A Proclamation for a Dzong and Regionalization in Northern California

At the regional assembly, the sangha requested that NCS issue a proclamation clearly articulating the Sakyong’s vision with respect to a “dzong” in San Francisco. They said the proclamation should also state that we as a sangha have agreed to keep moving forward with regionalization.

President Reoch was very helpful to us in clarifying the exact meaning of the word “dzong”. His description is incorporated into the proclamation which you can download here: Download Proclamation

This proclamation has been reviewed by the NCS Board, the SFSC Center Directors and the President of Shambhala. Please read it. It contains inspiring information about our sangha.

Regional Director's Update, December 9, 2008

The following is an update on work done in our regional office since the Assembly in November. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any input, questions, or comments. It includes information about the Dzong, our regional finance committee, developing services to Shambhala Centers, and upcoming NCS regional programs. This report was sent to Center Directors on December 9th. Download Director's Update

Warmly,
Amy Conway
Regional Director

The President's Coordinated Plan

SFSC and NCS leadership met with President Reoch several times during the Regional Assembly to discuss how to move forward on relocating the SFSC and also with the Sakyong’s wish for a “dzong”. President Reoch presented both the NCS and SFSC Boards with a coordinated plan suggesting how we might proceed. Both Boards endorsed his plan which is posted here: Download File

2008 Regional Assembly and Celebration: Final Report & Recommendations

The first Northern California Shambhala regional assembly was held October 31- November 2, 2008 in Berkeley, California. The purpose of the assembly was to spend time together as a sangha listening, practicing, deepening our connections, and rousing group lungta. The assembly allowed time and space to identify the aspirations of our sangha, share them with each other, and agree upon practical ways we can move toward fulfilling those aspirations.

Seven working groups formed at the Assembly. These were:
1. Communications
2. Community
3. Social Action
4. Diversity
5. Practice
6. Business and Money
7. The Dzong and Regionalization

We are pleased to present a three page final report from the Assembly which includes the recommendations from each working group and next steps. To read the report, click here: Download Report

2006-2007 Northern California Shambhala Annual Report

We are pleased to present the first regional annual report for Northern California Shambhala. This report contains letters to the sangha from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, President Richard Reoch, and Regional Director, Amy Conway. It also contains dharma teachings from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The report shows consolidated financial reports from the six Shambhala Centers in Northern California. There is also analysis of membership growth over the two years and chief financial operating ratios. It also shows lots of fun community pictures. The document is 32 pages long. Enjoy! Download File

NCS Regional Board Meeting - August 8, 2008

At this meeting, the NCS Board continued to plan the Regional Congress this Fall. The Board also discussed their decision-making process and how to make sure that the Board receives input from each regional working group. The Board spent significant time discussing how to provide services to the regional sangha and how to finance those services. To read these minutes, click here: Download File

NCS Regional Board Meeting - May 26, 2008

At this meeting, the regional Northern California Board considered how to work more closely with the Shambhala Center Directors around the region to make sure there is sufficient opportunity for input and communication from them. They discussed input from the April leadership gathering and whether or not to undergo another strategic planning process. The Board also spent considerable time planning a Regional Congress for the Fall. To read the full minutes, click here:Download File

NCS Executive Committee Meeting - May 14, 2008

At this meeting, Amy shared the latest from the SFSC Relocation. The SFSC Directors have recommended that the SFSC temporarily stop looking at real estate for a month while they: a) identify a chairperson of the board, b) create a staffing plan for the new site,  c) develop a fundraising plan for financing a move,  d) compile a list of criteria required in a new space e) clarify the relocation plan and timeline. Amy reported that 710 Van Ness is still available and perhaps still open to negotiations. SFSC has also identified a building at 1243 Sutter which has great potential as a possible site. (This building is the same as 1235 Sutter). The Executive Committee discussed how we as a group can help mentor newer leaders and how we proceed with regional strategic planning. We also spent some time discussing oversight of Sacred Path funds. The full minutes from this meeting are here: Download File

Shambhala Directors decide to take it to the cushion

On the evenings of May 6 & May 12, Amy, Seth, Noah and Susan all met together to practice meditation! These practice sessions were very beneficial in creating the ground of benevolence and sanity for our work. Our discussions of the San Francisco Shambhala relocation project and working with a diversity of opinions on how to proceed were greatly aided by the energy of the lineage which was present thanks to our practice. We highly recommend shamatha and/or the Rain of Blessings guruyoga for other leaders who may be in the midst of intense business negotiations or even outright conflicts. On May 6th, we also spent significant time listening to one another without interruption and then repeating back what we heard. This listening practice helped make it clear that we understood each other's viewpoints, feelings and needs. After spending this time practicing together and listening to one another, we were able to move into decision-making and planning how to continue our work to relocate the SFSC. We plan to meet again this Thursday evening, May 22nd for more formal practice and our continuing practice of Shambhala governance.

