Albuquerque Vipassana Sangha Board of Directors MeetingSunday, June 21, 2015

11:00am -1:30 pm

Draft AGENDA

MeditateAspirations and values Approve agendaApprove minutes of April meeting

Consent Agenda● Bhavana Dana Presenters● Communication● Education Standing Committee● Finance ● Retreat & Residency

Standing Committee Reports● Home of Our Own

Ad Hoc Committee Reports●

Other and New Business● InterSangha 2015● Dana for Mark Pugsley – CDL in training● Victoria's Request for support● Sangha organization – committee responsibilities ● Sangha organization – Proposal on Social Events ● Sangha organization – Proposal on Sangha Space use● Amazon Smile Foundation● Alice, Mel, Tiska – Why do people stop coming to Sangha?

Meditate

JUNE 21_2015 COMCOM BOARD MTG REPORT Pg 1 of 1

ComCom Members: Siva Challa

Matt Cohen

Bill Hershey

Beverly Klemme

Sarah Schwartz

Mary Young (Chair)

The ComCom met on April 30, 2015

-------------------------- ComCom Updates Since April 2015 Board Meeting --------------------------------

The April 30th ComCom meeting was attended by Siva Challa, Bill Hershey, Beverly Klemme, and

Mary Young. The attendees noted that, at this time, there appeared to be no major

communication issues for the committee to address. ComCom tasking was in line with the

available volunteer resources. ComCom members agreed that it would be good to experiment

with meeting quarterly rather than every two months. If issues come up between meetings,

they will be addressed via email or special meetings will be planned before Thursday sangha.

The AVS Facebook site continues to be very lightly used by members. The bulletin board, flyer table, and AVS chat appear to be the primary ways people stay informed.

No additional offensive emails have gone through the AVS.

ComCom ToDo list as ComCom members have time:

o Develop quickfacts page to post on bulletin board and website to communicate basic information about AVS.

o List our sangha in additional Buddhist sangha listings (Sarah updated our information on Buddhanet)

Education committee report June 2015

The current participants are Ken Munoz, Mel Schneider, Kathryn Turnipseed, and Betsy Vanleit.The group has not met since last board meeting. (we do our work mostly by email)

The morning sit continues.

The "Wise Heart Study Group." has begun meeting at AVC every other Tuesday night. The group is has 12 members and is going well. They expect to continue into late autumn.

The Feldenkrais practice group to work on mindfulness of the body has been approved. They have begun meeting every other Monday.

We are considering a proposal from Matt Sexton called "Practicing Engaged Presence". The committee still has question about what this group would actually be doing.

Albuquerque Vipassana Sangha

Finance Committee Report Members: Siva Challa, Alice Powsner, Gary Serrino, Sarah Schwartz Snapshot of the AVS financial accounts as of 6/2/2015:

Checking Account $ 6,520.24

Money Market Fund $20,039.15

Non Transaction Share (Savings) $ 739.61

PayPal $ 67.26

TOTAL $27,366.26

Account balances every two months since 6/2013:

