BP3 Is Growing!

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Announcing Our New Executive Director and new Board Members!

BP3 is growing! We emerged from the summer retreat with a sense of common purpose and commitment to a more cohesive community and to strengthening the BP3 Sangha. In that spirit, a number of people have stepped forward to dedicate their time and skills to our work together.

First, at the administrative center, we are very lucky to have gathered a dedicated and talented team. I’m happy and excited to announce that Eric Metzgar has come on board as BP3s new Executive Director. Eric is already known to many of you, and he will be following up with more of an introduction. For now, we welcome him and look forward to continuing growth under his leadership

I’m excited and honored to lend a hand to furthering the work of this beautiful community of generous practitioners. I have a lot to learn, but with your input, participation and support, I'm confident that BP3 will continue to grow both inwardly and outwardly. -Eric

Most of you also already know Amanda DeHart, who we’re fortunate to have continuing as Program Administrator. Amanda has played a key role in creating more effective administrative systems and enhancing communication across the organization in ways that have already benefited our work.

I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many of our volunteers, and each and every one of them amazes me with their knowledge, skills and compassion. I am very grateful that this organization is here to support the beautiful and difficult work we each do by going into the prisons to share our hearts and the dharma with those who are often left behind. –Amanda

In addition, there are two new members of the Board of Directors. Nancy Hart and Sabrina Modelle join us from the Sanghas at Salinas Valley State Prison and Folsom and Solano State Prisons respectively. They offer both profound dedication to the work, training and wisdom in conflict resolution and restorative justice, as well as much-needed technical and marketing skills.

Sabrina joined BP3 in the fall of 2016 and notes that she “immediately felt at home with her prison sanghas.” Sabrina brings to the board more than 20 years experience in the creative field, with many of those years focusing on user experience, branding, and social media for progressive organizations. She is also a freelance food photographer, “pet wrangler, wife, and super-cool auntie.”

In addition to her many contributions already, Nancy offers a deep belief in social justice and, in her eloquent words, “the power of the human spirit to heal and be released from unnecessary suffering have led me to my work in prison. It's the most meaningful work I have ever done. These passions will inform my work, and I hope, be an asset to the board.”

We are all deeply grateful for the continuing work and dedication by all of our staff and volunteers.

Eric and Amanda will be the main points of contact for all of us as volunteers as we interface with BP3. They both also serve on the Board as special members in their official capacities. We continue to work on making the lines of communication as clear as possible. And more will follow to help us all know where to go for assistance and support.

For now, our thanks and welcome to Eric, Amanda, Nancy and Sabrina!

May our work bring all beings greater peace and freedom.

Brett Wheeler
Board Chair

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