Rejoice 1988 …
Common questions
about the programmes
put to Jan McGregor

Jan McGregor has been National Organiser for Australia since December 1986. David Lovejoy asked Jan some common questions about the Rejoice programmes.

David: Rejoice '88 is obviously different from previous programmes; has this tour been easy to organise?

Jan: I wouldn't say it's been easy, but definitely it's a challenge I'm enjoying being part of. The preparations are generally more complex than in previous years and there is a lot of care going into every aspect of the programmes. It is demanding a greater degree of teamwork between instructors and organisers throughout the country than I think any of us have approached before. And also, we are putting a great amount of energy into communicating with people throughout Australia about the programmes.

The objective is simply to provide the opportunity for each individual with Knowledge to come and spend a very special two days with Maharaji on a personal level with no hassles in the way.

David: It seemed very unusual to arrange the Rejoices in Adelaide and the Gold Coast when a large percentage of people with Knowledge live in the bigger cities of Melbourne and Sydney and will have to travel. Was there a reason behind this or was it, as some people have suggested, a planning error?

Jan: No, actually a lot of thought went into it. These programmes require a very specific type of facility and need to also provide a total environment conducive to what is really a 'Knowledge Review' style of programme. Australia has very few facilities that are both large enough and have the required combination of comfort and number of separate rooms. The Adelaide and Gold Coast facilities meet all the requirements and in fact we were very lucky to be able to secure them as they are always very heavily booked.

Although Sydney and Melbourne would have been obvious choices in terms of the numbers of people that live there, suitable venues simply weren't available during the dates required.

David: What about future programmes?

Jan: In the future public and other programmes will continue to be held in the major cities.

David: There was a lot of initial reaction to the high cost of registration especially from people with lower incomes. Is Knowledge now only for a wealthy elite or what was the reasoning behind the registration?

Jan: The registration was given a lot of careful consideration and not just by me. Actually, it was a consensus decision made by the 40 instructors and organisers from throughout Australia who attended the national conference in Sydney in January. As a group we were very conscious of the effect of setting this figure on people's ability to afford to attend the programmes. The final figure was reached in a fairly simple way by dividing the total estimated budget of approximately $250,000 by a conservative estimate of attendance of 1500 people, and allowing for a small contingency. We cannot afford not to be able to cover costs and the only way to pay for the tour is to ask the people attending to share the expense.

David: So, why is it so expensive?

Jan: Well actually it's not so expensive when you consider how much is involved. The whole tour, including Instructor Refresher and three Rejoice events in Australia and New Zealand takes nearly one month. The actual cost of hiring the halls is only one portion of the total budget. There are mahy other costs involved in providing these programmes, from providing a complex audio visual system for each programme, to providing transport and accommodation for Maharaji during his stay in each city. Communication and administrative costs are also extensive.

David: Is any of the money being used for things beside the Rejoice programmes?

Jan: No. Registration strictly covers the costs of providing the Rejoice programmes. However, if more than our budget figure of 1500 people come, naturally we will have an excess of funds. This would provide a welcome reserve toward Maharaji's next visit, and would make it possible to make a contribution toward the International Elan Vital Foundation that supports Maharaji's work around the world.

David: Where do you see all this leading?

Jan: I feel the work that is going into these programmes in terms of the teamwork that is developing will be a solid foundation for Maharaji's work to continue to unfold in Australia and for us to be able to respond to the changing direction that he is taking.

Maharaji has indicated that the Rejoices are a bridge between two eras. I feel that this is a crucial time for people with Knowledge to spend time with Maharaji and further experience the joy of Knowledge in their lives.

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