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Meher Spiritual Center, Inc., was chartered as a nonprofit
corporation under the laws of South Carolina in 1959, and
designated tax exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS
Code. The corporation was founded as a non-sectarian religious
organization whose chartered purposes are to: 1) maintain
a spiritual retreat for rest, meditation, and renewal of the
spiritual life; 2) maintain a library of primarily religious,
philosophical and inspirational books accessible to the public;
3) hold group meetings for reading of the Discourses of Meher
Baba and other universal truths; and 4) donate clothing and
other necessities to the poor. The corporation is governed
by a Board of Directors who act as stewards of Meher Center
and the Meher Spiritual Center Corporation. A current staff
of sixteen serve as caretakers of the retreat, and over one
hundred volunteers regularly participate in its daily operations.
For a complete copy of the text of the Center's original 1959 Charter, including amendments, click on the link below. Also available by clicking below is the Center's Board Governance Policies document. The governance document summarizes the responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the Administrator and the staff of Meher Spiritual Center, and the processes by which the Center is to be managed (41 pages).
Charter
Board Governance Policies
In the Spring of 2007, the Board of Meher Spiritual
Center began a strategic planning process to identify the
most important issues facing the Center in the next ten years, to set goals to address
each one, and to create action plans to reach those goals.
Through an on-going process of meetings, consultations, surveys and the development of planning drafts, the Board's
strategic plan is now complete, and work on the action plans has begun. The Board invites your feedback, contributions and participation.
Click on the link below to access a copy of the plan (in PDF file format).
Strategic Plan, December 2009
Click on the link below to indicate your area(s) of interest to serve on a committee or to work with the appropriate committee or staff responsible for your area of interest. We are just in the beginning stage of forming and charging committees, so your form and any other prior communications you have made will be on file and shared with the appropriate committees. If you live out of the area but would like to participate during visits or by cyberspace, please so indicate.
Strategic Plan Participation Form
We are frequently asked how one can help support and preserve
Meher Spiritual Center. What follows is basic information
about various ways the Center may be supported now and into
the future:
DONATIONS
A major source of support for Meher Center are the annual
donations made by Associate Members and friends. These donations
come throughout the year, helping the Center meet its operating
expenses. A growing number of individuals make regular monthly
gifts. Day visitors (more than 14,000 visits each year) pay
no fee for use of the Center. Donations enable the staff to
maintain the cabins, roads, trails, and other facilities for
the constant use of the Center by day visitors and retreat
guests.
Click on the button below to make a donation to the Center
by credit or debit card through PayPal.com.
CABIN FEES
Cabin income currently provides about one third of the Center's annual budget. By Meher Baba's directive, retreat guests pay a modest sum for use of the cabins. This amount does not begin to cover the costs of maintenance, utilities, laundry, insurance and other expenses. Nevertheless, the cabin fee is kept small in keeping with the Center's nonprofit purpose, and to provide a service to those Meher Baba draws to the Center for retreat and renewal. The Center can only continue to do this because of the loving generosity of Meher Baba's family.
MEMBERSHIP DUES
While annual membership dues constitute a modest amount compared to donations and cabin fees, they are, nonetheless, vitally important to the Center as a demonstration of public support.
ENDOWMENT
The Elizabeth Chapin Patterson Endowment Fund contributes towards the operational expenses of the Center not covered by annual donations and cabin fees. These funds also help the Center to maintain the original cabins as Meher Baba wished and to make other capital improvements and additions. There are various planned giving options for placing donations in the endowment, all of which contribute to its long-term maintenance and growth.
GIFTS IN KIND AND VOLUNTEERS
Almost everything at the Center - each book in the library, much of the furniture, carpets, tools, linens, other equipment and much more has been given with love by hundreds of individuals. In addition, over a hundred people regularly volunteer their time to do many of the tasks needed to keep the Center open twelve months a year: volunteering at the Gateway and the library; showing the Center to new visitors; helping care for the grounds; and serving in countless other ways.
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