Join us for the Harvest of Peace on Saturday, September 22

The Harvest of Peace, held around the time of the autumn equinox, is an opportunity for local communities to gather, hear teachings by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and celebrate the riches of our local cultures and heritage. This year, the Sakyong will address the international community of Shambhala Centers and Groups with a recorded audio message. Everyone is warmly invited to join in this happy occasion, especially families and new members. Come, let’s celebrate together and enjoy one another’s company!

This year, we anticipate having the very special opportunity to share in the installation ceremony of several of SMCD’s leadership positions, which will be appointed by the Sakyong just prior to Harvest of Peace.

We will also discuss the center’s fundraising needs for the year ahead.

As our center continues to expand, so does our need for financial support. The Harvest of Peace (HOP) celebration provides us with an opportunity to express our appreciation of the teachings and sense of community that the SMCD offers. Looking toward 2013, our current leadership is considering hiring a paid administrator or center director. The director search process will begin right after the HOP ends. It’s estimated we’ll need close to $40,000 to hire such a key staff person. Moving ahead on this will warrant an increase in our recurring operating expenses of about $3,300 per month.

With that in mind, we are looking to raise $6,000 on September 22 during the HOP. Having these funds in hand will increase the likelihood that a staff person can be hired. Such a hire should help bring to fruition many of the good ideas identified during the Vision to Action planning process. At the HOP, we welcome your generous support in meeting our goal of $6,000.

Center members are also encouraged to consider increasing their monthly contribution so that we can fully support the center director position. Money is an important form of energy that helps to bring new and inspiring programs and resources to SMCD. Thanks for your support.

Richard Eidlin, Finance Committee

We ask that everyone who would like to attend the Harvest of Peace please register as soon as possible so we can plan breakfast and lunch. Also, child care will be available upon request. Look for details on the Harvest of Peace registration page.