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
- Nick Woodward, President
- Marilyn Raffensperger, Vice-President
- Kerry Neal, Secretary
- Steve Allison-Bunnell, Treasurer
- Mem Schultz, Member-at-large (and co-founder who was interviewed last month)
Q: How does serving on the BOD serve your own practice?
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.
Q: What are some of the highlights from the past 10 years for the BDC that are important to you?
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.
Q: What is it about the BDC that you feel serves the wider Bozeman community?
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.
Q: What are your hopes or visions for BDC and Buddhist practice in the Gallatin Valley for the next 10 years?
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.