#  Buddhist Geeks Meta

The Buddhist Geeks Meta is the place where we transparently share the how & what of Buddhist Geeks.

![](/files/-LkzJdH_4_fgjL3MHN3t)

Here on the Buddhist Geeks Meta we transparently share the how & what of Buddhist Geeks.  In terms of the "how", on this site we share the documented work processess that we use internally to record the podcast, host virtual trainings, and put on in-person retreats (among other things).  Anything that we regularly do for the project, and develop regular processes around, we work to document on the Buddhist Geeks Meta site so that others, both those working internally on this project & those working on similar external projects, can do the same.  We also share open financial information on [📊Buddhist Geeks Program Metrics](/about/transgenerosity/metrics).  This is the "what" of the Buddhist Geeks Meta.  \
\
We believe that the potential for culture that the internet opens up for us, is one of openness, transparency, and generous sharing. It’s our sincere hope, and aspiration, that by sharing what we learn, we can help speed up the learning process of humanity itself.


# Transparent Generosity

The background story behind the Transparent Generosity model.

![](/files/-M0EY1CJpIpDaNaeAFbG)

**Life as a dharma teacher involves a constant negotiation between the forces of monasticism and capitalism**. In my current position as a dharma teacher I’ve found that neither of these are viable options by themselves. This has led me to experiment with new economic models, including one I’ve recently devised and implemented, called **Transparent Generosity**.

I’d like to share with you the story of how this model came to be, as well as how it’s going so far (short version: it is exceeding my expectations). My hope is that by sharing this openly it might provoke further collective inquiry into what is possible for mindfulness, meditation, and dharma communities today.

### Done with Monks

Let me begin by owning up to a long-time prejudice that I’ve harbored, namely that I have not been a big fan of traditional monasticism. Now, there are plenty of monks who I personally like, so please don’t take this as an attack on any particular monk you know. Rather, I had a hard time seeing the point of preserving institutional forms that go largely unchanged for centuries, and even millennia, while everything else changes around them. It’s particularly weird when those forms are preserving teachings about how everything changes, as you see in the Buddhist monastic tradition! Traditional monasticism has largely seemed irrelevant to my life, and the life of most people alive today, so I’ve long said, “I’m done with monks.”

With that long-standing prejudice acknowledged, I also want to share that in the last several years I’ve come to believe that traditional monasticism serves a very important function for culture, and for innovators, and thus ends up being quite important… Traditional monastics *preserve* the kind of thinking and heart that led to their particular design, just as they preserve the actual techniques, texts, & codes of conduct that make their traditions up. This is important because the conservers end up creating & maintaining the vast repositories that contemplative innovators pull from, as it’s often returning to what is old and has become obsolete, as Marshall McLuhan pointed out, that sparks inspiration for “new” innovations. Turns out we need both conservers and adapters together!

### The "Dana" Model

Coming up as a young meditator in the early aughts was interesting. First, almost no one had heard of mindfulness yet, so no one really meditated that wasn’t either a new age hippie or fairly serious about it. Second, there were almost no other 20-somethings doing hardcore practice at that time. Fortunately, as Jack Kornfield once quipped to me, “interest in this stuff seems to have skipped a generation.” I’ve since seen many of my millennial peers come into their own. Third, all of the good teachers I could find, with just a couple exceptions, were Boomers who had gone to Asia to study & practice as young adults, and then came back and made a career out of teaching. To say there was a generation gap between me and my Boomer teachers would be a vast understatement. That said, my teachers were not monks. Some had been monks, but all of them decided to teach as lay people. And they all undertook the challenge of making a living doing that, using generosity-based models, in a country that has very little tradition to hold it. They took a huge leap by trying to translate, not just the contemplative practices, but also the economic models of that are rooted in the monastic tradition of Southeast Asian Buddhism.

The result was that my Boomer Buddhist teachers devised a retreat center model where tons of people streamed in & out, practicing intensively for a time, and then going about their lives in-between retreats. Fortunately, the retreats were extremely affordable compared to almost anything like them. As a young practitioner I was able to do a lot of retreats, without having a lot of money. Scholarships were, and still are, plentiful for young people, as these centers try to maximize access for those that don’t typically have it.  

One of the reasons the costs are so low for these retreats is because the teachers aren’t paid for their time, rather they are offered what is called *dana* (literally: generosity) at the end of the retreat. When participants are invited to give the teachers dana (aka money) no specific amount is required, or even suggested, as it’s meant to be an act of pure generosity. And somehow, a bunch of boomer dharma teachers have been able to make a living that way for decades! I’m not always sure how comfortable a living it is, especially for those that aren’t superstars going on book tours, but from where I’m sitting it has been a huge success, as an alternative economic model.

I never quite understood the dana model, and often criticized it for being unclear (“just tell us how much to pay already!”) but I was also clearly benefiting from the incredible institutional generosity of these centers. I rarely left much in the way of dana, but presumably there were others on the retreat who did, and their capacity to give counter-balanced mine. This is really a beautiful system, if you think about it, of giving generously in a world where everything seems to have a price tag, and of a noble profession of teachers who seem to do something because it’s their calling, not because of the guarantee of a stable paycheck. Now, it’s obviously more complicated than that, but I’d like to just appreciate the simple beauty of this unique hybrid model of generosity for a moment.

### Generosity in the Digital Paradigm

When my partner Emily & I began leading retreats, we first tried to build in our costs and offer a more capitalist-friendly retreat model. We added $250 to the cost of the retreat, to cover our time.  12-15 people came on that first retreat, so it worked out ok, but we still wanted to try out the original dana model as wel.

The next retreat we offered, and each since, has been using the same pure generosity model that our teachers devised. And that model has worked better in virtually every way we can imagine. It worked out better for us financially, as we ended up bringing home **\~2x more money** than we did when we set the price ourselves. It also dropped the cost of the retreats, making them more accessible for everyone. 

Finally, it left us feeling more connected to, appreciative for, and generous toward our students. **It literally opened our hearts** and deepened the relationship we had with students. Being on the receiving end of generosity in this way, I finally began to understand the power of a giving heart.

[Vince Horn](http://www.vincehorn.space)\
03/2019


# Program Metrics

We do our best to provide up-to-date metrics on how all of our generosity-based programs are performing.

## Training Programs

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M6V74sdgjiAn9oFU4d1" %}
[Responsive Meditation (2020)](/trainings/metrics/responsive-meditation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LuzF6ISE4e-n-z26LPg" %}
[Social Meditation Facilitation (2020)](/trainings/metrics/social-meditation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwJFsiarnLozlw3Iq" %}
[Integral Dharma (2020)](/trainings/metrics/integral-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cmkPfoZbbyqqyv944" %}
[Pragmatic Dharma (2019)](/trainings/metrics/pragmatic-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_coLZX0lmt5CU8dbKP" %}
[Teacher Training (2019-2020)](/trainings/metrics/teacher-training)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Retreat Programs

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj5A0qlqKOW0bFC91" %}
[In-Person Retreats](/retreats/metrics/in-person)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj-3TTj8e6NVQeCld" %}
[Virtual Daylong Retreats](/retreats/metrics/virtual-retreats)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwZWClqyzhC\_\_v36M" %}
[Virtual Life Retreats](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Holacracy

Buddhist Geeks is a Holacratically powered organization.  We practice Holaracy version 5.0.

**Holacracy is a new way of structuring and running an organization that replaces the conventional management hierarchy**. Instead of operating top-down, power is distributed throughout the organization, giving individuals and teams more freedom to self-manage, while staying aligned to the organization’s purpose.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/YBMH4HLilSE>" %}

We first implemented Holacracy in 2008, just a year after [HolacracyOne](https://www.holacracy.org), the organization that originated Holacracy, was founded by Brian Robertson.  We were actually exposed to it even earlier then that, while Vince Horn was working for Ken Wilber's Integral Institute, when they attempted to implement a [pre 1.0 version of Holacracy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGh6Nu8xGGo).  Today, hundreds of organizations are Holacracy-powered, including [Zappos](https://hbr.org/podcast/2016/07/the-zappos-holacracy-experiment) & the David Allen company.  In 2016, Harvard Business Review even did a fairly balanced review of [Holacracy Beyond the Hype](https://hbr.org/2016/07/beyond-the-holacracy-hype).

We chose Holacracy because of 1) the way it distributes authority through the organization in a way that empowers individuals to step into this evolving structure and do the work that needs to be done, while all working toward a shared purpose & 2) because of the excellent design of their [Tactical Meeting ](https://www.holacracy.org/tactical-meetings)and [Governance Meeting](https://www.holacracy.org/governance-meetings) formats. &#x20;

## View the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy

![](/files/-MEibhLR7gFIriROnR3S)

If you'd like to view the ins & outs of our current Holacratic structure of practice, you can view [The Buddhist Geeks Holacracy](https://app.glassfrog.com/organizations/15235/orgnav/roles/11005774/overview) on Glassfrog–the official software set-up to support the practice of Holacracy.  Here, you'll find a transparent account of our evolving organizational structure, including individual roles & accountabilities, policies, projects, & more.&#x20;

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M57sOHsE1PoaFNPlQS1" %}
[Broken mention](broken://pages/-M57sOHsE1PoaFNPlQS1)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Onboarding a New Team Member

An instructional guide, for internal use, on how to onboard a new team member or teaching into the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy.

In this guide, we'll cover general instructions for anyone entering into the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy.  More specific onboarding instructions, tailored to the particular role(s) one is holding, will also be needed, but are beyond the scope of this document.

