Next Phases of Reopening

Phase 4 (April 1)

• Kosen-rufu gongyo meetings will be held in person at Buddhist centers and rental facilities, with a call-in audio option for those attending remotely. The Caribbean Region will continue to meet via Zoom.

• Any district-up leaders meetings will be held exclusively in person at Buddhist centers (with a Zoom exception for frontier areas). In 2023, SGI-USA is holding “Skip One Level” leaders meetings in an effort to bridge communication gaps and effectively transmit the spirit and purpose of activities. (For instance, national leaders will meet directly with zone leaders, “skipping” the territory.)

• Zone/Territory teams should decide whether the following meetings should be held in person only, hybrid or via Zoom based on the geography of the organization holding the meeting:

• Soka Family Day (monthly);

• region study meeting (monthly); and

• other meetings (such as language and auxiliary groups).

Phase 4 Takeaways

✓ Masks become optional at all inperson activities, including home visits. (Please confirm the preference of any person being visited.)

✓ Vaccination still required to attend an FNCC conference.

✓ Presenters and speakers at in-person and hybrid meetings are still required to be in person.

Phase 5 (July 1)

Starting July 1, district discussion and study meetings can take place at members’ homes. An approval process will be implemented outlining consistent standards for hosting such meetings.

For districts unable to meet in members’ homes, the OWL 360-degree meeting technology at Buddhist centers and the Zoom option will remain available. District leaders can decide whether a Zoom option is necessary for meetings at members’ homes. This should be considered, for instance, only if a district member is incapacitated. Zoom meetings are not allowed for inviting guests from outside the local area or for district members who have moved to other states or overseas.

Phase 5 Takeaway

✓ COVID-19 vaccinations will not be required to attend an FNCC conference.

✓ Presenters and speakers at in-person and hybrid meetings are still required to be in person.