These audio files are from day two of Howard Cohn’s retreat titled “Wings of Awakening”

Day two opening talk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

day two first meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Day two second meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Talk on emotions etc Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

day two third meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

day two meditation session with bells Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Final talk of retreat Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

These audio files are from Howard Cohn’s retreat titled “Wings of Awakening”

Retreat opening with intro talk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

First meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Second meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Third meditation session - starts with quiet minutes Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

fourth meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Talk on conditions and impermanence Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fifth meditation session Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Talk on happiness and end day one. Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The following audio files were recorded at Goward House during a weekend retreat presented by Tuere Sala on the topic of “Right Intention.

Day two opening talk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

First of 3 day two sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Second of 3 day two sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Third of 3 day two sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Day two talk on the problems in todays world Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Retreat closing sit Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The following files were recorded during a retreat held at Goward house on the 1st and 2nd of April, 2023 presented by Tuere Sala. The topic was “Right Intention”.

Retreat opening and talk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

First of 3 day one morning sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Second of 3 day one morning sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Third of 3 day one morning sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Day one afternoon talk on Buddha and intensions Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

First of 3 day one afternoon sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Second of 3 day one afternoon sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Third of 3 day one afternoon sits Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Day one recap and closing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Victoria Insight Meditation Society
Annual General Meeting Minutes

June 9th, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Online Meeting, Victoria, BC

Agenda Items:

1. Call Meeting to Order.
Brock Brown brought the meeting to order.

2. Establish Quorum.
A quorum was established with eight members present.
Council Members: Brock Brown, June Fukushima, Kevin Keliher, Rhonda
Duncan.
Members: Brian Chapel, Joan Glover, Joyce Elliott and Sandra Joy
Absent with Regret: Council Member Bruce MacRae, Council Nominee Joe
Barrett.

3. Review and Approve Agenda.
Motion from Joan Glover to approve the agenda. Carried.

4. Approve Minutes from the AGM of June 24, 2021.
Motion from Rhonda Duncan to approve the minutes. Carried.

5. Financial Statement January to December 2021.
Motion from June Fukushima to accept the 2021 financial statement. Carried.
Action: June Fukushima will ask VIMS’ volunteer bookkeeper Wei Wu to update
the financial statement (i.e., add budgeted expenses and final total for Margo’s
2nd retreat).

Dec 31 2021
Chequing: $  1,967.37
Savings: $  13,792.61
Total: $   15,759.98

6. Review of Financial Records.
Joyce Elliott reviewed financial records. She reported books are in good shape,
well organized, all the numbers lined up, all invoices and deposits (e.g., PayPal)
were present to support the numbers in the financial records.

7. Determine if audit is required.
Joyce Elliott's opinion was that a financial audit was not necessary at this time.
Motion from Joyce Elliott that no financial audit be done. Carried.

8. Directors Reports (pre-circulated).
Motion from Joan Glover that Directors’ Reports be accepted. Carried.
The decision to stop using Constant Contact was discussed. The new software
program Lu.ma (free), had its trial run and worked well. Reasons for ending our
involvement with Constant Contact (CC) were: the CC expert (Brian Chapel) was
ending his time on council, and CC was expensive. Lu.ma is free, and in terms of
updates Lu.ma has more of a future. Plan to also change CC newsletter to
MailChimp, which is also free.

9. Election of Officers
Brock Brown (President)
Bruce MacRae (Vice President)
June Fukushima (Treasurer)
Kevin Keliher (Secretary)
Rhonda Duncan (Director)
Joe Barrett (Director) Joe submitted a letter to the Victoria IMS Board
Chairperson Brock Brown giving consent to be a Board member.

Motion from Brock Brown that the slate of officers be accepted. Carried.
Members thanked Brian Chapel for his many years as a Council member.

10. Meeting Adjournment.
Motion from Brock Brown to adjourn this meeting. Carried.

VIMS Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting at June and Brock’s home

Present:
Brock Brown (chair), Joe Barrett (Director), Rhonda Duncan (Director), June Fukushima
(Treasurer), Kevin Keliher (Secretary) and Bruce MacRae (Vice-President).
Absent:
None
Agenda Items:
1. Review and Approve Agenda
Motion from Joe to approve agenda. Carried.

2. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting September 21st, 2022
Motion from June to approve September 21, 2022 minutes. Carried.