## ✉️ GSuite

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M9eV\_JMD5YU\_b9nTtQk" %}
[Setup a New GSuite Account](/about/holacracy/onboarding/setup-gsuite)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 📺 Zoom.us

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M9eW-AT\_ni9T-\_FeyU2" %}
[Setup a New Zoom Account](/about/holacracy/onboarding/setup-zoom)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 📅 Acuity Scheduling

First, you'll need to add the new teacher to the Buddhist Geeks Acuity Scheduling account:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M8GFdzLxgkBp8NyJ8iA" %}
[Add New Teacher to Acuity Scheduling](/about/holacracy/onboarding/setting-up-an-acuity-scheduling-account)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Make sure you send them a link to the following page, so that they can then configure their schedule as they like.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M8GXOreIEYT-QzopXwz" %}
[Configure your Acuity Scheduling Account](/about/holacracy/onboarding/configure-your-acuity-scheduling-account)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 📁 GDrive

Share the **Buddhist Geeks Team** folder in **Google Drive** with new team member.  This folder contains all of the information & resources relevant to all team members. &#x20;

## 🐸 Glassfrog

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M9eWYBivRsQ9fjZGd8f" %}
[Setup a New Glassfrog Account](/about/holacracy/onboarding/setup-glassfrog)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 🌐 Mighty Networks

Invite the new team member to the Buddhist Geeks Mighty Networks (if they aren't already on there). &#x20;

Once they've joined the Mighty Networks, invite them to any private or secret groups that would be relevant for them (ex. Buddhist Geeks Teachers or the Anchor Circle). &#x20;


# Setup a New GSuite Account

Follow these instructions in order to set-up a new GSuite account for team members, and to get their e-mail functioning properly.

If a new person is holding a core role within the organization, then they will need a personalized e-mail address in the format of:  <firstname@buddhistgeeks.org>

* Follow these instructions on how to [add an account for a new user](https://support.google.com/a/answer/33310?hl=en).

### Setting up E-mail Forwarding

For simplicities sake, most people want their "<name@buddhistgeeks.org>" address to forward to a personal address.  Follow these steps to set-up e-mail forwarding from their new account:

1. **Login to GSuite** with the newly created account info
2. At the top right, click Settings ![Settings](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HEK3JR2B_Nwf6l9XnSPqrrI5MJomne3_iAI27iDFnclHLr_iovad21EDPhblU5RPnr4E=h18)![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3_l97rr0GvhSP2XV5OoCkV2ZDTIisAOczrSdzNCBxhIKWrjXjHucxNwocghoUa39gw=w18-h18) **Settings**.
3. Select the "**Forwarding and POP/IMAP**" tab
4. Click the "**Add a forwarding address**" button
5. Type in the new team member's preferred personal e-mail address and click "**Next**"
6. Click "**Proceed**"

They will need to confirm this new forwarding situation by clicking a link that's sent to their forwarding address. &#x20;

### Send an email from your Buddhist Geeks alias in Gmail

* Click on "GSuite" and then **Manage your Google Account**

![](/files/-M9q3eaPxZ8_lQXbfAkn)

* Go to the "**Security**" tab on the account page and scroll down to the "less secure app access."
* **Turn on access**

![](/files/-M9q4U0JiyYDg3UBPSEr)

* **Toggle ON** Less secure app access&#x20;

![](/files/-M9q4a9VmpG9QLHkskjo)

* All done!

![](/files/-M9q2yNCl0RQOq_nVIIT)

### Add an Email Alias

Depending on which personal e-mail service one is using, there are different instructions for setting up an Email Alias.  An Email Alias simply means that you'd be able to send e-mails from your personal mail client as "<name@buddhistgeeks.org>".  By following these instructions you can set-up an e-mail alias:

* [Add or remove an email alias in Outlook.com](https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-or-remove-an-email-alias-in-outlook-com-459b1989-356d-40fa-a689-8f285b13f1f2)
* [Create or delete an email alias in Yahoo Mail](https://help.yahoo.com/kb/create-email-alias-sln29287.html)


# Setup a New Zoom Account

Instructions on setting up and configuring a new professional Buddhist Geeks zoom account.

If adding a new core team member or teacher, it's also important to set-up a professional BG zoom account for them.  Here are the instructions for doing that (from a Zoom admin account):

1. Login to the Zoom.us site
2. Under Admin select **User Management** and then click **Users**
3. Press the **+ Add Users** button
4. Type in their buddhistgeeks.org e-mail address, make sure the user type is set to Licensed and then click **Add**
5. Login to their GSuite account and **click the confirmation link** in the "Zoom account invitation" email.
6. In the new window that opens up click **"Sign Up with a Password"**
7. Enter their Name, BG Email address, and a complex temporary password and click "**Sign Up**"
8. Now click the "**Go to my Account**" button
9. If the new team member isn't based in US Eastern Time, update their Time Zone under the **Date & Time** section on the main account page.
10. Now click **Settings** on the sidebar.
11. Under **Meeting Settings** make sure the following changes are made to their default settings (from top to bottom):

    1. Turn Off **Require a password when scheduling new meetings**
    2. Turn Off **Require a password for instant meetings**
    3. Click the Edit icon next to **Customize the title, logo, and description** and upload the Buddhist Geeks Classic Head Logo.
    4. Turn On **Host Video**
    5. Turn On **Participants Video**
    6. Turn Off **Feedback to Zoom** (this will also turn off End of Meeting Feedback)
    7. Under **Screen sharing** click "Host Only" under Who can share and hit **Save**
    8. Turn Off **Annotation**&#x20;
    9. Turn Off **Remote Control**
    10. Turn On **Allow removed participants to rejoin**
    11. Under **Breakout room** click "Allow host to assign participants to breakout rooms when scheduling" and hit **Save**
    12. Turn On **Group HD Video**

    12\. Now, while being logged into the "<facilitator@buddhistgeeks.org>" account in zoom, go to the bottom of the meeting settings section and Assign scheduling privilege to the new team member.  This will enable them to use the breakout room function in any BG Sangha event.


# Add New Teacher to Acuity Scheduling

All Buddhist Geeks Teachers will need to set-up an account with Acuity Scheduling, so that participants can interact with your schedule during Buddhist Geeks teaching events.

*These are the initial instructions for whoever is in the role holding the domain of Acuity Scheduling within the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy.  You can also view* [*Acuity Scheduling's instructions here*](https://help.acuityscheduling.com/hc/en-us/articles/218724818-Create-Calendars-For-Each-Staff-Member-or-Location-)*.* &#x20;

### Create the Calendar

* In Acuity, under Business Settings, go to **Availability**.
* Click the **Add New Calendar** button.
* Next, fill in the teachers name under Calendar Name, their e-mail address, upload a photo for them, and select their native timezone.  Leave the location blank.
* Click the **Next: Add Appointment Types & Hours** button

![](/files/-M8GSYcmZGyJmZKoSh-d)

* Under **Add Appointment Types** mark the meeting types you know that teacher will be engaging in and click the **Save Appointment Types** button.

![](/files/-M8GUAq-mLgf71-E9JMt)

* Under **Set Hours of Availability** uncheck the "This service group has regular hours every week" box
* Then click the **Save, switch to Specific Days button**

![](/files/-M8GWPmw32LqgIooIHbn)

* Leave the **Client Scheduling Limits** unaltered and X out of the window.

### Add a New User

* Now under the Business Settings section, select **Manage Users**
* Click the **New User** button
* Fill in the same e-mail address you used earlier for the username, select a simple password for them (they'll be able to change when they login), and then mark the Calendar that you set-up for them earlier under "Allow access to view and manage"
* Click **Add User**

![](/files/-M8GZGJ3PItOhWOigp2O)

* **E-mail the teacher** with their user name (e-mail address) and temporary password, and ask them to sign-in to Acuity Scheduling and follow the instructions on how to [Configure your Acuity Scheduling Account](/about/holacracy/onboarding/configure-your-acuity-scheduling-account). &#x20;


# Configure your Acuity Scheduling Account

Instructions for Buddhist Geeks Teachers on how to configure their acuity scheduling account, setting their preferred hours & availability.

* [Login to Acuity Scheduling](https://acuityscheduling.com/login.php)
* Enter the username and temporary password that was sent to you and **Login**
* Click the **I Agree** button on the Terms of Service & Privacy Policy pop-up window to proceed.

![](/files/-M8G_kY-nzsQ0W4CBsWc)

* From here you'll see a blank **Appointment Calendar**
* Click one of the **Set availability** links

![](/files/-M8GaR29OygqN0kj9wxo)

* If you have regular hours that you're available each week, check **I have regular hours every week** and fill in your regular hours.
* When you're done, click the **Save Regular Hours** button

![](/files/-M8GcXEC6XGlxPf66m8c)

* If you have specific times & days you'd like to mark yourself as available you can enter those under the **Override Hours for Specific Days** section. &#x20;

![](/files/-M8Gi9QcODZUs6JuAsNu)

Lastly, if you need, you can click the **Set different hours for certain apppointment types...** link at the bottom of the page and group certain kind of appointment types together, and create custom availability for those appointment types.

### Sync with Your Calendar

Now that you have your available times configured, it's time to sync your acuity scheduling account with your calendar. &#x20;

* Under Business Settings click **Sync with other Calendars**
* On the lefthand side, select which Calendar service you'd like to sync with, then click the **Connect to** button.  For this example, we'll demonstrate what this looks like when syncing with Google Calendar.

![](/files/-M8Gj_EZvcc5Jdki-OS6)

* Follow the instructions for connecting to your calendar, giving Acuity permission to modify it.
* Once your calendar has synced, you'll be sent back to Acuity Scheduling and will see this page...

![](/files/-M8GkTG5hWdf8D6PVYTT)

* Under "Google Calendar" (or whichever service you've used) please select the name calendar you'd like to sync with. &#x20;
* Now, click the **Save** button.
* After saving, your calendar will sync with Acuity for the first time.  You are all set-up!


# Setup a New Glassfrog Account

Anyone holding an official role within the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy needs to have access to our Glassfrog account–the official software used to support the practice of Holacracy.   Here are the steps for adding a new user to Glassfrog. &#x20;

**Step 1**: In Glassfrog, under the **Admin Settings**, select **Account Members**.

![](/files/-M79SWLCudLy9BH47LMZ)

**Step 2**: Click the **Add New Member** button

![](/files/-M79SpNFEVBhZ8Hed1m6)

**Step 3**: Input the new member's information, add them to the appropriate circle(s), and then **Create Person**.

![](/files/-M79T0fWm3gTQ6BUloGV)


# The Web of Sites

Check out the Buddhist Geeks "web of sites", an interconnected matrix of sites dedicated to exploring, experiencing, and experimenting with dharma in the age of the network.

