The Shambhala Interim Board

Dear Shambhala Sangha,

The Interim Board has received the investigative report from Wickwire Holm, a Halifax law firm, and we are releasing it to the sangha. We would like to explain what is contained in the Wickwire Holm Claims Investigation, the perspective of the Interim Board (IB) and how we plan to go forward and support the community.

The Kalapa Council engaged Wickwire Holm in July 2018 to conduct a third-party investigation of claims of sexual misconduct within the Shambhala community (described in the July 20 Community Letter). In November of last year the Interim Board took over management of the engagement of Wickwire Holm from Shambhala’s legal counsel, Alex Halpern, and worked directly with an investigative attorney with the firm, Selina Bath. Ms. Bath was the investigator and writer of the reports. IB members met with her a number of times to understand the scope and progress of her work and her timeframes. At all times, the IB did not attempt to influence her investigation or her findings, and she was steadfast in her adherence to that independence. The Claims Investigation is the product of that work and represents her independent findings.

One of the most important principles we expressed to Ms. Bath was that all Claimants’ and Witnesses’ identities would be kept confidential. However, for an individual’s report to become a claim, the individual had to be willing to identify themselves to Wickwire Holm and to have Wickwire Holm identify them to the respondent. Otherwise, there would be no way for Wickwire Holm to investigate and to interview the respondent and any witnesses to the claim.

More people were willing to share their experiences of harm with Ms. Bath than were willing to have them investigated. She respected those individuals’ wishes to remain anonymous and did not include them in the formal investigation. This information is described in the General Introduction and Summary.

We appreciate each individual who came forward to aid in this investigation as a reporter, claimant or witness.

We are releasing the results of the investigation received from Wickwire Holm to the Community in a single package, which includes:

• General Introduction and Summary
• Three completed Claims Investigations, two of which concern Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Please click here to access these documents.

As a Board, we hope that we all can rest with kindness toward ourselves and compassion toward others as we absorb the material in these reports and share our thoughts and feelings with each other. We are committed to the work of restoring trust within our community but recognize that it will be a long journey.

There is much work to be done. We will work closely with the Shambhala Process Team to create dialogue and structure around community listening and healing. To help begin this work, the IB requested a small group of Process Team members to give suggestions for community gatherings that we have distributed to Shambhala leaders. We will also work with the Shambhala Process Team to create Shambhala frameworks that define the ethical conduct to which Shambhala office holders and teachers must adhere. It is our aspiration to let go of unhealthy and unequitable power dynamics that have persisted in our sangha.

As students of Shambhala, we feel strongly that Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche should work to find a path forward to carry his acknowledgement of these past actions in a way that reflects the honesty and bravery that are the hallmarks of the Shambhala teachings. It is our strong wish that he express true sympathy and speaks from his heart on how he will proceed.

In the midst of releasing these reports, we are continuing to plan for Shambhala Day and to fundraise for the continuity of the Shambhala organization. We do this not in the spirit of business as usual, but in the spirit of the natural unfolding of a new year and the recognition that these teachings have power and meaning for many of us. Together, we have something very worthwhile to continue – even if we do not yet know how this will evolve.

We continue to welcome your emails. It is good to have your input and questions, and we endeavor to read and respond to everyone. You can reach us at board@shambhala.org or go to the Interim Board website at board.shambhala.org.

Sincerely,

The Interim Board
Veronika Bauer
Mark Blumenfeld
Martina Bouey
John Cobb
Jen Crow
Sara Lewis
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Community —

The Interim Board has been working on how to continue to fund both the Shambhala organization during this difficult period and deal with a large debt that is continuing to grow from revenue shortfalls.  We have been discussing over the past two months the need to sell a real estate asset and if so, which asset or assets should that be. After considerable analysis and due diligence, we have focused on Marpa House as the candidate for a sale. All of our considerations on this subject are set out in “Marpa House Potential Sale Discussion Memo” which can be found here. The Memo also includes feedback the local Interim Board directors received from a meeting that was held with Marpa House residents last week. We intend to continue to work closely with the Marpa House community as this process continues.

As explained in the Memo, our financial condition is such that the Interim Board determined that this action appears unavoidable. However, we also believe that alternative solutions could be found by tapping the creativity and generosity of the community to avoid such a difficult decision.

The Interim Board asks that you read this memo in the spirit and intention that it is offered: an opportunity for the Shambhala community to engage in creative problem solving together. We invite your ideas and suggestions to help us meet these short and long-term challenges we face as a community.  You can email us at marpahouse.board@shambhala.org.

