Incovar

BGF INCOVAR is the youth wing of the Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF). INCOVAR organizes activities that cater to the Buddhist undergraduates' needs. Being the youth wing of BGF, INCOVAR strives to connect the bridge between BGF and the Buddhist Youth in the country through their own unique and experiential activities. Members of the family are called Incovarians.

Vision

To promote the growth of Buddhism and create a better world for all sentient beings.

Mission

INCOVAR aims to meet the secular and spiritual needs of Buddhist youth through modern contemporary activities which encourage the awakening of our potentials and help the advancement of the Buddhist community. (encourage the growth of the Buddhist community)

Purpose

To provide the avenue for the study, practice and realization of Buddhist teaching that connects the spirituality and lifestyle development of youth.

To inspire youth, through our own exemplary ways, to aspire for personal development and to contribute to the Buddhist community.

To foster and strengthen fellowship among Buddhist youth, thus creating a network of spiritual friends in support of each other.

Core Values

We value Individual Expression
We treasure Unity in Diversity
We nurture a Family in the Dharma

Identity

I = Inspiring
N = Network (of Kalyana Mitra)
C = Contemporary
O = Outgoing
V = Vibrant
A = Action (application of knowledge)
R = expeRiential

Culture

INCOVAR's culture is continuously evolving in line with the vision, mission, purpose, core values and identity. Among some of the popular cultures include:

INCOVAR cheer
Strong fellowship bonding by spiritual unity
Energetic and youthful energy
Creative amalgamation of modern contemporary activities and Dharma values

INCOVAR Portfolios

The INCOVAR organization consist of 4 main portfolios and several other supporting functions. The Exco-in-charge is the leader of INCOVAR and reports to the BGF parent body.

Exco-in-charge Intermediary between Incovarians and BGF Exco. In charge of overall planning and ensures Incovar is in line with its direction. Identifies and sets processes and guidelines.

Outreach & Welfare Acts as liaison between Incovar and the university Buddhist societies. Plans and coordinates outings, potlucks and gatherings for the purpose of welfare and fellowship, and periodic activities that ensure continuity and visibility. Publicity of Incovar. Coordinates with webmaster on website and forum related matters.

Incovarneering Plans and coordinates training programs (e.g. facilitator training, IXP, boot-camp). Plans and coordinates annual Incovar convention (to be determined). Liaise with Outreach for periodic activities. Acts as the Incovar “Think Tank” to spur creativity and innovation amongs members.

Camp Management* Plans, coordinates and organizes Incovar camps. Liaise with Outreach for periodic activities. Liaise with Outreach for publicity of Incovar camps and Incovar in general. Takes ownership of processes and documentation of ideas, workshops, methods, etc.

*As the Incovar Camp is our main activity, a full portfolio is dedicated to ensuring the success and smooth implementation of any Incovar camps (i.e. IDC, IMC, etc).

Consultancy Provide consultation to universities that need our expertise and experience. Liaise with Outreach for periodic activities. Liaise with Outreach for publicity. Liaise with Incovarneering for Incovar “Think Tank”.

INCOVAR Activities

The main activity organized by INCOVAR is the INCOVAR Dhamma Camp (IDC), which is held twice a year. It is a Dhamma based stay-in camp, usually of 4 days duration, that combines Dhamma talks, experiential workshops and games, devotional and inspirational practices, modern Buddhist music, and strong fellowship bonding. To date, there have been 28 IDCs successfully organized.

As of April 2007, INCOVAR decided to revive the INCOVAR Graduate Camp (IGC) by organizing the 2nd IGC. The main focus of this camp, as opposed to the IDC, is to equip final year undergraduates, recent graduates, or those who have recently joined the workforce, with the essential soft skills; these include: career goal setting, resume writing, interview skills and professional grooming. As a value add to the participants of the IGC, elements incorporating Buddhist teachings into the corporate environment are also included as part of the camp. To date, several notable key Dharma speakers and corporate profiles have appeared in the IGC, such as Bro. Wei Chuan Beng, Bro. Tan Huat Chye, Bro. Charlie Chia, Bro. Tan Ho Soon, and many more.

Below is a list of camps and workshops that are organized by INCOVAR.

INCOVAR Dhamma Camp
INCOVAR Management Camp
INCOVAR Graduate Camp
INCOVAR Induction Camp
INCOVAR Programmers Creativity and Innovation Camp
INCOVAR Creativity Workshop
INCOVAR Facilitator Training Workshop
INCOVAR Music Passion Originality

Important Figures of INCOVAR

Bro. Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, "founding members of INCOVAR"
[http://jyon.blogspot.com Bro. Mooi Chee Onn] , "also known as Bapak INCOVAR"

Music Group Spin Off

In January 2002, a group of Incovarians inclined toward music decided to branch off from INCOVAR to form the highly influential Buddhist music group i.gemz.

External links

* [http://bgf.buddhism.org/graphics/bgf/whatsNewFrame.htm Buddhist Gem Fellowship]

* [http://www.incovar.org INCOVAR Website]

* [http://www.friendster.com/incovar INCOVAR in Friendster]

* [http://incovardhammacamp.spaces.live.com/ INCOVAR in Live Spaces]

* [http://igemz.blogspot.com/ i.gemz]