Minutes of the Board of Director’s Meeting Tucson Community Meditation Center
June 7, 2007
Present: Blake Ashley, Lhasha Tizer, Della Estrada, Blake Barton, Terry Magee, Debra Raeber, Chuong Tran, Frank Tomizuka
The minutes from the last meeting, May 17th were approved.
There was no financial report.
There was no call to the audience.
Number and Term of Board Members:
There was a discussion among the board members about whether to have a term for Board members and whether to add more Board members to the existing board. Terry explained that when the Bylaws were drawn up our attorney recommended that we not have a term for board members. Blake A. mentioned that TCMC does not have a huge pool of members willing to take over as Board members leave. It was also mentioned that each of us on the board were recruited by someone on the board and asked to become a board member. The general agreement of the board is that natural attrition will handle board members leaving and new board members coming on the board. It was mentioned that we could possibly have a nominating committee to explore if there are members who would want to be on the board in the future.
The Board of Directors approved a motion to leave the number of board members at 9. The Board of Directors also approved a motion to have no term limits for board members at this time.
Willoughby’s Study Proposal:
Willoughby Britton has asked the board if we would be open to studies involving meditation of new members. TCMC would post flyers asking in our introductory classes if anyone would like to participate in a study. A motion that TCMC will invite Willoughby to make a proposal for a scientific study in meditation using TCMC beginning meditators was passed.
Culadasa Friday morning sit and sleep over:
Culadasa drives 1 ½ hour each way for his class on Thursday evenings. A proposal was made that TCMC ask Culadasa to stay the night at the center if he would like on Thursday evenings and then lead a sit on Friday mornings at 8:30 and 9:30 am. TCMC will share any dana received with Culadasa on a 50/50 basis. A motion was made and approved that TCMC invite Culadasa to spend the night at the center on Thursday evenings and lead meditation sits on Friday mornings and split the dana 50/50.
There was a discussion about what is our criteria for having teachers come to TCMC. What should TCMC be looking for in a teacher. The matter will be put on a subsequent agenda for further discussion.
Lhasha mentioned that she does not want to see TCMC have a resident teacher.
Board retreat: The board would like to set a date for a half day retreat for board members. Lhasha mentioned Saturday, July 14th from 9:00 am to noon followed by lunch. This would give board members a chance to brainstorm about the future of TCMC and give each member a way to express their personal feelings about TCMC and the direction it should take in the future.
Facility and Yard Maintenance:
Lhasha had a bid for repairing the shed roof, shed ceiling, and the back bedroom wall. The estimate came out to be around $1000. It was proposed that we submit the estimate to Willoughby. It was also suggested that we put on the next agenda the matter of raising the amount of rent we pay each month.
Facilities Committee: A motion was passed that TCMC create a Facilities Committee to organize scheduling of programs at the center.
Library: Chuong asked the Board to approve expenditure for CDs and CD holders. The board approved a motion that TCMC offer $200 to the library for CDs and CD holders.
It was suggested that we have a group do a study regarding TCMC purchasing a PA system that would be capable of recording teachings.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.