Albuquerque Vipassana Sangha

2015 Budget vs Actual Spending

Budget

2015

Q1

Spending Percent

Income

4000 · RETREAT INCOME - RESIDENTIAL

4020 · Fees - Residential

Total 4000 · RETREAT INCOME - RESIDENTIAL

4300 · CONTRIBUTIONS

4320 · General Contributions

4321 · General Contributions - Thursday 6,476.00 945.00 15%

4322 · General Contributions - Sunday 1,445.00 519.92 36%

4323 · General Contributions - Classes

4324 · General Contributions - Online 1,863.00 212.00 11%

4325 · General Contributions - Other 10,214.00 1,831.00 18%

4340 · Retreat Contributions - Residential

4350 · Retreat Contributions - Non-Residential 1,776.00 523.00 29%

4380 · Teacher Donations 1,228.00 420.00 34%

Total 4300 · CONTRIBUTIONS 23,002.00 4,450.92 19%

4500 · FUNDRAISING

4500 · Appeal 11,682.00 3,555.00 30%

Total 4500 · FUNDRAISING 11,682.00 3,555.00 30%

4800 · OTHER INCOME

4820 · Interest Income 19.00 3.30 17%

4800 · OTHER INCOME 19.00 3.30 17%

Total Income 34,703.00 8,009.22 23%

Expense

5100 · DONATION EXPENSES

5120 · Donations to Other Organizations 700.00 - 0%

5140 · Donations to Teachers 1,428.00 420.00 29%

Total 5100 · DONATION EXPENSES 2,128.00 420.00 20%

5200 · RESIDENCY EXPENSES

5220 · Teacher Travel - Residency 1,348.00 241.50 18%

5230 · Teacher Housing - Residency 2,300.00 - 0%

5240 · Other Teacher Exp - Residency 850.00 - 0%

5250 · Facilities - Residency

5270 · Supplies - Residency 40.00 - 0%

5290 · Other Expenses - Residency 100.00 - 0%

Total 5200 · RESIDENCY EXPENSES 4,638.00 241.50 5%

5300 · RETREAT EXPENSES - RESIDENTIAL

Total 5300 · RETREAT EXPENSES - RESIDENTIAL -

5400 · RETREAT EXPENSES - NON-RESIDENTIAL

5420 · Advertising - Non-Residential -

5430 · Travel - Non-Residential 157.00 - 0%

5450 · Supplies - Non-Residential -

5460 · Facilities - Non-Residential -

5490 · Other Expenses - Non-Residential

Total 5400 · RETREAT EXPENSES - NON-RESIDENTIAL 157.00 - 0%

Albuquerque Vipassana Sangha

2015 Budget vs Actual Spending

Budget

2015

Q1

Spending Percent

5700 · TEACHER EXPENSES GENERAL

5720 · Teacher Travel - General 236.00 161.00 68%

5730 · Teacher Housing - General -

5740 · Other Teacher Expenses - General -

5750 · Continuing Education -

Total 5700 · TEACHER EXPENSES GENERAL 236.00 161.00 68%

5800 · FACILITIES EXPENSES GENERAL

5830 · AVC Rent, Utilities, Janitorial 18,000.00 4,500.00 25%

5850 · Supplies 1,660.00 95.88 6%

5860 · Furnishings 1,000.00 900.20 90%

Total 5700 · FACILITIES EXPENSES GENERAL 20,660.00 5,496.08 27%

7000 · ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

7210 · Bank Fees 11.00 0.32 3%

7230 ∙ Communications 390.00 285.00 73%

7250 · Dues/Subscriptions/Licenses/ Fees 62.00 - 0%

7260 · Equipment -

7270 · Fundraising 138.00 - 0%

7280 · Insurance 1,220.00 - 0%

7310 · Meetings

7350 · Postage and Delivery 171.00 19.60 11%

7390 · Supplies 100.00 - 0%

7400 · Website 200.00 - 0%

7430 · Travel -

7440 · Volunteer Development 50.00 - 0%

Total 7000 · ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,342.00 304.92 13%

Total Expense 30,161.00 6,623.50 22%

Net Income 4,542.00 1,385.72

BDP Meeting June 17, 2015

Present: Ken, Kathryn, Fred, Alice, Tam, Mark, Betsy (notetaker and facilitator) DISCUSSION We started with a group discussion of the things that are going well in our efforts to offer the dharma. Comments included:

• It is great that we are signing up and covering Thursday and Sunday nights far in advance • Sunday night discussions of talks edited by Siva and facilitated by Alice generate much

interest and discussion • Things just seem to be “flowing” – there is a sense of ease and stability • We’re offering a good diversity of topics and ways of leading (including tea!) • We’ve really grown as a group of presenters

Next we explored ways that we would like to grow, change, and/or add to how we offer the dharma. Comments included:

• It would be nice to have more continuity at least some of the time (e.g. have interested presenters collaborate on a theme or topic over a period of weeks)

• We would benefit from an introductory/foundational course (series of sessions) for people who are new to Buddhism and practice

• It would be useful to add a regular practice discussion group for people who would like to explore their experiences with practice

• It would be helpful to explore the uses of different vehicles for sharing the dharma (e.g. workshops, other types of experiential activities, day-long retreats, strategies for integration of practice in daily life and in the world, etc.)