3. Business arising from the Minutes and Updates.
a. Christina Feldman October 15-16 Retreat. Thanks to Sandra Joy for driving Christina
from Parksville to Victoria, June Fukushima and Brock Brown – hosting Christina, June
Fukushima – Registrar, Brock Brown – Retreat Coordinator, Joyce Elliott and Joe Barrett –
Managers, Bruce MacRae – Sound, June Fukushima – Zoom Coordinator and Suzan Denis –
Zoom Host. VIMS hired a driving service to drive Christina back to Parksville from Victoria
following the retreat at a cost of $350. VIMS also gave Christina $800 towards her travel costs
from the UK. RETREAT STATS: Goward House: Saturday 47, Sunday 41. Online: Saturday 55,
Sunday 52.
a. Ajahn Candasiri November 12-13 Retreat. Thanks to Sandra Joy for hosting Tea with
Ajahn Candasiri on Friday evening, Katell – Ajahn Candasiri attendant, June Fukushima –
Registrar, Brock Brown – Retreat Coordinator, Josephine Tobin and Kathy Jago – Managers,
Bruce MacRae – Sound, Metta VanderVliet – Zoom Coordinator and Suzan Denis – Zoom Host.
RETREAT STATS: Goward House: Saturday 44, Sunday 34. Online: Saturday 47, Sunday 36.
a. Ajahn Candasiri’s answers to questions was a rich part of the retreat she recently led.
Bruce asked permission to post these Q & A sessions on the website. It was agreed the
answers only would be posted.
a. Motion from Joe for Brock to purchase a USB Interface to a maximum of $300 to help
with future hybrid retreats. Carried.

4. Financial Updates
a. Coast Capital Account Statements
Accounts September 30, 2022

Chequing: $   4,380.00
Savings:    $   8,830.62
TOTAL:     $ 13,210.62

Accounts October 31, 2022

Chequing: $   7,097.24
Savings:    $   8,838.12
TOTAL:     $ 15,935.36

Accounts November 30, 2022

Chequing: $   9,417.16
Savings:    $   8,845.51
TOTAL:     $ 18,262.67
Projected Year End Balance: $15,442.67
$2,285 still to be transferred to Milntuim Hermitage, as well as a $575 payment to
be made in December to S. Denis. Motion from June to approve sending $2,285
CA to Milntuim via PayPal. Carried

b. Coast Capital Statements available for viewing at the meeting.
b. November 2022 Financial Report from Wei Wu sent by email and for viewing at
the meeting. Motion from June to approve November 2022 financial statements.
Carried
b. Donation to be made to Dharma Resources – Dharma Seed ($200 USD), Birken
Forest Monastery Video Production Fund ($250 CA), and Wat Metta Book Fund
($200 USD). Motion from Brock to approve donations to Dharma Seed, Birken
and Wat Metta. Carried
b. 2023 Budget – projecting approximately $4000 deficit. Motion from June to
approve 2023 VIMS Budget without scholarship fund. Carried.
b. Suggestions to decrease costs in 2023: some retreats in-person only (e.g., Ajahn
Jotipalo), and increase suggested Dana for VIMS. Motion from June that the
suggested dana for one day retreats be $30 and that the suggested dana for two
day retreats be $50. Carried.
Motion from June to approve Event & Directors’ Insurance. Carried.
Motion from June to contract with  Patrick Conroy to complete VIMS T2 for fiscal
year 2022. Carried.
2023 VIMS Budget Approved Dec 14 2022

5. Communication – Newsletter, Website, Constant Contact
a. Plan is to switch from Constant Contact to Mail Chimp for the VIMS Newsletter. Bruce
will contact Constant Contact and get more information regarding possible reimbursement. As of
Dec 2022, there are 1,122 people on VIMS mailing list.

6. Sunday Night Community Sit:
a. No change. Mention of this will be removed from further newsletters.

7. 2023 Upcoming Retreats:
a. All events at Goward House unless indicated otherwise.

2023 Upcoming Retreats

Mar 4, 5
Margo
McLoughlin (Y)
Goward House
Hybrid Kevin Keliher (Manager)

Apr 1, 2
Tuere Sala (Y)
Goward House
Hybrid Also on March 31, 7-8:30 Zoom evening session

Apr 29 Jeanna Corrigal with James Lowe (Y)
Goward House
Hybrid
April 30 suggestion is for Mindful
hiking/walking – location TBD. Jeanne
and James to stay at a supporters home

May20, 21
Ajahn Jotipalo (Y)
Goward House
In-Person
Joe Barrett (Manager)

Sep 23
Brock Brown (Y)
Goward House
Hybrid Rhonda Duncan (Manager)

Oct 22 Tempel Smith (Y)
Goward House
Hybrid

Nov 11, 12
Howie Cohn (Y)
Goward House
Hybrid

b. Volunteer Support – Brock requested people  offer support to assume required
positions for upcoming retreats. Several positions were filled. Brock to find others
to fill remaining positions.