Recognizing there are no easy answers, we are committed to making the best decisions possible under the circumstances. However, we need your help in seeing all the options and alternatives and making the difficult, but optimal choices for the community. During this period of comment, we are open to meeting with individuals or groups who wish to make a serious proposal and have more detailed questions. In that regard, please contact the Interim Board rather than the Marpa House leadership.

After taking into account all of the input, we intend to proceed to make a decision on this issue on or after February 28, 2019.

On another subject, we expect to have the Wickwire Holm report available to the community in the coming days. We will also post calendar year end financial data, along with budget projections for 2019, later in February 2019.

Sincerely,

The Interim Board

Veronika Bauer
Mark Blumenfeld
Martina Bouey
John Cobb
Jen Crow
Sara Lewis
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Sangha,

As we finish our second month of work, we are writing today to update the you on what decisions we have made, how our projects and meetings are progressing, and what other reports you can expect from us in the near future.

Since we took our seats in October, the Interim Board (IB) has met twice per week as a full group, and our subcommittees meet weekly in the areas of finance, communications, development, legal and community care. This update contains reports from several of these subcommittees.

Along with this update, we are providing all members with a link to view a recording of our December 16 webinar with Shambhala leaders in its entirety (90 minutes). Please see below for more information and the link to access the recording.

Board Decisions

The Interim Board (IB) is committed to transparency. It is our wish to keep you apprised of our work and decision-making. Since our last update, we have made key decisions in the following areas:

• We agreed to strengthen the current Care and Conduct Policy and Panel by stating that the Panel will review claims occurring before 2002 and, second, will review claims where a current leader may not have been in their position at the time of the claim.  We launched an application process to add two members to the Panel, in particular, looking to add people outside of North America. A dedicated communication will be sent to the sangha detailing these changes.
• The Wickwire Holm investigation report, expected in January 2019,  will now be issued directly to the IB instead of to Shambhala’s legal counsel.  Please see below for further details about this decision.
• In an effort to connect with local communities, all IB members and Shambhala Global Services (SGS) staff will personally call all worldwide centers and groups. This outreach will include discussion about the status of each center, an update about the work of Global Services and the importance of all centers contributing to SGS.
• In the late fall, Ryan Watson retired as Director of Finance. David MacLellan has agreed to assume a greater role within the Finance Department. We appreciate all the work that Ryan has contributed and look forward to working with and supporting David.

Finances
Presently, the IB Finance Committee is examining the reporting of income and expenses in order to make better decisions.  We have been working with the Potrang to allocate expenses and services more efficiently between the two organizations. Please click here for the December Finance Update explaining the issues we have found and the principles  that will guide our decisions forward. We expect to publish a financial plan and budget for the organization by Shambhala Day 2019.

Wickwire Holm Investigation
The IB Legal Committee has taken direct responsibility of the Wickwire Holm attorney engagement for the investigation. Once the investigator’s report is complete, it will be issued directly to the IB instead of Shambhala’s legal counsel. Doing so allows the IB to have direct oversight of the Wickwire Holm investigation. That said, we have not changed the terms or scope of the investigation which is being independently conducted. The deadline for claimants to report harm was November 16th, and the investigator is in the closing stage of interviews.  Wickwire Holm has told us that we could expect the report by the end of January. Subject to issues of confidentiality, the IB will likely publish the report as we receive it from Wickwire Holm.

An Olive Branch
As we previously reported, An Olive Branch will continue to provide listening services and support for those who have experienced harm in our community until December 31, 2018. These services are available to the sangha by contacting ListeningPost@An-Olive-Branch.org. Information on how this process works and the approach An Olive Branch will take to listen and support reporters can be found here.  In January, An Olive Branch will provide an update of their progress to the IB and give us a better sense when their report will be ready. Like the Wickwire Holm report, is our intention to pass on the Olive Branch report to the sangha in its entirely, again subject to issues of confidentiality.

Care and Conduct
An expanded version of the Care and Conduct Policy has been written and distributed to the community.  Here is the IB letter explaining changes and here is the updated policy document (available now in English and Spanish, more translations will be available soon).  Please note that you will need to use your Shambhala member login to access the policy document. Working with the Care and Conduct Panel, we are also starting an application process for two new panel members, with a goal of adding members outside North America. Please click here for the application. We intend to distribute the Code of Ethics, which was written by An Olive Branch with the Code of Ethics group, when the Process Team is seated. We expect the Process Team to take on the work with the community to review what new or updated policies, guidelines and procedures around care and ethics are needed for the future.

