SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

ANNOUNCEMENT/Prayer for Peace:

Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota and Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery jointly invite you to participate in an Interfaith Prayer for the People of Tibet and for Religious Freedom Everywhere on Sunday, July 27th 2008 at 2:00pm, St. Joan Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN- 55419.

The chief speaker at the prayer session will be Ven. Arjia Rinpoche (President and Director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center and Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery in Bloomington, Indiana). This prayer session includes Sacred Chants by Gyuto Tantric Choir, musical performance by Vocalist Robert Robinson, and Peace Prayers by Tibetan Cultural School students. This prayer session will also be presided and blessed by Worldwide Faith Organizations' Head/Directors.

This event is sponsored by: ST. Joan of Arc Catholic Parish, Justice Commission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet & Consociates, Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery, and the Tibetan Community of Minnesota.

If any questions please contact: TAFM Office (651)917-9556, Executive Director/Karma Wangchuk (612)709-2103 or any of the above sponsors.

TAFM cordially invites you all to participate in the celebration of H.H. The Dalai Lama's Birthday on 6th July, 2008 at Columbia Park, Minneapolis.

PROGRAM: M.C./Secretary (Ngodup Sangmo) 9:00 am - Sangsol/Lhasol 10:00 am - Tibetan national anthem, prayers (monks and nuns) and presentation of Khatas to Shugtri (Traditional Solja and Drasil - refreshments will be served)

10:15 am - Introductory note/ President (Thinly Woser) 10:25 am - Special announcements/ Executive Director (Karma Wangchuk) - Recognition of outgoing TAFM Board members and High School Graduate Scholarship Awards (Education Committee Chair/Jigme Taythi)

10:30 am - Cultural dance and music performance (TCS/Doeghar/Public)/Cultural Director (Tenzin Tsering) and Instructor (Tenzin Ngawang)

11:00 am - Vote of thanks/ Vice President (Dawa K. Waleag) 11:05 am - General Announcements: 1. TAFM - Election Commission (4 new TAFM Board members), Spiritual Committee (Tenshug donation), Sports Committee (soccer game), Green Book contribution and ID/Membership drive 2. RTYC - President/Kalsang Phuntsok 3. RTWA - President/ Tsering Dolma 4. Minnesota SFT - President/Ngawang Dolker

12:00 noon - Potluck lunch 1:00 pm - Program resumes with wonderful entertainments including dance/music, games, sports, Gorshey and any other individual or group performances.

NOTE: We appreciate bringing your delicious potluck cuisine in disposable wraps/containers. We thank you for presenting Khatas with traditional Mandal offerings/donation to the Shugtri for earning individual and family merits/good fortune

We also request all to contribute donations to the Wisconsin NATA Tenshug as we have to send the final collected amount to the Tenshug Organizing Committee ASAP

It is important to update your TAFM membership that enables you to enjoy thebenefits of participating in the election of TAFM Board members as per its Rules and Regulations

Kindly take advantage of the special waiver of the Voluntary Chatrel Contribution/Tibetan Green Book, and pay your dues ASAP. This Special Waiver offered by the Kashag/TGIE expires on August 8, 2008

If any questions, please contact TAFM Office (651) 917-9556, Executive Director/Karma Wangchuk (612) 709-2103

The Annual General Body meeting of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) will be held on Sunday, June 15th 2008 at 5:30 PM, TAFM/Community Center, 1096 Raymond Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108. Agenda: 1. President Thinly Woser-la will present a brief Annual Report of TAFM. 2. An election of 4 Board members will be conducted to replace the members who have completed their terms. 3. Any other matter with permission of the Chairman. Ngodup Sangmo SECRETARY/TAFM BOARD June 2, 2008

Tibetan High School Graduation 2008

 DATE: Saturday June 14, 2008 VENUE: Tibetan Community Cultural Center, St. Paul TIME: 6:30 P.M. Potluck dinner will be served after the program. All Tibetan High School Students and parents are requested to attend the occasion to recognize and honor our High School Graduates, the future of Tibet.

Celebration of Saka Dawa festival organized by Gyutoe Wheel of Dharma Monastery

Date: Wednesday June 18, 2008 Venue: Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, St. Paul. Program: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Debate on Tibetan Buddhism (Organized by TAFM) 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Tsewang (long life puja) on Dolkar Yidshin Khorlo 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Tsog on Lama Chodpa

Birthday Celebration of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama:

Date: Sunday July 6, 2008 Venue: Columbia Public Park, Minneapolis. Time: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM. Event: Public Picnic (Birthday of H.H. The Dalai Lama) at Columbia Park, 3300 Central Avenue, NE , Minneapolis, MN 55418. Morning event: ‘Sangsol’, prayers, cultural dances, music and general entertainment. Please bring a lunch (Potluck). Thank you. There will also be a Dhanglang Chatrel desk setup for the general community & Membership contribution.

