Archive for category: News

Pre-registration for March 20 and 27, and April 3 and 10

After six years of waiting – after an arson fire moved us into borrowed spaces for four years, and a pandemic kept us from meeting in person for two years more – Columbus KTC will at last be open in its new location on Sunday March 20, 2022!

We know everyone would like to attend on opening day, and we would like to accommodate as many people as possible, but with Franklin County still listed as an area of “medium spread” of COVID cases on the Centers for Disease Control website, we will be limiting attendees for the first several weeks and asking our dharma friends to take turns, using a pre-registration system on the EventBrite platform for the first four Sundays: March 20, 27 and April 3 and 10.

In Person, Except for Chant Practices

Also, due to advice regarding the high risk of COVID transmission through choral singing, our “Regular Sunday Program” for these first four weeks will consist of three non-chanting programs:
1. “Regular Sunday Programs,” consisting of Quiet Meditation in the shrine room from 10 AM to 11 AM, followed by a conversation break at 11 AM and the weekly Sunday Dharma Talk at 11:30 AM.2. “Introduction to Meditation” class from 10 AM to 11 AM in the Classroom3. “Introduction to Buddhism” class from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Classroom
Weekly Sunday chant programs will remain virtual (webcast on the Zoom platform) until further notice.
Pre-Registration “Tickets” are free, and we will post a new “Regular Sunday” signup on Sunday evenings, March 20, 27, and April 3. 

How Many Can Attend?

Each of our three Sunday programs will have limited attendance for the first four weeks.
The KTC shrine room can accommodate 174 people in chairs, but considerably less on meditation cushions, so we will limit attendance for the “Regular Sunday Programs” in the shrine room to 75 people each week for the first four Sundays.
The Classroom can seat 75 people in chairs, but far less on meditation cushions. We will limit attendance at both “Introduction to Meditation” and “Introduction to Buddhism” to 25 attendees.

How Do We Sign Up?

Here’s the link to our “Regular Sunday Program”  for March 20th Signup. All tickets are for the in-person program: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-ktcs-regular-sunday-morning-program-march-20-2022-tickets-292141823057

Here’s the link to the “Introduction to Meditation” Signup. Choose the “in-person” tickets to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-meditation-tickets-232616812147

And here’s the link to the “Introduction to Buddhism” Signup. Choose the “in-person” tickets to attend in person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-buddhism-the-three-vehicles-tickets-232620493157

Oh, and Smile – You Will Be On Camera!

Although we’re returning to in-person programs, we will still be serving our Zoom and livestream audiences. So you might see signs in the Classroom and Shrine Room reminding you that by entering the room, you agree to be seen on camera for the folks watching from home. 
If you have any concerns, let us know: info@columbusktc.org.

We’re ready to move our cushions, texts, books, shrine bowls and related items into our new home! Volunteers are needed on Saturday, February 19th at 10:30 am to meet at the downtown storage unit site, load up the truck and then bring items into the meditation center. If you can help, please complete this form.

After six years of planning and 16 months of construction, the time we have waited for has finally arrived. Our new KTC building will be opened for Sunday Programs March 20!

Columbus Building and Zoning inspector issued the certificate of occupancy for the new building in late January. Now the building officially belongs to Columbus KTC! The next step is to put finishing touches on the new building.

The month of February will be devoted to moving in furniture and appliances, and installing the new A/V system that will enable us to broadcast programs virtually as well as offer them in person. We will also develop systems for cleaning and maintaining the new building. It’s one thing to have a brand-new building and another thing to learn how to operate it. Lots of new skills to hone!

Volunteers Needed!  

Speaking of skills, when KTC opens for in-person programs, we will need some helping hands! 

Please consider signing up to:

* Greet

* Help as a Meditation Umdze

* Join the Building Team  

If you would like to help, please fill out this online form. 

More details about KTC’s Reopening are below!

Questions? Write to us at info@columbusktc.org.

COVID Precautions and KTC’s Reopening Plan

As we prepared for our next phase, the Reopening Committee was formed to help Columbus KTC develop a plan to safely reopen.

Members include physicians, medical professionals and, and epidemiologists knowledgeable about pandemic precautions and familiar with CDC and other healthcare guidelines.