IB In-Person Meeting in Halifax
From December 6-9, the IB met in-person in Halifax. This was the first time many of us had met in person. It was a very busy time meeting with the Finance Office, the Potrang, Practice and Education staff and Acharyas, the Development Director, Communications Director, Kalapa Media, Wickwire Holm and of course each other.  We attended a community reception at the Halifax Shambhala Center on December 6th where we had a warm welcome and received a tour of the Shambhala Archives. It was very helpful and heartwarming to meet each other in person.

Meeting with the Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo in Halifax
The IB was invited to the Halifax Court for tea on Saturday afternoon, December 8th. We introduced ourselves to the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo and had an opportunity to meet and speak with each of them briefly. This gathering was a social one and not a business meeting.  The Sakyong expressed his support for the IB and indicated his interest in communicating with us as we continue our work.

Webinar
The IB conducted a webinar on Sunday, December 16 with approximately 100 community leaders worldwide.  We introduced ourselves and gave updates in several areas including the Wickwire Holm investigation, the Process Team selection, finances, our Halifax trip, and Care and Conduct.  Ashley Dinges, Communications Director, presented a short report about the Sakyong’s activities. Please click here to view the webinar in its entirety including the Q&A.  We intend to have ongoing webinars with leaders, and plan to continue distributing these recordings to the community.

Upcoming Communications to the Community

January

• Wickwire Holm Report
• Olive Branch Report (If completed)
• IB Financial Plan
• Information about Shambhala Day February 5th Year of the Earth Boar and Fundraising Efforts

We continue to read and consider all of your emails.  You can always contact us at board@shambhala.org or visit our website at board.shambhala.org.  We look forward to continuing to communicate regularly and to receiving your feedback.

Yours in the GES Vision,

The Shambhala Interim Board

Veronika Bauer
Martina Bouey
Mark Blumenfeld
John Cobb
Jennifer Crow
Sara Lewis
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Friends,

By now, you will have received a communication asking you to “save the date” for Shambhala Day: Year of the Earth Boar on February 5, 2019. Now more than ever, it feels important for us to gather as a community and in support of one another in a way that is genuine, earthy, and real. It is our hope that the Shambhala Day live broadcast in February will convey this feeling.
It is also important during this time for us to relate straightforwardly and honestly with the financial situation that our community is facing. The Interim Board had our first in-person gathering in Halifax from December 5 – 9, where we took a deep look into how to move forward to create a stable and strong organization financially. A brief finance update that outlines our plans for 2019 and going forward can be viewed here.

This plan is only possible if people continue to give generously during Shambhala New Year 2019 to support our community and Shambhala Global Services, which is the thread that binds together all the activity of centers, groups, and members across the mandala.

Please click here to read a comprehensive overview of Shambhala Global Services (SGS).
As we have been having conversation with leaders in recent weeks, we have learned that more communication is needed to help leaders and members understand about the critical support SGS provides to the local operations of centers and groups. Shambhala Global Services is the beating heart of our community. It is what provides all the critical infrastructure, services, and resources that make it possible for centers and groups worldwide to operate. And as Shambhala Day is our only global, community fundraiser each year, we will be relying on this crucial income to support Shambhala Global Services and our financial plan for 2019.
As an Interim Board, we are digging deep and in ways we did not think were possible to offer the full extent of our energy, resources, and commitment in support of the Shambhala community. And we have also each made a personal decision to give as generously as we can through a recurring monthly donation in support of Shambhala.
We are inviting you to join us on this journey of re-committing to the Shambhala community and teachings and to give generously during Shambhala New Year 2019:

• When you receive an email asking you to donate, please think about what is needed at this time and consider making a generous gift.
• Please also consider becoming a patron and walking that path of generosity. You can contact Development Director Faradee Rudy at faradee.rudy@shambhala.org directly if this is something that is of interest to you at this time.
• And please give as generously as you can at your local Center or Group’s Shambhala Day fundraiser this year. All funds raised will support the Shambhala community and Center and Members Services, as coordinated by Shambhala Global Services – which provides all the critical infrastructure, support, and resources on which Centers, Groups and members rely. Every gift helps, no matter how large or small.

