Our Shambhala Chicago Community – You Make This Possible

The other evening, as I was working in our new West Loop center, I was struck by a strong feeling of appreciation for our Shambhala Chicago community.  So, I wanted to take a little time to share some reflections both from my personal perspective and that of the Director of Volunteering and Membership.

For several years, prior to coming on as a staff member in October, I had been involved with Shambhala off and on.  Traveling to the center was always my biggest obstacle and limited by ability to connect with the community.  I was mostly involved through the programs and staffing them as I was able.  And it was always the community here that drew me and does to this day.

Back then, my belief was that Shambhala Chicago and all its activities were supported by about 20 people, give or take.  However, after I came on as staff and began creating an organizational chart (Click Here for the Chart), I realized just how many people generously commit their time and energy to keep Shambhala Chicago thriving!  Instead of the 20…it turned out to be more than 70 people were involved on an ongoing basis and dozens more supporting programs!!!

As I continue to get to know each of you better, my heart is warmed as I realize the depths of how each of you makes up Shambhala Chicago, our community or our sangha.  Programs would not be able to run without your generous efforts and heart.  The building and all of it’s contents would not be here if it wasn’t for everyone financial support of our numerous locations.  All of You, all of Us, really make this possible!!

And on this particular evening, as I was doing some work around the center with a couple of other people, this hit me like a warm wave that ran through my chest.  It is important that all of you know that what you have done, what you are doing and what you will do to support Shambhala and the Chicago community is deeply felt and appreciated and seen by so many.

The appreciation and acknowledgment that I continue to feel greatly influences the current approach to volunteering.  As future events and program schedules are known, the goal is to encourage everyone  to volunteer for one to two programs a year and this will help us spread out our efforts.  The goal in this is to help everyone benefit from their experience and walk away with a feeling that their contribution truly enhances and enriches their life and the life of others.

Every member and volunteer offers valuable time from their life to keep Shambhala and its vision moving.  And because we’re all so busy, we might not know just how valuable each of our contributions, no matter how small, make Shambhala Chicago work!  In order to increase our collective awareness of one another’s efforts, a volunteer and/or member will featured in our Blog and noted in our Newsletter.

If you’d like to nominate a person for such an acknowledgement please let me know!  You can call me (773.743.8147) or send me an email directly: [email protected]

Thank you all, for everyone little and big thing that you do!  It is seen, deeply appreciated and  very representative of the vision for Enlightened Society!