8. 2023 Retreats – Dana Count.
a. Plan to continue to collect Dana before lunch and the end of each retreat day. Dana for
the teacher to be given to them at the retreat's end. No need to count it. VIMS Dana to be
placed in a sealed envelope and counted by two council members at a later date.

9. Next Council Meeting: Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

VIMS Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Online Meeting
Hosted in Victoria, BC

Present:

Brock Brown (chair), Joe Barrett (Director), Rhonda Duncan (Director), June Fukushima (Treasurer), Kevin Keliher (secretary) and Bruce MacRae (Vice-President). 

Absent:

None

Agenda Items: 

• Review and Approve Agenda
  Motion from Kevin to approve agenda. Carried.
• Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting July 21st, 2022
  Motion from June to approve July 21 2022 minutes. Carried.
• Business arising from the Minutes and Updates.

1. 1. Bruce MacRae and Brock Brown purchased sound equipment from Long & McQuade. Problems encountered in setting and testing the new equipment (compatibility with Zoom). Therefore, we will use the old PA system for the daylong at Goward House. Plan to return  the new sound system to Long & McQuade.

• Financial Updates

1. 1. Coast Capital Account Statements

Accounts July 31st, 2022
Chequing: $  2,243.69
Savings:    $ 13,813.31
TOTAL:     $ 16,057.00

Change in account balance from June 2022 – Expenses: S Denis hosted May retreat, P Conroy tax return, website host change and society annual fee. No income. 

Accounts August 31st, 2022
Chequing: $  893.69
Savings:    $ 13,823.23
TOTAL:     $ 14,716.29 

Change in account balance from July 2022 – Expenses: Goward House for Sept and Oct retreat rentals. $450.00 – one day and $900.00 for two days. No income.

1. Coast Capital Statements sent as a scan to Directors by email.
2. Financial Report from Wei Wu sent to Directors by email.
3. Donation to Wat Buddha Dhamma for printing of a book by Ajahn Tiradhammo. Motion from Rhonda that Victoria IMS send $200 dollars Australian to Wat Buddha Dhamma for the first book printing of “Beyond I Making” in the name of VIMS. Carried.

• Communication – Newsletter, Website, Constant Contact

1. 1. Bruce reported that he will give Suzan Denis access to the VIMS server (Host Papa) so she can upload audio files. VIMS has paid for another year for the newsletter.

• Sunday Night Community Sit: 

1. 1. No change.

• 2022 Completed Retreats: 

1. 1. February 19. Margo McLoughlin (Teacher), Joanna Stonechapel (Registrar), Kevin Keliher (Manager). Online 9-4 COMPLETED
   2. March 19 & 20. Tempel Smith (Teacher), Joyce Elliott (Manager), Sheila Whincup (Registrar). COMPLETED
   3. April 9, 10 & 11. Tuere Sala (Teacher), Metta VanderVleit (Manager), June Fukushima (Registrar). COMPLETED
   4. May 21/22 Brock Brown & Margo McLoughlin hybrid retreat at Goward House. COMPLETED.

• 2022 Upcoming Retreats:

1. All events at Goward House unless indicated otherwise.

1. Volunteer Support – Preparation of bins, Registrar training (June).

June requested more support as she is involved with all phases of retreat operations. She reviews the Registration set-up in lu.ma with Suzan, is the Registrar, prepares the Retreat Bins, prepares the Manager’s remarks, and has been the Zoom Coordinator at Goward House. Since the  hybrid model has made things more technical, June is finding it easier to be the registrar for each retreat, instead of training a new registrar for each retreat. Rhonda volunteered to take care of and store the retreat bins. 

1. There was discussion regarding the total number of participants at Goward House. Aim for Christina Feldman’s retreat to have no more than  50 participants. (Registrations will stop at 65. This factors in the usual 30% cancellation and no-show rate. ).
2. Venue Research (Joe). Japanese Tea House on Gorge (beautiful, but quite expensive). Another venue is in the Highlands; Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary. Parking is a challenge, small and good rate.

• 2023 Retreats – discussion. 

