As you can see from the activities report, along with the maintenance of our ongoing programs and services, we have had two significant developments this year:
1) Teacher- Pupil relationships. The big increase in my role as a teacher of pupils. Last year, I had 41 meetings with 3 pupils, and that increased this year to 226 meetings with 5 pupils. Teacher-pupil relationships are different from counseling sessions, in that they are an ongoing commitment to mentoring students of the Course in a personal way as they walk the path of the Course. My teacher-pupil meetings are, for the most part, weekly, and in person or by phone. One of my pupils is here in Ottawa, two are in other cities in Ontario, one is in B.C., and one in Mexico.
The idea of teacher-pupil relationships is for a teacher who is farther along the way to pass on all of his or her learning and experience of the spiritual path to pupils in order for them to receive all that the teacher has. I can't begin to describe the joy and sense of fulfillment that come with developing a holy relationship with my pupils, recognizing that they have no interests apart from mine and vice versa. Four of my pupils have also stepped into a function teaching the Course, and part of my role is to help and guide them in their teaching function.
2) Circle Course Community. My involvement with the Circle of Atonement's Circle Course Community (CCC) has increased significantly this past year. In addition to continuing to write blogs for both the general members and the teacher members, I have also participated in bi-weekly phone classes for both member groups, and in weekly meetings with other teachers of pupils. These are opportunities for me to both further develop my understanding of the Course and share my experience as a Course teacher. I also have individual consultations with other teachers, and business meetings and weekly consultations with Robert Perry. In April, I met with Robert in Sedona to discuss my role with the Circle and explore future possibilities, as well as to help out as the Perrys prepared to move to England.
The main development that came from our meetings was the decision to involve me in a 6-week Introductory Course that Robert is developing and which will be taught both online as a Webinar and in person. I will help Robert develop the course and then I will train Circle-affiliated teachers to teach it. I am quite excited about this, as it seems to fit with the recurring sense that I am to step more fully into a "teaching of teachers" function.
Amy Speach from Syracuse, who is part of our extended Course Oasis family and a great supporter of Course Oasis, has moved to Sedona to take on the day-to-day operations of the Circle. Prior to her departure, we met to discuss her involvement in and share ideas about the Introductory Course and, as a result, I prepared a presentation for Robert outlining our ideas.
Being an integral part of a broader Course community is very enriching. Members of the CCC are from all over North America and beyond, and there is a strong sense of having joined together in deepening our acceptance, understanding, practice, and application of the Course. We have really become members of the same extended family.
Since February, we have been developing an even stronger sense of Course Oasis community. Every month, one of our Sunday "Coming Together in the Light" gatherings has become a mini-workshop for both Workbook Practice Program students and participants in the Sunday gatherings. These mini-workshops are followed by a potluck luncheon, which provide the opportunity to join in fellowship and get to know one another better. Although the number of people involved in our activities has not increased, it seems that the people who do come are more committed to the Course and to our community
As of June 30, 2010, Course Oasis earned a total income of $17,675 (an increase of $5,535 over last year). The application of expenses ($13,330) resulted in a net income of $4,344. This year we repaid the final portion ($2,842.12) of an initial start-up loan of $12,800. The increase in income was primarily due to one significant monthly donor, as well as a few other major donors. To them, as well to all others who contribute to Course Oasis, we offer our gratitude and appreciation. I am also extremely grateful to Board member, Nancy Langdon, for her financial expertise and willingness to handle all governmental reporting, as well as all financial affairs.
Last year we identified two concerns regarding our finances, 1) the low income generated by counseling and the Sunday evening gatherings, and 2) not having enough income for a salary for me. We have not found a solution to the first concern and hope to address the second in this coming year. I think that as we develop a stronger outreach program, it will generate more income for the organization.
At the end of this year, I still feel that we could be reaching out to more people locally and touching them with the power of the Course. With our limited personnel resources, I'm not sure how that can happen; however, I do want to explore this in the coming year. I know that we are touching people deeply with our teaching, yet I sense there are many more who could benefit from the offerings of Course Oasis. I would like to make outreach a major focus in 2010-2011.
In closing, I want to thank all those who have become part of Course Oasis and who enrich our lives on a daily basis. Having the opportunity to help them on their journey with the Course and be with them in community is very fulfilling. Seeing people's lives transforming through the power of the Course's teachings and practices brings me great joy and fills me with gratitude for all these mighty companions and their commitment to finding, learning, and living "another way."
I am also very grateful to our Board members for their time and commitment, and foremost for their faith and trust in me and their constant support and encouragement.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Anne Buchowski
Inquiries (36, via email and phone)
Introductory Meetings with Individuals (5)
67 counselling sessions, (37 in person; 6 via email; 24 via telephone; 80 counseling hours in all)
226 teacher-pupil sessions for 5 pupils; including teacher mentoring (72 via email, 135 via telephone, 19 in person; 253 hours in all)
Out-of-Town Visits (8 from Guelph and Cobourg, and Syracuse, N.Y.)
Blogs (14) for the 128 members of the Circle of Atonement's Circle Course Community (CCC)
Teacher Blogs (15) for the 56 teacher members of the CCC
General Member classes (23)
Teacher Member classes (9)
Teacher-Pupil Initiative meetings (32)
Individual consultations (3)
Business meetings (6)
Weekly consultations with Robert Perry
Professional Development and Business Meetings: April 2010, Circle of Atonement, Sedona, Arizona