This led to discussion about next steps: We feel that we are ready for a visioning event that helps us to:

1. Clarify how we are offering the teachings now (including ALL current Sangha activities that focus on sharing the dharma); and

2. Create a comprehensive educational vision/dream/map would include an analysis of current offerings plus identification of educational gaps and needs.

The event should include the Board, Committee Chairs, and interested Committee members. It is possible that this visioning process may lead to a reconfiguration of our current committee structure. We imagine that we will need to consider a variety of educational interests/needs of Sangha members (some will overlap and this list is not exhaustive by any means):

• Those who are new to and interested in learning about Buddhist teachings • Those who are new to and interested in learning about meditation

• Those who would like more practice support (may have practiced awhile and feel stuck, have doubts about what they are doing, have technical questions etc.)

• Those who would like support in engaging skillfully in daily life and/or in the world • Those who would like more development as a social community (sangha) • Those who are interested in intellectual study; exploration of particular themes; more

“advanced” practice etc. This visioning process and plan will help us understand where we are now in terms of offering the dharma, and where we would like to go. And obviously future actions will rely on volunteers who are willing to take on new initiatives. Small groups will be required to develop and implement any specific groups, themed talks etc. Volunteer interest will certainly guide what we do or don’t end up implementing J We will briefly summarize this discussion at the Board meeting on June 21st.

HomeofOurOwnCommitteeReportfortheBoard

6‐21‐15

ThecommitteemetonMay6anddiscussedthefollowing:

! Inputfromthedesignsub‐committeeastoplansforimprovedaltar

presentation,platformstaining,practicediscussionareaarrangement.

! Signageoptionsforthefrontentrancethatwouldusetheexistingmetalwork

andbeconsistentwiththeaesthetic.Thereisagreementthatmorevisibility

isnecessaryanddesireable.

! Duetonumerousrequests,fixingthelargewestdoorssothattheycanbe

openinthewarmermonths.ThisrequiresdiscussionwithMaeandAmy

sincethedoorsareveryunwieldyandcurrentlycrackedatthebottom.They

alsoneedtoberepaired.

! Acommitteecharter.

! Co‐tenantrelationship.AlisonandTamtomeetwithAmandatofoster

goodwillanddiscusssharedspaceissues.Nospecificissuesareidentifiedbut

itseemsfriendlytocheckineveryonceinawhile.

! Buyingadditionalchairsforoutdoorseventsand/oreventswheremore(and

moreportable)seatingisneeded.Diannewilllookintochairsforthis

purpose.

! Possiblybuyingsomezabutonsandzafusthatareuniformincolor.Alicewill

reviewprices.

NextmeetingisscheduledforJuly8

Retreat&ResidencyCommitteeReport,June2015

Upcomingevents(the2015eventswereincludedinthereportthatwentontheconsent

agendaforthepreviousmeeting)

1. Kathleenisdoing2retreatdaysonBuddhismandclimatechangeduringthe

middleweekendsofJuly....shemighthavementionedthisatthemeeting....

2. DeJacomesJuly23,25,26

3. DonaldRothberg8/21‐23

4. Regionalretreatw/SusieHarringtononJemezspgs8/27‐9/2‐‐registrarhas

beenoutoftown,soIdon'thavecurrentregistrationnumbers.

5. BrianLesageresidencysharewithSFesept23‐10/13

Dharmatalks9/17(justbeforelowcostretreatstarts)and9/24,10/1&10/8

Studygroup9/23,30,10/7

Weekendnonresidentialretreat10/3&4

6. Alexissantos:dharmatalkswhiledoingresidencyinSFe:nov.5&12anddaylong

11/14

2016

1. Brianavailabilityverylimited:willdosharedresidencyb/wusandSFe10days

earlyMarch.

2. AnnieNugent:sharedresidencywithSFe5/9‐24includingdharmatalksand

weekendretreatwitheachsangha.

3. Erintreat:sharedresidencyfor2wkbetweenOct10andNov10‐‐datetobe

clarifiedinlateJanuary

4. TherewillbeonesharedresidencywithDeJa.....datestobefiguredout.

5. Marciaroseisonboardforsomething,mightbeaweekendorshemightbe

interestedinsharedresidencylongertimeperiod.Fredinnegotiations.

