Change
Change, change, change is an appropriate board theme for this Dharma Centre newsletter. Change of seasons and many changes at the DCC!
Changes to the Board Membership
Shelane Donoghue. After over 5 years of service to the Dharma Centre, Shelane stepped down from the board in late August. Our board members, DC staff and Resident teachers thank Shelane for her heartfelt and vast contributions to the Dharma Centre of Canada. It was inspiring and moving to see how the Dharma Centre was always so close to her heart and mind regardless of what was going on in other areas of her life. Thank you Shelane for being a pillar of Dharma strength and leadership.
It has been such an honour and joy for each and every one of us to work along side and under your guidance and vision. The bonds of friendship and vajra brother and sisterhood are forever strong. May we continue with your aspirations and spirit and may this guide the new upcoming board of directors.
Patricia Steckley resigned from the Board on Sept. 7, citing professional and family commitments. Elected in 2020, Patricia was active on the Governance Committee, which developed a board training workshop that will be immensely valuable for in-coming board members. She was a loving and wise presence on the board. Her sensitivity and emotional intelligence really helped when difficult decisions were being made.
Robin Fineberg accepted an appointment to the remainder of Patricia’s term until the 2022 AGM, effective September 14. We are very pleased to have Robin join the board. A long-time student of Namgyal Rinpoche, she has a lifetime of valuable experience to offer the board. We all welcome her presence on the board.
Changes to the Executive
Monique Truax, who has been Treasurer and VP on the board for the past 4 years, has agreed to temporarily take on the role of Acting President/CEO until the Dec. 5 AGM. Christine Wihak, our current Secretary, has been appointed Assistant CEO, to support Monique with day-to-day operational matters.
Changes to the DCC Objectives
As previously reported, the Dharma Centre Renewal fund is primarily intended to support our three major capital initiatives: Building a new Temple, rehabilitating the old Temple, and building a teacher’s house and teaching room at the Hermitage. We hope to be able to apply for grants to help support the DCC. Some of you may remember back in the early 1980s when Jeff Olsen (aka Lama Lodro)/DCC board received a grant to build the bathhouse and add the second floor to the Main House. To widen our attraction to potential funders, a fund-raising consultant recommended that we broaden the existing Charitable Works objectives. The Board voted to do so by adding sub-objectives that focus on: the DCC operation of an all-inclusive school of instruction; classes/workshops/retreats that contribute to mental and emotional well-being; protection and stewardship of the DC’s natural environment; and the DC’s presence as a heritage site for Buddhist study in North America.
Changes to spiritual guidance model
At the May 2021 Special Members meeting, the Board undertook to develop a new approach to spiritual guidance to replace the Spiritual Directors model dissolved in March. A subcommittee with Shelane Donaghue, Eva Gohl, and David Berry conducted exit interviews with all four of the previous Spiritual Directors (SDs) (Jack Connelly, Karma Chime, Lama Mark and Terry Hagan). Transcripts of these interviews were returned to the SDs for their comments and clarification. Following that, the subcommittee members prepared a summary of key themes emerging, without attribution to specific SDs.
The Board will now consider insights into the functioning of the previous model to guide development of a new model. We are also researching approaches used at other centres such as the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock. In the meantime, we continue to seek guidance as needed from our former SDs. In addition, we are fortunate that four of our current board members received permission to teach from Namgyal Rinpoche or a senior teacher that he trained (David Berry, Steven Gellman, Eva Gohl, Christine Wihak).
Changes to DCC vehicle
The DCC definitely needs a new vehicle. Our dedicated staff members Marta and Marion have allowed us to use their personal vehicle on a per kilometre basis for the past year. This arrangement isn’t sustainable on a long-term basis. We hope to lease a small truck for approximately the same monthly cost.
Christine Wihak