Here’s the plan, developed by the Reopening Committee and approved by the KTC Board.

General Participation

* Recommend but not require full vaccination for all members, friends and visitors to attend in-person programs.

* Masks will be required for all members, friends and visitors when they are inside the building. CDC guidelines should be followed regarding recommended masks to wear

* Members, friends and visitors are asked to pre-register for in-person programs. A percentage of spots for all in-person programs will be reserved for walk-ins.

* Limited beverages such as water but no food will be permitted when the building is open for in-person programs. 

Children’s Participation

* Masks required for children over 2 years of age

* Children under two years of age will not be permitted to come inside the building until COVID-19 situation improves

Volunteers

* Columbus KTC volunteers will be required to provide proof of vaccination.

Chant Programs To Remain on Zoom

* As chanting spreads the droplets and aerosols that spread COVID, weekly and special event pujas will be offered virtually only for now.

Limited Food and Beverage Service

* Recommend but not require everyone wear masks and practice social distancing when gathering outside for Columbus KTC related events and programs. 

What’s Next?

The guidelines presented here will not last forever; they will evolve and change as conditions related to change. 

Reopening Schedule:

Train Volunteers — February 28th – March 6th

“Soft Opening” Events — March 7th – March 20th

Open for In-Person Programs — Sunday, March 20th

Dear Sangha Members:  You were recently informed that Secretary Marjorie Hill Langston stepped down from her position and that a special election would be held to elect a new Secretary for the remainder of her term. 

In accordance with Columbus KTC election policy, a nominating period of one week was held and a nominee—a member in good standing receiving two or more nominations from other members in good standing—has been put forward: Bethany Dwinnell.

Nominee’s Bio:
Bethany Dwinnell has been a psychotherapist in private practice for over 20 years. She first became interested in Buddhism when she became aware of the parallels between cognitive behavioral therapy and Buddhist philosophy. As a member of KTC, she and her family have attended since 2006. In her spare time, she enjoys rowing, violin and reading. While she has volunteered in varying capacities through the years, she looks forward to serving as secretary for the board. 

Members in good standing are invited to vote in the election. There are two ways to cast your vote: electronically or by mail-in ballot. Below are details on each voting method. 

Electronically To vote electronically, please use this link.

By Mail
To vote by mail, please mail to our PO Box a hand-written or typed note in which you identify yourself and your vote for the nominee for secretary. Our address is
Columbus KTCPO Box 14946Columbus, OH 43214

All votes—whether cast electronically or by mail—must be received two weeks from today by Sunday, December 19th, 11:59pm.

For more details on the election policy, please see this document: Columbus KTC Board and Elections Policy 14.1-1.

Best wishes in Dharma,
Election Chair: Justin Fitch

Secretary Marjorie Hill Langston recently stepped down from her position; therefore, in accordance with KTC elections policy, a special election will now be held to elect a new Board Secretary to fill the remainder of her term. We thank Marjorie for her amazing service, and welcome the service of members interested in filling these open roles. 

Any KTC member in good standing may be nominated for the position, but it is wise to check with the person first before nominating them. Nominees must receive two nominations from members in good standing to become eligible candidates for the office.

Nominations will be received by Justin Fitch at communications@columbusktc.org, or in writing to Justin Fitch, c/o Columbus KTC, PO Box 14946, Columbus, Ohio 43214. You may also call Columbus KTC at (614) 228-6546 to nominate someone by phone.

The nomination period for special elections is one week’s time. All nominations–whether by email, phone, or postal mail–must be received by 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021.

Here is the description for the role of Board Secretary:  The Secretary shall be responsible for correspondence and preparation and circulation of reports, agendas and minutes of Executive committee and members meetings.  To the extent required by statute or regulation, the Secretary is also responsible for recording Board of Directors meetings, the annual members’ meetings and other regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee and the members. The Secretary also checks and distributes the mail at the KTC on a regular basis.   
Once nominations have been received, candidates will be announced, and the voting period will begin via online voting or mail-in ballots. Voting will conclude Wednesday, December 14, 2021, and newly elected board members will be announced.

For more details on the election policy, please see the attached document: Columbus KTC Board and Elections Policy 14.1-1.