Workstream Report
Programs Workstream Report - Jan/Feb/March/April/May/June 2023
Mountain Stream programs and offerings are supported by our Program Committee. The committee meets monthly to provide the Board of Directors with updates, reports and recommendations.
Team Leader: Marcia Craighead
Program Committee Members: Paul Steege, Miyu Tamamura, Priscilla Barton, Carol Fernandes, Alison Sweetser, Corinne Collins
Our aim is to design Mountain Stream programs/offerings to reflect the diversity of the community members’ meditation experience and their preferences for how they choose to access the teachings.
Program Priorities 2021 - 2024
1. Build a hybrid delivery system (i.e., live/virtual Dharma teachings) & improve acoustics
2. Offer programs to benefit a person’s interest in Dharma study and practice
3. Increase the number of recordings to have easy access to the recorded teachings
4. Offer a variety of Mountain Stream sponsored residential retreats
5. Generate programs and practice opportunities to include direct access to senior teachers
2023 June Program Committee - Workstream Report
- June Mtg - Thurs 6/29 3:30 - 5 pm, NCIC hybrid (in person & virtual)
Center Daylongs & Ongoing Programs:
- Daylong w Ken Bradford Sunday, July 2, 10 – 4 pm (21 participants) In person only
- Daylong w Dennis Warren Sunday, August 13, 10 – 4 pm in person only
- Special Sound Healing & Happy Hour with Miyu & Ludi, July 6 (39 particpants)
- Mindful Movement continues, 3rd Thurs
- Tues Sit & Sangha (weekly)- good participation (average 15 participants)
- OTF Pop Up Dharma Discussion with Ken - strong interest & participation July
Residential Retreats:
- Possible 3 night residential retreat with Ken Bradford - in October or Nov
- John Travis teaching a 10 night New Year retreat in Thailand Dec 30 2023 - Jan 8 2024
Community Building Team Updates - Alison
- Development of a new Diversity & Inclusion Council
- Fall Equinox Sat, Sept 23
- Potlucks on July 23 & Aug 20, 5 - 8 pm
- 10 Yr Anniversary Party, Sun, Sept 24th
- Volunteers are needed to join our 10 year Anniversary organizing committee to develop this event and will create a budget (anyone interested?)
2023 May Program Committee - Workstream Report
- Program Committee met May 17
- June Mtg - Thurs 6/29 3:30 - 5 pm
Updates:
- New mic’s arrived. ACS install 5/23
- JT Householder (4/17 - 4/21)
Total # of Visits: 105 - Virtual, 132 - In person
JT Daylong (4/22) In-Person Only, 21 - in person participants
Total # visits for HH & Daylong = 258
- OTF Pop-up, Dharma Discussion with Ken Bradford 5/12, & 5/12-12:30,
22 participants
New & Upcoming:
- Mindful Movement - Flow Toward Inner Stillness w Tracy Lease. Third Thursday of the month. 5/18 - 12 ppl
- Half day - Relaxed and Awake retreat 5/28, 1-4 pm w/ Miyu & Tracy
- OTF Pop-up, Dharma Discussion with Ken Bradford 12-12:30, 6/2 , 6/23
Next daylong w Ken Bradford - Sun, 7/2
Ongoing:
- AV system with new mic’s will be fully tested on Mon, May 29 with Ken Bradford
Question: Do the programs pay for themselves?
Response: Most programs do not pay for themselves. Programs are subsidized by donations.
2023 April Program Committee - Workstream Report
Updates:
- Program Committee met March 15
- Mon & Thurs - virtual
- Affinity Group book: “Inner Work of Social Justice”Completed 4-5 participants - thank you Priscilla B for leading the group!
- Res Retreat w/JT March 26 -31, small intimate group. 11 retreatants (revenue loss $3,500.) Donor has come forward and offered to cover the income loss. THANK YOU!
- Dennis will resume teaching for MSM in May.
Upcoming:
- 4/14, OTF NEW - Pop-up, Dharma Discussion with Ken Bradford from 12-12:30
- JT Householder (4/17 - 4/21) & Daylong (4/22) Promote: Mon email, website, flyers, announcements at programs, outreach to sister sanghas. (John’s bday 1st day of retreat 4/17.)
