Schedule | Positions Available | Nominations | Voting | Election Committee | Elector Form

WMC Elections 2009

Schedule

January 25: Nominations open for Board of Trustees and Practice Council candidates; voter registration forms available at the Vihara, on the WMC website, and sent out via the WMC listserve

March 8: Close nominations

March 15: Practice Council Candidates statements available in writing at the Vihara; absentee ballots distributed to those who have requested them (to be sent in by mail)

March 16: Absentee ballots mailed out to those who did not pick them up at the Vihara

March 22: Early voting at the Vihara after the evening program (for those who can't make the election)

March 27: Last day that mail-in ballots can be received

March 28: Election takes place at the spring Community Gathering

Positions Available

2 Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall manage the business and affairs of the WMC. As the elected representatives of the community as a whole, the Trustees are entrusted by the community with holding the well being of the community in their heart and with embodying in their actions the needs of the community as a whole.

The Board of Trustees consists of four people. Each Trustee shall be a member of the WMC and of the age of eighteen years or more. A Trustee need not be a citizen of the United States or a resident of Maryland. Trustees shall serve a term of two years. These terms shall be staggered so that approximately one-half of the Board is elected each year.

2 Members of the Practice Council. The Practice Council has responsibility for overseeing the spiritual life of the community and supporting the mindfulness practice of congregants. The Practice Council looks for guidance from the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and from Dharma teachers from his tradition. It is also a function of the Practice Council to determine membership in all working committees.

The Practice Council consists of four people. Each member of the Practice Council shall be a member of the WMC and shall have formally taken the Five Mindfulness Trainings in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Practice Council Members shall serve a term of two years. These terms shall be staggered so that approximately one-half of the Board is elected each year.

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Process for Making and Accepting a Nomination

Process for Making a Nomination:

1. It is customary for those who want to serve in an elected office to nominate themselves. A member may also nominate another. In this case, please talk with the person you are nominating before making the nomination to the Elections Committee.

2. All nominations must be made directly to a member of the Election Committee either in person, in writing or by telephone so that qualifications of the nominee can be verified.

3. All nominations must be made AND confirmed by 11pm on Sunday, March 8.

Process for Accepting a Nomination:

1. Nominees must confirm to a member of the Election Committee—either in person, in writing, or by telephone—their willingness to hold office and their qualifications.

2. Nominees for the PRACTICE COUNCIL are requested, though not required, to submit a written statement to any member of the Election Committee outlining their commitment to serve on the Council. These statements will be made available to community members at the Vihara and on the WMC website starting March 15, as well as at the election on March 28.

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Process for Voting

1. Qualify as a member of the WMC*

2. Complete an elector registration form. Forms will be available at the Vihara beginning on January 25. The form will also be sent out to the community via the WMC listserve, and is available at this website.

3. Submit a completed registration form to a member of the Election Committee in person, deposit it in the designated box at the Vihara, or send it by mail (please consult the registration form for further instructions on mailing the form). You may also bring the registration form with you the day of the election, or fill it out right before the election.

4. In order to receive an absentee ballot by mail, REGISTRATION FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, AT 11PM. If the Election Committee has not received your registration form by that time, your ballot WILL NOT be mailed to you.

5. Ballots that have been sent by mail MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 27. Votes must be recorded on an official physical ballot. No other form of vote will be recognized or considered (phone, email, etc.)

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Members of the Election Committee

Lisa F.

Joseph Byrne: 202-722-1911, byrnejo@umd.edu

*Definition of "Member of the WMC":

"Member" status shall be open to persons who . . .

1. Agree with the Corporation's mission statement

2. Have been participating in Washington Mindfulness Community activities for a minimum of six months

3. Have provided Washington Mindfulness Community with a current name and contact information

4. Have expressed the desire, in writing, to participate in elections for the Practice Council, the Board of Trustees and/or amendments to the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation.

Mission Statement of the WMC:

The Washington Mindfulness Community, formed in 1989, is composed of men and women inspired by the teachings of Buddhism and of Thich Nhat Hanh, a contemporary Vietnamese Zen Master, peace activist and writer. The mission of the community is to nurture mindfulness, love, and understanding among those who participate in its activities and in the larger society. Members come together to meditate, to deepen their understanding of the practice of mindfulness, to encourage and inspire each other through dharma discussions and mindful actions, to support each other through difficult times, and to celebrate the joys and wonders of life. Recognizing that each person's peace and happiness are interwoven with the peace and happiness of others, the Washington Mindfulness Community offers activities that welcome the children, families, and companions of members. The community also organizes retreats, lectures, and other public events; supports communities and causes in accord with the community's mission; and works with groups that relieve suffering through compassionate actions.

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