After rebooting the Buddhist Geeks project in 2017, we felt our web presence was intensely fragmented.  Attempting to integrate multiple projects that fell directly under the heading of "Buddhist Geeks" along with several other teaching projects, which each had a different look and feel, but which were still part of the larger Buddhist Geeks Ecosystem, we designed a **Buddhist Geeks Web of Sites**, to attempt to bring all of our content together into an interconnected matrix of sites.&#x20;

![](/files/-Ll7yJ2vPB2xU-dUSUYf)


# 👩‍🏫 Teacher's Code of Ethics

The following pages lay out the Buddhist Geeks Teacher's Code of Ethics.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ5Zp9jTHRjm5FAbRl" %}
[Training in Ethics](/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/training-in-ethics)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ5kGDx4Yzbk3WjSiw" %}
[Teacher-Student Relationship](/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/teacher-student-relationship)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ5tZEcwis71XkNuH\_" %}
[Ethical Standards](/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/ethical-standards)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ61urRZP7ZoYz9Wtv" %}
[Ethical Principles](/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/ethical-principles)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Training in Ethics

We take the training in ethical action as being a key part of our human journey.  We're inspired by the threefold training schema of Ethics, Meditation, & Wisdom as expressed in Buddhist Dharma.

We take, as the core operating system of Buddhist Dharma, the threefold training of Ethics, Meditation, & Wisdom. These three trainings are a compressed version of the larger framework of the [Noble Eightfold Path](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path), which describes the various dimensions of human spiritual life, including: **1)** wise speech, **2)** wise action, **3)** wise livelihood, **4)** wise effort, **5)** wise mindfulness, **6)** wise concentration, **7)** wise view, & **8)** wise intention.&#x20;

In this threefold model one begins with ethics, or moral virtue, as a basis for deepening in meditation, which culminates in life-transforming wisdom. We also recognize that our conduct is itself an expression of our deepest insights about the nature of self, others, and the world, and thus ethics is, as Dharma teacher Daniel Ingram puts it, “the first and last training.”

We recognize that all systems of ethics are contingent, impermanent, and don’t stand on any absolute foundation. At the same time, moral action is possible in context, thanks to the social nature of humans, or more poetically to our interconnected ‘Buddha-nature’.&#x20;

When discussing ethics, it is worth considering the Buddhist principle of interdependent co-arising. In this sense, we all arrive in the present moment with infinitely complex histories, and we attempt to respond skillfully, thereby impacting the conditions of the next moment. While this makes us recognize that actions aren’t good or bad in themselves, but according to the context, we do recognize the value of moral guidelines to orient our actions.While the pith instructions are “**practice basic decency and don’t be an asshole**”, our [Ethical Standards](/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/ethical-standards) are based on the traditional five lay precepts.


# Teacher-Student Relationship

What constitutes a teacher-student relationship?

A formal teaching relationship begins the moment that a person attends a formal teaching event or engagement. An informal teaching relationship begins the moment someone in a teaching role begins offering advice or practical contemplative guidance to someone else. In more simple terms, one enters a teaching relationship when they assume the role of teacher. The role of teacher can be ended by the teacher and/or student.

After the relationship has explicitly ended, there is a waiting period before one can form an intimate relationship with integrity set forth by this ethical statement. This waiting period is flexible depending on the duration and type of training the student has participated in (e.g. retreats are different than a workshop). It is highly suggested that teachers check in with the [**Guiding Teacher**](https://app.glassfrog.com/organizations/15235/orgnav/roles/13513138/overview) if there is a transition from teacher/student to a different type of intimate relationship.


# Ethical Standards

These standards apply to all Buddhist Geeks teachers, who have entered into a formal, or informal, [teaching relationship](/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/teacher-student-relationship) with others. These standards also apply between teachers.

1. **Non-harming.** We do not use violence or abuse as a teaching method. We do not discriminate against class, age, ethnicity, religion, culture, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. <br>
2. **Non-stealing.** We do not handle funds irresponsibly, opaquely, or without accountability.<br>
3. **Non-harassing.** We do not use our teaching position to obtain sexual favors.<br>
4. **Non-lying.** We do not intentionally mislead or speak in mean-spiritedness. We make efforts to safeguard the confidential matters of our students.<br>
5. **Non-intoxication.** We do not teach while intoxicated, unless explicitly part of the container.


# Ethical Principles

Here the 5 precepts are expressed as the ‘north stars’ positively orienting our actions.  These are our ethical principles.

1. **Interconnection.** We recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and hold all life in reverence. We recognize the diversity of forms and orient toward them with kindness and compassion, while also holding in awe the mystery of life and death.<br>
2. **Generosity.** We recognize that philanthropic intent leads to deep contentment, and cultivating generosity leads to a sense of abundance.<br>
3. **Sensuality.** Sensuality and sexuality are beautiful expressions of the life force. We recognize and respect their multiple forms. One person’s “naughty” is someone else’s “kinky”, but it’s all good when between consenting adults.<br>
4. **Congruence.** We aim for our actions, both in words and deeds, to be congruent with the truth of our subjective experience. We recognize that conflict arises with being human and are willing to acknowledge the impact of our speech and actions. We aim to express ourselves with honesty, tact, and kindness, while not avoiding difficult conversations. <br>
5. **Exploration.** Mind states are impermanent, and we honor and respect their mindful exploration to the extent they promote liberation, realization, and healing, rather than clinging, addiction, and delusion.


# Reconciliation Process

On the rare occasion it's needed our Reconciliation Process exists as a means by which an impartial Reconciliation Circle can listen to and investigate claims of ethical failings by community members.

Since moral actions don’t spring from abstract principles, but from good judgment in context, and because even the Buddha wasn’t omniscient, knowledge of context is always partial. As such, we recognize and expect that there will be misunderstandings, errors, and occasional misdeeds. As such, we commit to listen to and investigate claims of failings through a Reconciliation process, facilitated by the Reconciliation Circle.  An important function of the Reconciliation Circle is to encourage an intention of mutual respect and reconciliation whenever conflict arises within our community. In the rare occasion that a more formal process may be necessary, the following process is available.

#### **1. Bringing a Concern**

A formal grievance process is initiated by communicating in writing with the Reconciliation Circle. This 'letter of request' must include:

* A clear statement that a formal grievance process is requested.
* The name of the person(s) whose behavior the complaint concerns.
* A description of the alleged behavior sufficient to allow the Reconciliation Circle to decide whether the complaint is appropriate for initiating a formal grievance procedure.
* A history of the attempts, if any, to resolve the complaint through other means.
* A general statement about the resolution desired.

#### **2. Accepting the Concern**

Once the Reconciliation Circle has accepted a request, it must convey its acceptance within two weeks to both the party filing the complaint and the party named in the complaint. As part of this notification, the Circle will state its understanding of the issue under inquiry and will distribute a copy of the original 'letter of reques&#x74;**'** to the party named in the complaint.

#### **3. Appointing a Facilitator**

Once a complaint is accepted, the Reconciliation Circle will appoint one of its members to be the Facilitator of the Reconciliation Process. The Facilitator is chosen with relational neutrality in mind. The Facilitator is responsible for investigating the concern (#4)  and crafting a decision proposal that will then be run through an [Integrative Decision-Making Process](https://medium.com/org-hacking/holacracys-integrative-decision-making-process-f750d4b82abc) with the rest of the Reconciliation Circle (#5).

#### **4. Investigating the Concern**

The Facilitator schedules closed hearings in which all parties are given a chance to present their understanding of the issue under investigation. The Reconciliation Circle may question all parties and may request additional information. The Facilitator will document the proceedings.

The Reconciliation Circle may ask other people to provide information pertinent to the complaint. All parties will have a full and fair opportunity to respond to all information – oral, written, or otherwise – gathered by the Reconciliation Circle.

Except for informing appropriate community leaders, the proceedings will be held confidentially for the duration of the proceedings.

#### **5. Reconciliation Process Findings**

When the Reconciliation Circle members are satisfied that they are adequately informed, they will review and discuss the case among themselves. At its discretion, the Reconciliation Circle may seek non-binding advice from any other source. For matters involving the potential suspension of a Buddhist Geeks teacher, the Reconciliation Circle will consult with the Teachers Circle in jointly establishing the best course of action. The Reconciliation Circle’s decision should be reached through an [Integrative Decision-Making Process](https://medium.com/org-hacking/holacracys-integrative-decision-making-process-f750d4b82abc). After reaching a decision, all parties will reconvene, at which time the Reconciliation Circle will distribute copies of its written findings and read them aloud.

#### **6. Transparency**

The Reconciliation Circle maintains a public summary record of its proceedings here on [meta.buddhistgeeks.org](http://meta.buddhistgeeks.org)

\----------------------------------------------------------

**Inquiries to the Reconciliation Circle** can be made by emailing our Guiding Teacher: **<emily@buddhistgeeks.org>**


# Podcast Metrics

We like to share relevant podcast metrics with our audience.

