Community Area Description

Vision / Slogan:

Community as path and support for dharma practice

Overview

The Community Council supports and develops community as a path of practice (the third jewel) by strengthening and supporting the experience of community within the center through events, systems, and skillful means. In addition, the Community Council helps build and strengthen the Chicago Shambhala Center’s relationship with the diverse communities in the greater Chicago area.

Community Area Specifics

The work of the Community Area is done through four committees at present. Each committee is led by a Chair. An active member or Chair of one of the committees represents the Community Council on the center’s Governance Council. The Community Area is comprised of the following committees:

1. Membership Committee
2. Health and Well-being Committee
3. Communication Committee
4. Creating Inclusive Community Committee

These committees collaborate with each other and with other sectors to accomplish their objectives. The Committee Chairs will determine how to best coordinate with each other and with their respective committees. Options include quarterly meetings, monthly telephone conference calls, and annual Community Council gatherings.

Committee Functions:

1. Membership Committee

Summary:

Cultivate relationships within the community, mobilize the Center’s volunteer resources, and welcome newcomers to the Center.

Specifics:

• Select a Membership Committee Chair who ensures that committee functions are met and who coordinates with other Community Council Chairs as needed;
• Determine a Membership Coordinator who, in conjunction with the Admin/Operations Sector, optimizes and maintains data base and e-mail communications for persons new to the Center. Responsibilities include keeping new people in the information loop, inviting them to functions, and educating them about membership;
• Determine a Volunteer Coordinator who, in conjunction Admin/Operations Sector and the Membership Coordinator develops and administers the Center’s volunteer program. Responsibilities include optimizing and maintaining robust data base with names, contact information, interests and volunteer commitments. This data base will be available to people in need of volunteer time/talent to meet Center needs;
• In conjunction with Meditation Instructor Coordinator/Programming, Practice and Study Sector, encourage and monitor the assignment of new students to meditation instructors;
• Develop and update informational materials about local and mandala-wide membership;
• Develop dues guidelines and membership categories in conjunction with Finance/Dana Sector;
• Coordinate/partner with Finance/Dana Sector regarding fund raising and membership gifts;
• Coordinate/partner with Finance/Dana Sector regarding shaping/sustaining relationship with active and inactive members and friends;
• Coordinate with Health and Well-being Committee regarding meeting the needs of members;
• Welcome, announce and celebrate new members in the community;
• Contact and follow up with inactive members;
• Match potential volunteers with areas of interest and need within the Center.

Terms of Service:

• Membership Committee Chair: One year, renewable, chosen by committee members by spontaneous insight.
• Members: Term to be determined, join as interested/available

2. Health and Well-being Committee

Summary

Ensure that members’ needs are known and met--especially with regard to significant life events--and foster harmony within the community

Specifics

• Select a Health and Well-being Committee Chair who ensures that committee functions are met and who coordinates with other Community Chairs as needed;
• Members include the Center Desung who coordinates between this committee and the Dorje Kasung Sector as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Membership Committee to identify and meet the needs of members;
• Work with appropriate individuals/sectors as needed to address unique member needs associated with significant life events in a container of mindfulness, compassion, and confidentiality--examples include coordinating visits, assistance during illness, referrals to care providers, and discussion end-of-life wishes;
• Foster community harmony;
• Serve as a resource in addressing conflicts or complaints as needed within the community;
• Serve as a resource in building community familiarity with Shambhala’s Care and Conduct Guidelines.

Terms of Service:

• Health and Well-being Committee Chair: One year, renewable, chosen by committee members by spontaneous insight.
• Members: Term to be determined, join as interested/available

3. Communication Committee

Summary:

Support and develop internal and external communications.

Specifics:

• Select a Communication Committee Chair who ensures that committee functions are met and who coordinates with other Community Council Chairs as needed.
• Coordinate with Admin/Operations Sector in creating and sustaining external communications infrastructure including use of web site, internal and external publicity for programs, public relations, and social networking presence.
• Coordinate with Admin/Operations Sector in creating and sustaining an internal communication infrastructure which will include creating best practices for communication as well as using the web site, blog and other technology to make the flow of information within the Sangha more effective and efficient.
• Coordinate with Programming and Practice Sector to offer programs on topics such as communication skills, leading meetings, etc.

Terms of Service:

• Communication Committee Chair: One year, renewable, chosen by committee members by spontaneous insight.
• Members: Term to be determined, join as interested/available

4. Creating Inclusive Community Committee

Summary:

Ensure inclusion of members and friends within the sangha, support and develop relationships and programs with organizations and community groups aligned with the vision of enlightened society. Possess and promote cultural competency.

Specifics:

• Select a Creating Inclusive Community Committee Chair who ensures that committee functions are met and who coordinates with other Community Council Chairs as needed.
• Coordinate with Membership Committee regarding creating inclusion.
• Coordinate with Finance/Dana Sector in developing and consistently applying generosity policy
• Coordinate with Finance/Dana Sector, Programming and Practice Sector, and Center Director to offer programs and meditation instruction outside of 7331 Sheridan Road.
• Coordinate with Programming/Practice Sector to offer programs that address community, relationships, sangha, inclusion, as well as special topics such as aging, gender, child rearing, families, etc. as needed.

Terms of Service:

• Creating Inclusive Community Committee Chair: One year, renewable, chosen by committee members by spontaneous insight.
• Members: Term to be determined, join as interested/available

Shambhala, Shambhala Meditation Center, and Shambhala Center are registered service marks of Shambhala International (Varjadhatu). Shambhala Training is a registered trademark of Shambhala/Nalanda Foundation.