2012 National Sikh Convention Held in San Jose, California

Sikh organization representatives at the convention

November 19, 2012 : Representatives of Sikh Gurdwaras and organizations from across the US gathered for the 2012 National Sikh Convention from November 9 to 11 at Sikh Gurdwara Sahib of San Jose, California. Representatives came from Massachusetts to California and Wisconsin to Alabama to attend the convention.

“At this national convention WSC-AR committed itself to implementing Conflict Resolution Services, developed by it, with the purpose of resolving conflict within Gurdwara sangats in a gurmat-oriented way and minimizing the need to resort to litigation in the courts. In addition, the Council discussed its initiative on developing an international Sikh representative structure, and decided to continue further enhancing this initiative enthusiastically,” said Dr. Satpal Singh, Chairperson of WSC-AR.

US Sikh Gurdwaras (which are managed by Sikh community) and other US Sikh organizations that respect the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) were invited to send one delegate each to the National Sikh Convention.

The convention opened on Thursday evening at the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in San Jose with registration and social hour/informal discussions. The Friday morning plenary session was devoted to sharing the accomplishments of WSC-AR, and representatives of Sikh community’s national outreach organizations gave presentations about their projects. A highlight of the Friday morning session was a presentation on the significance and implementation of a global Sikh structure based on cooperation and collaboration among Sikh organizations in various countries. The afternoon session was devoted to presentations by various Sikh outreach organizations.

Dr. Satpal Singh, WSC-AR Chairperson, honors
Senator Ellen Corbett, California Senate Majority Leader

The Saturday morning session covered Khalsa school curriculums, charter schools, need for encouraging and financially helping Sikhs to adopt the teaching profession in public schools, Sikh networking, and involvement in shaping public policy initiatives. The highlight of the session was the presentation of the Conflict Resolution Services being provided by the World Sikh Council – America Region. On Saturday afternoon, the General Body meeting discussed these important issues and passed resolutions, including the Conflict Resolution Services and some changes in the by-laws to make the functioning of the Council more effective. In the evening, a banquet was held in downtown San Jose for delegates, representatives, and members of the sangat. Individuals who had helped pass resolution SB1540, that will implement Sikh history in the California school curriculum, were honored at the banquet including Professor Jeffrey Brodd of California State University at Sacramento.

Senator Ellen Corbett presents California Senate Resolution felicitating WSC-AR

On Sunday morning, the meeting was held at the Gurdwara Sahib in San Jose at which major decisions of the convention were adopted, followed by reporting to the Sikh community in attendance at the Gurdwara Sahib. Attendees at the Convention also passed a resolution congratulating President Barack Obama on his re-election. Further, Senator Ellen Corbett, the California Senate Majority Leader, was honored in the sangat for her contributions to the Sikh community. Senator Corbett presented California Senate Resolution to WSC-AR, felicitating the Council on its achievements and wishing it continued success in pursuing its goals and mission.

Sikh Scouts Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh of Troop 600 earning the rank of Eagle Scout
were honored at the convention

The convention was attended by representatives of the following US Sikh Gurdwaras and organizations: Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Opelika (AL); Guru Nanak Mission, Livingston (CA); Gurdwara Guru Angad Darbar, Bakersfield (CA); Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont (CA); Gurdwara Sahib, Merced (CA); Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver (CO); Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta (GA); Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta (GA); Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham (NC); Guru Nanak Religious Society of Central Ohio, Columbus (OH); New England Sikh Study Circle, Boston (MA); Sikh Cultural & Educational Society of Western New York, Buffalo (NY); Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin (OH); Sikh Foundation of Syracuse, Liverpool (NY); Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine (IL); Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, Lawrenceville (NJ); Sikh Sabha of Upper Valley, Hanover (NH); Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights (MI); Sikh Youth Alliance of North America, Toledo (OH); Singh Sabha of Michigan, Canton (MI); Tri-State Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville (PA); and Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield (WI).

In addition, representatives of United Sikhs, Sikh Research Institute, SALDEF, Jakara and other Sikh organizations from across the nation, including Khalsa School San Jose, Sikh Scouts – Troop 600, Sanjog, Sikh Family Center, and Kaurista attended the convention.

Professor Jeffrey Brodd of California State University at Sacramento
was honored at the banquet

The World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR) is the umbrella organization representative of Sikhs in the United States. It is an elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and institutions. Currently 48 Gurdwaras and other Sikh institutions across the nation are members of WSC-AR. The major governing purpose of the organization is to represent the collective view of Sikhs in the United States. WSC-AR works to promote Sikh interests at the national and international level focusing on issues of advocacy, education, and well-being of humankind.

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Member Gurdwaras of WSC-AR:
1. Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Opelika, AL
2. Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society, Stockton, CA
3. Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA
4. Guru Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA
5. Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North Hollywood, CA
6. Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA
7. Gurdwara Guru Angad Darbar, Bakersfield, CA
8. Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver, CO
9. Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta, GA
10. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
11. Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL
12. Sikh Society of South, New Orleans, LA
13. New England Sikh Study Circle, Boston, MA
14. Singh Sabha of Michigan, Canton, MI
15. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills, MI
16. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI
17. Downriver Gurdwara Sahib, Detroit, MI
18. Guru Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS
19. Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
20. Sikh Sabha of Upper Valley, Hanover, NH
21. Garden State Sikh Association, Bridgewater, NJ
22. Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Delaware Valley, Sewell, NJ
23. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
24. Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, Lawrenceville, NJ
25. Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh, Las Vegas, NV
26. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills, NY
27. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo, NY
28. Sikh Foundation of Syracuse, Liverpool, NY
29. Guru Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH
30. Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH
31. Guru Nanak Religious Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH
32. Sikh Sadh Sangat, Easton, PA
33. Philadelphia Sikh Society, Millbourne, PA
34. Tristate Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA
35. Mid South Sikh Sabha, Memphis, TN
36. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX
37. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX
38. Sikh Gurdwara of North Texas, Garland, TX
39. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax, VA
40. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, Richmond, VA
41. Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI

Other Sikh Institution Members of WSC-AR:
1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim, CA
2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS
3. Sikh Youth Federation of North America, White Plains, NY
4. Sikh Heritage Foundation, Long Island, NY
5. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin, OH
6. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH
7. Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX

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