Ongoing:
- AV system expects to be fully operational during HouseHolder week - Marcia & Robyn
- Eric, ACS, ordered a replacement wireless mic. The two additional mics are due to arrive in April.
2023 March Program Committee - Workstream Report
Updates:
- Program Committee met Feb 23, Virtual due to weather conditions
- Daylong w Ken Bradford Sun 2/19, 27 ppl attended. $1,730. Ken/dana
- Tuesdays Sitting & Sangha, 6:30 - 8 pm, canceled Tuesday 2/28 & 3/7 due to snow.
- Sound Healing, 3/1 canceled due to snow
- OTF 3/2 canceled due to snow
Upcoming:
- Mon & Thurs - virtual
- Affinity Group book: “Inner Work of Social Justice” begins Thursday, March 9, 16, 23, 30 - 6:00 -7:30 pm
- Res Retreat w/JT March 26 -31
Ongoing:
- AV system, learning continues, Marcia & Robyn
- Two new mics ordered. One headset the other is a handheld for in-person participants
2023 Jan/Feb Programs Report - Workstream Report
Updates:
- Program Committee met Dec 18 & Jan 18, hybrid.
- Next PC mtg Thurs 2/23, 11 am - 12:30 pm
- Jan 5 Thurs special Sound Healing event with Miyu & Ludi, 35 participants
- Jan 22 Half day Tracy & Miyu, 18 participants
- Tuesdays Sitting & Sangha, 6:30 - 8 pm (weekly program, 10 months running, averaging 14 - 25 participants)
- OTF Fridays averaging 8 - 17 participants for a 30 minute sit
Upcoming:
- Mon & Thurs - live & virtual
- Daylong Sun 2/19 Live & Virtual w Ken Bradford 9:30 am - 4 pm. Board & Teachers invited to attend!
- Affinity Group book: “Inner Work of Social Justice” Thurs, March 10, 17, 23, 30 - 6-7:30 pm
- Residential Retreat w John Travis March, 26 - 31
Ongoing:
- AV system, learning continues, Juanita & Marcia
2022 December Program Report -Workstream Report
- Next Program Committee Wed 12/14, 11 am to 12:30 pm in-person & virtual.
Update on Programs
- Mon 11/14 Kodo Conlin, Mon 12/12 Mei Elliot - both new visiting teachers
- AV Hybrid system installation complete - Monday 11/28 John taught from Meditation Hall. MS hosted both virtual (28 ppl) & in-person (40+ ppl) AV system functioned well. Hired Mountain Electricians to install outlets for monitors and for control panel in office. ACS has to recalibrate the system after electrical work.
- Sound Healing, rescheduled Holiday special (cancelled in Dec due to weather) will be Jan 5, 4 -6:15 pm Tea/cookie social & SHM w/Ludi Hedricks
- Sitting & Sangha, Tues 6:30 - 8 pm thru Dec & Jan (weekly program,9 months running, averaging 14 - 20 participants)
- OTF Fridays averaging 8 - 15 participants for 30 minute sit
2022 October Program Report
Workstream Report
- Next Program Committee Thurs, Nov 9, 11 am in-person & virtual.
Update on Programs
- Sitting & Sangha, Tues (15 - 22 ppl)
- Sound Healing, Thurs Oct 6)
- Average number of Zoom participants for Mon & Thurs (10 - 20 ppl each evening)
- OTF Fridays (8-12 ppl)
- Marcia away in Oct. Admin Team and volunteers will run the virtual and in-person programs.
- Hybrid Equipment. Marcia will explore a couple options for electrical work.
1. To run a spare line from the junction box (under the building) to the closet where the Control equipment will be.
2. A new sub panel needs to be installed for the back offices.
3. From the new back office sub panel, we want to add new lines to outlets. There is currently no junction box.
Update: Marcia talked with Peter Dutcher at the MSM Picnic about the electrical outlet for the new A/V system control panel. Peter is a Sangha member that we have used for various projects in the past. Marcia will connect with him when she returns at the end of October.