### 2021

| Month    | New Episodes | Downloads |
| -------- | ------------ | --------- |
| January  | 1            | 27,176    |
| February | 0            | 22,297    |
| March    | 0            | 16,074    |
| April    | 1            | 29,712    |
| May      | 0            | 26,727    |

### 2020

| Month       | New Episodes | Downloads   |
| ----------- | ------------ | ----------- |
| January     | 2            | 55,076      |
| February    | 1            | 35,702      |
| March       | 2            | 41,281      |
| April       | 1            | 37,453      |
| May         | 1            | 39,682      |
| June        | 1            | 39,600      |
| July        | 1            | 33,027      |
| August      | 0            | 28,933      |
| September   | 1            | 27,699      |
| October     | 2            | 47,047      |
| November    | 0            | 21,377      |
| December    | 1            | 32,213      |
| **Totals:** | **9**        | **439,090** |

###

### 2019

| Month       | New Episodes | Downloads   |
| ----------- | ------------ | ----------- |
| January     | 2            | 85,140      |
| February    | 0            | 48,712      |
| March       | 1            | 51,957      |
| April       | 2            | 62,334      |
| May         | 0            | 40,817      |
| June        | 0            | 36,861      |
| July        | 2            | 64,943      |
| August      | 1            | 51,060      |
| September   | 0            | 35,972      |
| October     | 1            | 35,306      |
| November    | 1            | 40,775      |
| December    | 1            | 39,810      |
| **Totals:** | **11**       | **593,687** |

###

### 2018

| Month     | New Episodes | Downloads |
| --------- | ------------ | --------- |
| July      | 1            | 62,095    |
| August    | 2            | 71,503    |
| September | 2            | 70,213    |
| October   | 1            | 84,801    |
| November  | 0            | 54,797    |
| December  | 1            | 70,883    |


# Recording Instructions

Instructions for Podcast Hosts

### **Zencastr 🎧**

* Login at [Zencastr.com](https://zencastr.com/login)
* From your **Dashboard** click the **Create New Episode** button
* Click **Invite** and and copy recording URL

![](/files/-LjqNoGeAxeUG0JQvZ_F)

* Send this URL along with the following 📺 [How-To Video for Your Guest](https://vimeo.com/335330315).&#x20;
* Both Chrome and Firefox browsers are supported by we recommend that guests 🔗 [Update Google Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop\&hl=en) to the latest edition, and use that browser.


# Sangha Membership Metrics

Transparent generosity metrics for the Buddhist Geeks Sangha.

## Current Snapshot

* Suggested Donation: **$0 – ∞ / month**
* Total Number of Network Members: **274**
* Percentage of Members Giving: **20.4%**
* Average Given: **$30 / month**
* The Range: **$3 – $100 / month**

## **2021**

|                                  | Jan    | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| -------------------------------- | ------ | --- | ----- | ----- | --- | ---- | ---- | --- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Network Members**              | 285    |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Network Growth**               | 16.8%  |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Total Given**                  | $2201  |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Total Givers**                 | 69     |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Average Given**                | $32/mo |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Percentage of Network Giving** | 24.2%  |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |

## **2020**

|                                  | **April** | **May** | **June** | **July** | Aug    | Sept   | Oct    | Nov    | Dec    |
| -------------------------------- | --------- | ------- | -------- | -------- | ------ | ------ | ------ | ------ | ------ |
| **Network Members**              | *n/a*     | *n/a*   | *n/a*    | *n/a*    | 124    | 155    | 203    | 216    | 246    |
| **Network Growth**               | *n/a*     | *n/a*   | *n/a*    | *n/a*    | 20.4%  | 25%    | 31%    | 6.4%   | 13.9%  |
| **Total Given**                  | $425      | $930    | $1125    | $1535    | $1604  | $1690  | $1,940 | $1,980 | $2,176 |
| **Total Givers**                 | 14        | 27      | 33       | 53       | 53     | 56     | 58     | 67     | 67     |
| **Average Given**                | $30/mo    | $34/mo  | $34/mo   | $29/mo   | $30/mo | $30/mo | $33/mo | $30/mo | $32/mo |
| **Percentage of Network Giving** | *n/a*     | *n/a*   | *n/a*    | *n/a*    | 42.7%  | 36.1%  | 28.6%  | 31%    | 27.2%  |


# Training Metrics

Transparent generosity metrics for all of our past training programs.

## 2021

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJbjSHOLxOUov0zEC" %}
[Social Meditation (2021)](/trainings/metrics/social-meditation-facilitation-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJgpdwz5sfK9amHs3" %}
[Neurodharma (2021)](/trainings/metrics/neurodharma-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJZfcYZyRsEdqnNjI" %}
[Awareness Meditation (2021)](/trainings/metrics/awareness-meditation-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJp9Ig9CD\_J4r3KHw" %}
[Integral Dharma (2021)](/trainings/metrics/integral-dharma-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 2020

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwJFsiarnLozlw3Iq" %}
[Integral Dharma (2020)](/trainings/metrics/integral-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M6V74sdgjiAn9oFU4d1" %}
[Responsive Meditation (2020)](/trainings/metrics/responsive-meditation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 2019

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_coLZX0lmt5CU8dbKP" %}
[Teacher Training (2019-2020)](/trainings/metrics/teacher-training)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cmkPfoZbbyqqyv944" %}
[Pragmatic Dharma (2019)](/trainings/metrics/pragmatic-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Neurodharma (2021)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Neurodharma Training

## Neurodharma: Q2, 2021

* **Suggested Amount:** $225
* **Average Given:** $213
* **Registered Participants**: 31

| Month            | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| March, 2021      | $500.00       |
| April, 2021      | $3,955.00     |
| May, 2021        | $395.00       |
| June, 2021       | $1,460.00     |
| July, 2021       | $300.00       |
| **Grand Total:** | **$6,610.00** |


# Social Meditation (2021)

Transparent Generosity Metrics on our Social Meditation Facilitator Trainings in 2021.

## Social Metta Facilitator Training (H1)

* **Suggested Amount:** $500
* **Average Given:** $411
* **Registered Participants**: 36

| Month            | Total Donated  |
| ---------------- | -------------- |
| December, 2020   | $2,880.00      |
| January, 2021    | $2,248.00      |
| February         | $1,998.00      |
| March            | $1,618.00      |
| April            | $2,688.00      |
| May              | $1,783.00      |
| June             | $1,388.00      |
| July             | $200.00        |
| **Grand Total:** | **$14,803.00** |


# Awareness Meditation (2021)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Awareness Meditation Training

## Awareness Meditation: Q2, 2021

* **Suggested Amount**: $225
* **Average Given**: $196
* **Registered Participants:** 28

| Month            | Total Given   |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| March 2021       | $1,700.00     |
| April 2021       | $2,975.00     |
| May 2021         | $470.00       |
| June 2021        | $350.00       |
| **Grand Total:** | **$5,495.00** |

## Awareness Meditation: Q1, 2021

* **Suggested Amount**: $225
* **Average Given**: $197
* **Registered Participants:** 35

| Month            | Total Given   |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| December 2020    | $2,390.00     |
| January 2021     | $2,440.00     |
| February 2021    | $860.00       |
| March 2021       | $860.00       |
| April 2021       | $360.00       |
| **Grand Total:** | **$6,910.00** |


# Integral Dharma (2021)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Integral Dharma Course

## Integral Dharma: Q1, 2021

* **Suggested**: $225
* **Average**: $155
* **Registered Participants**: 17

| Month            | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- |
| December 2020    | $650        |
| January 2021     | $570        |
| February 2021    | $300        |
| March 2021       | $440        |
| **Grand Total:** | $1,960      |


# Integral Dharma (2020)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Integral Dharma Training

## **Integral Dharma Training: Q4, 2020**

* **Suggested:** $225
* **Average:** $159
* **Registered Participants**: 27

## **Integral Metadharma Training: Q1, 2020**

* **Suggested**: $75/month
* **Average:** $86/month
* **Range**: $10-200/month

![](/files/-M3vgD2iLV6LCofEoYEL)

| Date          | # of Givers | Total Donated |
| ------------- | ----------- | ------------- |
| January 2020  | 23          | $1,828        |
| February 2020 | 27          | $2,158        |
| March 2020    | 26          | $2,083        |
| **Totals:**   |             | **$6,069**    |


# Social Meditation Facilitation (2020)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Social Meditation Facilitator Training

## Social Meditation Facilitator Training I (Q4, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount:** $250
* **Average Given:** $289
* **Registered Participants**: 19

| Month            | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| September 2020   | $1,350        |
| October 2020     | $3,497        |
| November 2020    | $638          |
| December 2020    | $230          |
| **Grand Total:** | $5,485        |

## Social Meditation Facilitator Training II (Q4, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount:** $250
* **Average Given:** $165
* **Registered Participants**: 12

| Month            | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| September 2020   | $738          |
| October 2020     | $490          |
| November 2020    | $535          |
| December 2020    | $535          |
| **Grand Total:** | $1,763        |

## Social Meditation Facilitator Training (Q3, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $75/month
* **Average Given:**  $68/month
* **The Range**: $10 – 200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ------------- |
| July 2020        | 29          | $2,229        |
| August 2020      | 33          | $2,101        |
| September 2020   | 27          | $1,692        |
| **Grand Total:** |             | $6,022        |

## Social Noting Facilitator Training (Q1 & Q2, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $100/month
* **Average Given:** $83/month
* **The Range**: $10-200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ------------- |
| January 2020     | 26          | $2,095        |
| February 2020    | 32          | $2,999        |
| March 2020       | 33          | $2,674        |
| April 2020       | 31          | $2,504        |
| May 2020         | 28          | $2,259        |
| June 2020        | 29          | $2,414        |
| **Grand Total:** |             | **$14,945**   |


# Responsive Meditation (2020)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Responsive Meditation Training

## Responsive Meditation Training (Q4, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $225
* **Average Given**: $178
* **Registered Participants**: 27

| Month            | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- |
| September 2020   | $1,025      |
| October 2020     | $2,883      |
| November 2020    | $900        |
| December 2020    | $830        |
| **Grand Total:** | $4,808      |

## Responsive Meditation Training (Q3, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $75/month
* **Average Given:** $72/month
* **The Range**: $10–200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ----------- |
| July 2020        | 45          | $3,440      |
| August 2020      | 49          | $3,323      |
| September 2020   |             |             |
| **Grand Total:** |             | $6,763      |

## Responsive Meditation Training (Q2, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $75/month
* **Average Given:** $67/month
* **The Range**: $10–200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ----------- |
| April 2020       | 48          | $3,230      |
| May 2020         | 52          | $3,510      |
| June 2020        | 50          | $3,338      |
| **Grand Total:** |             | $10,078     |

##


# Teacher Training (2019-2020)

Metrics on the Transparent Generosity model with our current cohort of Buddhist Geeks teacher trainees.

