This Week’s CoronaCast

The latest: CoronaCast from Roshi: May 21.

Zoom Evening Sittings

Eight participants from the 5:30 pm Zoom sittings have suggested that it would fit better for them to schedule it later – that is, after the normal dinner hour. And no one has asked that it stay at 5:30. So starting this Saturday, we’ll try switching it to 7:00 – 8:00 pm EDT.

Another probable change coming: having the 7:00 – 8:00 pm sitting every evening, rather than just on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Stay tuned.

Finding Your Seat

This Saturday, May 23, 11:00 to noon. If you’ve never attended Finding Your Seat (“Zen 101” for beginners), email Trueman (trueman@rzc.org), and he’ll give you the meeting ID and password for FYS. More details here.

Teisho this Sunday

This Sunday, May 24, Roshi will be giving teisho, the last one this month.

Monday and Tuesday

A note for those who have been joining formal sittings remotely: There will be no formal sittings on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. However, as a change to the previously-published spring calendar, we will have the usual sittings on Tuesday, May 26.

Zen Center Finances

The Center’s Board of Trustees held its spring meeting last Sunday via teleconference. Because the trustees and officers were unable to meet in person, the meeting was much shorter than usual – 1½ hours instead of 1½ days.

The trustees reviewed financial results for 2019, which ended with a nice surplus. However, of course, this year will be considerably different. Due to the effects of the pandemic, our best estimate is that we’ll have a substantial operating deficit of somewhere between $87,000 and $192,000 for the year. Most of this projected deficit is due to lost Chapin Mill rental and sesshin income, as well as a likely decrease in membership contributions and other donations. 

The dues reminders that our Business Manager is sending out this week note that (1) if you’re experiencing financial difficulties because of the crisis, it’s fine to postpone making a donation to the Center and (2) as always, we only ask members to give what their current financial circumstances comfortably permit. However, if you’re fortunate enough to be financially stable in spite of the crisis, this would be an excellent year in which to donate generously to the Center.

Annual Meeting and Trustee Election

Because of the COVID-19 crisis, we won’t be able to hold the Center’s annual meeting of members this Sunday, May 24, as previously scheduled. The Center’s Board of Trustees will reschedule the annual meeting and associated trustee election once we’ve worked through the logistics and legal issues involved in moving the meeting and election online. We do, however, know who the two candidates will be: the Center’s Trustee Nominating Committee has chosen incumbent trustee Sensei Gerardo Gally and Sangha member Eric Higbee as this year’s candidates.