| The
Tzu Chi Honarary Board |
 |
| (Translated by Douglas Shaw) |
|
The Tzu
Chi Honorary Board was established on August 16, 1986, the day
before the formal opening of the Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien.
In order to express her gratitude to patrons who had donated over
NT$1 million [then about US$26,300] to accomplish this great mission,
Master Cheng Yen especially appointed them members of the Tzu
Chi Honorary Board. On January 21, 1987, board members met at
the Abode of Still Thoughts and set up the Honorary Board Members
Association. Members included everything from successful entrepreneurs
to common townspeople.
Currently, those who have donated over NT$1
million within one year are appointed by the Tzu Chi Foundation
as permanent Honorary Board members. However, this does not include
dona-tions to international disaster relief work, emergency aid
or charity bazaars.
Board members are concerned with the development
of Tzu Chi, but they do not participate in administrative functions.
Each year, as a token of the foundation's appreciation, they may
re-ceive a free physical check-up at Tzu Chi Hospital. When the
Honorary Board Members Association was first established, members
met every three months. As the number of members grew, it became
more and more difficult to find a time when everyone could meet,
and so each district began to schedule regular meetings. Districts
often meet with each other in order to share their thoughts and
experiences.
Board members enthusiastically participate
in Tzu Chi activities. They formed a choir and learned to sing
Tzu Chi songs which they often perform at foundation functions.
They also hold seminars and participate in international disaster
relief work.