Preparedby

AnneArkin

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The Home Of Our Own committee coordinates and exercises oversight of the Albu-

querque Vipassana Center building access, use, and operation for the sangha.

The committee interfaces with the building owners and tenant as needed, engages in

contractual negotiations such as lease agreements, and facilitates interior design, orga-

nization and furnishings, including altar maintenance and arrangement.

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ProposalForm5‐12‐15

Proposal and Instructions for AVS Social Event

PROPOSAL

1. Title of event:

2. Purpose of event:

3. Date and times:

4. Budget request (if any):

5. Contact person (Coordinator): ________________________________________________________________________ TASKS Preparing for Event:

• Submit form (#1-5 above) • Get approval from the Board (send to President by email) • Put on AVS calendar • Communicate event to members (website, flyer, announcements)

Managing Event (2-3 people):

• Open gate and building, turn on heat/cooling and lights • Physical set-up of space including furniture • Kitchen use (cook, food and dishes preparation, clean-up) • Serve food and drink (vegetarian only, and no alcohol)

Closing Event (2-3 people):

• Clean kitchen and space • Rearrange furniture • Take out trash • Close building and gate, be sure to return key

1

REPORT FROM AD HOC COMMITTEE FORMED TO EXPLORE FORMER MEMBERS’ REASONS FOR DISCONTINUING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN AVS

Committee members: Tiska Blankenship, Alice Powsner, Mel Schneider

At the 2/2015 Board Meeting, a committee was formed to explore why individuals who had been participating very

actively in AVS activities have discontinued their participation.

Tiska, Alice, and Mel volunteered to research this question. We identified 24 people from the membership list as

appropriate candidates for this survey. We divided them among ourselves as survey takers. We obtained responses

from 21 of the 24 persons = 87.5%.

Procedure:

In the interest of having a consistent approach to our data gathering, we agreed to the following procedure: We

agreed to approach participants by telephone. We explained that we had been asked by the Board to conduct a brief

survey that would help the Sangha know how to respond to the needs of our community. We assured participants

that they would not be identified by name. They were invited to respond in as much detail as they wished, and

assured that any feedback they could offer would be appreciated.

We agreed to ask all participants the following questions:

1. What did you find valuable to you during the time you attended?

2. What might have made your sangha* experience better?

3. Do you still practice? [If “yes, but . . .” then, How does that fit better for you?”]

4. Would you be willing to tell me why you’re not participating as actively as you used to?

5. Do you still receive the Sangha Newsletter?

6. Are you still on the Chat list?

7. If, after we conclude this conversation, you think of anything you want to add, please call me.

Common theme results are summarized below according to questions posed:

In response to question #1 (What did you find valuable to you during the time you attended?):

The number one answer was “experience of community,” including sharing ideas, support for practice, support

during a rough time. The second most frequent answer was “access to teachers.” Also strongly mentioned:

opportunity to learn about Buddhism and meditation, ideas, certain teachers, in particular, Eric Kolvig and Jason Siff

were mentioned.

In response to question #2 (What would have made your sangha experience better?):

greater variety of teachers

more meditation instruction

more sharing about how practice relates to life, including practice of compassion, and more intimacy of sharing

greater sense of connection, more assistance in getting connected, feeling welcome, more disclosure, more social

time

welcoming additional Buddhist perspectives

In response to question #3 (Do you still practice? [if ‘yes, but, ‘proceed with How does that fit better for you?)

13 no

8 yes

2

In response to question #4 (Would you be willing to tell me why you’re not participating as actively as you used to?)

lost sense of personal connection/didn’t answer needs

teaching felt repetitive, narrow, dogmatic

participation in AVS became irrelevant to their lives

other demands on time, no longer a priority

wanted more personal support for practice

In response to question #5 (Do you still receive the Sangha Newsletter?)

14 yes 7 no

In response to question #6 (Are you still on the Chat list?)

12 yes 9 no

Submitted to the Board 6/21/2015

*Sangha refers to AVS.