Assaya Community Meeting Summary Date: August 3rd, 2024

Meeting Agenda:
10:00 Start with a short meditation
10:05 Group check-in to help everyone get to know each other a little more and feel more connected.
10:25 Assaya updates - Women in Buddhism series by Soto Zen Association, Jumpstart Meeting, Monday Evening Sit, Postcards re-boot
10:45 Fundraiser - Update on registration and money raised, Logistics for the day’s event and volunteer roles.
11:10 Other volunteers needed - location for Monday, Community meeting up on blog, newsletter etc.
11:30 Close

Meeting Notes: 
Jumpstart Meeting: Kate reported the meeting was very productive in brainstorming ways to attract diverse groups (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, mothers with young children, etc) to Assaya. 
Sangha Member Natalie Brain and Kate Munding ran the meeting, and members Maureen A., Francisca P., Ramona Lisa Ortiz Smith, Nicole Meyers, Barbara Hooks, and Yanli Wang participated in the meeting. Next step is to plan the outreach and marketing campaign.
 
New Monday Evening Gathering:  Kate said that in response to many requests for a regular evening and in-person gathering, a time slot was chosen and 3-4 locations are being explored (Ellen S. Will research) to have a physical space to meet.  This will be a regularly offered meditation and Dharma talk taught by a rotation of Assaya Sangha teachers and the occasional guest teacher.
Monday August 19th will be the first evening  gathering to be held on zoom.  Once a location is chosen, the goal will be to offer a hybrid gathering and additionally to offer special meet-ups before the meeting for specific interest groups such as: 20-30’s age group; BIPOC; women with small children; full sangha potluck; or beginning meditators, etc.
 
“Reclaim Our Vote” postcard-writing parties:  Maureen A. Reported the postcard-writing parties will resume Wednesday, August 21 through October following the Wednesday Intensive at the home of Beth Fedman, 1851 San Ramon Ave. in Berkeley (refer to the Assaya Sangha August newsletter for more specific details).
 
Opportunities to consider: 

• *Lynne P. Suggested participating as a group in the Women in Buddhism series done by Soto Zen association on zoom. 
• Kate to send email to Assaya members with info.
• *Maureen A. Suggested a possible series offered by Rhonda McGee on racism curriculum for white people. Kate to research.

 
Fundraiser update:

• To date 44 people have registered for in person and 5 for zoom with donations of $4760 towards our goal of $10,000. Kate reported this was a very promising start as most people typically do not register until a few weeks before the event.
• Kate will do a short video to market the fundraiser later this month as there was such a good registration response from last year’s video.
• Lynne P. Said that Sharon G. Has had to withdraw as Volunteer Coordinator due to health reasons. Judy M. volunteered to take over those duties and Lynne P. To support.
• Volunteers from meeting signed up as follows:
  • Friday set up: Kate, Lynne P. Ellen S.
  • Saturday set up: Judy M., Nadine, Jude P.
  • Sat. registration table: Wendy K., Deb T., Nadine.
  • Zoom monitors: Liesl (on zoom) and 2 volunteers needed in-person to split duties(morning shift and afternoon shift).
  • Cleanup: Maureen A.

 
Action Items:

1. Kate to send email about Soto Zen zoom event.
2. Kate to contact Rhonda McGee regarding possible series.
3. Kate to do video to publish in August marketing September 28 fundraiser
4. Jude P. to confirm with Tanya re: How she wants to recruit volunteers for the flower arranging session Friday, September 27.
5. Ellen S. to contact Gyoto to clarify set up on Friday
6. Judy M. to update the proposed list of volunteers needed outline from last year and identify volunteer support still needed And recruit people to fill those jobs as needed. Judy to have Event Planning document with updated job and volunteer assignments to Kate by 8/30/2024.
7. Kate to work with Betsy and Tuere to prepare an outline for the day long retreat.
8. Kate, Judy M. Jeanie B. to explore ways to post monthly community meeting, summary and minutes to our website blog.