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CONCLUSIONS FROM THE FOSA MEETING, MAY, 2008
By Kathleen Herron

Organizations shift as they get larger, and this FOSA meeting marked such a shift here at the Abbey. In the last year, several active FOSA leaders have moved to the Abbey, and the Abbey population itself also has increased. Previously FOSA was involved in planning and coordinating many aspects of the Abbey.  Now Abbey residents are leading these efforts. Thus the role of FOSA has changed to one of carrying out the projects that the Abbey coordinates. We invite FOSA volunteers to help with these efforts. We depend on FOSA volunteers and appreciate their efforts very much. 

FOSA’s role is to support the Abbey with specific tasks in the areas of the Four Requisites: helping with Inviting Generosity, continuing to coordinate the generous food offerings, working in the forest and garden, maintaining facilities, as well as sewing monastic robes.  FOSA will also continue to organize teachings at city venues and to work on other projects as the need arises. Given these changes, we will change how we meet.

  1. Previously the bi-annual FOSA meetings were focused on new people becoming more involved with the Abbey. Now, those who are already active in assisting the Abbey and newcomers have different needs.  Because of this, FOSA meetings will become more work-oriented so that people who are offering service in a particular area can meet together and accomplish what their work groups need to do.
  2. Abbey residents will give the FOSA meeting organizer/facilitator the information about the work groups that want to meet and so that they can plan the agenda and schedule. Meeting times of these various small groups will be determined beforehand so that people who are in a particular group can be at the Abbey for that meeting, even if they are unable to attend the entire weekend. These bi-annual meetings will begin Friday evening and end Monday after breakfast. That way we will have two full days on the weekend, making it easier for local volunteers and others to attend.
  3. For the newcomers, we will hold an “Introduction to Sravasti Abbey” weekend once or twice a year. These will be opportunities for new people to visit the Abbey, learn meditation, meet the residents, participate in community life, and learn how the Abbey works. People who come to these weekends can then volunteer at the Abbey and as they become more involved, they’ll begin attending the FOSA meetings.
  4. We all agreed that we were inspired when we shared how being involved with the Abbey has deepened our Dharma practice. Rejoicing at our own and others’ virtuous activities and at all we have accomplished was inspiring as well. In future meetings, we’ll begin in similar ways in order for everyone to get in touch with his or her motivation. Then there will be small work-oriented groups, so that people who live far away from each other but work together can plan and carry out the particulars of their projects.
  5. We’ll re-instate the monthly phone conferences so that people working on projects can touch base with us at the Abbey. These will be optional, so that people can call in if they find it helpful. Everyone will be notified of times and dates by email. 

 

 
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