1. 1. Possible teachers to ask 1) Tempel Smith, 2) Tuere Salsa, 3) Ajahn Jotipalo, 4) Adrianne Ross, 5) Howie Cohn, 6) Brock Brown and 7) Margo McLoughlin. Looking at three in Spring and three in the fall.

• Next Council Meeting: Wednesday, November 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

VIMS Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Online Meeting
hosted in Victoria, BC

Present:
Brock Brown (chair), Brian Chapel, Rhonda Duncan, June Fukushima, and Kevin Keliher (secretary)

Absent with Regrets:
Bruce MacRae.

Agenda Items:
1. Review and Approve Agenda
Motion from Brock to approve agenda. Carried.

2. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting January  20th, 2022

A change in the circulated draft minutes was noted in item #3b: $250 USD for Dharma Seed was changed to $200 USD for Dharma Seed. Motion from June to approve minutes. Carried.

3. Business arising from the Minutes and Updates.

1. 1. No new business

4. Financial Updates

1. 1. Coast Capital Account Statements
      Accounts January 31st 2022
      Chequing: $1967.37
      Savings: $13,793.78
      TOTAL: $15,761.15

Accounts February 28th, 202
Chequing: $2,417.37
Savings: $13,794.84
TOTAL: $16,212.21

The CRA sent notice of completion of filling of the T2 for the 2020 fiscal year. Pat Conroy’s bill was $630 includes tax. 

5. Sunday Night Community Sit:
Due to the COVID-19 situation the in-person Sunday Sit remains on hold. This decision will be revisited in the fall.

6. Communications – Newsletter, Website, and Constant Contact.

1. 1. Motion from June: Victoria IMS contract with Suzan Denis to provide services related to setting up the retreat registration process and emails at $25 per hour. The contract will include training time with Brian Chapel. Carried.
   2. Constant Contact now requires two-factor authentication. This has complicated sharing the registration process with different registrars. Contracting with someone like Suzan Denis to be the permanent registrar would simplify this process. Another option is to change from Constant Contact to Lu.ma. June suggests using Lu.ma software for the May retreat as it is free and has a simpler authentication process June is also willing to coordinate the next Constant Contact registrar process for the April retreat as she is the Registrar. To re-evaluate this in a few months.

7. 2022 AGM.

1. 1. Reports due before the next Board meeting, by May 5th.
   2. Nominations for new Board members. Council considered potential board members. Brock Brown to follow up with one person who was nominated.
   3. Change date of AGM to June 9th, 2022 at 6:30.
   4. June suggested that new members be considered. Two potential members will be contacted. Adding new members is a Board decision.

8. 2022 Completed Retreats: 

1. 1. February 19th – Margo McLoughin – Joanna Stonechapel Registrar, Kevin Keliher Manager. Online 9am – 4 p.m. Attendance Saturday: 40

9. 2022 Retreats:

1. May 21, 22 retreat is planned as a hybrid. This will include an in-person component. With the BC government changes in COVID-19 related safety protocols, Council reviewed the decisions for in-person retreats. Council agreed to:

• Participants will be required to be double-vaccinated
• Maximum registration of 50 participants with the expectation that 30% of those registering will cancel and that the number of participants will be approx. 35.  Goward House maximum is 110.
• Chairs/meditation sitting will be set up 2 meters apart.
• Masks will be required except for when seated in meditation.
• A door will be left open for air circulation.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in common areas – supplied by VIMS.
• The downstairs men’s washroom will be single-use for all genders. A stool will be used to prop open the door to indicate it’s not in use.
• A kettle will be available for those wanting to make tea. No other supplies will be set out.
• Participants eating inside will be asked to sit apart from one another.

Kevin shared documents from the Victoria Camera Club that could be used as a template for securing  participant’s consent with Victoria IMS retreat COVID-19 protocols.

Rhonda has prepared new dana boxes that have slits on the top to minimize handling of the dana boxes when placing donations in the boxes,

All events at Goward House unless indicated otherwise.

10. Next Council Meeting: Thursday, May 12th at 6:30 p.m.

The following files were recorded during day two of Ajahn Candasiri’s retreat

day two opening with chant Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

day two first morning meditation Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

day two second meditation Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

day two afternoon meditation Download

closing with precepts, chanting and parting words. Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The following files were recorded on day one of Ajahn Candsiri’s Retreat

Opening of retreat and meditation Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Morning meditation Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Instruction for walking meditation Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Info on monks meals and eating lunch mindfully Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Afternoon meditation Play Now | Play in Popup | Download