|
Meher Spiritual Center, Inc. |
|
|
Winter 2011 Dear Center Family and Friends, Jai Baba, and much love to you all! We have just celebrated Amartithi here at the Center---January 31, 2011, the 42nd anniversary of the dropping of Meher Baba's physical form. Some years ago, Ann Conlon, who met Baba in 1961, and who lived in Myrtle Beach and served on the Center Board for many years, gave a talk during the 1995 Amartithi program in the Barn. In it she said, "One translation of the word Amartithi is: celebration of the one who never dies." And then she urged those present that day to "celebrate the fact that Baba graced this Center with His physical presence three times...and He left His presence here for us, and for all His lovers to come.” Ann's talk was read again this year in the Barn, and along with songs, readings, silence and prayers, we celebrated Baba's enduring love in our lives. Program News Some lovely programs have been enjoyed at the Center since our last letter. Bill and Diana LePage were here for much of the summer. Bill shared many stories of being with Meher Baba, in Meeting Place talks and informal afternoon gatherings in the Original Kitchen. Diana shared her inspired artwork, and during the Youth Sahavas they helped provide the young people with a rich experience of life with Baba. Robert Dreyfuss gave a lovely talk in August, describing his meeting with Baba as a young man. In September, the Mountains to the Sea choir performed an inspiring concert, and on October 8, we celebrated "Community Day"---a day to honor the enormous service of the nearby community in the daily life of the Center. At Thanksgiving, Tom Riley gave a wonderful talk in the Meeting Place, focused on his Baba story, particularly his time with Baba in 1958 and in 1962 at the East West Gathering. The next day Tom shared more stories at Dilruba, and his wife Cathy shared her sweet music as well. The Christmas holidays were as busy as ever, with a full number of retreat guests, many more from out of town staying nearby, and the local community---all enjoying the Center every day, and the joy and companionship that filled it. During the Amartithi weekend, in addition to the Barn program, we also enjoyed a talk by Irwin Luck, recounting his experience of being in India for Baba's entombment in 1969. Now we look forward to a very special treat for Baba's birthday: on February 26 in the Meeting Place, Charles Haynes and Wendy Haynes Connor will speak of their times with Baba. What a lovely night that will be. News from the Board of Directors Since our last communication of news from the Board, two members have stepped down. Both Cassie D'Argenio and Jonathan Burroughs resigned last spring, after serving more than four years, each as Board Secretary during part of that time. They were involved in the strategic planning process, which demanded long and frequent meetings, and endless hours of planning, reviewing, and consulting. The Center is fortunate to have had their help and dedication on the Board, and of course they are both still here, continuing to give their love and support to the Center in all the ways that they do! During 2010, the Board has been involved in a reflective process to discover and articulate the Center's most fundamental principles. It has been a yearlong effort, with the help of a consultant, which has resulted in the Vision, Values, and Mission Statements (printed at the end of this letter) intended to provide the foundation, guidance and continuity, both now and in the future, for the Center's governance and management. It is with the deepest gratitude that we share these with the Center family now---for the opportunity Baba has given all of us to care for His Home, and the gentle way He holds us as we struggle to find His way. In addition to establishing and now sharing these fundamental principles, the Board is also in the process of aligning the current Board Governance Document, By Laws, and policies with the Vision, Values, and Mission Statements, making appropriate adjustments in Board structure and function, as well as clarifying and simplifying management policies and guidelines. As a first and fundamental step, the Board has adopted term limits, under which Board members will serve a four year term, can be reelected for a second four year term, and after at least four years off the Board, can be reelected for one more four year term. We have begun to expand the Board, electing two new members to begin their first term this year – Geri Craddock from North Myrtle Beach, and Merwan Mehta from Greenville, North Carolina. All of these efforts were determined by the Board as essential to begin the work that is outlined in the Strategic Plan, completed in 2009. Given the support for that plan, the input and interest expressed by so many of you, and the Board's recent work to develop the Vision, Values, and Mission Statements and to make needed adjustments to its governing abilities, we trust that Baba's plan is unfolding. You can review the Strategic Plan on the website, or fill out a participation form, by going to www.mehercenter.org/Past, Present, and Future/Planning and Support/Strategic Planning. Please remember that we welcome and encourage your ongoing feedback, by email, mail, phone, whatever way is easiest. Support for the Center Enclosed with this letter are our annual Membership and Donation Forms. We send these every year at this time to encourage your support, and to ask for updated information so that we can stay in touch with you. It is especially important that we have the correct birthdates for children. These are used to identify all those who are of eligible age to attend the annual Youth Sahavas. Also included for your review is a financial summary of the Center's 2009 and 2010 operational income and expenses, and a number of graphic illustrations to provide insight into the Center's financial realities and challenges. This year, a small Board appointed Committee was formed---the Support Committee---to activate a process for engaging personally with the Center family to increase awareness of the Center's financial needs. This committee, along with Board members, made contact with about 150 people and the result was not just what you see in the 2010 donation figures. It was more profoundly experienced in the process of reaching out, and the connections made---the discovery of our links to one another and to this incredible place He gave us, His Home in the West. The Support Committee will be continuing its efforts to connect with more of you in the coming months. How sweet Baba is to give us all this great privilege. Also it is encouraging to note that expenses have gone down, in many areas, given the efforts of staff and volunteers. These are demanding times, and at the Center the focus has been to simplify, conserve, reduce when possible, adjust where practical, go slowly and carefully. It is an effort that goes hand in hand with increasing support. Note the decreased amount of Endowment that we needed to support operations in 2010. That feels good. Center Work It continues as always. These old buildings need so much care. And the grounds naturally are in a constant state of growth and change. Cabin Crew and Gateway: more guests, more tours, more drop-ins, more handicap needs, more international visitors, more internet visibility, more and more. Staff and volunteers are faced daily with new situations and new demands. But with the work of so many who care deeply about the Center, all goes well. And, of course, it is in His hands, and we are not to worry. We are grateful to be sending you this newsletter, with its good news, with love tucked in, and hopefully with even the tiniest bit of the deeply peaceful atmosphere that is here. We hope to see you at the Center soon! As this new year moves on, may Baba's hand be at your back, and His voice in your ear, His song in your mind, His breath in your soul. In His abiding love, Ann Edelman
Meher Spiritual Center Vision, Values, and Mission The Vision: The Values: The Mission:
Click below for copies of the 2010 Financial Report, Financial Charts, 2011 Membership Form, or Monthly Automatic Donation Form, in PDF file format. Monthly Automatic Donation Form
|
|
|
|
||||||||