2022 September Program Report
- Next Program Committee Thurs, Sept 15, 11 am, in-person & virtual.
- Reports: On 9/9, Stu, Marcia, Mary and volunteer Philip Vardara met with Eric Sparks of Advanced Communication Solutions (ACS) to review equipment and discuss the setup. TV monitors are better than projector with pull down screen. Another result from meeting with ACS, we need an electrical outlet for the control system that will be housed in the closet in the back office.
On 9/11, Stu & Marcia met with Jim Deaken (the electrician for 2012 remodel). Jim told us what is needed to get power to install an outlet.
- RITD (Rooted in the Dharma) has earmarked $15,000 for the hybrid system. A donor has come forward to offer financial support for this hybrid system.
- Recommendation for Board approval for ACS to purchase and install a hybrid system based on functionality, price, maintenance, warranty. (A new estimate from ASC reflects the switch to TV monitors).
Program Updates:
- John Travis taught twice in one week. Virtual on Monday 8/24 - 49 ppl attended from as far away as Japan, Italy, Israel, Hawaii, Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, and all over CA.
In-person on Wed 8/31 at the Center - 34 in attendance.
- Sitting & Sangha, Tues (15 - 22 ppl)
- Sound Healing, Thurs Sept 1, (15 ppl)
- Average number of Zoom participants for Mon & Thurs (10 - 20 ppl each evening)
- OTF Fridays (8-12 ppl)
- Marcia away in Oct. Mary, with Admin Team and volunteers will run the programs.
2022 August Program Report
- Next meeting Program Committee Thurs, Sept 15, am 11 am in-person
Report from August 4 mtg.
- Update on A/V Hybrid System
- Advanced Communication Solutions (ACS), new bid $20K
Need Board approval to purchase, install a hybrid system..
Earmarked $ 15,000 for RITD - 3 estimates to present to the board based on functionality, price, maintenance, warranty…
August In Person Programs
- OTF all Fridays
- Sitting & Sangha, Tues 6:30 -8:00 pm
- Sound Healing, Thurs Sept 1, 6-7 pm
Tues Sittings developing nicely.
Zoom attendance maintaining 10 - 20 ppl
2022 July Program Report
Workstream Report
- Next Program Committee meeting Thurs August 4, 10-11:30 (in-person TBD).
- Update, WiFi hard wired into the building.
- Advanced Communication Solutions (ACS), Need Board approval to purchase, install a hybrid system.
- Ken Bradford to discontinue dana to Ukraine charitable org. He is now gifting his teacher dana to MSM.
July Indoor, In-Person Programs: (Currently: Masking Required)
- OTF all Fridays
- Sitting & Sangha, Tues 6:30 -8:00 pm
- Sound Healing, Thurs July 7, 6-7 pm
2022 June Program Report
Workstream Report
- Next Program Committee mtg June 30, 11-12:30.
- Robert met with Marcia about using a virtual assistant.
- Update on hybrid system for meditation hall. Received 2 bids (Advanced Communication Solutions & R&B Communications). Shawn DeVoss will be our tech consultant.
- Matching dana - Ken Bradford Monday night dana charitable donation - Board approved through June.
Virtual & Indoor, In-Person Programs: (masking now optional)
Review
- Virtual, Monday & Thursday evening 6:00 - 7:30 pm
- OTF was open all of May. Participant numbers ranged from 8 - 14
- Mindful Movement happened all Wed’s in May 5-8 ppl
- Virtual, Maeve Hassett 3 part short series What Brings You Alive. 17 registrations
- In May, At Center, Sitting & Sangha, Tues 7:00-8:00 pm 8 to 14 ppl. Leaders: Marcia & Paul Steege
- Canceled, Live, Mindful Movement with Miyu. Friday, May 27
Live, Temple Care - 5/28 prior to Community Picnic. 10-12:30 (4 ppl)
June:
- Virtual, Monday & Thursday sit & dharma 6:00 - 7:30 pm
- Live, Sound Healing, Thurs June 3, 6-7 pm
- Live, Tues Sitting & Sangha Continues thru June
- Live, Temple Care Sat 6/25 10 - 12:30.
