Sustainability & Goals
Sustainability
We are committed to ensuring the vibrancy, relevance and financial security of the Temple for future generations through the establishment of an appropriate and secure endowment fund. To accomplish this goal, we will:
• Develop the Temple D’Olohoum Foundation as a permanent base of financial support for the house;
• Educate our members on the role of charitable giving in financial planning and assist them in achieving their congregational and Vodou commun philanthropic goals;
• Provide opportunities for members of the Temple family to enhance the facility and develop programs beyond the level that can be reasonably expected from membership dues; and
• Develop a capital fund that the Temple can use as capital needs arise in the future.
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees will be responsible for the effective and prudent investments of all funds donated to the Temple. Further, the Board will ensure that funds are expended in a manner consistent with the wishes of the donor, and that donors are apprised of their gift’s effectiveness and are shown appropriate appreciation. The Foundation will serve as the financial base for our house. Through the generosity of our members, the Foundation will allow our Temple’s future needs and the house’s vision to be fulfilled.
Le Temple D’Olohoum is incorporated in the County of Queens under Article 10 of the Religious Corporation Law of the State Of New York
Goals
In working to offer a wide embrace to Haitians and their partners from all paths of life, the goals of the Temple include:
• opening a school for instruction in Vodou religion and culture;
• providing opportunities for leadership and active participation of our youth;
• creating an awareness and appreciation in the local community;
• building religious harmony and understanding with other religions of the world in general, and religions originated in Africa and the Caribbean, in particular.
We will achieve our Religious Goals by providing facilities, resources and personnel to enable the members to perform and participate in religious practices at and away from the temple premises. Activities may include: daily candle lighting, prayers, songs, ritual cleansing ceremonies, meditation, learning the “langaj” to communicate with the mistè; daily devotion and special worship services dedicated to the mistè on their specific days; religious workshops and seminars geared toward expanding the education; and divinations.
We will achieve our Cultural Goals by providing necessary resources, expertise and knowledge in keeping the general public abreast of Haitian and Afro-Caribbean Culture and religious traditions by maintaining cultural ties with the Haitian and Afro-Caribbean communities and by interacting with neighboring Vodou houses and various organizations from other communities.
We will achieve our Educational Goals by encouraging participation from and providing educational experiences for adult and youth members of the house, and for the general public regarding Vodou religion, Haitian and Afro-Caribbean customs, traditions and languages.
We will achieve our Youth Involvement Goals by providing an environment conducive to learning and practicing Vodou and Haitian Culture for the children and youth living outside of Haiti; fostering active involvement in Temple activities by both children and parents; promoting religious and civic leadership skills critical to the sustenance and growth of Vodou culture throughout the world.