NEWS

Continuing Support of St. John’s Program

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Our SIM volunteers, along with members of Valley Streams Zen Sangha, have been preparing and serving dinner every third Wednesday for decades for the women and children at St. John’s Program for Change. With the current stay-at-home policy, St. John’s stopped accepting volunteers at their site back in mid-March but they still needed support from the community in preparing meals for their residents. Fortunately, one of SIM’s shoppers, Steve Sphar, offered to purchase food for our meat loaf dinner and deliver it to the shelter. So, in March and April, he dropped off food and recipes so that the chef and his helpers could prepare dinner. The staff at St. John’s is very appreciative. We all look forward to returning to our monthly dinner experience, but until then, we are still practicing generosity and compassion in the larger community.

Additionally, did you know about this fundraiser “The Great Food Truck Feed” that also helps support St. John’s Program for Change? The fundraiser (not a SIM sponsored event) is active for six more days and provides another option for helping to support our community during these challenging times.

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COVID-19 UPDATE

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We hope that you are finding stability through your practice at home during this unsettling time. Don’t forget this list of available resources SIM has collected to help you.

SIM Local Services for Our Community (.pdf)Download

It’s is also published at https://sactoinsight.org/essential-services-for-our-community/

And we continue to nurture our sangha with online meetings that we hope you can attend: https://sactoinsight.org/events/category/online-remote/list/

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COVID-19 UPDATE

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Dear SIM attendees,

First, a reminder that we’ve created this resources page listing some essential services for our community.

If you’d like support in your practice, we’re restarting the Practice Buddy Program, where you can be paired up with another practitioner to check in and share how your practice is going.  Email Demetra Ornofos if you are interested. 

If you’d like some additional physical, emotional or practice support, you can email Diane Wilde, who is a trained Buddhist Chaplain, to set up an appointment. Learn more about our Chaplaincy Council .

We’re continuing to meet using the Zoom application for Thursday evenings and classes. 

The SIM Board is aware of the current security concerns being raised about Zoom in the media and is looking at ways to reduce possible risks associated with using it. 

For this week:

  • Along with the link, there is a password for you to use for the Thursday night meeting if you are asked for one.
  • When you connect to the meeting, you will likely be sent to a “waiting room” before the host lets you into the meeting.
  • We recommend that you close other applications on your computer before you open Zoom.
  • After you leave the meeting, go to the top left corner of your screen to quit the Zoom program.

Note: Links for meetings will be also listed each week on SIM’s online calendar. Go to the event you are interested in and click on the event title to get the details and link to the meeting with the passcode if there is one.  A link for event dana will also be on the event page.

A word about dana:  Our Dharma teachers rely on the generosity of our attendees. We encourage you to give as generously as you can to support them.

Please take a moment to think of members of our SIM community who might not be comfortable going online and reach out to them directly or email sarad@sactoinsight.org or jerrys@sactoinsigt.org to let us know so we can follow up with them. We want to include as many as possible as we begin using this technology to meet!

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COVID-19 UPDATE

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Dear SIM attendees,

To help you get what you need while staying at home, we’ve created a resources sheet listing some essential services for our community. This list is posted to our website under the Resources menu.

It includes information on:

  • Food Delivery/Pick-Up Options
  • Stores with Drive-Thru/Curbside Pick-Up/Delivery Pharmacy Support
    • Stores with Senior Hours

Check it out! Email Davidg@sactoinsight.org if you need some help accessing online resources.

We’re continuing to meet using the Zoom application for Thursday evenings and classes. 

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COVID-19 UPDATE

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Dear SIM attendees,

As we stated in last week’s eNews, all SIM in-person events at the Sacramento Dharma Center are suspended through April 15th. We successfully held our first Thursday night evening and two ongoing classes this week using the Zoom application. We had good participation and only a few minor technical issues, so we’re off to a good start.

Note: Hyperlinks for online meetings will be listed each week on SIM’s online calendar. Go to the event you are interested in and click on the event title to get the event details, the link to join the meeting, and the link to contribute to the dana bowl.

TIP: For best results, when joining an online meeting, we recommend using a device that has a camera and microphone so that you can see and communicate with everyone. If you have a desktop computer without a camera or microphone, you might want to use at tablet or smartphone. Some people find it helpful to have a headset if you’re in a noisy environment or find it difficult to hear. This tip is added to an updated instructional post (https://sactoinsight.org/instructions-to-join-a-remote-meeting/).

A word about dana

Our Dharma teachers rely on the generosity of our attendees. Though we’ve had to postpone Vance Prior’s visit this coming week, he relies on dana for his livelihood. We encourage you to give as generously as you can to support Vance – visit https://sactoinsight.org/retreat-dana-online/.

Please take a moment to think of members of our SIM community who might not be comfortable going online and reach out to them directly or let us know so we can follow up with them. We want to include as many as possible as we begin using this technology to meet!

Summary of upcoming online events

Thursday 3/26 at 5:30 pm – Intro to Zoom Session

Just getting started with Zoom? Have Questions? Join us for an informal 30 minute drop in session to go over the nuts and bolts for participating in SIM events.
Join Online: https://zoom.us/j/333557730
Join by phone: 1-669-900-9128 ( Meeting ID: 333 557 730 )

Thursday 3/26 at 6:00 pm – Intro to Meditation Class

Interested in learning to meditate (or need a refresher)? Join Dennis Warren online using Zoom for this Introduction to Meditation Class.
Join Online: https://zoom.us/j/333557730
Join by phone: 1-669-900-9128 ( Meeting ID: 333 557 730 )

Thursday 3/26 at 7:00 pm – Sitting and Dharma talk

Join Online: https://zoom.us/j/540557536
Join by phone:1-669-900-9128 ( Meeting ID: 540 557 536 )
Dana e-Bowl: click here

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Board of Directors Update

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UPDATE – March 15, 2020

Dear SIM attendees,

SIM is working with the Sacramento Dharma Center and our sister sanghas to minimize the threat of coronavirus/COVID19 transmission.

