Hello! My name is Donald Shimoda. I’m a Chapter Chief in the Soka Gakkai International. Welcome to my blog.
I was put in charge of our new statistics program recently. I mention this because I’ve read some unfair criticism on the net, and even on Fraught with Peril, regarding the new statistics.
I thought I would share my perspective on this new movement, in the hopes of perhaps clarifying some confusion. I cannot promise I will be able to help the chronically confused though!
According to a statistics meeting this last week, our chapter has 73 members. I wish it was 524, or 723, but it’s 73. We have two districts in our chapter. We counted up our members by division and had to subtract some of the total count. Apparently either we’ve lost members or our original counts were uh, hopeful.
Are our Chapter statistics inflated? Well, yes and no.
Certainly we don’t have 73 members attending meetings on a regular basis. Our stats have factored in inactive family members. But as family member they are important and well, I couldn’t leave them out! Would you?
Part of our stats also has members who I have never met. This is where I stood my ground. I stood my ground when it came to adding some of these members in. My Japanese Woman’s Division members insisted we keep member’s cards in our box (we have special boxes you know, for the membership cards) that no one had seen for years. This is where I drew the line. No “totally unaccounted-for members” allowed in our stats. Now I have to chant that I am able to meet some of these less seen members.
I guess the real question is, “what makes one a member of SGI?”
This criteria has changed throughout the years. Used to be that if you missed a single discussion meeting we’d come hunting you down for fear you’d gone taiten. I don’t think that was realistic, nor was it fair to wag those labels around like that. I’m thankful that SGI has grown up some through the years.
Anyway, I feel like, at least in my chapter, we’re keeping it real. Certainly taking care of members is an important part of practicing Nichiren’s Buddhism in
the Soka Gakkai.
I wish I was better at it, but I keep trying…
Posted by revgreg at March 10, 2006 02:45 PMHi Donald,
From one newbie to another, welcome aboard. I am not an SGI member (at least I hope they are no longer counting me as a member), but I have seen some crazy sounding stories on the internet about the membership drive. Like counting as a member someone who might drive a member to an SGI meeting as a favor, even if they didn't attend the meeting or have any other association with SGI, under the umbrella of someone who was a supporter of SGI. It's good that you're here to share the truth about your activities and experiences. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
VW
valeriewintersblog@gmail.com
Hi Valerie
Great to meet you, and really good to have been asked to write for fraught with peril. Sorry to hear you're not an SGI member any longer. We probably are still counting you! I hope not though.
This new movement is suppose to be closer to an accurate head count of real SGI members. I know there are challenges for members who are dealing with it, I have the same feelings myself. The thing I think is important is that the challenge of being accurate and not inflating our numbers is a personal one, something that must be confronted by each of us as SGI statistics dept. members.
I think what many out there may not realize (those who are not members and maybe don't like SGI) is that we're really not trying to deceive "the world", rather we're trying to encourage ourselves.
The trick is to do that in a genuine manner, not one which is not really truthful.
Thanks for replying! You're my first replier!
DM
Posted by: Don Shimoda at March 13, 2006 11:25 AMHi Donald,
Let me extend my welcome as well. It is nice to see more SGI leaders speaking up on the internet, and especially in a forum such as this. I think it humanizes organizations when its leaders make themselves more public and approachable. (Well - you are probably approachable in real life, but I am referring to SGI online). It is good to know that there are teacher/leaders/ministers or whatever who are willing and able to speak up and for their respective Sanghas and/or point of view.
And watch out for Peter.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Thank you Ryuei, I have read your blog with interest for a while, though I know little of Buddhism outside SGI. I was very curious at first to see a uh, (not sure what is politically correct) "Gaijin" in Buddhist robes! Yours must have been a great journey!
And thanks for the warning! I'll look out for him!
DM
Posted by: Don Shimoda at March 13, 2006 12:02 PMHello Donald:
Sounds like you're trying to do the right thing...I generally think the membership card campaign has the right spirit...
You may want to speak to Charles Atkins about what he saw as misrepresentation...that the SGI has recently doubled its membership to 100,000...
Of course it has not...although we have had some new members join recently...
The danger is in letting someone fall through the cracks, and if that is the sincere intention of the leaders, then all is well...
However, this numerical shift is the result of the new counting procedures, and cannot easily be repeated...The 500,000 goal for 2010 is an almost impossible target...but then, what's impossible?
I wish the SGI the best possible results, but I think a more realistic target would be helpfull...This is not Kansai in 1953...but I do not wish to be a naysayer here...
I'm glad to see a chapter leader here...you may well get some slack when your "superiors" find out you're online...don't let them tell you what to do...
Welcome and hang in there!
David
Posted by: David Johnson at March 13, 2006 12:08 PMWelcome Donald. I do not know if I was counted or not. But SGI is welcome too. Counting my family would be bogus though.
robin
Posted by: robin at March 13, 2006 08:44 PMHi, Don! Welcome! I am so happy to see a Chapter leader blogging here. I myself have been a group leader for most of my 21 years of practice. Can I ask where you practice? I think the organization differs from region to region and from area to area, depending on who the leaders are. I am in LA, as you can guess from my handle.....Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at March 14, 2006 03:31 PMWelcome, Donald!
I have memories of doing SGI statistics, and I understand and commend your standing your ground.
Enjoy your practice, and keep blogging!
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at March 14, 2006 03:49 PMRecently at a men'smeeting, I heard a story where this guy's wife continued to send notes and go by to see this woman who had been a member,and she never answered the door or the phone for over twenty years. Two years ago the woman began practicing again. She had been extremely depressed all those years and those notes and cards and letters had been practically her only human contact, and even though she never responded she took them to bed with her and would read them at night. Everyone,including him, had thought his wife was crazy to continue to try to contact this person. You never know.
Posted by: clown hidden at March 26, 2006 11:11 PM