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Written by Graham Price
Kia ora e te whānau,
Greetings from your Board of Trustees! Kumanu is our way of keeping you up to date with what has been happening, what we’re working on, and what we’re grappling with. It is by no means exhaustive, but we hope it gives you a sense of “What’s Up” in Wangapeka land, and the ever unfolding Agenda! You will have to forgive Graham Price for turning this issue of Kumanu into an extension of his recent creative writing course.
Recent Minutes and Reports
Including February and March BoT meetings, and the most recent Treasurer’s Report
Can all be found in this folder
What’s been happening:
Our Daze are numbered
The joys of bookkeeping appears to achieve with numbers what origami diagrams do to my brain. Fortunately for us, we have found Francie Main who is going to help us all make sense of what decades of coding and spreadsheets spoke only to the cogniscenti. Welcome, Francie. As a prelude, our current Treasurer, Maree has introduced a comprehensible AI “ Chatgpt summary of accounts for dummies” to the Board of Trustees for our monthly update. There will be elegantly comprehensible systems and support for those not-yet-buried Treasurers lining up to volunteer at our next AGM. Spread your sheets and prepare your CV’s ! Please see the ad below for the Treasurer position.
Goodbye to Mike’s caravan
The alleyway kitchen’s days were numbered. Even though previous caretakers had thoroughly Spring cleaned, the ceiling nested inhabitants of rodent colonial rule were finally exposed. Some exciting wall insulation variants added to the excrement! Thanks to Glenn Harley a skillful exit was made with Mike’s caravan shell on wheels, down to the gate, awaiting any nostalgia $ bids. Ethan, our land caretaker completed a very thorough site clearance around the soundly built volunteer units, now named Dāna Vihāra. We now have a beautifully prepared site ready for the evolving plans of a kitchen-meeting space for volunteers.There is a existing piled extension that will be sealed, ready for adding to, when future plans and funds manifest.
Farewell to our very own “Charlottes web”, thank you to Mira
She who has seen both inner and outer workings, our Web-meister, Mira Riddiford , established the Wangapeka’s electronic identity. She has maintained these structures over the past two decades and has now stepped back from this role. Our deep thanks for her services and as part of the Comms team. As is the way when someone key moves on, we find there are multiple roles to be filled that were once carried out by the unique and generous talents of Mira. The web hosting and system admin functions will now be carried out by Kelly Baya . Jacinta is coordinating the social media posting with a shared Google photo album contributed to by our resident caretakers. The induction of commercial software “Retreat Guru” to support Brooke in course registrations is now being overseen by Shea, even while the family is holidaying in Thailand! ขอบคุณครับ Khop khun khap!
What we are reckoning with:
Somewhere last November your Board boldly suggested we were still finding our way. This merry month of May, having come up for air like a flock of goldfish without an aerator, we started an internal review of our processes and decision making. There are so many subcommittees and personnel all contributing to our monthly meetings. It is tempting to think that between us we hold a coherent overview. The reality is that there is a comprehensive backstory to every decision we may arrive at. Under Louise’s skillful leadership we have adopted a way of working that is sympathetic to the goals of Wangapeka where the flavour of dharma and spaciousness allows us to hear each other fully, even though this usually means half day meetings with a fortnightly zoom to catch agenda items not covered. We have been reviewing and updating individual Policies covering Privacy, Employment, Health and Safety and Governance as well as updating our Trust Deed that guides our actions as a Charitable Trust.
Bold decisions have been made, such as the Omahu track which allows maintenance and access to Omahu. Projects such as road repair and upgrading have been completed in tight timeframes and priorities established within budget guidelines and new staff have been supported into their new roles. There is an awareness of the Board’s contribution to this complex network that fosters committed depth exploration in community. For the Board it is a delicate balance of being informed without being overloaded. The tireless work of subcommittees calls upon many names that have previously given themselves to this role and know what it takes. There is always opportunity for newcomers to add their contribution, so please do reach out to us if you would like to offer your tangible support.
Our next in-person BoT morning meetings are scheduled for : Fri 16 May and Fri 13 June at the Nelson Buddhist Centre, now located in Buxton square. Thanks to Keith Rowan for allowing us access to such an elegant supportive environment. The AGM at Wangapeka, is scheduled for the weekend of 20th July.
One further reminder :
You are still welcome and encouraged to offer your reflections, ideas and feedback on the current position and future evolution of our precious retreat centre.
If you need any prompts, please refer back to our April edition of Kumanu.
Sarva Mangalam!
Graham Price on behalf of the Board of Trustees
Contact Details :
Board Of Trustees
Caretaking team
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