To that end, we are suspending all SIM in-person events at the Sacramento Dharma Center through April 15th. Instead we will offer our Thursday night evenings and ongoing classes online using the Zoom application. It is easy to use if you have access to the internet. See the instructions below to join this Thursday night.

We will send an update regarding next week’s scheduled events with Vance Pryor later this week.

We recognize that meeting online is not the same as practicing together in one place, but in light of the rapidly evolving situation and the risk of person-to-person transmission, we think this is the best way to protect the health of our community for the near term.

Please take a moment to think of members of our SIM community who might not be comfortable going online and reach out to them directly or let us know so we can follow up with them. We want to include as many as possible as we try using this technology to meet!

A word about dana: SIM relies on the generosity of our attendees. Though we won’t be meeting at the SDC for the near term, there will still be bills to pay and teachers to support. We encourage you to give generously online at https://sactoinsight.org/what-is-dana.

To join SIM’s Zoom meeting online for Thursday March 19th, note the following:

Whether or not you join us on Thursday night, remember that you can access recent talks on our audio dharma page: (https://sactoinsight.org/category/audio-dharma/).

Thank you for your flexibility and help in keeping our community healthy!
The SIM Board

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Instructions to join a remote meeting

For SIM events held via teleconference or online, here are general instructions for how to participate. The two main methods for joining meetings are by phone or by internet (choose only one method). If you have concerns about getting online or into the meeting, call or text David at 562-310-2383 or Sara at 916-620-3795 for help.

Before you Join the meeting

  • Enter the meeting 10 to 15 minutes early to be sure you’ll have time to address any connection issues.
  • We recommend that you close other applications on your computer before you open Zoom.
  • Join the meeting by either hyperlink or by phone.

— join by hyperlink (via computer or Smartphone)

  • SIM is using an application called “Zoom” to host our meetings. You may download the application directly from their official website at https://zoom.us/ or …
  • Click on the hyperlink that the meeting organizer has provided. If you have registered to a course, the instructor will email all students with a hyperlink to join the course meetings. Links for other meetings can be found on SIM’s online calendar. Go to the date and the event you are interested in and click on the event title to get the details and link to the meeting. (Thursday evening Zoom links are updated Quartey and are posted here.)
  • If you don’t already have Zoom installed, when you click the link it should prompt you to click on a button to download Zoom instantly. Then you can join the meeting.

–– join by phone (internet access not needed)

  • Dial the phone number and meeting access code that the meeting organizer has provided.
    • If you are registered to a course, the instructor will email all students with a meeting access code to join the course meetings. Access codes for other meetings can be found on SIM’s online calendar. Go to the date and the event you are interested in and click on the event title to get the details.
    • Note, when phone numbers are not toll-free, there may be long distance fees incurred depending on your service plan. To find the number nearest your location, click here.

Leaving the meeting

  • After you leave the meeting, go to the top left corner of your screen to quit the Zoom program.
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Board of Directors Message, coronavirus

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March 12, 2020

Dear SIM attendees,

Tonight’s SIM gathering will be focused on “Meditative Tools for These Uncertain Times”.  The evening will include an opportunity for people to share what is happening for them, as well as some thoughts from Rich Howard about how practice can help us deal with the current situation in a helpful, heartfelt way.

We want you to know that SIM is working in concert with the Sacramento Dharma Center and our sister sanghas to minimize the threat of coronavirus/COVID19 transmission. We are not cancelling our events at this point but ask that you read the following, use wise judgement, and help keep everyone safe and reduce the potential spread of this virus.

What we are doing at SIM events:

  • Extra cleaning, wiping of shared surfaces with disinfectant.
  • Setting up chairs farther apart.
  • Discontinuing tea service for the near term. (We have been asked to not use SDC utensils, dishes or cups at this time.)
  • Discontinuing providing shawls/blankets for the near term.
  • Providing paper towels in the bathroom.

What you can do to help:

  • Please stay home and make use of our audio dharma link.
    • If you have a fever (oral temperature 99°F or greater), cough or shortness of breath
    • If you have traveled by plane within the past 14 days
  • Use bows or verbal greetings instead of handshakes or hugs to greet people.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before coming in the Dharma hall for at least 20 seconds (hum Happy Birthday twice or chant the Refuges to time yourself!). Also wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or touching shared surfaces. 
  • Keep your hands away from your face – mouth, nose, eyes (a good awareness practice).
  • For sneezes and coughs, do so into the crook of your arm. If you have them, you may use tissues, then throw away and wash your hands as described immediately.
  • Bring your own water container with a lid. 
  • Bring your own shawl or blanket if you want one.

We will continue to track the situation and make adjustments as needed. 

Thank you for your help keeping our community healthy! 

The SIM Board

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Special 2019-Tax Note

SIM is grateful for all our donors and we’ve already emailed tax letters to those who gave $250 or more in 2019. If you have not received the tax letter and you think you should have, please check your email Inbox, as well as your Spam or Junk folder. If you still don’t find it, please contact SaraD@sactoinsight.org.

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Cancelled – tonight’s Young Person’s Sangha

We apologize for the last-minute cancellation of tonight’s Young Person’s Sangha meeting, Dec 24th, 2019. Future meetings are posted to our calendar at https://sactoinsight.org/events/category/young-person-sangha/list/ .

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