2026 BCA National Council Meeting Public Workshops
Saturday – February 7, 2026
Join us for online, public workshops to kick off the 2026 BCA National Council Meeting! Workshops will take place online via Zoom. All are welcome to attend these free events.
Registration is not required – there is a Zoom link for each Track (1-4). Please select the Zoom link for the track you would like to attend during the 3 sessions.
Morning Session
the same Zoom link will be used for the morning session – President/Leadership Session and Town Hall
| 9:00AM – 10:30AM: President/Leadership Session (10:30AM-11:00AM – BREAK) Join Zoom Meeting (same Zoom link for President/Leadership Session & Town Hall Session) | Let’s Talk Membership: Why it is Important to Your Temple/Church The President’s Leadership Session will tackle the topic of “Who is a Member?” An analysis of current membership data from our BCA Temples/Churches will be presented highlighting important facts to be considered in the discussion on Who is a Member? Summaries of discussions held at the December 2025 National Board Meeting will be presented to offer background for the discussion. As part of re-imagining what a new definition of who a member is, a strawman proposal will be presented. Using interactive applications and polls, the session will further the discussion from those in attendance. Finally, the workshop will tackle the issue of de-coupling census (member count) from dues assessments and seek audience input. |
| 11:00AM – 12:15PM: Town Hall (12:15PM – 1:00PM – BREAK before afternoon workshops) Join Zoom Meeting (same Zoom link for President/Leadership Session & Town Hall Session) | Being a Warm and Welcoming Sangha: A key to growth Description: In our town hall workshop, we will hear from individuals who have crossed over to Buddhism, and somehow found one of our BCA churches, temples or Sanghas. We will hear their impressions on their first visit and what drove them to come back to continue. Speakers: – Teri Omori, Past BCA President and proponent of being a warm and welcoming Sangha – Andrea Chapman, Ekoji Buddhist Temple – Rev. John Mullins, Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha – Marcia Taborga, Orange County Buddhist Church – Arturo Rubio, Minister’s assistant from San Diego – Rev. JP Deguzman, Ministers assistant at Santa Barbara and San Fernando |
Afternoon Public Workshop Sessions
| Tracks | Session #1 (1:00pm – 1:55pm) | Session #2 (2:15pm – 3:10pm) | Session #3 (3:30pm – 4:25pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track 1: Supporting our Ministers Join Zoom Meeting | Introducing Updates to the Ministers’ Compensation & Benefits Guidelines Description: The Ministers Affairs Committee has been developing updated guidelines for Ministers’ Compensation & Benefits. The updated guidelines will be presented at the 2026 National Council Meeting. If you are a temple/church treasurer, or member of your Board, this workshop is important for you to understand the updates. Presenters: Glenn Kitasoe, Chair MAC; Koichi Mizushima, BCA Ministers Benefits Liaison; other members of MAC | Establishing a Buddhist Education Program at the local temple/church Description: This workshop discusses the importance of a Buddhist Education Program (BEP), supporting the minister’s role as an educator. Other benefits: key to growth; deepening the appreciation and understanding for temple members; and the key to attracting new members. Presenters: Rev. Marvin Harada, Bishop; Ken Tanimoto, Chair CBE Governing Board; Carl Yanari, CBE Governing Board member | The Value of a Local Minister’s Advisory Committee Description: Discussion focuses on the role of a local MAC; recommendations on setting up a local MAC; the value of the MAC’s role in working with the Resident Minister; keeping abreast of Ministers compensation and benefits guidelines. Presenters: Glenn Kitasoe, Chair MAC; Koichi Mizushima, BCA Ministers Benefits Liaison; members of MA |
| Session #1 (1:00pm – 1:55pm) | Session #2 (2:15pm – 3:10pm) | Session #3 (3:30pm – 4:25pm) | |
| Track 2: Buddhist Education & Skills Development Join Zoom Meeting | Investing in Lay Leadership Development Description: The workshop will present the new program initiative for a formal lay leadership development program funded by the BCA and the local temple/church. The future sustainability of our temples/churches and the BCA rest on identifying and nurturing new leaders. This program begins that process by bringing together promising leaders from around the BCA. The program curriculum will provide those individuals with the understanding of the complexities of leading BCA sanghas and the leadership skills necessary to implement new ideas and new initiatives for the organization’s future success. The program is a collaborative effort between the BCA and LEAP.org (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics) headquartered in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. LEAP has been providing leadership development programs for over 40 years. Presenters: Steve Terusaki, BCA President; Linda Akutagawa, CEO LEAP.org; Alex Cena, LEAP.org program director | Value of Dharma School to your Local Temple/Church Description: This workshop explores the vital role Dharma School plays in strengthening and sustaining local temples and churches. Participants will discuss how Dharma School supports religious education, nurtures values-based learning for youth, provides connections that bolster temple function, builds community, and helps cultivate future leaders and volunteers. The session will highlight lessons learned, best practices, challenges, and practical ways Dharma School programs can help a temple meet the evolving needs of families while reinforcing the mission and long-term vitality of the temple/church. Presenters: Darlene Bagshaw, FDSTL Chair; Mas Nishimura | Bon Odori & Taiko Activities Description: This workshop highlights the cultural and community-building value of Bon Odori and Taiko activities within temples and churches. These traditions foster intergenerational involvement, strengthen cultural identity, and engage both members and the broader community. Join us as we share the latest video projects on the creative process of making “Kangie” and the history of Midwest Taiko, the expansion of “Lantern Song”, and an upcoming webinar session on Partner Dances. Past workshops that encouraged community engagement also will be reviewed. Presenters: Christine Kubo, Reiko Iwanaga, Kemi Nakabayashi |
