Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp joins Tibetan Cultural Center board

In addition to being a model, spokeswoman and wife of a famous rock star, now Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp can add board member of the Tibetan Cultural Center to her diverse list of \ntitles.\nThe Bloomington resident and wife of singer John Mellencamp was welcomed to the center's Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple board, the governing board for the temple and its outside activities, at an event Wednesday at the center, which is located a few miles south of the IU campus. \nAn added significance to her selection to the board is that she becomes the first woman to serve in an official capacity on the board. \n"I'm pretty honored and very pleased," Irwin-Mellencamp said. "I am sure that there will be many more (women on the board) in the future."\nKathleen Connors, a staff member at the center, said the board on which Irwin-Mellencamp will be serving is one of two within the center, the other is religious-based. Connors added that the position is similar to that of executive management with responsibilities ranging from fundraising to managing the staff. \nWhile new to the position, Irwin-Mellencamp said she already has several ideas to help the center.\n"My personal goals are involving more of the community, kids and schools through education of what the center has to offer," she said.\nShe added that she would like to help teach specifically about the struggle the people of Tibet have had to endure. \nShe also added that one of her first orders of business would be to help clarify the vision of the newly appointed director, Arjia Rinpoche, who has only been on the job for a month since the Dalai Lama asked him to lead the Bloomington center. \nIrwin-Mellencamp said she first became interested in the center in 2003 when she was invited to be a spokeswoman for a children's activity when the Dalai Lama visited the \ncenter. \n"I came to see the center, and I just fell in love with it," she said. "I brought my kids with me and the environment was amazing. It really is an asset to our community as a whole."\nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan also attended the event to support the center and Irwin-Mellencamp's induction to the board. Kruzan said the center is not only a cultural benefit to the city, but also an economic one for the tourism it attracts. \n"Many people have not even heard of Bloomington until they walk in these doors," Kruzan said. "It's a win-win position to have this be a spiritual presence, bring strong cultural amenities and be a driving force economically."\nKruzan also applauded the center's selection of a local resident to serve on the board because most of its members are currently from out of state. He added that Irwin-Mellencamp's addition helps establish credibility for the financial future of the center, and also carries symbolic importance since she is the first woman on the board. \nIrwin-Mellencamp said the center is especially important in a city as diverse as Bloomington. \n"It adds a lot of interest and excitement to the community," she said. "I love living in a small town with the culture and diversity aspect of a big city."\nRinpoche said Irwin-Mellencamp's ability to connect people and her interest and ability to work with children were factors in her selection to the board. He added that he also put into consideration the impact of a female joining the board when making the decision. \nDuring the event, Rinpoche presented several of his guests, including Kruzan and Irwin-Mellencamp, with khataks, soft silk ribbons worn over their shoulders. The gift is a Tibetan tradition, presented to greet and honor a guest or friend.\n"We are very fortunate to have the support of the local community," Rinpoche said. "We are welcoming and celebrating (Irwin-Mellencamp) to our board"