The BDC Community Meeting is your chance to learn more about how the BDC operates, what the staff does, where the money goes, and give input for our future direction! This meeting is so important that we hold it twice! Once on Sunday, April 21 from 4-5:30 PM and again on Monday, April 22 from 7-8:30 PM. You can attend in person or via Zoom. Both meetings will have the same content.
We want to update you all on our annual appeal progress and to thank the 84 donors who’ve given so generously! We are up to $18,979. We’re about $1000 shy of our ambitious goal of $20,000. If you haven’t already and are able, can you support us today?
Thank you so much to the 53 people who have donated to our annual appeal so far! We have an ambitious goal of $20,000 and at $10,718, we are a little over half of the way there. Sixteen of you donated during Giving Tuesday, taking full advantage of the $2000 board match! We so appreciate all of you who support us financially and those who also give their time and efforts to keep us running. We wouldn’t be here without you!
In honor of the Bozeman Dharma Center’s 10 year anniversary, this month we would like to introduce and highlight the compassionate and hardworking Board of Directors. We have had several boards in the past 10 years, all endeavoring to bring forth the dharma with eyes and hearts on excellent governance, financial oversight and helpful, relevant policy work. We are indebted to all our past and present Board members for their dedicated practice.
Our current board consists of
Marilyn: Working with a group of people towards a mission that supports the well-being of all sentient beings and who share the same desire to live the dharma in their everyday lives supports my path. As the Buddha said, “When [one] has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.” Upaḍḍhasutta (SN 45.2)
Kerry: Serving on the board helps me live my Buddhist practice by intentionally working with others to support and serve the BDC. Each of us offers different perspectives and strengths and all are committed to work together guided by our Buddhist practice for the benefit of all who come to the BDC.
Steve: One of the primary commitments we make in the Plum Village tradition when we are ordained as Core Community members of the Order of Interbeing is to support sangha building. In general, service to others is central to Thich Nhat Hahn’s interpretation of Mahayana Buddhism. More personally, my practice has been about seeing beyond my own needs and desires, and being more able to account for the perspectives of others more fully. So working on the board gives me an opportunity to consider the needs of the entire community.
Nick: In the vision of Thich Nhat Hanh’s engaged Buddhism, serving on the board is my connection to advancing Dharma locally, regionally and beyond. I believe that mindfulness is a practice every person can benefit from and that understanding even the basic tenants of the Dharma enhances this practice substantially. Serving on the board gives me an opportunity to support every Sangha and to help make Bozeman a hub of Buddhism in America.
Marilyn: I am inspired by the vast and consistent programming over the years, which has given me so many opportunities to grow my practice. Also, surviving the pandemic, thanks to the dedication and generosity of so many (with a little help from technology). We were able to reopen our new dharma center location in the spring of 2022 and hire our first Executive Director.
Kerry: Starting up Mindspace in 2016 and then restarting it in 2022 post-COVID has been so meaningful for me. While it felt very daunting at first, I am so glad that the BDC encouraged and supported this group. I feel so fortunate that we are able to offer this group in the Bozeman community.
Nick: In the past 10 years, the BCD has been an important place of connection for me both to my family and to the community. I have benefited greatly from the wide array of programming, the mentorship, and the friendships that have all been a part of my experience and my practice.
Steve: It is so joyful and healthy for our sanghas representing various traditions to come together and mutually support one another in sharing the Dharma with our community. It always feels a little strange when Buddhist groups end up competing, whether explicitly or inadvertently. Being able to offer our region a harmonious and diverse range of programs seems very special. Also, the pooling of resources has wonderfully supported smaller, newer groups, such as Mindspace and Joining Rivers, to become a presence that they otherwise would struggle to do on their own.
Marilyn: I look forward to building our programs, staff, and leaders to be able to fulfill the needs of the community, now and into the next 10 years.
Kerry: I started meditating when the BDC opened 10 years ago, which both feels like not much time at all and also a lot of time! Reflecting on 10 years I appreciate that the BDC has always been consistently a peaceful refuge even when the BDC transitioned to online and back into a new physical space. I hope that continues to be the case in the next 10 years and that we continue to serve and reach to all who are interested in Buddhist practice in our growing community.
Steve: Who doesn’t hope for a dedicated, larger practice center?! In addition to that, I hope we will continue to be a voice for Engaged Buddhism, carrying our practice out into the wider community, both individually and perhaps as an organization.
Nick: I would love to continue to see the BDC expand its programming and its community. I think there is great potential for the center to benefit all demographics in the Gallatin valley and to be a thriving hub for the community at large. I would like to be a part of finding the BCD a (more) permanent home, laying the groundwork for a residential program, and to continue growing the weekly offerings and retreats.
Did you know that the July issue of Bozeman Magazine has an article on our director, Karen DeCotis and the BDC? Thanks to Marilia Librandi, one of our library volunteers and a Zen student, for writing such a wonderful piece.
It’s here! Please consider making a donation to support our sanghas today! Give Big Gallatin Valley starts at 6 PM today and goes until 6 PM tomorrow. You can make a donation to us here: https://www.givebiggv.org/organizations/bozeman-dharma-center. We’re trying to raise $10,500 which will support our sanghas in multiple ways– by keeping sangha rent low, providing tea, snacks, and office supplies, help track donations/finances (for sanghas without the means), marketing group events, and supporting teachers when they offer classes.
The Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District creates a new home for Streamline bus, is endorsed by more than 100 businesses and individuals in the valley, and has overwhelming support from our community. It creates a structure that will allow Streamline to continue receiving vital federal transportation funding. There is NO COST to taxpayers to set up the district. Find out more at yesforstreamline.org.
Mail or drop off your ballot to the Gallatin County Elections Office by May 2 at 8 p.m.!
This year we ask you to give in support of our sanghas. We are one of a small number of centers in the US that have multiple lineages practicing together. We now have six groups regularly meeting at the BDC in addition to three drop-in sits during the work week! As the BDC grows, our practice groups need support to offer you their teachings. Your donations benefit the sanghas by:
Please consider making a donation during Give Big!
As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “A good community is needed to help us resist the unwholesome ways of our time. Mindful living protects us and helps us go in the direction of peace. With the support of friends in the practice, peace has a chance.”
We are grateful to the Bozeman Dharma Center community for participating in our Maha-sangha/Community meetings in November 2022. Between the conversations and the worksheets, the Board of Directors gathered great information about our community feels we are doing and where you see the BDC going. Using this information we created a three year vision for the BDC and first steps to take in 2023 to get us there.
As part of our commitment to transparency, these goals for the BDC are on the website. Click here to view!
WOW! Thank you all so much for your generosity and support! We raised $25,121, surpassing our goal of $20,000! This annual appeal is a significant portion of our operating budget and means we are in good shape for the new year. Looking forward to practicing with you in 2023!
