We had a delicious potluck on Sunday attended by about 12 Sangha members followed by an animated business meeting. A cornucopia of summer fruits and vegetables, muffins, and even root beer floats were consumed with mindfulness and gusto.

Business Meeting Decisions

The topic of discussion at the business meeting was generosity (Dana). Heather Sundberg, currently the leader of Family and Women's Programs at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, has agreed to become a primary teacher at Benicia Sangha, replacing Donald Rothberg in that role. She will visit us once-a-month.

We discussed the need to increase incoming Dana in order to practice generosity with our teachers and to assure that they are available to us. If each Benicia Sangha member agrees to practice generosity by giving $9/week or $36/month in Dana, then we can continue to support our teachers. In order to make the process easier, members may elect to send in their Dana on a monthly basis. If so, please make checks out to Benicia Sangha and send to: Benicia Sangha, attn. Elaine, 715 W. Third St., Benicia, CA 94510.

We also decided to replace movie night with a member-led program (which still could be a movie). In most cases, this means that the last Sunday of the month will be an opportunity for a member to lead a discussion, bring in a CD or video, or simply guide the Sangha in exploring topics with Dharma-related themes. John Hamling has volunteered to be our first such leader on Sunday, July 27. We are looking for member programs on the following dates: August 31, September 7, and October 26. If you are interested in leading a Member Night, please email eddo, so that he can add you to the Web site Calendar.