I’m Rick Russell, a new Subud member (since June) and have been asked to be the new chairperson for Subud Sonoma. It is a real honor to be able to serve in this capacity, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you. A bit about me: I’m 68, married with 4 grown daughters and 4 grandchildren, and have lived and worked in Sonoma County since 1971, as a carpenter and contractor, then architect and school construction inspector. As board president at the Lomi Psychiatric Clinic in Santa Rosa, I gained some familiarity with how non-profits work. I was in a Gurdjieff group for some 22 years, but was feeling unable to progress further with my inner life. Subud has changed this, and I am very grateful. One of the big things I have received in latihan is a sense of the lightness and good humor that it is possible to have in one’s life, and it is this that I wish to guide me as chairperson. If I start getting heavy, I’ll know I’m on the wrong track.
We had a general meeting at the Subud hall on Saturday Jan. 25, at which I was selected as chair. Tutut Sass, also new, has volunteered for Communications. Michael Myers will continue as Treasurer. Members were asked what they most wanted to see happen in the near future, and these were the requests: 1) overwhelmingly, a new carpet! 2) more social gatherings; 3) a charitable outlet for our members, both to help Subud members who need it, and also to help the community at large. And of course, 4) shorter meetings!
We committee members met on Feb. 1, and approved a real estate agent to help us with obtaining a permanent lessee for the hall when we are not using it. We are also brainstorming fundraising possibilities to help us achieve our goals in the coming year, possibly including a Bingo night or an online auction. If you have any suggestions, please contact me or another committee member by mail or email.
One of our most important sources of income is donations from our members. This is your organization, and exists to make the latihan available to you, and to help others. We have grown a lot recently (6 new men, 2 women!), and are hopeful that we can serve everyone’s needs more fully. I’m enclosing a pledge form, and hope you will consider making a commitment to a monthly donation. We really could use a new carpet! If you set up an automatic bill pay, that would help us even more by providing a more reliable budget. Please let us know your priorities, and feel free to call me if you have any questions.
Yours in appreciation,
Rick Russell, Chairperson (rick-russell [at] sbcglobal.net) Ph. 707- 529-5513