beads in a necklace! He made it clear that it would be far and beyond the scope of the proposed organization to interfere with the administrative machinery of the constituents, and that the activities of common interest having direct relevance to the Sikhs and Sikh Religion will be pursued in a coordinated manner. Dr.Hardam Singh Azad spoke of his vast experience of Sikh socio-religious affairs in the United States, and gave several pieces of advice to the delegates to consider before making critical decisions. Dr. Tejendra Singh Gill, Secretary, Gurdwara Sahib of SW Houston, motivated the participants to contribute their fair share of expertise and not focus on the position or title being given to perform a certain task. He highlighted the importance of organizational skills, transparency of financial and administrative records, and the commitment to the cause, which may impact the community in the long run. Subsequent speakers included Surinder Singh Gill, President, Richardson Gurdwara, Dr. Harnek Singh Bains, President, Austin Gurdwara, Dr.Gurdarshan Singh
Dr.Tejendra Singh Gill teaches at the University of Houston (Central Campus), and is the Secretary for the Gurdwara Sahib of SW Houston.
Brar, President, Garland Gurdwara, who gave constructive suggestions to modify the by-laws to provide for a more effective functioning of the proposed organization. Thought provoking ideas were offered by Tara Singh Grewal (Breen Gurdwara), Charanjit Singh Sandhu (Sikh Center), Balwinder Singh Dhillon (San Antonio), Gurjeet Kaur (Austin), and Kabul Singh (Nanaksar Gurdwara). After a brain storming session, the delegates met again this time to accomplish some if not all the goals of the meeting. The conten-
tious issue of nominating the officials was amicably resolved by unanimous agreement that two delegates from each of the constituent Gurdwara shall be a part of the ad hoc Coordination Committee until such time the officials are elected and/or nominated to the various bodies. The initial task of strategic planning and effective communication was entrusted to Houston-based Hira Singh Chamdal (Breen), Dr. Tejendra Singh Gill (GSSWH) and Gurminder Singh (Sikh Center). Dr. Gill requested the delegates to pick a name for the organization under which it would be registered with the Secretary of State, Texas. By a majority decision the organization was named the Sikh Association of Gurdwaras in Texas (SAGT). The Certificate of Formation under this name as a domestic non-profit organization has since been received from the Secretary of State. Finally, the delegates agreed to meet at Dallas on May 8 to fine tune the by-laws and plan the programs to be implemented by the SAGT. The second meeting of SAGT was held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Richardson, Dallas, under the chairmanship of the President of the Gurdwara, Surinder Singh
Gill. More than 45 Sikh representatives, including special invitees, attended the Dallas meeting. The welcoming remarks were followed by short speeches by Prof. Sampuran Singh, Dr.Hardam Singh Azad, Dr. Kanwaljit Singh (on SAGT by-laws), Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Brar, Dr. Harbans Lal, Dr. Tejendra Singh Gill (on SAGT procedures and protocols), Kabul Singh Batala, Jarnail Singh, Sukhjit Singh Sidhu, and Shamsher Singh. The issue of electing and/or nominating the officials for various committees was deferred as the delegates felt that more time is needed to evaluate the process. Meantime, the SAGT was authorized to organize a state level religious function at one of the constituent entities in the month of June. The next meeting of the SAGT will be scheduled sometime in July. Moving forward towards making SAGT a viable state level organization, the three Houston-based delegates, Hira Singh Chamdal, Dr.Tejendra Singh Gill and Gurminder Singh were authorized to perform all administrative and financial duties, which may be necessary for the SAGT to execute its programs as provided for in the by-laws.
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Indo American News • Friday, MaY 14 , 2010 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
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