What a Local Coordinator Needs to Do Below is a list of common tasks associated with being a local coordinator. (The list is long—not to overburden you, but to provide all the information you might need and answer all of your questions in advance.)

Provide programs for the tour group in your area. Seek help from universities, churches, school, art galleries, health center and museums.

Enlist the assistance of volunteers and friends, if you are having the monks for a series of activities, it is good idea to have a different volunteer charged with the responsibility for each of the activities.

Publicize the events as much as you can. There are sample flyers and ads with the National tour coordinator or with the monks.

Please make sure that your flyers and ads refers to 'donation'- not 'Admission price or fee.'. The tour is under the shield of Non profit organization, donations are always acceptable and appreciated but we are not to use the terminology 'Charge', 'admission fee or admission charge or admission price.

Contact your local politician and request them to attend the events. Provide media opportunities, particularly photos, with the politicians. We wish to inform politician and public about Tibet and its current political situation.

Provide information handouts for the public. These are available with the monks.

Arrange for accommodations for the monks. These need not be fancy in anyway. The monks bring sleeping bags with them and are used to sleeping on the floor. Often times they are very happy to bed-down in a school gym or someone's family room. They just need bathroom facilities.

Arrange for meals for the monks-particularly on the day they arrive after a long journey on the road. Actually, the monks like to cook for themselves if this is possible (they always clean up afterwards). They will go grocery shopping with you to pick out the food they prefer. If it is better for you to provide meals, then that is fine also. Tibetan monks are not vegetarian but they prefer beef to other meats. They love noodles, rice and vegetables. The local coordinator is not to expect to foot the bill for the groceries. Please find donation to cover all of your costs. If it is necessary, give the receipts of the money spend to the monks and they will deduct the amount from the donations they receive.

The monks will bring their own slide projector for their slide show. Please provide them with a blank wall or projector screen. The monks also carry with the slide show on a computer disk. If your facility has a computer projector available, the presentation will be of higher quality.

Please provide materials for the monks that they will use when they perform pujas (prayer sessions). These materials are usually fruits, rice and flowers. Just ask the translator what they need to have. (of course, you will be reimbursed-unless you choose to make a donation.)

If possible, introduce the monks to as many people and families as possible. Monks really enjoy family life and love little children.

Most of all, be flexible and enjoy your visit with the monks. As they firmly state, "we are not enlightened beings-just people like you who are trying to live a good life and be of some use to others."

ALL CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO "Drepung Gomang Institute" Please arrange to have all cash donated written into a check (or checks). Please give all proceeds to the monks. They will send all money transcation to Drepung Gomang Institute in Louisville for deposit in the bank. Periodically, the money is wire to the monastery in India.

All donations not given directly to the monks should be mailed to DGI, 1578 Parsons Place, Louisville, KY 40205.