* **Suggested Amount**: None
* **Average Given**: $124/month
* **Range**: $60-300/month
* **Registered Participants**: 5


# Pragmatic Dharma (2019)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Pragmatic Dharma Training

* **Suggested Amount**: $100/month\* | $75/month
* **Range Given**: $10-160/month

| Month          | # of Givers | Average Given | **Total Donated** |
| -------------- | :---------: | :-----------: | :---------------: |
| December 2018  |      24     |     $84\*     |     **$2015**     |
| January 2019   |      41     |     $83\*     |     **$3418**     |
| February 2019  |      42     |     $87\*     |     **$3571**     |
| March 2019     |      46     |     $82\*     |     **$3778**     |
| April 2019     |      44     |     $86\*     |     **$3789**     |
| May 2019       |      43     |     $84\*     |     **$3618**     |
| June 2019      |      44     |      $83      |     **$3636**     |
| July 2019      |      53     |      $78      |     **$4137**     |
| August 2019    |      53     |      $75      |     **$3976**     |
| September 2019 |      52     |      $75      |     **$3877**     |
| October 2019   |      48     |      $77      |     **$3684**     |
| November 2019  |      45     |      $71      |     **$3184**     |
| December 2019  |      42     |      $72      |     **$3028**     |

*\*During these months we were running a program and asking $100/month as our suggested amount.  After doing this for several months we unbundled private sessions & group work, which used to be an integrated part of the 1.0 version of this training, and began asking for $75/month instead, which no longer includes private session work.* &#x20;


# ⚙️ Managing Recurring Donations

Instructions, for those who are giving regularly to support a Buddhist Geeks Training, on how to manage their recurring donations.

In order to **manage your recurring donations** through Kindful, you must first set-up and have access to a Kindful Account.  Once your account is set-up you’ll be able to **delete your recurring donation**, **change the recurring donation details**, and/or **update your payment information**.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqI08SaGiJW4ZiAL20" %}
[Access your Kindful Account](/trainings/kindful-donations/access-kindful-account)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqJAb8ziWNyzHbWU8J" %}
[Update your Payment Information](/trainings/kindful-donations/update-your-payment-information)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqIpLMhcElX9f3scvK" %}
[Change your Recurring Donation](/trainings/kindful-donations/change-your-recurring-donation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqIWrxMRR7ETiEvpoE" %}
[Delete your Recurring Donation](/trainings/kindful-donations/delete-your-recurring-donation)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Access your Kindful Account

Instructions on how to set-up and login to your Kindful account.

**First, go to**: <https://buddhistgeeks.kindful.com/user/sign_in/>

If you created a login when you set-up a recurring donation, then you can login directly here. &#x20;

![](/files/-M525jOd0HFKReFCQGGR)

**If you can't login** then try clicking the **"Didn't receive confirmation instructions?"** link, which will bring up this:

![](/files/-M537NtVSbmPfaiLPT8t)

Once you've confirmed your account you'll be able to [**update your payment information**](/trainings/kindful-donations/update-your-payment-information), [**change the recurring donation details**](/trainings/kindful-donations/change-your-recurring-donation), and/or [**delete your recurring donation**](/trainings/kindful-donations/delete-your-recurring-donation).


# Update your Payment Information

Information on how to add a new payment method, update the expiration date on a new card, or update your mailing address.

**Click the "Billing" section** on the left-hand side.

Here you'll be able to **add a new payment method**, **update the expiration date** on your card (if you have a new card with the same number but different expiration), or **update your mailing address**.

![](/files/-LZqJNRB6tG4Oh-rwiAE)

**IMPORTANT**: If you update your billing method by adding in a new payment method, it is imperative that you Edit the assigned profile.

To do this, the locate your list of Recurring Transactions on the Billing Information page (where payment info is added/updated). **Click on Edit** on this page to change the recurring donation's assigned payment method to the NEW payment method. This does not happen automatically.


# Change your Recurring Donation

In Kindful you can change **when your recurring donation comes out**, **when the next recurrence will be**, and **the amount you'd like to give**.

To change any of these details, simply look under the Recurring Transactions section, find your recurring donation, and **click "Edit"**.

![](/files/-LZqIvdAwU5rw95GjleW)

After updating the details, click the green “**Update Recurring Transaction”** button.

![](/files/-LZqJ0Im_SpU7wN43T6R)


# Delete your Recurring Donation

Instructions on how to delete your recurring kindful donation.

To delete your recurring donation, simply look under the **Recurring Transactions** section, find the recurring donation, and **click "Remove"**.

![](/files/-LZqIj5AW2DhEptIf0nw)


# Retreat Metrics

Below, you'll find detailed metrics from all of our past retreat programs, broken down my retreat type.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj5A0qlqKOW0bFC91" %}
[In-Person Retreats](/retreats/metrics/in-person)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwZWClqyzhC\_\_v36M" %}
[Virtual Life Retreats](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj-3TTj8e6NVQeCld" %}
[Virtual Daylong Retreats](/retreats/metrics/virtual-retreats)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# In-Person Retreats

A transparent list of donation totals, from past in-person Buddhist Geeks Retreats.

Buddhist Geeks follows a [Transparent Generosity Model](/about/transgenerosity) and is a 501(c)3 educational non-profit.  All donations to teachers are tax deductible.

| Date    | Teachers                                 | Retreat              | Length |  Amount | Avg Gift |      |
| ------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------- | :----: | :-----: | :------: | :--: |
| 06/2022 | Emily Horn, Vince Horn, & Jan Dufek\*    | Heart Magic          | 5 days |  $6,040 |   $336   |  $67 |
| 11/2019 | Kenneth Folk & Vince Horn                | Pragmatic Dharma     | 6 days |  $7,750 |   $966   | $161 |
| 06/2019 | Emily Horn, Vince Horn, & Lisa Sherman\* | Awakening Presence   | 6 days | $13,315 |   $444   |  $74 |
| 03/2019 | Emily Horn                               | Davidson College     | 3 days |  $2,000 |   $249   |  $83 |
| 02/2019 | Emily Horn & Vince Horn                  | Embodied Mindfulness | 2 days |  $1,750 |   $146   |  $73 |
| 07/2018 | Kenneth Folk & Vince Horn                | Pragmatic Dharma     | 6 days | $10,000 |   $558   |  $93 |

\*Teaching assistant.


# Virtual Life Retreats

A transparent overview of donation metrics, from past virtual Buddhist Geeks Life Retreats.

Donations to the Life Retreat program are split up between [Administrative Donations](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/administrative-donations)–offered on a suggested donation basis at the beginning of the retreat–and [Teacher Donations](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/teacher-donations)–which have no suggested amount and are requested at the end of the retreat.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MAEKvwh8HKPazia6Eks" %}
[Administrative Donations](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/administrative-donations)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MAEL-HwR1lbhOiMk3fh" %}
[Teacher Donations](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/teacher-donations)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Administrative Donations

A record of administrative donation metrics for past Life Retreats.

These donations help to cover the basic overhead of running the Buddhist Geeks organization.  None of these donations go toward the [Teacher Donations](/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/teacher-donations).

### 2020

| Date        | Retreatants | Givers | % That Gave | Total Given | Average Gift | The Range      |
| ----------- | ----------- | ------ | ----------- | ----------- | ------------ | -------------- |
| March, 2020 | 15          | 11     | 73%         | $1,015      | $92          | $100 – $115    |
| June, 2020  | 59          | 52     | 88%         | $5,504      | $106         | $10 – $210     |
| **Totals:** | **74**      | **63** | **85%**     | **$6,519**  | **$103**     | **$10 – $210** |

***Retreatants** refers to the total number of participants in the retreat.*

***Givers** refers to the total number of people who made a donation.*

***% That Gave** refers to the total percentage of people, who were in the retreat, that choose to contribute to the Admin Fund.*

***Total Given** is the total amount received for that particular retreat.*

***Average Gift** is the average amount that each person, who ended up contributing, gave.*&#x20;

***The Range** describes the low and high end of what was given.*


# Teacher Donations

A record of donation metrics made to the teaching team of the Buddhist Geeks Life Retreat.

### 2020

| Date        | Teachers                                                                                                | Retreatant #'s | Giver #'s | % That Gave | Total Given (USD) | Average Gift (USD) | The Range (USD) |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | --------- | ----------- | ----------------- | ------------------ | --------------- |
| March, 2020 | Vince Horn & Emily Horn                                                                                 | 15             | 14        | 93%         | $5,675            | $405               | $60 – $600      |
| June, 2020  | Emily Horn, Vince Horn, Ryan Oelke, Francis Lacoste, Will Hamilton, Lisa Sherman, & teaching assistants | 59             | 50        | 85%         | $15,420           | ​$308              | $50 – $1000     |
| **Totals:** |                                                                                                         | **74**         | **64**    | **86%**     | **$21,095**       | **$330**           | **$50 – $1000** |

***Retreatants** refers to the total number of participants in the retreat.*

***Givers** refers to the total number of people who made a donation.*

***% That Gave** refers to the total percentage of people, who were in the retreat, that choose to contribute to the Admin Fund.*

***Total Given** is the total amount received for that particular retreat.*

***Average Gift** is the average amount that each person, who ended up contributing, gave.*&#x20;

***The Range** describes the low and high end of what was given.*


# Virtual Daylong Retreats

Current transparent generosity stats for our virtual daylong retreats program.

## **2019**

* **Suggested Amount**: $50/day
* **Average Given**: $53/day
* **Range**: $0-130/day

| Month         | Participants | Total Donated         | Avg Donation |
| ------------- | ------------ | --------------------- | ------------ |
| February 2019 | 16           | $750                  | $47          |
| March 2019    | 13           | $802                  | $62          |
| April 2019    | 12           | $529                  | $44          |
| July 2019     | 9            | $574                  | $64          |
|               |              | **Absolute Average**: | $53          |
|               |              | **Absolute Range**:   | $0-130       |


# &#x20;Buddhist Geeks Meta

The Buddhist Geeks Meta is the place where we transparently share the how & what of Buddhist Geeks.

