Membership Meets to Discuss Center Director Search

On Sunday, January 3, members were invited to come to the Center to discuss and share their thoughts on the qualities of the next Center Director who will replace Tom Gaylord, beloved current Center Director. The members were invited to attend by the Selection Committee, who has been tasked to identify and interview candidates for the position before they are recommended to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, who will personally make the final selection of the next Center Director. As of the time of this posting, the Committee is still reviewing candidates.  The position description for the next Center Director can be found here.

If you would like to provide input to the Selection Committee, please send an email to [email protected]. One member helpfully pointed out that you could consider the greatest qualities of a favorite current or past Center Director or to consider what do you want to experience more of at the Center?

Nearly 40 members came to the discussion, which also reviewed a survey sent by the Selection Committee, with over 75 members responding to the survey. The survey was conducted to identify preferences for the qualities of the next Center Director and the results can be reviewed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-6FCWF8PJ/. Marcia Oberg, who drafted the survey along with Janet Bass, remarked that it is interesting that fewer people see a need to practice in a bigger center.

The rest of the discussion by the membership on January 3rd focused on desired qualities needed by the new Center Director that may not have been reflected in the questions on the survey. Below is an abbreviated selection of general thematic responses:

The Center Director should be Open: a) being able to hear, understand, and respond to many diverse people; b) to address diverse concerns and opinions with equanimity; c) to be open to many points of view; d) understand the need for diversity and how to reach out to a broader community; and, e) to be transparent and inclusive in decisions and the decision-making process, especially with regards to finances.

S/he should have Vision: a) to know where we are going and where we should go by evaluating opportunities for growth; b) to grow and strengthen the community skillfully; and, c) to bounce back from temporary setbacks.

He or she should have Experience in Leadership: a) to carry and hold the vision, b) to work both within and outside of our community; c) to know how to skillfully delegate tasks; and d) to successfully work with our Governing Council, financial growth arising out of our current limited financial resources, and volunteers.

Please note that demonstrated ability to work with volunteers as path and a basis for Enlightened Society is a key issue that was repeated and remains core to the goals of the Selection Committee. members specifically noted that our membership has amazing talents that could and should be utilized by the Center – and that hopefully the next Center Director can effectively magnetize such “in reach.”

Other members also aspired that the Center Director will strengthen lines of communication and infrastructure and the ability to motivate others to both help grow the community and facilitate obtaining a new space, if feasible. He or she should be accessible and at the Center frequently.

Other members focused on how the next Center Director could focus on perceived programmatic needs such as helming to support Awake in Action, families and children programs, and those members who have finished the graduate Shambhala levels as well as vajrayana students. Also, it would be great if s/he could address and provide greater opportunities for retaining drop in guests.

Finally, some members focused on the process of selecting the next Center Director. They expressed their concerns that this appeared to be a top-down selection and the concern is that an outsider might be chosen who will not appreciate and cultivate our special community. Others stated they appreciated the process and the fact that the Sakyong will be making the selection.

Regardless, and in response to the request for opening the lines of communication, the selection committee offered to review any and all suggestions for the process. To do this please send an email to [email protected]. One member helpfully pointed out that you could consider the greatest qualities of a favorite current or past Center Director or to consider what do you want to experience more of at the Center?

If you have such input – or any other input, please send an email to the above address. Your input will also be valuable to the next Center Director and will likely be considered by whomever is eventually selected.