April 2022 – Sangha Meeting Notes

April 11, 2022

Attendees: Lotus, Terri Duffy, Susan Giese, Mary Guenther, Peter Wood, Dora DeCoursey, Jennifer Chang (Board)

Facilitator: Judatha Kline (Service Group Coordinator)

Community Life Service Group Update

• Sonia Arion is a new Co-Coordinator with Judatha
• Supportive Services List – contact Judatha with support services to add to the list. Portland Area Support Services – Google Docs
• Needs/Care Survey coming out today!

What is working for you at KCC?

• The retreat with Lama Chimey was wonderful!  Less structured and more laid back – it created an environment for connection.
• Morning meditation is a great support! Thank you to the guides.
• Online access for people who are away in body – “The soul of you all is present.”
• Newsletter is great.  “Just reading the story of the Buddhist Women Disciples retreat, I felt like I was there.”
• Many retreat offerings.
• Merging zoom with in-person gatherings at KCC and SCOL – “Those are great accomplishments!”
• Opportunities to volunteer support practice goals, can see and work with kleshas on the path.
• “I appreciate being part of the sangha.” “I appreciate that movement has continued.”
• Awakening to Whiteness – “I met people at KCC who I did not know before.”
• Meal train worked well for scheduling meals support after a medical procedure. “Without that, everyone shows up and once and it’s overwhelming.”
• Appreciation for Erik F. who “took a leap” into the topic of the Karmapa in the Q&A today.
• Sharing opportunities to hear teachings – Tsadra Foundation, Naropa, etc.
• “I’m glad that KCC is open for in-person meditation.”

Suggestions for Improvement

• Retreats are expensive! Cost is a barrier to attendance.
  • One attendee did not know there were scholarships available
  • Communicate scholarship opportunities more widely.
  • “Go ahead and ask” for scholarships.
  • Provide tiered cost structure for SCOL residential retreats.
  • Increase transparency into how the cost is determined.
• Would like to see more visiting teachers at KCC.
• We are down to three months reserve when six months reserve is needed.
• • Just paid annual insurance for SCOL – big bill!
  • Would like to see a tiered structure for membership like before.
• Ongoing challenge in recruiting volunteers.
  • We need more people to help maintain the Zoom/in person system
• More social activities, please.
  • Movie night scheduled 4/29.