Please take a few minutes to look at this new report, Vision to Action, from our Denver Shambhala Community. It is the result of a Community Planning Process that took place over three months and aimed to involve everyone in their community. They had more than 50 participants at each gathering, including long-time and new members as well as non-members. Not only did it generate a strong sense of community, it laid the basis for the anticipated growth of the centre over the next few years.
The “Vision to Action” process aimed to:
develop a clear vision and strategic priorities for the centre
increase the capacity of the community to manifest “a culture of kindness”
implement a governance structure and decision-making process
select the next centre director
The report is short, to-the-point, inspiring and well produced. It’s a brilliant follow-up to the ten Kalapa Governance Gatherings that took place last year throughout our Shambhala World. The Denver initiative is a great example of what the Sakyong had in mind when he wrote, in his Letter of the Morning Sun:
“If Shambhala as a vision, a lineage, and a community is to have any real effect on the world, the next ten years are essential. We must now begin to organize, train, and develop ourselves with greater commitment and determination. Therefore, I ask all Shambhalians to see the next ten years as a time to truly challenge ourselves. If we can make substantial progress over this time, I believe we will have shifted the momentum of the lineage and vision toward being able to fulfill the Dorje Dradül’s intentions.”
The “Vision to Action” process in Denver was faciliated by Susan Skjei of Sane Systems, with assistance by Janet Solyntjes of the Center for Courageous Living.
