Honey Locust Sangha
Omaha Community of Mindful Living
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CTC Minutes
June 20, 2021
 
Present: Patrice Watson (Facilitator), Gina Matkin, Jim Cox, Mike McGann, Mike McMahon, Tina Ray (partial) and Juanita Rice (notetaker). Absent: Mark Watson and David Watts. 
After a brief meditation, Patrice read the BuddhIst Prayer for Meetings, as we set the intention for a meeting of peace. (See Practice Resources.)
(Revised Agenda Item 1, Sangha Directory, was postponed.)
 
Agenda Item 1. Treasurer's Report, 01-01-21 through 06-18-21.
               Our sangha has been generous in supportive Dana since the CTC reported that donations had been minimal once the Pandemic ended in-person meetings, and had suggested alternative methods of donation: PayPal, Venmo, and pre-arranged mailing of checks.  With the added resource of a refund of space deposit from Creighton Retreat Center, the bank balance is $5,499.22.  The  Dana for our Spring Retreat was $2900 which went to the Dharma teacher Brother Michael Ciborski.
 
Agenda Item 2, Spring Retreat Takeaways.
               The CTC was unanimous in appreciation of something special about the Spring Retreat for a Virtual Event.  Avoiding the time and technical help it would have taken for "Breakout Rooms" by using separate Zoom links for all small groups of Dharma Sharing Families worked wonderfully well, and helped bond the Families.  Even Sanctuary space provided a sense of a center one could go to.
The big takeaway was an affirmation that Honey Locust Sangha has a unique atmosphere, a personal touch, a warm affection, an inclusive "feel." 
               And that much of "it" was Gina.  Gina, with Randy, did much of the last-minute polishing of the packet that was sent out, the tech handling, all the registration and Family-assignments, the wonderful visual and audio accompaniment of the 'Sanctuary Space.'  We need a bumper sticker that says, "Gina Did It."  Gratitude was also expressed for the Retreat Planning Committee of Mark, Patrice and Juanita.
               The only thing that might be discussed for a future retreat, residential or virtual, was what might be done to minimize no-shows.  Perhaps requiring an upfront fee of some kind might reduce the casual registrations.  No-shows affect the small-group planning; we had one family that was so minimal that it opted to join another, a small bump in the road. 
 
Agenda Item 3, Resuming In-Person Meetings at Yoga Path.
               Gina sent out and tabulated a Survey on what we do now that the Covid Crisis has become minimized by vaccinations.  (See "Gina Did It" in Agenda Item 2.) The results were statistically clear, with approximately 80% of the only 25 respondents in favor of returning to The Yoga Path following CDC guidelines that drop physical spacing and mask requirements for vaccinated persons.
Results on mixed or hybrid combinations of in-person meetings with Zoom supplementation were about equally split.  A few people have reported poor experiences although Gina teaches hybrid classes for the University. This was a long discussion.
               Among options considered: Keep it the way it is, with a Zoom meeting separate from the Park meeting until October when the Park option changes with the weather. (Fondness for Park vs hearing-disabilities) Wait until we have all seen the complicated comments from the survey. Wait for several weeks while we investigate the possibility of the Sangha purchasing WiFi for the Yoga Path.  (Ask Mark first. Look at costs of a webcam, donate flat-screen TV to hook up via HDMI, etc.) 
               And the winner:  Start with July 5th meeting  and establish in-person gatherings for weeks 1-3, and week 5 of each month in-person at Yoga Path without Zoom for now and observing CDC guidelines.  Week 4 will be a Zoom meeting for reciting the Five Mindfulness Trainings which, it seemed, Zoom meetings are particularly good for. Of course, anyone may choose to keep separate space and/or wear mask.  We will not prohibit touching and hugging, but we emphasize that it be voluntary, and consent be explicitly asked.   We will meanwhile investigate eventual hybrid meetings for, as someone suggested, that's the new future.
               Gina will ask Mark for approval and notify Mike McMahon who will write a letter to the sangha to announce our new policy.
 
Added issue:
               Changing the start or duration  of meetings.  The suggestion came up that the 90 minute meetings we have had during the pandemic be continued as we meet in person at the Yoga Path again.  Although there are mixed feelings, the CTC voted to keep the start time (considering an overlapping class at the studio) and the length and format, at least for now.  We also tried to weigh the value of our check-in custom of asking all attendees to introduce themselves and share a brief summary of the energy and events they bring to the sangha.  It used to take about 25% of our two- hour in-person meetings. In the end, we kept it, as a way to feel tangibly involved and welcoming, although it has been omitted on Zoom all year. The primary reason for keeping two-hour meetings was that no one wanted to shorten our meditation time, and if we have check-in there would never be time for dharma discussions or dharma talks.
 
Agenda Item 3, Sound amplification system.
               For in-person meetings Honey Locust needs a PA system as well as hearing-assistive devices.
The topic was tabled pending research on what's needed, the cost, and recommendations of other sanghas.  Juanita will ask Peaceful Hearts (Ft Collins CO), Amanda (for Snowflake in Madison WI) and Sister Terry. Mark will be asked to contact Brother Michael directly.
 
Agenda Item 4, Resume full rent to The Yoga Path.
               Passed without discussion, especially in light of the Treasurer's report of sufficient Dana offerings and bank balance.
 
Agenda Item 5, Shining Light Ceremony/Ceremonies
               After the ordination of members into the Order of Interbeing, it is customary to dedicate a sangha meeting to "Shining Light" on the Dharma (and Karma) contributions of that/those members.  Next week, June 27, three Aspirants to OI—Jim Cox, Juanita Rice, Dave Watts—will be ordained at a virtual retreat sponsored by Blue Cliff Monastery.  The CTC, with Jim and Juanita abstaining, opted to establish Monday night, July 19, as a Shining Light ceremony for all three. 
 
The meeting adjourned just minutes beyond a 90-minute aspiration introduced by our dear facilitator.
Thank you, Patrice; you are appreciated.
The Honey Locust Sangha / Omaha Community of Mindful Living is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All funds donated help to fulfill the mission of practicing and raising awareness of the mindfulness practice in the Thich Nhat Hanh / Plum Village tradition.

​You can donate (provide Dana) using the PayPal link at the left (you do not need a PayPal account) or send via Venmo to @HoneyLocust. Please indicate General Dana or specific event (December DoM, for example) in the text via Venmo.