Dear Zen Center on Main Street Sangha,

Last Tuesday, April 31, we had our first sangha meeting. It has been approximately one year since acquiring access to suite 209 and beginning renovations for our zendo. It seemed like a good time to reassess our intentions and to plan for the future. In attendance were; Lindsay Rockwell, Margi Gregory, Volker Ecke, Gineen Cooper, Basia Bolibok, Curtis Small and Catherine Hondorp. Below are loose minutes.

1. Mission of the Zen Center, was discussed and some rough ideas came out. It was recommended that we look at statements for Village Zendo and Zen Peacemaker Order so that there is some continuity to our affiliations. It was suggested that Gineen put together something temporarily for the brochure and that we continue to work on what our mission and purpose statements will be.
2. Gineen will put together a brochure for distribution on Sunday's Dharma Day.
3. It was generally felt that the schedule was good. The times for the morning sits were changed to begin at 6 am and go to 7 am to make it more possible for more sangha to attend. Evening sits were kept the same. Zazenkais were also kept at the first Saturday of the month, excluding August. It was suggested that different people be responsible for different sits and that if they could not make it they make arrangements for coverage. (Veerle said by e'mail that she could be responsible for Thursday evenings) A list of people covering what nights will be compiled and posted.
4. Some suggestions for connecting to the Village Zendo ango during the summer, were brought up, perhaps joining ango for some parts or making ango practice agreements. It was requested that Enkyo Sensei be asked to come back, perhaps in the fall.
5. Bringing in new folks. One thought was to hold Intro to Zen workshop open to the public, advertised and held on a weekend. Having Beginning Instruction every Wednesday nights at 5pm will begin next week. New people are recommended to come to this if they have not had Zen instruction before. Putting the word out that we are here and what we do was suggested. Listing sitting times in the paper and flyers around town were mentioned.
6. Financial support of the zendo. The financial report for the zendo is available to anyone interested, ask Catherine. Membership pledges were suggested as a means to offer financial support to cover rent, zafus, zabutons and seiza benches, instruments, supplies, donations to bring in teachers/ guest speakers, etc. It was agreed that a letter would be sent out to our mailing list inviting people to become members of the zen center and pledging monthly support. Putting out suggested donations was brought up but I can't remember what was decided? Offering the zendo space to other groups or workshops was suggested but not decided on. Fundraisers?
7. A phone and email list of those present at the meeting was compiled and distributed.
8. How to grow our practice? Bringing in guest teachers once a month, would they have to be in the zen tradition?
9. Discussion followed on Days of Reflection. Are they working, consistency, format, what is the nature/essence of Day of Reflection. Should we do Sangha Day events instead? Ie, bike riding and sitting and picnicking. We tabled this discussion til next meeting.
10. Listing zendo roles so that people knew what the Jikido, Doan, Chant Leader etc do. Catherine will do this.
11. An interest in doing services was expressed.
12. Other items not fully discussed: Tax exempt status as an affilitate is being brought up with Village Zendo board and is in process.
13. The next Sangha meeting will be Wednesday, May 22 following zazen at 7pm til 9pm. We hope that all sangha members can come to help guide our Zen Center.

Sincerely,

Catherine Anraku Hondorp