Green Book, Danglang Chatrel announcement:

As per the recent decree from the Kashag, TGIE, Dharamsala regarding the tax-break for all the Tibetans around the world, we see this as a great opportunity to clear all your past Green Book dues (either it is for 7 years or five years). With only $ 11.00 (eleven) as a fine plus paying your 2008 contribution, one can update your Green Book or for those who don’t hold one currently can apply for a new one. This tax-break will end at the specified deadline date on August 8th 2008. Thus we request all Minnesotan Tibetans (those applicable) to update or apply for a new Green Book before the deadline.

What You Need To Know About Saturday May 31, Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay Programs

1. State Capitol Program starts at 10:00AM sharp. Please arrive early. 2. March begins at 11:00AM 3. Route leaders and torch bearers will lead the procession 4. March ends at Tibetan Community Cultural Center (TCCC) around 2:00PM 5. TCCC Program starts at 3:00PM - Keynote Speaker - Rep Keith Ellison 6. Program ends at 5:00PM with Sangsol (Fire Puja) 7. For detail program description, please visit www. rtycminnesota.org or www.tafm.org

Transportation

1. Organizers have booked 2 school buses. Bus pickup starts at 8:30AM in the cultural center parking lot. Each bus will make 2 roundtrips with the last pickup at 9:30AM. If you want to ride the bus, please come at least by 8:30AM. Others driving their own cars may head straight to the capitol. Please do not park cars in the (TCCC) parking lot. Designated parking areas are available with guided personnel. Please do not park anywhere not suggested by the staff. Please do not hang around in groups in these parking lots. 2. If you are driving and you have seats available please consider giving rides to others.

March - Route/Safety

1. March distance is about 7.5 miles and we expect to take around 2.5hours. 2. March begins at the State Capitol at 11:00AM. Following through St. Paul downtown, we head straight down the University Ave. W until Raymond Ave. Turning Right will lead straight to the Tibetan Community Cultural Center. 2. Please wear appropriate attire. Traditional dress code is highly encouraged. We encourage everyone to buy and wear event specific T-shirt made available at the bus entrance. T-shirt and a flag is on sale for $10 only. 3. Please wear appropriate shoes - tennis shoes for walking are recommended to reduce the risk of injury. 4. Please exercise best judgments and follow traffic rules properly. Please be considerate and careful of small kids and seniors. It may be good to keep infants away or have some one to wait at TCCC instead. Anyone unable to walk lengths may join the morning anf afternoon programs at the State Capitol and TCCC. 5. Given distance of walk we advise elders, disabled and small kids to not to take part in march or to limited partake in march only.

Security

As encountered during Human Rights Torch Relay on April 16, there may be counter-protest from the pro-China group. If such an incident occurs please refrain from confrontation. Event leaders are advised to keep check on everyone.

Refreshments

1. There will a team of volunteers providing bottle water along the route. You may want to bring along snacks to keep up yourself. Lunch (sandwich) will be served upon arrival at the TCCC.

Contact:1. Kalsang Phuntsok - Event Coordinator - 612-281-7619 rtycminnesota@yahoo.com 2. Tsewang Chokden - Event Coordinator - 952-356-7359 2. Karma Wangchuk - TAFM - 651-917-9556 3. Tsering Dolma - RTWA - 763-502-7904 4. Thinly Woser - TAFM - 612-716-8608 5. Ngawang Dolker - SFT - 763-639-4616

Special Announcement of the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay

We are pleased to announce that the ceremony of the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay is scheduled for May 31st 2008. This important event is jointly organized by the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Regional Tibetan Women’s’ Association, and Students for a Free Tibet. All the concerned officials of these organizations unanimously decided on the program detailed below:

Event: Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay Date: May 31st 2008 Time & Venue: 9:30 am-12:00 pm at the St. Paul State Capital and 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm at TAFM, 1096 Raymond Ave, St. Paul.

STATE CAPITAL PROGRAM/MORNING:

9:30 am-Assembly, 10:00-Welcome Announcement/Event Objectives, 10:05-Tibetan/American National Anthem, 10:15-Moment of Silence, 10:16-Dentsig Monlam/Prayer of Truth, 10:20-Sponsors read Resolution declaring Freedom Torch Relay day, 10:30-Guest Speaker/Mayor of St. Paul, 10:40-Torch Lighting Ceremony (Gyalshay and Gen Gendun/light torch), 10:42-Pledge Remark/RTYC President Kalsang Phuntsok, 10:50 am- Hand off the Torch to Gen Gendun- first torch bearer and march begins. Program MC: SFT/Ngawang Dolker.

