Minutes of the Board of Director’s Meeting Tucson Community Meditation Center
February 12, 2008 5:30 p.m.
Board Members Present: Blake Ashley, Blake Barton, Steve Villaescusa, Chuong Tran, Debra Raeber Frank Tomizuka, Terry Magee
The minutes from the last meeting, January 22, 2008 were approved.
Financial Report: Steve Villaescusa, treasurer
HFCU Checking balance: $9,787.21
Does not include expenses we will incur to Pocket Sanctuary for Douglas Retreat and approximately $380 to deposit for Shinzen beginning class and $1955 in retreat registrations for Douglas Retreat
HFCU Savings and High Yield Savings $20,291.25 as of 1/31/08
Bank One CD $5,910
January gas bill was $135.76 – December bill was $187.73 – Thanks for watching the thermostat.
I will be completing our 2007 TCMC Financial Report this month along with our AZ Corporation Commission Report due in May and our Federal Tax Return also due in May.
Approval of a Work Day at the Center: The board approved a work day to be set by Ying at the center, including buying pizza for lunch.
Filling Vacant Board Seat: Della Estrada has given the board her resignation. A motion was made and approved to invite Linda Bacon to join the board to temporarily fill the board seat until the next election in April. Blake A. will formally ask her to accept the board seat.
Spiritual Advisory Board: There was some discussion about TCMC having a group of teachers to call on for guidance when issues arise. Terry mentioned that her main concern is not to confuse beginning meditators. Steve V. said that he thinks an advisory board would be useful for guidance and input, and that we should try to keep it as informal as possible. Blake A. sees a problem with TCMC affiliating itself with specific teachers. Different teachers may not be in agreement with each other. Steve V. recommends that we call it a committee. A motion was passed that we table this issue until the next meeting when Lhasha can be present to discuss it further.
Protocol for Teacher Approval: Blake Barton made some changes to the wording that we talked about at the last meeting. The following protocol was passed by the board regarding Teacher Approval Process.
As TCMC is expanding, members are wanting to bring in new teachers.
The following criteria will be used to approve teachers who are new to
TCMC.
1. A new teacher must teach mindfulness meditation, or a supporting
practice like loving-kindness, or concentration.
2. There are four different levels of TCMC events that may require
different levels of teacher skill, since students will be reaching
progressively deeper levels of meditation.
One time or weekly class
All Day class or retreat
Non-residential weekend retreat
Residential retreat
3. A new teacher must have a relationship with a recognized mindfulness
meditation teacher who believes that his or her student is qualified to
teach meditation at the appropriate level. For example, a teacher might
feel that her student is ready to teach a one time class, but is not
yet ready to lead a residential retreat. A recognized mindfulness
meditation teacher would be someone from Spirit Rock, IMS, Shinzen
Young, Jon Kabat-Zinn or Theravadin monastic teachers. Teachers from
Tibetan Buddhism or from Zen traditions that strongly emphasize
mindfulness practice can also be recognized teachers. Examples would
be, Alan Wallace or Thich Nhat Hanh. Other recognized teachers will be
considered on a case by case basis.
4. No recognized teacher objects to this person teaching. If there is a
disagreement between two teachers about the readiness of a student to
teach, then we will encourage the teachers to discuss the situation and
come to a resolution.
5. Mindful movement teachers who teach yoga or tai chi would be
evaluated using similar criteria. Yoga teachers with a certification
from the Yoga Alliance or other respected yoga certifications will also
be considered.
Cutting the Curb at the Center: Blake A. will get the permit. A motion was passed that we go ahead and get the curb cutting going. Debra will work on it with Blake A.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.
