Communications Working Group
Minutes – October 10, 2004
Present: Molly DeShong, Mark Szpakowski, Luz Rodriguis, Karen Wilding
Regrettably absent: Cheryl Campbell, Deborah Garrett, Wendy Layton, Nick Wright, Bernard Spiegeleer, Brian Spielmann, Helen Bonzi
[Phone Conference] Discussion:
1) New Congress Bulletin Boards
a) To date, there has been no significant activity in the Review Group mailing lists or on the Congress discussion forums. The forums have 181 people registered (compare to 3000 on sangha-announce), but people could be reading without posting. A possible explanation is that the new practice has captured the attention of individual practitioners, and they need to focus on their personal path before they can reengage with the reorganization.
b) Wendy Layton has put up a discussion forum for discussion of the new practice, and has asked Acharyas to respond. So far, the article written by Acharya Richard John for the DOT is the first general statement. The Loppon has suggested readings to support a program he is teaching.
c) Luz Rodriguis has volunteered to translate the summary of the Shambhala Ngöndro into Spanish as well as relevant documents in preparation for the congress. Karen will check with the working group chairs to see how they could prioritize some work to be translated without overwhelming Luz.
2) Pre Mandala Governing Council Meeting work
a) Karen will check with the Working Group chairs to see if our assumption that the practice issue has overshadowed the planning process is correct. We need to look at the response to the Harvest of Peace address and celebrations.
b) There is a town hall meeting scheduled in Halifax, as well as deleg meetings. We may be able to help the discussion percolate and cross fertilize the planning process before the congress.
3) December to January Process
a) After the Mandala Governing Council Meetings we plan to schedule town meetings in all Centers and groups, and provide materials or guidelines to facilitate discussions. This process should get the community reengaged, and the Congress will then be a place to listen and discuss new ideas and forms.
b) We discussed the possibility of putting out a questionnaire to centers to get input and feedback from non web users.
4) Next Meeting: Sunday November 21st, 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time.
Updated 2004/10/12