TAFM PROGRAM/AFTERNOON:

2:00 pm – Serve lunch on arrival, 3:00-Welcome Announcement, 3:05-Introduction of Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay/ RTYC Tsewang Chokden, 3:10-Moment of Silence,3:11-Dentsig Monlam/Prayer of Truth (Lead/Gyuto monks), 3:15-Speech/SFT President, 3:20-Speech/RTWA President, 3:25-Speech/RTYC President, 3:30-Speech/TAFM President, 3:35-Speech/Chief Guests, 4:00-Cultural dance, music, Freedom songs, and Sangay etc; 5:00 pm- Vote of Thanks/TAFM Executive Director and Sangsol with traditional ‘Namthar’ led by Tenzin Ngawang /TAFM music teacher. Program MC: TAFM/Sonam Dhondup (Treasurer)

Please participate and support this event for the Tibetan national cause. All the concerned Board members and staff of TAFM, RTYC, RTWA, and SFT are kindly requested to help coordinate and assist the participants and public during this event.

Any questions please contact: SFT Ngawang Dolker (763) 639-4616, RTWA President/Tsering Dolma (763) 843-1689, RTYC President/Kalsang Phuntsok (612) 281-7619, TAFM President/Thinly Woser (612) 716-8608, TAFM Executive Director/Karma Wangchuk (612) 709-2103.

The Tibet Fund, New York has organized a speaking tour of Mrs. Namgyal Lhamo Taklha who is scheduled to visit Tibetan community settlements/Associations including Minnesota. TAFM cordially invites you and friends to participate and support this event as follows:

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2008 .. Slide Show Talk "Tibetans in Exile" Time: 6:00pm Venue: TAFM, 1096 Raymond Ave, St. Paul, MN-55108

Any questions please contact:TAFM Office (651)917-9556 Karma Wangchuk (612)709-2103 Executive Director

Tibetan community upcoming events:

Every Friday Candle Light Vigil at 5pm-8pm, Federal Courthouse, 300 South & 4th Street, Minneapolis.

April 9,10,11,12 which is Wed,Thurs,Fri,and Sat. CONVENTION CENTER - Need volunteers to stand in booth. More than 4000 youths will attend the convention with Bishop Tutu and Dadak la has managed to get a booth so we can use it to pass out informations about Tibet. April 9,10,11 will be at Convention Center and 12 Sat. will be at Metropolitan state University 700 E 7th St St Paul, MN Here are the time interval that we need people at the booth. April9 Wed: 9am-3:30pm & 5pm-7pm April10 Thurs: 8am-9am & 10:30am-5pm April11 Fri: 8am-9am &10:30am-6:30pm April12 Sat: 8am-3pm *If you think you can volunteer during these times, please contact Kunsal at 763-784-6265. This is mainly a youth development activity and coordinators are SFT/RTYC.

April 10th: At the State Capitol 2-6pm Rally in honor of brave men and women of Tibet and to highlight events since March 10. Rally will be ended with Candle Light Vigil. Please come in time and wear chupa, traditional dress if possible. PLEASE CONTACT TAFM/RTWA/SFT/RTYC for more information.

APRIL 16th: THURSDAY 9:00AM- 2:00PM - HUMAN RIGHTS TORCH RELAY – State Capitol to UofM Coffman Bldg. We would like as many people as possible for the event. Please come if you are available. There will be lots of people from different background including Chinese. So this event is a good opportunity to tell our stories.

APRIL 19th: SATURDAY - RTYC is exclusively holding a TIBET INDEPENDENCE TORCH as mandated by Centrex TYC. RTYC members and supporters of Tibet's Independence are encouraged to participate. Details of the event will be available soon. PLEASE CONTACT RTYC for more information.

APRIL 25th: FRIDAY - Panchen Lama's Birthday - There is already a candle light vigil scheduled as part of 'Friday is Tibet Actions Day' program. We will also highlight the issue of Panchen Lama as he and his family's whereabouts are still unkown. Please bring posters of Panchen Lama and related material if you have in possession. PLEASE CONTACT TAFM/RTWA/SFT/RTYC for more info.

MAY 31, SATURDAY - FREEDOM TORCH RELAY - 9:00AM-5:00PM - State Capitol to Minneapolis - Details are being worked out. Its important that turnout is good. PLEASE CONTACT TAFM/RTWA/SFT/RTYC for more information.

Any question please contact: Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (651)917-9556 - edirector@tafm.org Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (612)281-7619/(952)356-7359 rtycminnesota@yahoo.com Regional Tibetan Women's Association - (612)667-6590 - Students for Free Tibet - (763)639-4616 - dolke001@gmail.com