While we are an all too human community and working with all that this implies, what we have to offer the world has deep meaning and value, and we are making a promise that we will do everything we can to safeguard this and set the Shambhala ship on a good financial course. We hope you can join us in this journey and help us steer into clear and steady waters. We believe the Shambhala community and teachings can be of real help to a troubled, polarized – and yet still basically good – world.

With deep appreciation for how much you already offer to this community and the world, and wishes for a truly wonderful holiday season.

 

Our warmest regards,

The Shambhala Interim Board

Veronika Bauer
Martina Bouey
Mark Blumenfeld
John Cobb
Jennifer Crow
Sara Lewis
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

 

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Practical Details About Shambhala Day:

The official live broadcast will be from Halifax, Canada on February 5 and will begin at:

10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
11:00 a.m. Mountain Time
12:00 p.m. Central Time
1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
2:00 p.m. Atlantic Time
7:00 p.m. Central European Time

The program and speakers are to be confirmed. A registration link will be available soon.

All Shambhalians are encouraged, where possible, to host their celebrations on the actual day of Shambhala Day and to also save the dates of February 9 and 10 for further Shambhala New Year celebrations. These types of activities could include:

• Practice opportunities which could include Sadhana of Mahamudra, Shambhala Sadhana, Werma Sadhana, or open sitting with readings. A feast component can be added to any of these practices. More information will be offered soon.
• Community dinners at homes or in a local restaurant
• An all-ages dance, performance event or social event at your Centre
• An outing for your community to a museum, concert, civic event or nature
• Activities for children
• Volunteer activities that support your local community

Dear Community Members,

We are writing you with information regarding our current Care and Conduct policy and a proposed replacement called the Shambhala Code of Ethics.

When we were seated in October a group of Shambhalians working in collaboration with The Olive Branch presented us with the Code of Ethics. A webpage developed by the Kalapa Council explains this process. We were asked to ratify the document and replace the existing Care and Conduct policy on Shambhala Day 2019 after a period of training. The working group proposed that the community would offer feedback on the Code of Ethics until Shambhala Day 2020 and at that time the Code could be revised.

After intensive consultation with leaders in the Dorje Kasung, Government, Practice and Education and other areas who would be instrumental in ensuring the success of this change in policy we will honor the request to release the code to the community for a period of feedback. But it is important to state clearly that we wish to obtain the buy-in of the entire community before ratifying and implementing this change. We acknowledge that this is different from what The Olive Branch and the Code of Ethics task force has asked of us in that they wanted the code to immediately replace our current policy. The Code of Ethics is a radically different approach to care and conduct and it may indeed, be an approach that the world-wide mandala opts to adopt. However, we feel that input and buy-in from Shambhala centers across the mandala is needed before it is ratified.

We believe that the entire mandala needs to explore the Code of Ethics in terms of its view, practices, and feasibility. For this to occur we need a method of gathering systematic and far-reaching feedback. Therefore, we ask the Process Team, which we hope will soon be seated, to work with us on this critical task. As soon as the Process Team takes its seat we will release the Code of Ethics to the community. At that time we will immediately request that the Process Team join us in developing a method by which to collect and analyze the community response to the new code.

During this period of mandala-wide discussion, the Care and Conduct policy will remain in place. To strengthen our current policy we have asked the International Care and Conduct Panel to expand the policy in the following areas:

1)    Instances of harm by an office holder prior to 2002 (when the policy came into effect) may be reported. This includes accepting cases involving current office holders who were not office holders at the time of the alleged offense.

2)    We are currently exploring an online reporting structure that will allow for anonymous complaints; we are also exploring ways to disseminate findings of harm responsibly between city centers and land centers.

3)    The Care and Conduct Panel is seeking to expand and diversify. Whereas positions on the Care and Conduct Panel have previously been done by appointment, the members of the panel have suggested that we could solicit an open call for for new panelists. We are particularly in need of members outside of North America; the call for applications can be found here. (Since the others on the panel are Anglophones, the work itself, which is collaborative, needs to be in English. Applicants should, therefore, be proficient in English.)

4)    The appeals process was previously held by one individual. We are changing this process so that appeals are heard by a diverse group of professionally qualified Shambhala members.

The revised Care and Conduct Policy is available to Shambhala members and can be found here.