- Live, Daylong Savoring Joy Sun, 6/26, 10 -4
2022 May Program Report
Workstream Report
- Next Program Committee meeting May 24 in person, 1:30-3:00
- Discussion: Center Staff burnout we are producing high quality & quantity of offerings without enough support.
- Update on hybrid system for meditation hall.
- New Monday night visiting teacher, Ken Bradford is offering his dana for a Ukraine charity - MS is matching donations. Together (combined donations w MS match)$500 so far.
- Inviting Mon Night visiting teachers in June.
Virtual & Indoor, In-Person Programs: (masks optional)
May:
- Virtual, Monday & Thursday evenings
- OTF all Fridays in May
- Live, Mindful Movement with Tracy. Every Wednesday in May, 11 am - 12:30
- Virtual, Maeve Hassett short series What Brings You Alive. Wed May 4, 11 & 18
- Live, Sitting & Sangha, Tues 7:00-8:00 pm. Leaders: Marcia & Paul Steege
- Live, Mindful Movement with Miyu. Friday, May 27, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
- Live, Temple Care - 5/28 10-12:30
June:
Live, Sound Healing - Thurs June 2, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Live, Daylong - TBD 6/26, 10:00 - 4:00 pm…details coming soon.
2022 April Program Report
Program Committee meeting Thursday 4/14, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Workstream Report
Virtual Programs:
- New Monday night visiting teacher, Ken Bradford 4/18.
- Mon Nights scheduled Jan - June, 2022.
- Mon Nights June - Dec, 2022 - new visiting teachers will be invited.
- Bruce & John offered a virtual Half day Sat 3/19 on Natural Awareness (19 ppl)
- Bruce has moved to the east coast.
Indoor & In-Person Programs:
March/April (currently-masks optional):
- OTF scheduled for all Fridays in April.
- Sun 3/27 Half Day Retreat w Miyu & Tracy (23 ppl)
2022 March Program Report
Program Committee meeting March 24, 11-12:30 pm.
Board member Alison Sweetser joined the Program Committee to bridge the ideas generated from the CBT and to explore creating programs taught through a “Buddhist lens” by various teachers including teachers of color, the LGTBQ community and more youthful energy.
Program Cancellations:
- All January indoor, in-person programs canceled.
- Spring Intro to Insight class (due to low sign ups).
Virtual Programs:
- 2022 Mon Nights scheduled Jan - June. Inviting new teachers, Maeve H & Marcia C created a list of teachers with diversity in mind.
- Bruce & John will offer a virtual Half day Sat 3/19 on Natural Awareness.
Indoor & In-Person Programs:
- Feb/March (currently-masks are required indoors):
- Jan/Feb Community Labyrinth Walk - 5 Saturdays (3-5 ppl). MC continuing to be there at 11.
- Open Temple Friday (OTF) Feb 18 (5 ppl). During March - we will be hosting OTF every Friday (3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3,25). The plan is to continue all of 2022!
- Sun 3/27 Half Day Relaxed & Awake w Miyu & Tracy.
Feb & March Program Report
Affinity Group
The Teachings of Ajahn Chaa, will be held on three consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Wed, Feb 9 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm (PST). This Affinity Group is peer led and was developed by community members.
Blooming Into Insight Course (Cancelled)
Three meetings (one per week) and an additional half day retreat.
- A new virtual course
- Exploring ways to be inclusive and broaden interest
- Team of MS teachers develop schedule, 3+ Teachers plus invited guest teachers.
2021 - Yearly Report
Priority #1
Priority: Develop a virtual hybrid system for in-person and Zoom broadcast & recording.
