Honey Locust Sangha Caretaking Council Minutes
4/21/24
Present: Mark Watson, Patrice Watson, Gina Matkin, Mike McMahon, Dave Watts
Absent: Juanita Rice, Tina Ray, Jim Cox, Mike McGann
We began with a reflection for a peaceful meeting followed by meditation.
1. Treasury update.
The current balance, excluding retreat fees, is $5123.
PayPal $896
US Bank $16,596 (excluding retreat fees, $4227)
Thanks to Treasurer Randy Reinhart for all of her diligent work
2) Review of how Monday Night hybrid session is working
a) Mostly we are satisfied. It was observed that there is something lost from the time when we practiced for two hours when we only met in person- particularly with reduced time for the 2nd meditation. Since starting Zoom meetings we reduced the time to 1 1/2 hours as this seemed a large amount of time to be looking at our computer screens. We continued the 1 1/2 hour format when we went hybrid.
We discussed extending the hybrid time till 8:15. We noted that we often go later than 8pm anyway. Also people have always been invited to leave the meeting early if need be
We voted to begin trying this in May and to send an email to announce this, and invite feedback from the sangha.
b) There was also a discussion about giving special focus to the monthly Dharma talk, encouraging presentation of the Core Buddhist and Plum Village teachings, and giving priority to OI members to deliver the talks, perhaps inviting skilled senior members at times. We will discuss this more. Let us know if you have any views on this.
3) Retreats
2024- is ready to go. It was discussed that we have so many deep and skilled sangha members the challenge is to include as many as possible in the retreat tasks- a wonderful problem.
2025- We have things in place including a deposit for the Creighton Retreat Center and a new teacher, Joe Reilly, who is known to be an excellent musician and song writer.
4) (NEW) Monthly in-person dharma study.
Proposed by Mike McGann and Patrice Watson. It will be a 4 hour practice period, once a month on Saturday. It will have a similar shape to the e-talks we used to have with Brother Chan Huy with dharma talk- maybe a TNH video- meditation, discussion and mindful meal. More details to follow.
5) New comers group.
Mark Watson agreed to check in with them to see how it's going and if they are getting what they need.
6)New CTC members
Rachel Rilinger has agreed to serve on the council. Per our bylaws, we want to keep the council at 9 members or less, so we will discuss if any members want to take a break from the council for a while. Several members have volunteered to do so, so this shouldn't be a problem. We want to keep having new blood and new ideas nourishing the council and the sangha.
4/21/24
Present: Mark Watson, Patrice Watson, Gina Matkin, Mike McMahon, Dave Watts
Absent: Juanita Rice, Tina Ray, Jim Cox, Mike McGann
We began with a reflection for a peaceful meeting followed by meditation.
1. Treasury update.
The current balance, excluding retreat fees, is $5123.
PayPal $896
US Bank $16,596 (excluding retreat fees, $4227)
Thanks to Treasurer Randy Reinhart for all of her diligent work
2) Review of how Monday Night hybrid session is working
a) Mostly we are satisfied. It was observed that there is something lost from the time when we practiced for two hours when we only met in person- particularly with reduced time for the 2nd meditation. Since starting Zoom meetings we reduced the time to 1 1/2 hours as this seemed a large amount of time to be looking at our computer screens. We continued the 1 1/2 hour format when we went hybrid.
We discussed extending the hybrid time till 8:15. We noted that we often go later than 8pm anyway. Also people have always been invited to leave the meeting early if need be
We voted to begin trying this in May and to send an email to announce this, and invite feedback from the sangha.
b) There was also a discussion about giving special focus to the monthly Dharma talk, encouraging presentation of the Core Buddhist and Plum Village teachings, and giving priority to OI members to deliver the talks, perhaps inviting skilled senior members at times. We will discuss this more. Let us know if you have any views on this.
3) Retreats
2024- is ready to go. It was discussed that we have so many deep and skilled sangha members the challenge is to include as many as possible in the retreat tasks- a wonderful problem.
2025- We have things in place including a deposit for the Creighton Retreat Center and a new teacher, Joe Reilly, who is known to be an excellent musician and song writer.
4) (NEW) Monthly in-person dharma study.
Proposed by Mike McGann and Patrice Watson. It will be a 4 hour practice period, once a month on Saturday. It will have a similar shape to the e-talks we used to have with Brother Chan Huy with dharma talk- maybe a TNH video- meditation, discussion and mindful meal. More details to follow.
5) New comers group.
Mark Watson agreed to check in with them to see how it's going and if they are getting what they need.
6)New CTC members
Rachel Rilinger has agreed to serve on the council. Per our bylaws, we want to keep the council at 9 members or less, so we will discuss if any members want to take a break from the council for a while. Several members have volunteered to do so, so this shouldn't be a problem. We want to keep having new blood and new ideas nourishing the council and the sangha.