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Summary on Vision to Action process
(Writeup courtesy of Rebecca Crall)
On the last weekend in May 2009, over 40 Chicago Shambhala Center community members and friends participated in the follow-up to the February 09 Vision to Action (VTA) community retreat. During this follow-up many ideas and action items were presented in order to move the VTA plan forward.
The Shambhala Council spent time reviewing the recommendations, consolidating and prioritizing them, and then giving feedback to the committee teams (and the community) on next steps.
One of the meaningful next steps currently being implemented is a change to the governing structure of the Chicago center. Currently the Shambhala Center of Chicago has a council that spends a significant amount of time on programmatic and logistical matters. The aim of the new Governing Council structure is to allow council members to focus on larger, “big picture” issues, leaving the programmatic and logistical items to committees within each of the sectors.

The new council structure was also founded on three basic principles:
Lha or Heaven, Wisdom Council
Nyen or Human, Chair, Vice-Chairs and Center Directors
Lu or Earth, different center committees

The Governing Council = Joining Heaven and Earth

The idea is that all sectors of the Governing Council will be in contact with one another, ensuring good communication among all aspects of the center.

An update on this new governing council will be presented to the Chicago Sangha at the Harvest of Peace on September 20th this fall, plus various brief updates will be given at community gatherings before this event.