Gar Drolma Choling Dharma Center

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
The structure of Gar Drolma Buddhist Center

Gar Drolma has no employees. All of our operations run entirely on a volunteer basis through the Garbucks program. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization designated as a church.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche of the Drikung Kagyu lineage is the founder and Spiritual Director of the organization. As Spiritual Director Garchen Rinpoche has extensive authority. This authority is outlined in our bylaws.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gar Drolma has a Board of Directors which oversees the organization. The Board of Directors reports to His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche.

Tenure: The following are permanent Board members: Lama Abou, Lama Bunyima, Lama Gape, Ellen Marie Lauricella, Naomi Bloom. The other Board members have a two-year tenure. The current Board chooses potential members.

Scope of Work: The Board makes final decisions on: real estate transactions; strategic planning; infrastructure investments; invitation of resident lamas or nuns; policy development; approving annual budgets.

Bylaws: Provided at the request of members.

Meeting Schedule: In accordance with our bylaws, the Board meets at least 4 times a year. The Board meetings are open to the public unless otherwise stated.

SANGHA MEMBERS
Sangha members at Gar Drolma are an important part of the decision making process. The Board of Directors and Managers rely on communication from the membership in order to set policies and programming. It is important for everyone that you speak up in a public forum if you have a concern, qustion or idea. At the same time, the Board of Directors and Managers cannot be responsible for thoughts and ideas which are not brought to light through the open communication of a public forum. As such, we encourage everyone who has thoughts to share to do so.

Membership Privileges
Participate & vote at monthly Sangha meetings
Use of the Gar Drolma Library
May Organize and/or facilitate Community Programs
May invite monks and nuns to special events such as house blessings
May invite monks and nuns dinner outside or cultural events outside the temple

New Members
For the first year we encourage individuals to give any amount possible on a monthly basis. After the first year, we will ask people who regularly attend Gar Drolma to become a member. Membership may be at one of several designated levels of support. If individuals are unable to make a regular financial contribution, they are invited to become a member of the Garbucks program. Garbucks may then be applied towards membership dues.

Levels of Support
Individuals may become members at any one of several levels of support.
Sustaining:                         $100 & above per month
Supporting:                         $75 - $99 per month
Assisting:                         $50 - $74 per month
General Member:             $30 - $49 per month
Student:                         $20 - $29 per month

Current Membership
Right now, we have 30 members of Gar Drolma. These individuals are giving either through annual, semi annual or monthly financial contributions or they are contributing their membership through participation in the Garbucks program.

Forums for Communication
In the past, sangha members were approached on an informal basis to participate in decision-making. Our organization has grown and we now have a need to provide more formal mechanisms for participation. Those mechanisms now come in several forms:

An open-door policy: Members are welcome to call or make an appointment to visit the center to discuss questions, concerns and ideas. Please contact us by email sangha@gardrolma.org or phone (937) 252-2220
Participation in sangha meetings: Once a month we hold a sangha meeting which is open to all members in good standing. At the sangha meeting we will give important organizational updates and provide time for discussion. It is not necessary to contact anyone in advance in order to bring up a topic for discussion at the sangha meeting.
Board meetings are open to the public: Members are always welcome to our Board meetings which are held at the temple. Please keep in mind that in order for the Board to address your topic, you will need to contact us ahead of time to get your item onthe agenda. Please contact: gdc@gardrolma.org

POLICIES

Participation in Practices
According to the the instruction of Garchen Rinpoche, no previous experience with Buddhism is necessary in order to attend regular Sunday practices. Therefore, individuals should feel welcome and confident to participate in any deity practices we do on Sunday mornings without having had the empowerment. In addition, college students need not make an appointment to attend practices.

Membership and Donations
We sustain our operations through our membership program. If you attend Gar Drolma regularly, please consider becoming a member. Membership will entitle you to attend all of our weekly practices without additional donations. If you are an occasional visitor, we would very much appreciate a small donation be offered when you attend practice. If you would liketo consider becoming a member, please click here.

The Garbucks Program
We rely upon the generosity of all of our sangha members in order to stay open. It is important that everyone who attends the center regularly engage in some sort of equitable exchange for the many programs and opportunities found at the center. The Garbucks program is an excellent way for individuals to fulfill their responsibility to the community. We encourage anyone who is a regular participant at Gar Drolma but who has not been donating on a regular basis to consider participation in the Garbucks program.

Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use
We ask individuals to abstain from alcohol or illicit drugs at any Dharma-related function at Gar Drolma Buddhist Center.

Inclusivity
We are an open and inclusive sangha, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, gender,physical ability,religioius background, income, political orientation or sexual orientation.