2021 - Spring/Summer/Fall
First Steps for Developing a Hybrid System
Spring 2021
- Tech volunteer Guy Poole - Set up virtual equipment in Meditation Hall
- Test the Zoom broadcast system multiple times during Householder, Monday nights, Sound Healing and at other times until the system functions as best as is possible and is easy to set up - set up 6 different times as of 7/14
- Internet upgrade needed for more consistent broadband capacity, installed Comcast cable
- Increase broadband strength to Med Hall & throughout building
- Volunteer hours, ongoing as of 7/14 - a total of 15 hours so far
Virtual Equipment:
- Designated laptop for Med hall (Chromebook), tripod, audio headset
- Insurance coverage for stolen or destroyed equipment
- Guy donated: one camera, one audio headset, two lights & extension cord
- Equipment donated valued at: $300 (in kind donation)
Fall 2021 - Professional Services:
- Get bids for purchasing and installing hybrid equipment
- Upgraded internet to cable (Business ComCast) with higher bandwidth capability. Monthly Cost: $190 (includes phone service), Plus $160 one-time install fee.
- Professional Tech Support: Quietech installed a Google Mesh booster system. Enables full broadband range throughout the building, Cost $462 (equipment plus install & service)
- Ongoing professional tech support may be needed (cost TBD)
Budget & Cost as of July 14, 2021
- Budget $1,000, Cost to date = $942 (not including Comcast monthly fee)
Ongoing
Once the Hybrid System is purchased, installed and operational:
Establish a Tech Support team that consists of Volunteers and sometimes Professionals:
Volunteers:
- As the Center reopens a hybrid system will be established Guy/Marcia will support and train a Tech Support Team of approximately 4 -5 Volunteer’s.
- Training will be 1-2 hours and the commitment is for 2-3 hours a week (Monday nights set up and breakdown) and some weekends for daylongs (6+ hours)
Professional Services:
- Jan Eric Sparks from Absolute Communication Solutions came to the center to assess and create a bid for hybrid equipment and installation. Enabling us to host teachers and have an in-person audience and broadcast to an online audience (via Zoom).
- Bids will be proposed to the MS Board for approval.
Hybrid Guidelines & Protocols:
- Create manual/documents for equipment use and other details.
Launch Hybrid System:
- As we establish a stable system for producing hybrid programs, we will inform the community about these new programs (announcements, outreach & media e-blast, website, other)
- Invite and train a Tech Support Team (4 people minimum)
Expand Meditation Hall Sound System
- Improve acoustics by installing a sound system in Meditation Hall
- Center-wide wireless sound system (?)
Priority #2:
Priority: Increase the number of Virtual Recordings
- Audio & Video Recordings are now on our website
https://www.mtstream.org/video & https://www.mtstream.org/audio-talks
- Monday night - volunteers record sessions (thanks to Cindy Shaw)
- Thursday night - volunteers record sessions (thanks to Mary Helen Fein/ Maeve Hassett & others)
- Mary Helen posts recorded sessions on website (many thanks!)
- Volunteer time is approximately 2 hours per session, per week - Ongoing
- Multi-day Retreats, daylongs and other recordings also available on website
Priority #3:
Priority: To offer Programs to benefit a person’s interest in Dharma study and practice
Mindful Movement - Summer 2021
2021 in-person summer programs at the Nevada City Insight Center:
- June Live, in the backyard, Sound Healing with Miyu T & Elena R, 6/07 from 6-7 pm
- July Live in-person Mindful Movement Program, weekly from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm taught by Tracy Lease
- July Live in-person MM Restorative Class - once a month, third Friday, 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Cancelled Mindful Movement Programs as of August 2021.
Affinity Groups for Study and Practice - Fall 2021.
- A four part series on The Teachings of Ajahn Chaa, will be held on four consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Wed, Oct 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm (PST). This Affinity Group is peer led and was developed by community members.
2022 Virtual Programs
Priority #4
Priority: To offer a variety of Mountain Stream sponsored residential retreats.
Including Virtual Multi- Day and In-Person Residential Retreats
- Research, coordinate retreats for 2022
- Virtual Zoom Hosting Team 3-5 volunteers
Cancelled Residential in-person Multi day retreat Oct 2021 (due to John’s illness)
- Teacher Honorariums to be added to the FY 2021/2022 Budget. In anticipation of an increase in the number and range of visiting teachers.