Keynote Speaker -- 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (H.S.T.)

Rick Stambul

Shin Buddhism:
A Response to Anti-Asian Racism and Hate in 21st Century America

Rick Stambul was a foot soldier during the Civil Rights Movement, a past President of the Buddhist Churches of America, and a lawyer with a career focus on issues of Social Justice. He will ask you to be courageous in your thinking....to dare to see a Shin Buddhist path that calls out to you to confront the anti-Asian racism and hate we find in 21^st century America. Exactly how can we use love, and not hate, to confront this racism and elevate ourselves in the process?

Discussion Panel -- 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Brent Izutsu, Michelle Suyama, Sean Higuchi, Dan Thompson

Connecting with the Dharma:
The Hidden Potential of Growing our Sanghas

Panel session for all Lay Convention participants. The panel members represent varying segments of Sangha communities. They live on Maui, in California and in Colorado. Each brings unique and valuable perspectives on the topic of Dharma visibility, relevance and engagement, and how these concepts can be used to strengthen our Sanghas.

Workshop Session 1A -- 1:10 pm. to 2:00 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Terri Omori

Growing Membership: A Successful Case Study

Terri Omori, Administrator for the Vista Buddhist Temple, and President-Elect of the Buddhist Churches of America, will discuss how the Vista Buddhist Temple has been able to steadily grow membership over the years. She will address the role of visibility, engagement and relevance in their program and membership growth strategy.

Workshop Session 1B -- 1:10 pm. to 2:00 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Sandy Dioso

Jin Shin Jyutsu: The Ancient Art of
Harmonizing and Balancing the Energy Pathways of the Body

Practitioner Sandy Dioso presents a lifestyle session explaining the physical and philosophical basis of the ancient healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a form of healing which harmonizes the life energy of the body through touch and breath. Through Jin Shin Jyutsu, tensions which are the causes for various symptoms in the body are released as the body's balance is restored.

Workshop Session 1C -- 1:10 pm. to 2:00 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Sharon Nohara and Chris Richardson

Past, Present and Future:
Journeys of Lanai Hongwanji and Lahaina Hongwanji

Session dedicated to the uniqueness of Maui District’s smaller temples. Both Lahaina Hongwanji and Lanai Hongwanji provide significant spiritual value to their respective communities. Each has a proud history and each faces unique challenges which will be considered in this session.

Workshop Session 2A -- 2:10 pm. to 3:00 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Deidre Tegarden

Nisei Veterans Memorial Center:
Discovering the Hero Within Yourself

The mission of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) is to ignite the potential in people by inspiring them to find the hero in themselves through the legacy of the Nisei. Ms. Tegarden, the Center's Executive Director, will provide an overview of the NVMC’s projects and community engagement efforts.

Workshop Session 2B -- 2:10 pm. to 3:00 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Terri Omori

Growing Membership: A Successful Case Study
(Note: Ms. Omori has agreed to repeat her session from Workshop Session 1-A)

Terri Omori, Administrator for the Vista Buddhist Temple, and President-Elect of the Buddhist Churches of America, will discuss how the Vista Buddhist Temple has been able to steadily grow membership over the years. She will address the role of visibility, engagement and relevance in their program and membership growth strategy.

Workshop Session 2C -- 2:10 pm. to 3:00 p.m. (H.S.T.)

Ryan Ozawa

Podcasts as an Alternative Dharma Propagation Method

What are podcasts? Are they a possible alternative Dharma propagation method? Can our Sanghas successfully implement podcasts? Ryan Ozawa, technologist and independent journalist, will explore the role of podcasts in today’s technology-based world of communication. Podcasting may be easier than you think, but Ryan will cover why it's important to plan and pace yourself to launch a sustainable show.