![](/files/-LkzJdH_4_fgjL3MHN3t)

Here on the Buddhist Geeks Meta we transparently share the how & what of Buddhist Geeks.  In terms of the "how", on this site we share the documented work processess that we use internally to record the podcast, host virtual trainings, and put on in-person retreats (among other things).  Anything that we regularly do for the project, and develop regular processes around, we work to document on the Buddhist Geeks Meta site so that others, both those working internally on this project & those working on similar external projects, can do the same.  We also share open financial information on [📊Buddhist Geeks Program Metrics](/espanol-2/about/transgenerosity/metrics).  This is the "what" of the Buddhist Geeks Meta.  \
\
We believe that the potential for culture that the internet opens up for us, is one of openness, transparency, and generous sharing. It’s our sincere hope, and aspiration, that by sharing what we learn, we can help speed up the learning process of humanity itself.


# Transparent Generosity

The background story behind the Transparent Generosity model.

![](/files/-M0EY1CJpIpDaNaeAFbG)

**Life as a dharma teacher involves a constant negotiation between the forces of monasticism and capitalism**. In my current position as a dharma teacher I’ve found that neither of these are viable options by themselves. This has led me to experiment with new economic models, including one I’ve recently devised and implemented, called **Transparent Generosity**.

I’d like to share with you the story of how this model came to be, as well as how it’s going so far (short version: it is exceeding my expectations). My hope is that by sharing this openly it might provoke further collective inquiry into what is possible for mindfulness, meditation, and dharma communities today.

### Done with Monks

Let me begin by owning up to a long-time prejudice that I’ve harbored, namely that I have not been a big fan of traditional monasticism. Now, there are plenty of monks who I personally like, so please don’t take this as an attack on any particular monk you know. Rather, I had a hard time seeing the point of preserving institutional forms that go largely unchanged for centuries, and even millennia, while everything else changes around them. It’s particularly weird when those forms are preserving teachings about how everything changes, as you see in the Buddhist monastic tradition! Traditional monasticism has largely seemed irrelevant to my life, and the life of most people alive today, so I’ve long said, “I’m done with monks.”

With that long-standing prejudice acknowledged, I also want to share that in the last several years I’ve come to believe that traditional monasticism serves a very important function for culture, and for innovators, and thus ends up being quite important… Traditional monastics *preserve* the kind of thinking and heart that led to their particular design, just as they preserve the actual techniques, texts, & codes of conduct that make their traditions up. This is important because the conservers end up creating & maintaining the vast repositories that contemplative innovators pull from, as it’s often returning to what is old and has become obsolete, as Marshall McLuhan pointed out, that sparks inspiration for “new” innovations. Turns out we need both conservers and adapters together!

### The "Dana" Model

Coming up as a young meditator in the early aughts was interesting. First, almost no one had heard of mindfulness yet, so no one really meditated that wasn’t either a new age hippie or fairly serious about it. Second, there were almost no other 20-somethings doing hardcore practice at that time. Fortunately, as Jack Kornfield once quipped to me, “interest in this stuff seems to have skipped a generation.” I’ve since seen many of my millennial peers come into their own. Third, all of the good teachers I could find, with just a couple exceptions, were Boomers who had gone to Asia to study & practice as young adults, and then came back and made a career out of teaching. To say there was a generation gap between me and my Boomer teachers would be a vast understatement. That said, my teachers were not monks. Some had been monks, but all of them decided to teach as lay people. And they all undertook the challenge of making a living doing that, using generosity-based models, in a country that has very little tradition to hold it. They took a huge leap by trying to translate, not just the contemplative practices, but also the economic models of that are rooted in the monastic tradition of Southeast Asian Buddhism.

The result was that my Boomer Buddhist teachers devised a retreat center model where tons of people streamed in & out, practicing intensively for a time, and then going about their lives in-between retreats. Fortunately, the retreats were extremely affordable compared to almost anything like them. As a young practitioner I was able to do a lot of retreats, without having a lot of money. Scholarships were, and still are, plentiful for young people, as these centers try to maximize access for those that don’t typically have it. &#x20;

One of the reasons the costs are so low for these retreats is because the teachers aren’t paid for their time, rather they are offered what is called *dana* (literally: generosity) at the end of the retreat. When participants are invited to give the teachers dana (aka money) no specific amount is required, or even suggested, as it’s meant to be an act of pure generosity. And somehow, a bunch of boomer dharma teachers have been able to make a living that way for decades! I’m not always sure how comfortable a living it is, especially for those that aren’t superstars going on book tours, but from where I’m sitting it has been a huge success, as an alternative economic model.

I never quite understood the dana model, and often criticized it for being unclear (“just tell us how much to pay already!”) but I was also clearly benefiting from the incredible institutional generosity of these centers. I rarely left much in the way of dana, but presumably there were others on the retreat who did, and their capacity to give counter-balanced mine. This is really a beautiful system, if you think about it, of giving generously in a world where everything seems to have a price tag, and of a noble profession of teachers who seem to do something because it’s their calling, not because of the guarantee of a stable paycheck. Now, it’s obviously more complicated than that, but I’d like to just appreciate the simple beauty of this unique hybrid model of generosity for a moment.

### Generosity in the Digital Paradigm

When my partner Emily & I began leading retreats, we first tried to build in our costs and offer a more capitalist-friendly retreat model. We added $250 to the cost of the retreat, to cover our time.  12-15 people came on that first retreat, so it worked out ok, but we still wanted to try out the original dana model as wel.

The next retreat we offered, and each since, has been using the same pure generosity model that our teachers devised. And that model has worked better in virtually every way we can imagine. It worked out better for us financially, as we ended up bringing home **\~2x more money** than we did when we set the price ourselves. It also dropped the cost of the retreats, making them more accessible for everyone.&#x20;

Finally, it left us feeling more connected to, appreciative for, and generous toward our students. **It literally opened our hearts** and deepened the relationship we had with students. Being on the receiving end of generosity in this way, I finally began to understand the power of a giving heart.

[Vince Horn](http://www.vincehorn.space)\
03/2019


# Program Metrics

We do our best to provide up-to-date metrics on how all of our generosity-based programs are performing.

## Training Programs

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M6V74sdgjiAn9oFU4d1" %}
[Responsive Meditation (2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/responsive-meditation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LuzF6ISE4e-n-z26LPg" %}
[Social Meditation Facilitation (2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/social-meditation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwJFsiarnLozlw3Iq" %}
[Integral Dharma (2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/integral-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cmkPfoZbbyqqyv944" %}
[Pragmatic Dharma (2019)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/pragmatic-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_coLZX0lmt5CU8dbKP" %}
[Teacher Training (2019-2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/teacher-training)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Retreat Programs

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj5A0qlqKOW0bFC91" %}
[In-Person Retreats](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/in-person)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj-3TTj8e6NVQeCld" %}
[Virtual Daylong Retreats](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-retreats)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwZWClqyzhC\_\_v36M" %}
[Virtual Life Retreats](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Holacracy

Buddhist Geeks is a Holacratically powered organization.  We practice Holaracy version 5.0.

**Holacracy is a new way of structuring and running an organization that replaces the conventional management hierarchy**. Instead of operating top-down, power is distributed throughout the organization, giving individuals and teams more freedom to self-manage, while staying aligned to the organization’s purpose.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/YBMH4HLilSE>" %}

We first implemented Holacracy in 2008, just a year after [HolacracyOne](https://www.holacracy.org), the organization that originated Holacracy, was founded by Brian Robertson.  We were actually exposed to it even earlier then that, while Vince Horn was working for Ken Wilber's Integral Institute, when they attempted to implement a [pre 1.0 version of Holacracy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGh6Nu8xGGo).  Today, hundreds of organizations are Holacracy-powered, including [Zappos](https://hbr.org/podcast/2016/07/the-zappos-holacracy-experiment) & the David Allen company.  In 2016, Harvard Business Review even did a fairly balanced review of [Holacracy Beyond the Hype](https://hbr.org/2016/07/beyond-the-holacracy-hype).

We chose Holacracy because of 1) the way it distributes authority through the organization in a way that empowers individuals to step into this evolving structure and do the work that needs to be done, while all working toward a shared purpose & 2) because of the excellent design of their [Tactical Meeting ](https://www.holacracy.org/tactical-meetings)and [Governance Meeting](https://www.holacracy.org/governance-meetings) formats. &#x20;

## View the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy

![](/files/-MEibhLR7gFIriROnR3S)

If you'd like to view the ins & outs of our current Holacratic structure of practice, you can view [The Buddhist Geeks Holacracy](https://app.glassfrog.com/organizations/15235/orgnav/roles/11005774/overview) on Glassfrog–the official software set-up to support the practice of Holacracy.  Here, you'll find a transparent account of our evolving organizational structure, including individual roles & accountabilities, policies, projects, & more.&#x20;

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M57sOHsE1PoaFNPlQS1" %}
[Broken mention](broken://pages/-M57sOHsE1PoaFNPlQS1)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Onboarding a New Team Member

An instructional guide, for internal use, on how to onboard a new team member or teaching into the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy.

In this guide, we'll cover general instructions for anyone entering into the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy.  More specific onboarding instructions, tailored to the particular role(s) one is holding, will also be needed, but are beyond the scope of this document.

## ✉️ GSuite

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M9eV\_JMD5YU\_b9nTtQk" %}
[Setup a New GSuite Account](/espanol-2/about/holacracy/onboarding/setup-gsuite)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 📺 Zoom.us

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M9eW-AT\_ni9T-\_FeyU2" %}
[Setup a New Zoom Account](/espanol-2/about/holacracy/onboarding/setup-zoom)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 📅 Acuity Scheduling

First, you'll need to add the new teacher to the Buddhist Geeks Acuity Scheduling account:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M8GFdzLxgkBp8NyJ8iA" %}
[Add New Teacher to Acuity Scheduling](/espanol-2/about/holacracy/onboarding/setting-up-an-acuity-scheduling-account)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Make sure you send them a link to the following page, so that they can then configure their schedule as they like.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M8GXOreIEYT-QzopXwz" %}
[Configure your Acuity Scheduling Account](/espanol-2/about/holacracy/onboarding/configure-your-acuity-scheduling-account)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 📁 GDrive

Share the **Buddhist Geeks Team** folder in **Google Drive** with new team member.  This folder contains all of the information & resources relevant to all team members. &#x20;

## 🐸 Glassfrog

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M9eWYBivRsQ9fjZGd8f" %}
[Setup a New Glassfrog Account](/espanol-2/about/holacracy/onboarding/setup-glassfrog)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 🌐 Mighty Networks

Invite the new team member to the Buddhist Geeks Mighty Networks (if they aren't already on there). &#x20;

Once they've joined the Mighty Networks, invite them to any private or secret groups that would be relevant for them (ex. Buddhist Geeks Teachers or the Anchor Circle). &#x20;


# Setup a New GSuite Account

Follow these instructions in order to set-up a new GSuite account for team members, and to get their e-mail functioning properly.

