New Economic Model Working Group

December 1, 2003 - minutes

Present: Connie Brock, Brian Callahan, Ed Keizer, Dan Naistadt, Jim Rosen, Terry Rudderham, Nancy McCabe, Richard Siebold, Eric Spiegel & Jeff Waltcher.

Regrets: Michael Greenleaf, Chris Tamdjidi

Opening Chants

Appointment of Secretary for Meeting: Terry Rudderham

Introductory Comments: Jim Rosen

• Very good start with last meeting
• A major goal of this meeting is to start some sub groups.
• There will be an extended Board meeting in February which will use the output from the Congress to start other working groups
• As chair of the group, Jim Rosen has been invited to attend that meeting.

Status and Review of Last Meeting Action Items

Review Group: Connie Brock (Jeff Waltcher)

• Several people have already asked to be a part of this group and it is expected there will be many more once Shambhala News Service (SNS) letter goes out.
• The major centres will specifically be invited to be a part of the review group. Connie will call the centers once the SNS letter goes out.
• The Review groups will be sent information in advance and then there will be two conference calls (there are probably too many people to have just one meeting), Connie will get feedback and bring it back to the group.
• Jim requested feedback from the review group as to what would be the best method fro sharing local centre revenue with the Halifax central office. (pros & cons) i.e. % of total revenue, $ per member, etc.
• Ed suggested we need to know what centers need from Shambhala International. General discussion on whether we need to consider at least core services. Dan, who facilitated the Unified Mandala working group at the Congress, will follow up with President Reoch regarding this. Jim will talk to President Reoch on the timing of other groups and how that ties in with the work we are doing.
• Ed described the system used in Europe and that as the CFO for Europe he will visit and negotiate with each center and group their contribution for 2004. They have been using this approach in Holland and it has been very well received.
• Jim proposed that a sub group be formed to work on developing a specific funding model(s) recommendation and bring it to the Review Group.
• JimÕs proposal was discussed and it was decided that it would be better to wait until after the first review group meetings on the 12 points.

Census Group: Dan Naistadt (Ed Keizer & Terry Rudderham): Dan reviewed a proposed one page questionnaire that hes been put together by the Census Group to go to all local centres to gather key information that is necessary for our efforts.

• A key point discussed was whether membership includes those who do not pay dues. This is something the individual centers and groups should decide as they complete the census survey.
• Discussion on simplifying the expenses and eliminating the section on assets and liabilities. Insert a question as to whether they own their own building.
• Discussion on whether this should go to Practice Centers and the Abbey. It was decided that it would not.
• Jim proposed that in addition to sending something to the local centers someone could take on relationships with Practice Centres.

Draft Proposal: Connie Brock (Brian Callahan)

• There were two documents presented. The first one is 12 points of a New Economic Model that were developed during the Congress. No discussion as everyone thought this was very good and well presented.
• The second document was a Summary of Current Financial Status. Terry will check some of these figures.

Mission Statement: Jim Rosen

• There was a small discussion on the wording of the second part of the mission statement. Jim will re word it as per the discussion.

Distribution of Minutes and Mission Statement: Jim Rosen

• Minutes and Mission Statement have already gone to Wendy Layton for distribution.

Open Discussion re: Our Second Mission Š Develop Finance Function

• There was discussion on what this means in relation to the whole mandala. Should there be a standard chart of accounts. Descriptions of what should go into various accounts.
• We should ask the board and other s what do they need in terms of information other then that provided by Financial Statements.
• Financials functions include planning, reporting and controls.

Open Discussion of Next Steps and Sub Groups that should be formed.

• Census Group already exists; Dan & Ed
• Review Group already exists; Connie & Jeff
• Major Practice Center and Gampo Abbey entailed more discussion on how to proceed. It was decided that historical data would be gathered, the relationship between PC and SI would be explored including the vision of the Sakyong as it pertains to each and that the Practice Centers and the Abbey would be asked what they felt was a reasonable revenue flow to the center of the mandala. There will be a meeting of the major practice centers in April so we may wish to talk with Directors as a group at that time. Jeff, Eric, Richard Siebold, Chris (Ed indicated Chris would likely to want to join this group) and Brian.
• Financial Functions: Nancy, Jim & Terry
• Discussion around the timing of this work. Jim reminded us that President Reoch was very clear that he would favour getting it done right as opposed to a quick fix.
• An email would be sent out to those who were not at the meeting or did not have an opportunity to sign up so that all members of the group may participate.