Volunteer Appreciation for Kathy, Craig and Judatha
As many of you know, our Sangha and its activities are sustained through the quiet generosity of volunteers. So much of what unfolds here is supported by an often unseen circle of dedicated practitioners whose steady presence, genuine care, and sincere effort help hold the community. Now it’s time to thank three of them together! Kathy Gillis, Craig B, and Judatha Kline.
Kathy Gillis has been involved with KCC for many years, though her gift in recent years has been to coordinate all the appropriate tasks needed when major spiritual leaders come to teach at KCC. As a long-time sangha member, she is KCC’s go-to person when it comes to planning and managing big events like visits from Khenchen Rinpoche and Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal (in August!). Like the other volunteers mentioned here, she quietly goes about these extraordinary tasks making everything look easy and seamless. She understands fully what is dharmically appropriate, from the Center’s setup to the accommodations for visiting teachers and the meals she coordinates with their Teacher’s Assistants.
Here’s what she said about what inspires her to volunteer:
“I came to KCC in 1994 and started volunteering with retreats and events in 1995, initially inspired by Dora’s mentoring, support and wisdom. Although I also volunteered in other capacities over the years (Board, Finance, etc.), I have continued to volunteer with retreats and special events because it is so rewarding to see everyone attending retreats and events; and to know that I helped them in some small way to be able to do that.”
Craig B. found his way to KCC in 2022 after beginning a daily meditation practice. Until then, his connection to the Dharma had come only through books and recordings. Wanting to deepen his practice and feeling especially drawn to the Tibetan tradition, he searched online for Tibetan Buddhist centers and eventually discovered KCC. He attended an online session and met with Lama Eric. The teachers, the teachings, and the community met him with kindness, wisdom, and support.
Since then, he has been a steady presence as a Sunday volunteer, supporting both opening and closing tasks. In more recent years, he even stepped in to help with AV for a SCOL retreat. Craig has also offered consistent care for the urban center’s facility and grounds, making sure, for example, that the lawn is regularly mown. He’s a wonderful example of someone who arrived at KCC and immediately began offering help wherever it was needed.
Judatha first came to KCC many years ago at the Monroe Center, stepped away for a time, and then returned about ten years ago. Her gifts of Dharma practice have benefited so many around her – whether through leading morning meditations on Zoom, serving as a Sunday volunteer to open and close the center, or initiating the Community Life Service Group in 2021, the Needs and Care group, and other offerings. Through Needs and Care, Meal Train, which is a service that supports sangha members during difficult life circumstances, has been activated more than twenty times, largely through her coordination. This is a significant offering that has touched many people in moments of real need. She is another example of someone who quietly does the work, and now we can fully thank her.
More recently, she accepted the Board’s request to serve for the coming three years. This is a true benefit for KCC, bringing her steady presence and her commitment to guiding the community with the Four Immeasurables.
I hope these three stories help us feel and appreciate the genuine Dharma gifts each of them has offered to our community and to so many more!
Thank you so deeply.
Written by Sally Mead