NCS Exec Committee meets with SFSC Board - May 1, 2008

On the evening of May 1st, the NCS Executive Committee met with the San Francisco Shambhala Board to discuss SFSC relocation and the Dzong. This meeting focused on clarifying who is responsible for decision-making in order to sign a lease on a new building. Legally, Amy Conway, Susan Arnesen, or Noah Butter could all sign a lease after receiving a resolution from the Finance Committee of the Sakyong's Council. It was clarified that the decision to sign a lease at 710 Van Ness lease was never presented to the SFSC Board for approval. It was also clear that there were different viewpoints about what the new SFSC building would look like. The group agreed that there is a need to clarify the criteria & description for a new building. A clear process for choosing and approving a building needs to be written out and agreed upon by the Board. The idea of SFSC separately incorporating was discussed.
Full minutes of this meeting are posted here : Download File

NCS Executive Committee Meeting - April 16, 2008

The NCS Executive Committee met on April 16th to discuss next steps after receiving lots of wonderful input and participation at our April 13th regional leadership gathering. We need to continue to emphasize and encourage each Shambhala Center in the region to be strong, functional, and financially sustainable in order to create a functional region. The idea of merging centers or entities that are not yet strong themselves may not help. We, the Executive Committee will offer support to help strengthen SFSC governance and help the SFSC plan a successful move. We also touched on the planing of the regional congress and financial oversight of Sacred Path funds. Amy agreed to schedule a meeting of the Executive Committee and the SFSC Board of Directors as soon as possible. Here are the full minutes of that meeting: Download file

Input from President Reoch on the Dzong Vision

At our April 13th Regional Leadership gathering, there were several questions that we agreed to ask the Sakyong about the "Dzong" vision that Rinpoche presented to us in March. These questions were:

1. Is the Dzong a command?
2. Is the Dzong a higher priority than the Bay Area Land Center?

I sent these questions to President Reoch when he was in Germany with the Sakyong. I thought you would be interested to read (with his permission) the letter that President Reoch sent me in reply. Download Letter

Report on the Regional Leadership Gathering - April 13, 2008

On April 13th, thirty council members gathered together from the various Shambhala centers in Northern California to hear and discuss the Sakyong's vision of a Dzong (fortress) in San Francisco. Here are the notes, recommendations, and action items that resulted from that meeting:Download File

NCS Board of Directors Meeting 3-22-08

The Northern California Board of Directors met to discuss regional governance. The Regional Bylaws and Investment Proposal were reviewed. The Bylaws, Financial Policy, Investment Proposal, and 2008 Budget were approved. Here are the minutes from that meeting.
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NCS Board of Directors Meeting 2-6-08

The Northern California Board of Directors held a conference call to review the proposed budget for 2008. The budget was approved for the first quarter. Here are the minutes for that meeting.
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NCS Board of Directors Meeting 11-8-07

The Northern California Shambhala Board of Directors met with President Reoch to discuss the governance model for regions in the mandala. Here are the minutes from that meeting.
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NCS Executive Committee Meeting 9-18-07

Meeting of the Executive Committee. The Governance Committee reported an objective to update the NCS Bylaws. The committee reviewed proposed bookstore as a regional service. Here are the minutes from that meeting.
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NCS Executive Committee Meeting 8-22-07

The Executive Committee met to review updates on the Governance and Finance Committees progress to date. Various topics pertinent to the region from President Reoch's leadership weekend were discussed. The committee discussed requests to centralize services in the region and the possible invitation of a new member. Here are the minutes from that meeting.
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NCS Executive Committee Meeting 7-21-07

Each Executive Committee Member shared their views about the Board Meeting with President Reoch on July 13, 2007. Here are the minutes from that meeting.
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NCS Board of Directors Meeting 7-13-07

In July 2007, the Northern California Shambhala Board of Directors met to reassess how the regional structure is going to verify their commitment to working together as a regional organization. There was agreement that regional structure was important, but that it could work better. A governance committee was formed to look at what improvements could be made. Here are the minutes from that meeting.
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