| Session #1 (1:00pm – 1:55pm) | Session #2 (2:15pm – 3:10pm) | Session #3 (3:30pm – 4:25pm) | |
| Track 3: Financial Capability Join Zoom Meeting | Dana, Gratitude, and the Life of the Shin Sangha Description: In Jōdo Shinshū, dana is not a practice we perform to become generous, but a natural response of gratitude arising from awakening to Amida Buddha’s boundless compassion. Yet many of us struggle to speak openly about money, sustainability, and shared responsibility. This workshop introduces a Shin Buddhist approach to cultivating a culture of philanthropy grounded in gratitude, humility, and interdependence. Rather than focusing on fundraising techniques, the session reframes generosity as collective care for the life of the Sangha and the ongoing opportunity to hear the Nembutsu. Presenters: Michiko Inanaga, Dir of Development, BCA Endowment Fdn.; Darlene Bagshaw, BCoD Chair | Tutorial on BCA Finances Description: This workshop is a primer on BCA finances providing an overview of the Revenue Sources and the Expense Categories that are the basis for the ~$3.0 million annual zero-based budget. The workshop will be geared to temple leaders interested in understanding what drives the increases in calculation of dues assessments. It will also be important for those delegates to the National Council Meeting to better understand the FY2027 Budget that will be a Voting Item at the NCM. In addition, the workshop will discuss options for new revenue sources that fund BCA activities that reduce the portion of the budget supported by dues assessments. Among them, increasing contributions through the Dana Program; growing the corpus on the Zaidan Fund that will hopefully result in greater market returns; establishing new endowments that will provide on-going revenue. The discussion will also touch on the topic of de-coupling dues assessments from temple census that removes the disincentive to grow temple membership rolls. What other models for determining dues assessments might be put in place to ensure that the annual BCA budget is met. Presenters: Jeffery Matsuoka, BCA Treasurer, Chair-Budget & Finance Committee; Steve Terusaki, BCA President | Endowment Foundation: Investments and Custodial Accounts Description: This workshop explains the role of the Endowment Foundation in prudently managing investments and custodial accounts on behalf of BCA and IBS, local temples and churches, and affiliated organizations through industry professionals. Participants will learn how funds are received, invested, monitored, and safeguarded, custodial account services, as well as the policies, governance practices, and fiduciary responsibilities that guide these processes. BCAEF’s advisor, Angeles Investment Advisors, will also provide holdings, on the financial landscape and how funds are invested for long-term financial stability of BCA and custodial account organizations. The BCAEF has been managing endowments and restricted funds for the benefit of BCA, IBS, and temples/organizations since 1929. Presenters: Koichi Sayano, Angeles Investment Advisors, members of the EF Board |
| Session #1 (1:00pm – 1:55pm) | Session #2 (2:15pm – 3:10pm) | Session #3 (3:30pm – 4:25pm) | |
| Track 4: Our Future Join Zoom Meeting | The Next Steps in the Vision & Strategic Planning Process Description: This workshop guides participants through the critical next steps that follow the development of a vision statement or strategic plan. Attendees will learn how to move from ideas and goals to actionable priorities, measurable objectives, and implementation plans that drive real progress. The session explores practical tools for aligning vision with operations, involving church leadership, ministry, and congregational members, setting timelines, and establishing accountability. Participants will also discuss common challenges organizations face during implementation and how to adapt strategies as conditions change. Presenters: John Arima, BCA V-P, Chair-Vision & Strategic Planning Committee, Glenn Inanaga, BCA Pres-Elect, BCA President 2026-2028 | Making an Impact – the Work of the Social Welfare Committee Description: This workshop highlights the role of the Social Welfare Committee in advancing meaningful service, advocacy, and community support. Participants will gain an understanding of how the committee operates, it’s objective and the grant evaluation process for projects that address social welfare concerns in alignment with the organization’s mission and values. The session will also provide an overview of the various projects and initiatives the committee has undertaken, showcasing past and current efforts, and the impact these projects have had on individuals and the wider community. Participants will discover how individuals and temples can support and expand social welfare efforts. This workshop is open to the public and is designed for committee members, church leaders, volunteers, and community members interested in learning how organized social welfare work can create lasting and positive change. Presenters: Nadine Kakimoto, Chair Social Welfare Committee (SWC); members of SWC | Best Practices on Growing our Sanghas Description: This workshop explores practical and thoughtful approaches to growing sanghas in ways that are welcoming, sustainable, and aligned with shared values. Participants will examine best practices for outreach, community building, and engagement that support both spiritual depth and organizational health. The session will highlight successful strategies used by sanghas to invite new members, nurture participation, and strengthen connections among existing members. Participants will also discuss common challenges to growth and how to respond with intention, inclusivity, and care. Presenters: Terri Omori, Chair Propagation & Membership Committee (PMC); members of PMC |