Workstream Report

Community Building Workstream Report - July, 2023
Team Lead: Corinne Collins, ojaicorinne@gmail.com
Team Members: Jen Scott, Eleanor Aldrich, Kate Coughlin, Nandi Szabo, Jose Rojas, Alison Sweetser

The Welcome Mat
Online:
Along with a virtual tour of our Village Temple, there is now a ‘Welcome to Mountain Stream Online” letter, https://www.mtstream.org/virtual-tour
At the Temple:
Friendly community volunteers at Open Temple Friday greet participants in the foyer, offer information, and lead the meditation. Community members perform the same service for other on-site, in-person programs.
In the Garden:
The garden and its marvelous labyrinth are available from dawn to dusk.

Diversity
Mountain Stream is in the process of forming Diversity and Inclusion Council. Sangha members from the Nevada City Insight Center, the Auburn sitting group, and the Rocklin sitting group who would like to participate are invited to contact Robyn Hennon, robyn.hennon@mtstreamorg.
Additionally, the Community Building Team is liaising with the Programs Committee and Teachers Council to add new teachings and teachers that reflect Mountain Stream’s commitment to diversity. Please watch this space for future announcements on Mountain Stream’s quest to create a safe, welcoming space for all.

Points of Sangha Engagement
Community Gatherings
Community Summer Potlucks: Please bring a dish to share and a plate ~
Sunday, July 23rd 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, August 20th, 4:00 PM -  7:00 PM
Community Celebration of our Village Temple’s Tenth Year:
Sunday, September 24th (details to be announced later)
Affinity Groups:
Affinity Groups can be held either on the premises, online or both. A zoom account is available for Affinity Groups and additional programs. Affinity Groups are Sangha-member led. You can find the forms for creating and implementing an Affinity Group on the website here. We strongly encourage our sangha to dip into a greater exploration of the dharma by creating an Affinity Group to your interests. Affinity Groups have been held on the teachings of Ajahn Chah and on exploring the The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness, by Rhonda Magee.
Meet-ups:
These are peer-led groups that explore a particular issue - ecology, for instance - through the lens of the dharma. Unlike Affinity Groups, which are short programs, meet-ups continue as long as the subject is of interest to the participants. Please offer your suggestions for topics by contacting ojaicorinne@gmail.com.
Open Temple Fridays:
The Nevada City Insight Center is open every Friday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, with a half hour sit at 12:30 pm.

Volunteer Opportunities
Temple Care:
We offer loving service to clean the temple and/or care for the grounds followed by a half hour sit. Dates will be posted on the calendar.
Open Temple Friday:
A wonderful way to meet more of your Sangha.
Potlucks and Special Events:
Again, a wonderful way to meet more of your Sangha.
Monday Nights:
The new hybrid system has been installed and is now operational. Monday Nights are being held either hybrid style: in-person at the Center and online, or online only. We need people to help set up, to act as greeters, and to help clean up afterwards.
For any of the above Volunteer Opportunities, please contact Jen Scott jenrose1961@gmail.com.
A Quest for Tech Folks:
We need folks who are willing to learn our new hybrid system and to commit to helping with our hybrid Monday nights (which occur approximately twice a month). If you can help, please contact Alison Sweetser at wildblueali@gmail.com or Robyn Hennon at robyn.hennon@mtstream.org