If a new person is holding a core role within the organization, then they will need a personalized e-mail address in the format of:  <firstname@buddhistgeeks.org>

* Follow these instructions on how to [add an account for a new user](https://support.google.com/a/answer/33310?hl=en).

### Setting up E-mail Forwarding

For simplicities sake, most people want their "<name@buddhistgeeks.org>" address to forward to a personal address.  Follow these steps to set-up e-mail forwarding from their new account:

1. **Login to GSuite** with the newly created account info
2. At the top right, click Settings ![Settings](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HEK3JR2B_Nwf6l9XnSPqrrI5MJomne3_iAI27iDFnclHLr_iovad21EDPhblU5RPnr4E=h18)![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3_l97rr0GvhSP2XV5OoCkV2ZDTIisAOczrSdzNCBxhIKWrjXjHucxNwocghoUa39gw=w18-h18) **Settings**.
3. Select the "**Forwarding and POP/IMAP**" tab
4. Click the "**Add a forwarding address**" button
5. Type in the new team member's preferred personal e-mail address and click "**Next**"
6. Click "**Proceed**"

They will need to confirm this new forwarding situation by clicking a link that's sent to their forwarding address. &#x20;

### Send an email from your Buddhist Geeks alias in Gmail

* Click on "GSuite" and then **Manage your Google Account**

![](/files/-M9q3eaPxZ8_lQXbfAkn)

* Go to the "**Security**" tab on the account page and scroll down to the "less secure app access."
* **Turn on access**

![](/files/-M9q4U0JiyYDg3UBPSEr)

* **Toggle ON** Less secure app access&#x20;

![](/files/-M9q4a9VmpG9QLHkskjo)

* All done!

![](/files/-M9q2yNCl0RQOq_nVIIT)

### Add an Email Alias

Depending on which personal e-mail service one is using, there are different instructions for setting up an Email Alias.  An Email Alias simply means that you'd be able to send e-mails from your personal mail client as "<name@buddhistgeeks.org>".  By following these instructions you can set-up an e-mail alias:

* [Add or remove an email alias in Outlook.com](https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-or-remove-an-email-alias-in-outlook-com-459b1989-356d-40fa-a689-8f285b13f1f2)
* [Create or delete an email alias in Yahoo Mail](https://help.yahoo.com/kb/create-email-alias-sln29287.html)


# Setup a New Zoom Account

Instructions on setting up and configuring a new professional Buddhist Geeks zoom account.

If adding a new core team member or teacher, it's also important to set-up a professional BG zoom account for them.  Here are the instructions for doing that (from a Zoom admin account):

1. Login to the Zoom.us site
2. Under Admin select **User Management** and then click **Users**
3. Press the **+ Add Users** button
4. Type in their buddhistgeeks.org e-mail address, make sure the user type is set to Licensed and then click **Add**
5. Login to their GSuite account and **click the confirmation link** in the "Zoom account invitation" email.
6. In the new window that opens up click **"Sign Up with a Password"**
7. Enter their Name, BG Email address, and a complex temporary password and click "**Sign Up**"
8. Now click the "**Go to my Account**" button
9. If the new team member isn't based in US Eastern Time, update their Time Zone under the **Date & Time** section on the main account page.
10. Now click **Settings** on the sidebar.
11. Under **Meeting Settings** make sure the following changes are made to their default settings (from top to bottom):

    1. Turn Off **Require a password when scheduling new meetings**
    2. Turn Off **Require a password for instant meetings**
    3. Click the Edit icon next to **Customize the title, logo, and description** and upload the Buddhist Geeks Classic Head Logo.
    4. Turn On **Host Video**
    5. Turn On **Participants Video**
    6. Turn Off **Feedback to Zoom** (this will also turn off End of Meeting Feedback)
    7. Under **Screen sharing** click "Host Only" under Who can share and hit **Save**
    8. Turn Off **Annotation**&#x20;
    9. Turn Off **Remote Control**
    10. Turn On **Allow removed participants to rejoin**
    11. Under **Breakout room** click "Allow host to assign participants to breakout rooms when scheduling" and hit **Save**
    12. Turn On **Group HD Video**

    12\. Now, while being logged into the "<facilitator@buddhistgeeks.org>" account in zoom, go to the bottom of the meeting settings section and Assign scheduling privilege to the new team member.  This will enable them to use the breakout room function in any BG Sangha event.


# Add New Teacher to Acuity Scheduling

All Buddhist Geeks Teachers will need to set-up an account with Acuity Scheduling, so that participants can interact with your schedule during Buddhist Geeks teaching events.

*These are the initial instructions for whoever is in the role holding the domain of Acuity Scheduling within the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy.  You can also view* [*Acuity Scheduling's instructions here*](https://help.acuityscheduling.com/hc/en-us/articles/218724818-Create-Calendars-For-Each-Staff-Member-or-Location-)*.* &#x20;

### Create the Calendar

* In Acuity, under Business Settings, go to **Availability**.
* Click the **Add New Calendar** button.
* Next, fill in the teachers name under Calendar Name, their e-mail address, upload a photo for them, and select their native timezone.  Leave the location blank.
* Click the **Next: Add Appointment Types & Hours** button

![](/files/-M8GSYcmZGyJmZKoSh-d)

* Under **Add Appointment Types** mark the meeting types you know that teacher will be engaging in and click the **Save Appointment Types** button.

![](/files/-M8GUAq-mLgf71-E9JMt)

* Under **Set Hours of Availability** uncheck the "This service group has regular hours every week" box
* Then click the **Save, switch to Specific Days button**

![](/files/-M8GWPmw32LqgIooIHbn)

* Leave the **Client Scheduling Limits** unaltered and X out of the window.

### Add a New User

* Now under the Business Settings section, select **Manage Users**
* Click the **New User** button
* Fill in the same e-mail address you used earlier for the username, select a simple password for them (they'll be able to change when they login), and then mark the Calendar that you set-up for them earlier under "Allow access to view and manage"
* Click **Add User**

![](/files/-M8GZGJ3PItOhWOigp2O)

* **E-mail the teacher** with their user name (e-mail address) and temporary password, and ask them to sign-in to Acuity Scheduling and follow the instructions on how to [Configure your Acuity Scheduling Account](/espanol-2/about/holacracy/onboarding/configure-your-acuity-scheduling-account). &#x20;


# Configure your Acuity Scheduling Account

Instructions for Buddhist Geeks Teachers on how to configure their acuity scheduling account, setting their preferred hours & availability.

* [Login to Acuity Scheduling](https://acuityscheduling.com/login.php)
* Enter the username and temporary password that was sent to you and **Login**
* Click the **I Agree** button on the Terms of Service & Privacy Policy pop-up window to proceed.

![](/files/-M8G_kY-nzsQ0W4CBsWc)

* From here you'll see a blank **Appointment Calendar**
* Click one of the **Set availability** links

![](/files/-M8GaR29OygqN0kj9wxo)

* If you have regular hours that you're available each week, check **I have regular hours every week** and fill in your regular hours.
* When you're done, click the **Save Regular Hours** button

![](/files/-M8GcXEC6XGlxPf66m8c)

* If you have specific times & days you'd like to mark yourself as available you can enter those under the **Override Hours for Specific Days** section. &#x20;

![](/files/-M8Gi9QcODZUs6JuAsNu)

Lastly, if you need, you can click the **Set different hours for certain apppointment types...** link at the bottom of the page and group certain kind of appointment types together, and create custom availability for those appointment types.

### Sync with Your Calendar

Now that you have your available times configured, it's time to sync your acuity scheduling account with your calendar. &#x20;

* Under Business Settings click **Sync with other Calendars**
* On the lefthand side, select which Calendar service you'd like to sync with, then click the **Connect to** button.  For this example, we'll demonstrate what this looks like when syncing with Google Calendar.

![](/files/-M8Gj_EZvcc5Jdki-OS6)

* Follow the instructions for connecting to your calendar, giving Acuity permission to modify it.
* Once your calendar has synced, you'll be sent back to Acuity Scheduling and will see this page...

![](/files/-M8GkTG5hWdf8D6PVYTT)

* Under "Google Calendar" (or whichever service you've used) please select the name calendar you'd like to sync with. &#x20;
* Now, click the **Save** button.
* After saving, your calendar will sync with Acuity for the first time.  You are all set-up!


# Setup a New Glassfrog Account

Anyone holding an official role within the Buddhist Geeks Holacracy needs to have access to our Glassfrog account–the official software used to support the practice of Holacracy.   Here are the steps for adding a new user to Glassfrog. &#x20;

**Step 1**: In Glassfrog, under the **Admin Settings**, select **Account Members**.

![](/files/-M79SWLCudLy9BH47LMZ)

**Step 2**: Click the **Add New Member** button

![](/files/-M79SpNFEVBhZ8Hed1m6)

**Step 3**: Input the new member's information, add them to the appropriate circle(s), and then **Create Person**.

![](/files/-M79T0fWm3gTQ6BUloGV)


# The Web of Sites

Check out the Buddhist Geeks "web of sites", an interconnected matrix of sites dedicated to exploring, experiencing, and experimenting with dharma in the age of the network.

