by Hinesville District, Hinesville, Ga.
Saori Karasawa, Women’s Leader
Angel Le Bron, Men’s Leader
Charles Donald, Young Men’s Leader
Annick Le Bron, Chapter Women’s Vice Leader
Starting 2024, Hinesville District was hit with many obstacles. We struggled for the first six months, but we didn’t give up and were more determined than ever to be victorious—we had made a vow to fight hard toward 2030. So, we established seven points of focus for 2024. And we are so happy to report that we gathered more than 70 members and guests at our November district general meeting. For us, the keys to victory were honing in on these seven points.
1) UNITY
In order to have unity as a team, we chant together and have open, sincere and straightforward dialogue based on trust. We don’t mind “debating,” but in the end, we support the decisions we make together. Ikeda Sensei says: “Passion inspires passion, and sincerity summons forth sincerity. Genuine dialogue is just this sort of profound life-to-life interaction” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 20, p. 63).
We deeply appreciate everyone in our Hinesville district family. They are truly remarkable, and everything we’ve accomplished is thanks to their continuous efforts and unity. Member care is crucial to us, so together, we take every opportunity to do home visits. It helps that with so many members, we have four functioning groups. Many times, we have to drive more than an hour to visit one person, and those visits are joyful and rewarding.
2) DAIMOKU
We all know how important daimoku is. We are chanting for our members, friends and family to attain indestructible happiness; have vigorous health; have powerful breakthroughs; accomplish our SGI goals as well as our personal goals; and for our district to expand.
3) STUDY
What is practice without study? We encourage every member, especially our youth, to study Buddhism so that they can deepen their understanding of this practice. One elementary school division member decided to take the introductory exam on his own. When we asked if he really wanted to take it, he said: “Yes. If I fail, I will take it again in October.” We were so proud of his outlook!
4) COMMUNITY
Hinesville is a small city. But we enjoy being part of our community. We always have a yearly barbecue where we invite our friends and neighbors. This year, over 60 people came out, including our Fort Stewart Chaplain who said he had a great time.
We also try to find ways to contribute to the community. Sensei says: “I believe friendship … is the most genuinely humane relationship of which we are capable. To be understood and appreciated for oneself is a vital experience in life” (daisakuikeda.org).
5) YOUTH
We have amazing youth who are standing up and taking the lead. We are very proud of them! The men’s and women’s division members are so supportive—it makes them feel youthful. We have youth outings, like going bowling, where everyone can join and have fun.
For future division, we only had one elementary school division member, so we made the goal to have more, even just one more. We are so happy to say that we welcomed another elementary school division member. They both look forward to attending meetings, where an hour prior to our meetings, they have the opportunity to get together and play games. They call it the “Youth Party Hour.”
6) SHAKUBUKU
This year we had one new youth join. We also have seven wonderful guests and friends who expressed their wish to become a member. We are wholeheartedly supporting them on their journey.
7) FORT STEWART
We are so fortunate to have a free venue on Fort Stewart with the capacity to hold 200 people with ample parking. We hold our intro-to-Buddhism and discussion meetings there. And we always encourage our youth members on base to attend the Military and First Responders Conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center.
Hinesville District in 2024
By the Numbers
>200 Home Visits
2025 Goal: >300 Visits
>21 Million Daimoku
2025 Goal: 25 Million Daimoku
76 Attended
The November District General Meeting
2 Youth
Took the SGI-USA Introductory Exam
One Youth Joined
2025 Goal: 6 New Members
4 Groups
2025 Goal: Growing Them Into Districts
The Hinesville Victory Plan
1) Create a family dynamic in the district.
2) Always make our goals a year prior.
3) Always make our goals with our members.
4) Do our best to plan ahead.
5) Everybody brings one person.
6) Invite friends, neighbors and members at every opportunity.
7) Never stop inviting until the last minute.
8) Keep our meetings youthful, vibrant, fun and informative.
Mostly, it is a year-round effort! Everything that we do throughout the year brings us to November.
January 10, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 8–9
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