A Communication from the Transition Team

Like many of us through quarantine, Pittsburgh Shambhala Meditation Center has been in a bit of a hibernation. But like an animal in hibernation, our vital systems have still been operating as they should – bills are being paid, the physical center is being looked after, and folks are coming together to discuss the way we will make decisions together about who we are as a community. This group was formed both from members with experience in governance and from an open call for participation that was sent out earlier this year. Our role is to develop a more equitable system of decision-making, in order to find a healthful way to decide as a community the big questions we’ve been holding as a center.
 

In order to make sure that important voices in our community don’t get overlooked, our next step is determining how to equitably identify and recognize the stakeholders of our community – those people who have some experience in our community and who want to continue building something together, whatever that something might look like. The transition roundtable will likely spend the better part of the winter identifying stakeholders and setting up structures so that the community can move forward with answering some of these big questions in the spring. 
 

We will likely not have much programming after the winter solstice; there is no official group responsible for developing and hosting programs. Rather than a centralized programming team, the Center will continue holding space for the smaller practice communities, such as Heart of Recovery and Aging as a Spiritual Practice, that are thriving in our affinity-group model. If you would like to make an offering for a program in this style – hosting a discussion of a shared text, a conversation salon, recurring practice sessions, etc. – please email practice@shambhalapittsburgh.org or atransitionteam@gmail.com. The transition roundtable will check for any concerns with the program, but overall, the group will have a very light touch as far as what programs are hosted, how they are promoted, or how they are run.
 

Lastly, we want to thank the IPE team for all they’ve done to carry the center through 2020, and especially to Jess, for holding the responsibilities of the directorship so beautifully during her time in the position. We look forward to the horizons of new possibility for our community as we close out our winter with slow but dutiful preparations for an exuberant spring. If you have any interest in hosting programming, any suggestions for an understanding of stakeholdership, or if you would like to offer some support with the logistical/operational concerns of the center, please feel free to reach out to anyone on the transition roundtable, or to our centralized email address – we’d be happy to hear from you.
 

With love,

Gloria, Jane, Jeri, Jerry, Patience, Sam, Sara & Veronica
atransitionteam@gmail.com