As the community considers our next steps forward, we wish to articulate a number of important gaps in our current structure of care. We do not yet have a clear process for adjudicating harm that has occurred among peers; the Care and Conduct policy applies only to office holders. The Care and Conduct panel also does not mediate community disputes, intimate partner violence, or harm related to structural violence such as racism or gender-based harm. As we work to develop stronger structures of care, equity, and justice across the mandala it will also be important to train community leaders about when to call the police, when and how to work with local community advocacy groups outside of Shambhala, and when to report and handle cases through internal reporting structures. We still have a great deal of work ahead of us.

We hope that this communication will be just the beginning of an unfolding dialogue around care and conduct between the Interim Board, the Process Team, and the sangha.

Yours in appreciation,

The Shambhala Interim Board

Veronika Bauer
Martina Bouey
Mark Blumenfeld
John Cobb
Jennifer Crow
Sara Lewis
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas

Dear Shambhala Sangha,

It has been a very full month for us since we took our oath of office. We have spent time getting to know each other, learning about the current state of our community and organizing our work.  Our focus has been on thoroughly understanding the organization and operations of Shambhala and on issues of community care, especially understanding and preventing harm.

We have been meeting two times a week as a full Board and have several committees of the Board meeting regularly on significant topic areas such as Finance, Government, Care and Conduct, Practice and Education, Communications and Legal. In addition, we have ongoing meetings with current and former staff and leaders within the Shambhala mandala. We have learned a tremendous amount, and we have begun to prioritize our work for the coming months. While it is critical to gain an understanding of how we arrived at this point, the Interim Board is trying to take a fresh look at each organizational challenge.

BOARD DECISIONS

We have approved expenditures to support Advanced Programs at all land centers in 2019 as well as support for the Shambhala Day 2019 which is being planned with a focus on group practice across our global community. The land centers will communicate the dates of their Advanced Programs as soon as the 2019 Advanced Program calendar is finalized. Look for more information from the Shambhala Day Team in the coming weeks.

FINANCE

We are working with the Shambhala Finance department and members of the Shambhala Treasury Council to understand the state of Shambhala finances and the organization and operation of Shambhala Global Services. Shambhala is currently running at an unsustainable monthly deficit. The Finance Committee of the Board is looking at various strategies to stabilize Shambhala’s fiscal situation. We plan to provide the community with a financial plan in the coming months.

COMMUNITY CARE AND CONDUCT

Wickwire Holm Independent Investigation

Since late summer, the law firm Wickwire Holm has been receiving and investigating allegations of sexual harm caused by the Sakyong and other Shambhala leaders. The investigation closed to new claims on November 16, 2018. Presently, the investigator is continuing to investigate the claims that she has received. She will then assemble her work into a final report, with an intention to conclude the investigation and submit the results to the Interim Board no later than early January 2019. The Board will review the information from the investigator and then provide a report of the investigation to the community. The Board is committed to providing transparency as to the investigator’s findings without breaching the requested confidentiality of the people whom she interviewed.

Draft Code of Ethics

We have received and reviewed a draft Code of Ethics for Shambhala from the Code of Ethics Task Group prepared in collaboration with An Olive Branch. We are planning to enlist the Process Team to facilitate a community dialog around the new Code of Ethics draft, making sure that there is wide community participation in this critical element of a more caring and safer environment.

The Listening Post

An Olive Branch will continue to provide listening services and support for those who have experienced harm in our community until December 31. These services are available to the sangha by contacting ListeningPost@An-Olive-Branch.org. Information on how this process works and the approach An Olive Branch will take to listen and support reporters can be found here.

MEETING IN HALIFAX

In early December, the Interim Board will be meeting in person for the first time. We have chosen to meet in Halifax in order to best accommodate Board travel needs. We will have a day of committee meetings and two days of full Board meetings.  We look forward to this intensive time together to consolidate our learning and set priorities for the coming months. We will also have an introductory meeting with the Sakyong as well as a social reception to meet members of the local community.

WEBSITE RESOURCES AND EMAIL

We greatly appreciate the support and suggestions that many of you have sent to us via email.  We hope that you find our new website, Board.Shambhala.Org helpful. We will use this site to provide responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as well as providing links to past Board communications and reports. Members may contact us at board@shambhala.org. We commit to reading and considering all emails that we receive, but given the high volume of emails expected, we may be limited in our responses.

In this busy time of year, may we all find time to practice, to reflect and to be kind.

 

In the vision of the Great Eastern Sun,

The Shambhala Interim Board

Veronika Bauer
Martina Bouey
Mark Blumenfeld
John Cobb
Jennifer Crow
Sara Lewis
Susan Ryan
Paulina Varas