Hindu Center Membership Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a Hindu Center member is a privilege that should be enjoyed by all within the Metro-Charlotte Community.  There are few requirements involved with being a Hindu Center Member, however they may not be well known.  Here are some important things to know if you are thinking of being a member:

 

 

  • Membership Requirements

 

As indicated in the Hindu Center Constitution, an individual is eligible to become a member at age 18 and is only required to be a believer in Vedic or Hindu Philosophy, or be a follower of one of the deities within the Hindu Center Temple.  Members are expected to accept and obey the by-laws as set forth within the Hindu Center constitution.  (A copy of the Constitution has been provided on the website: www.hcclt.org for individuals interested in reading it.)  A member can have his/her membership voided if the joint body, comprising of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, reach this decision together.  All that is required to validate such a decision is a simple majority of the vote.  

 

  • Membership Rates

 

The Hindu Center has broken down Membership into three basic categories.

1.      Family Pkg – ($101.00) the entire family will possess Hindu Center membership for 1 calendar year.  Children up until the age of 18 will be included in this category as well.  Once a child within the household becomes 18 years of age, he/she is no longer eligible for this membership category.  If the child is still interested in becoming a member, they are welcome to fill out the form and obtain their own membership.

2.      Student Pkg – ($31.00) any young adult currently enrolled in an educational institution who is interested in becoming a Hindu Center member would become eligible for this if they indicate that they are currently student, by providing a copy of a valid student ID card along with the membership application. 

3.      Senior Pkg – ($31.00) any adult that is 65 years of age or older would automatically qualify for this category.  Just prove of age is required to illustrate the individual is of 65 years.  A driver’s license or any legal document with picture and birth date would suffice in this matter.

4.      Individual Pkg – ($51.00) if you do not fall into any of these categories, it is possible to get an individual membership for the fee of $51.00.

 

The Student and Senior Packages both have reduced rates of $31.00 for individuals in those categories.  The family rate is higher simply because, with one paying member, the entire family becomes members.  It is important to realize that all of these membership rates are simply for one calendar year.  This means if you pick up the family membership in July 2006, as of January 1st, 2007 your Hindu Center family membership is expired and you must renew it.  The common misconception is that memberships carry over for 1 year (365 days); this however is not the case, please take note of this.  This is only one of the reasons why several people choose to become Life members (see below).

 

  • Membership Rankings

 

Several dedicated members decide to go above and beyond the normal rates.  They choose to give larger donations, or choose to continually be members, instead of annual renewals.  Members falling into these rankings are what is allowing the Hindu Center to acquire funds for expansion and updating of facilities.  It takes excellent members to create an excellent Hindu Center and these members are doing their part.

 

The rankings for membership break down into these rankings and donation amounts over a continuous five-year interval:

 

§         Patron (Life member)                                   $1,001 - $1,500

§         Pioneer                                                           $1,501 - $3,000

§         Golden pioneer                                            $3,001 - $5,000

§         Platinum pioneer                                          $5,001 and up                        

 

 

  • Membership Benefits

 

The Hindu Center Membership system was initially devised as a manner in which to recognize the highest donors in the community and extend gratitude to them for their support.  Membership to the Hindu Center meant that those who donated to the Hindu Center were recognized as members, because of their support, and the different categories listed were to recognize the amount of fiscal aid they had given to the Hindu Center.  Through time, that philosophy has gone away and nowadays when people are approached to become members of the Hindu Center, they want to know what the Hindu Center can given them instead of asking what they can give to the Hindu Center.  It is important for people to understand that this Hindu Center is not only a Community Center, but a Temple as well.  It is not a country club where membership to an organization will guarantee you V.I.P. treatment that is generally stereotyped with such organizations.  This is a Not-For-Profit endeavor that we as a community are all a part of.  The biggest reward we have is that this Hindu Center is in existence to keep a connection alive between us and our heritage, ethnicity, and history.  More importantly it is there to help us maintain an identity of who we are as a people.  With that said, a series of benefits that the temple can afford to extend are listed below.  It should be mentioned that those seeking material possession for making donations to a temple, miss the point of what this religion is about and what we, as people, strive to be.

                       

§         Reduced Facility Rental Rates

§         Free/Reduced Educational admission for children

§         Access to free health camps (Flu-shot Drive, etc.)

§         Free access to Multi-media library

§         Free entry into some off-site events (Off-site events require ticket purchases to pay for facility rental. 

      Membership Dues being paid waives the individual from paying at some of these events i.e. Navratri)

§         Free Food and Prashad

§         Free Newsletter of Community News and Events

§         Membership Dues are considered donations, which can be turned into IRS for tax deductions.

 

Click the links below to download your membership form:

 

§         Membership Form 2006 (.PDF Format)

§         Membership Form 2006 (Word Document)

 

 

The Hindu Center relies on the support and donations provided by its members.  It can be a boon for the entire community if we want it to be, or it can be just another place for socializing.  Whatever we, the members of the community want it to be, is exactly what it will be.  If you are interested in helping support the future expansion plans and in helping make the temple something special, please fill out the form and have it mailed, or emailed to the necessary parties.  If you do not feel compelled to be a member, but would still like to make a donation, payments can be mailed to the Hindu Center mailing address and will be much appreciated.  Anything that is given to the temple with a clean heart, will always be appreciated from God and will be returned in one positive manner or another. 

 

Forms can be sent electronically to administrator@hcclt.org and can also be mailed to:

 

Hindu Center

7400 City View Dr.

Charlotte, NC 28212

Attn: Membership Committee

 

If you choose, can also fax your requests to the Hindu Center @ 704.535.6923.  Attn: Membership Committee.  However payment must be received prior to your membership being processed, so please do NOT forget to mail us or drop off your payment.