1. Begin scouting out potential spaces & putting the word out there that Urban Dharma is looking for space. This process will take a while since it's not quite like looking for an apartment to rent and move in.
2. Complete promotional website. This means completing a) Mission statement (defines the organization's purpose and primary objectives, defines the key measure or measures of the organization’s success, mostly written for the leadership team and "stockholders"), b) Vision statement (communicates both the purpose and values of the organization, gives direction about how we are expected to behave and inspires us to give our best. Shared with "customers," it shapes their understanding of why Urban Dharma is needed, is where they want to be), c) Profiles of Who's Who (who's involved and why and how perhaps the reader see him or herself as part of Urban Dharma, d) Sample of Weekly Program offered, e) How to Get Involved (articulating what kind of financial, professional, help Urban Dharma needs).
NOVEMBER
1. Khenpo Chophel comes to confer Dzambhala Empowerment on Sunday, November 7. Initially I thought Davidson is where he will do this. But I think it is more auspicious if we hold it in Asheville as Urban Dharma is going to be in Asheville. We need a space downtown to do this Empowerment and we need to advertise this program. Dzambhala is the deity of richness and wealth - it's a powerful method to banish the "poverty mind" and uncover the richness of Buddha mind.
2. Khenpo Chophel will give us projects to work on - rolling mantras, making small buddha images - for the future filling of the inside of the main Buddha statue at Urban Dharma. This will take a while to complete but it'll be a good way for community to build over merit-generating tasks.
DECEMBER-JANUARY
Winter is traditionally a "retreat time." So these two months we will focus on deepening Dharma practice. We might hold a couple of semi-public events in Asheville to attract some attention. I have asked someone to research rental spaces downtown (for $25 the first hour, $10 for subsequent, very affordable).
FEBRUARY-MARCH
1. I will be out of the country - in Asia. I will fundraise while there.
2. We host a community event downtown in mid-March announcing in a formal way the arrival of Urban Dharma. This is both a "friends-raising" and "fund-raising" event. We'll have art, music, food.
APRIL
1. Securing space and starting to work on renovating space.
2. Buddha statue arrives. Filling the main Buddha statue.
JUNE
1. Urban Dharma opens its doors!
