SHAO
SHAN TEMPLE ANNUAL MEETING
MEETING SUMMARY
June 9, 2018
Little Hall, Shao
Shan Temple
On
June 9 approximately 25 people gathered in the Little Hall at Shao Shan to
attend the temple’s Annual Meeting.
TEMPLE REPORTS
The 2018 Temple Reports were distributed by email prior to the meeting
and were also available at the meeting. The Development Committee took
questions on the Sangha Report, Program
Report, Buildings & Grounds Report,
Cemetery Report, and Financial Report. Most of the comments focused on the
number and variety of programs that are regularly scheduled at Shao Shan Temple
(SST). Members were pleased to learn that there were 102 first-time
visitors to SST in 2017. In 2017 the temple received $26,120 in contributions from the
sangha and friends, which paid for not only basic operating expenses but all
necessary repairs and improvements.
2018 FINANCIAL & FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
The group recommended that The
Annual Alms Round be moved to the beginning of October and allowed to run for a
few months. This strategy should please those who would like to consider a
donation to SST apart from the holiday crush and those who like to do all of
their annual donations during the holidays. In order to facilitate efficient
planning and budgeting, sangha members were asked to consider making a monthly
pledge to help support the temple. It was also suggested that the temple
conduct an actual Alms Round in Montpelier, perhaps during the summer or
foliage season. Pamphlets or handouts could be available to help others learn
about Zen Buddhism and its traditions. Several other fundraising ideas were
discussed, including a silent auction of donated items and/or services and a
Japanese style fundraiser meal.
It was also suggested that if
people were more invested in the temple, perhaps they would see more clearly
the need to contribute to the support of the temple. The temple could invite
sangha members to advise the priests regarding what skills and/or time they
would be willing to contribute. Perhaps members could be assigned a specific
job for which they would be responsible. It was also suggested that if people
knew the actual cost of a particular project they might be willing to take
ownership of that project by contributing to the cost or working with others to
contribute the funds for the project. This information could be included in the
newsletter, perhaps in the “Giving Back” section.
It was announced that SST has
initiated an endowment account with the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF). Practioners
and friends of SST may now make a bequest in their will to SST and/or invest in
a Charitable Gift Annuity with the VCF on behalf of the temple.
SHAO SHAN TEMPLE LAND TRANSFER
Taihaku and Kenzan reported that the
survey of Taihaku’s land has been completed.
The land on which the temple rests will be deeded to SST in the near
future. The parcel containing the main house and the Mountain Retreat will be
deeded to SST upon Taihaku’s death. The
focus now is upon finding the right vehicle to transfer, manage, and preserve
the land and the temple. Various options that are currently under consideration
were discussed.
Members were very appreciative of
the fact that Taihaku and Kenzan are working to preserve the long-term
viability and vitality of SST.
2018 IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Taihaku and Kenzan mentioned the
following improvement projects for SST:
·
Resurfacing the stucco on the temple exterior
walls
·
Cleaning the temple’s shingle roof
·
Applying polyurethane to select interior
surfaces in the temple and the Little Hall.
·
Finishing Treasure House details
In response to questions
regarding the reconfiguration of the zendo and kitchen, Taihaku advised that
planning is ongoing. These renovations
will be considered as part of the long range master plan.
It was suggested that the temple
expand its library as it is likely that sangha members may have Zen books to
donate. It was noted that the current
bookshelves in the Little Hall need to be rebuilt or replaced.
The meeting ended with a
discussion regarding the importance of maintaining the intrinsic quality of the SST experience and not
evaluating SST based on how much programs, members, and finances have
expanded. The priests were complimented
for their emphasis on maintaining a true Zen experience at SST for sangha
members.
MEETING FEEDBACK
Most members enjoyed the meeting. They thought the event was well-organized,
stayed on task, was fast-paced, productive, and interesting. Members
agreed that an Annual Meeting was valuable because it helped keep them in the
loop.