After rebooting the Buddhist Geeks project in 2017, we felt our web presence was intensely fragmented.  Attempting to integrate multiple projects that fell directly under the heading of "Buddhist Geeks" along with several other teaching projects, which each had a different look and feel, but which were still part of the larger Buddhist Geeks Ecosystem, we designed a **Buddhist Geeks Web of Sites**, to attempt to bring all of our content together into an interconnected matrix of sites.&#x20;

![](/files/-Ll7yJ2vPB2xU-dUSUYf)


# 👩‍🏫 Teacher's Code of Ethics

The following pages lay out the Buddhist Geeks Teacher's Code of Ethics.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ5Zp9jTHRjm5FAbRl" %}
[Training in Ethics](/espanol-2/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/training-in-ethics)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ5kGDx4Yzbk3WjSiw" %}
[Teacher-Student Relationship](/espanol-2/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/teacher-student-relationship)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ5tZEcwis71XkNuH\_" %}
[Ethical Standards](/espanol-2/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/ethical-standards)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LpZ61urRZP7ZoYz9Wtv" %}
[Ethical Principles](/espanol-2/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/ethical-principles)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Training in Ethics

We take the training in ethical action as being a key part of our human journey.  We're inspired by the threefold training schema of Ethics, Meditation, & Wisdom as expressed in Buddhist Dharma.

We take, as the core operating system of Buddhist Dharma, the threefold training of Ethics, Meditation, & Wisdom. These three trainings are a compressed version of the larger framework of the [Noble Eightfold Path](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path), which describes the various dimensions of human spiritual life, including: **1)** wise speech, **2)** wise action, **3)** wise livelihood, **4)** wise effort, **5)** wise mindfulness, **6)** wise concentration, **7)** wise view, & **8)** wise intention.&#x20;

In this threefold model one begins with ethics, or moral virtue, as a basis for deepening in meditation, which culminates in life-transforming wisdom. We also recognize that our conduct is itself an expression of our deepest insights about the nature of self, others, and the world, and thus ethics is, as Dharma teacher Daniel Ingram puts it, “the first and last training.”

We recognize that all systems of ethics are contingent, impermanent, and don’t stand on any absolute foundation. At the same time, moral action is possible in context, thanks to the social nature of humans, or more poetically to our interconnected ‘Buddha-nature’.&#x20;

When discussing ethics, it is worth considering the Buddhist principle of interdependent co-arising. In this sense, we all arrive in the present moment with infinitely complex histories, and we attempt to respond skillfully, thereby impacting the conditions of the next moment. While this makes us recognize that actions aren’t good or bad in themselves, but according to the context, we do recognize the value of moral guidelines to orient our actions.While the pith instructions are “**practice basic decency and don’t be an asshole**”, our [Ethical Standards](/espanol-2/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/ethical-standards) are based on the traditional five lay precepts.


# Teacher-Student Relationship

What constitutes a teacher-student relationship?

A formal teaching relationship begins the moment that a person attends a formal teaching event or engagement. An informal teaching relationship begins the moment someone in a teaching role begins offering advice or practical contemplative guidance to someone else. In more simple terms, one enters a teaching relationship when they assume the role of teacher. The role of teacher can be ended by the teacher and/or student.

After the relationship has explicitly ended, there is a waiting period before one can form an intimate relationship with integrity set forth by this ethical statement. This waiting period is flexible depending on the duration and type of training the student has participated in (e.g. retreats are different than a workshop). It is highly suggested that teachers check in with the [**Guiding Teacher**](https://app.glassfrog.com/organizations/15235/orgnav/roles/13513138/overview) if there is a transition from teacher/student to a different type of intimate relationship.


# Ethical Standards

These standards apply to all Buddhist Geeks teachers, who have entered into a formal, or informal, [teaching relationship](/espanol-2/about/teachers-code-of-ethics/teacher-student-relationship) with others. These standards also apply between teachers.

1. **Non-harming.** We do not use violence or abuse as a teaching method. We do not discriminate against class, age, ethnicity, religion, culture, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. <br>
2. **Non-stealing.** We do not handle funds irresponsibly, opaquely, or without accountability.<br>
3. **Non-harassing.** We do not use our teaching position to obtain sexual favors.<br>
4. **Non-lying.** We do not intentionally mislead or speak in mean-spiritedness. We make efforts to safeguard the confidential matters of our students.<br>
5. **Non-intoxication.** We do not teach while intoxicated, unless explicitly part of the container.


# Ethical Principles

Here the 5 precepts are expressed as the ‘north stars’ positively orienting our actions.  These are our ethical principles.

1. **Interconnection.** We recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and hold all life in reverence. We recognize the diversity of forms and orient toward them with kindness and compassion, while also holding in awe the mystery of life and death.<br>
2. **Generosity.** We recognize that philanthropic intent leads to deep contentment, and cultivating generosity leads to a sense of abundance.<br>
3. **Sensuality.** Sensuality and sexuality are beautiful expressions of the life force. We recognize and respect their multiple forms. One person’s “naughty” is someone else’s “kinky”, but it’s all good when between consenting adults.<br>
4. **Congruence.** We aim for our actions, both in words and deeds, to be congruent with the truth of our subjective experience. We recognize that conflict arises with being human and are willing to acknowledge the impact of our speech and actions. We aim to express ourselves with honesty, tact, and kindness, while not avoiding difficult conversations. <br>
5. **Exploration.** Mind states are impermanent, and we honor and respect their mindful exploration to the extent they promote liberation, realization, and healing, rather than clinging, addiction, and delusion.


# Reconciliation Process

On the rare occasion it's needed our Reconciliation Process exists as a means by which an impartial Reconciliation Circle can listen to and investigate claims of ethical failings by community members.

Since moral actions don’t spring from abstract principles, but from good judgment in context, and because even the Buddha wasn’t omniscient, knowledge of context is always partial. As such, we recognize and expect that there will be misunderstandings, errors, and occasional misdeeds. As such, we commit to listen to and investigate claims of failings through a Reconciliation process, facilitated by the Reconciliation Circle.  An important function of the Reconciliation Circle is to encourage an intention of mutual respect and reconciliation whenever conflict arises within our community. In the rare occasion that a more formal process may be necessary, the following process is available.

#### **1. Bringing a Concern**

A formal grievance process is initiated by communicating in writing with the Reconciliation Circle. This 'letter of request' must include:

* A clear statement that a formal grievance process is requested.
* The name of the person(s) whose behavior the complaint concerns.
* A description of the alleged behavior sufficient to allow the Reconciliation Circle to decide whether the complaint is appropriate for initiating a formal grievance procedure.
* A history of the attempts, if any, to resolve the complaint through other means.
* A general statement about the resolution desired.

#### **2. Accepting the Concern**

Once the Reconciliation Circle has accepted a request, it must convey its acceptance within two weeks to both the party filing the complaint and the party named in the complaint. As part of this notification, the Circle will state its understanding of the issue under inquiry and will distribute a copy of the original 'letter of reques&#x74;**'** to the party named in the complaint.

#### **3. Appointing a Facilitator**

Once a complaint is accepted, the Reconciliation Circle will appoint one of its members to be the Facilitator of the Reconciliation Process. The Facilitator is chosen with relational neutrality in mind. The Facilitator is responsible for investigating the concern (#4)  and crafting a decision proposal that will then be run through an [Integrative Decision-Making Process](https://medium.com/org-hacking/holacracys-integrative-decision-making-process-f750d4b82abc) with the rest of the Reconciliation Circle (#5).

#### **4. Investigating the Concern**

The Facilitator schedules closed hearings in which all parties are given a chance to present their understanding of the issue under investigation. The Reconciliation Circle may question all parties and may request additional information. The Facilitator will document the proceedings.

The Reconciliation Circle may ask other people to provide information pertinent to the complaint. All parties will have a full and fair opportunity to respond to all information – oral, written, or otherwise – gathered by the Reconciliation Circle.

Except for informing appropriate community leaders, the proceedings will be held confidentially for the duration of the proceedings.

#### **5. Reconciliation Process Findings**

When the Reconciliation Circle members are satisfied that they are adequately informed, they will review and discuss the case among themselves. At its discretion, the Reconciliation Circle may seek non-binding advice from any other source. For matters involving the potential suspension of a Heart of Insight teacher, the Reconciliation Circle will consult with the Teachers Circle in jointly establishing the best course of action. The Reconciliation Circle’s decision should be reached through an [Integrative Decision-Making Process](https://medium.com/org-hacking/holacracys-integrative-decision-making-process-f750d4b82abc). After reaching a decision, all parties will reconvene, at which time the Reconciliation Circle will distribute copies of its written findings and read them aloud.

#### **6. Transparency**

The Reconciliation Circle maintains a public summary record of its proceedings here on [meta.buddhistgeeks.org](http://meta.buddhistgeeks.org)

\----------------------------------------------------------

**Inquiries to the Reconciliation Circle** can be made by emailing: **<reconciliation@buddhistgeeks.org>**


# Podcast Metrics

We like to share relevant podcast metrics with our audience.

### 2021

| Month    | New Episodes | Downloads |
| -------- | ------------ | --------- |
| January  | 1            | 27,176    |
| February | 0            | 22,297    |
| March    | 0            | 16,074    |
| April    | 1            | 29,712    |
| May      | 0            | 26,727    |

### 2020

| Month       | New Episodes | Downloads   |
| ----------- | ------------ | ----------- |
| January     | 2            | 55,076      |
| February    | 1            | 35,702      |
| March       | 2            | 41,281      |
| April       | 1            | 37,453      |
| May         | 1            | 39,682      |
| June        | 1            | 39,600      |
| July        | 1            | 33,027      |
| August      | 0            | 28,933      |
| September   | 1            | 27,699      |
| October     | 2            | 47,047      |
| November    | 0            | 21,377      |
| December    | 1            | 32,213      |
| **Totals:** | **9**        | **439,090** |

###

### 2019

| Month       | New Episodes | Downloads   |
| ----------- | ------------ | ----------- |
| January     | 2            | 85,140      |
| February    | 0            | 48,712      |
| March       | 1            | 51,957      |
| April       | 2            | 62,334      |
| May         | 0            | 40,817      |
| June        | 0            | 36,861      |
| July        | 2            | 64,943      |
| August      | 1            | 51,060      |
| September   | 0            | 35,972      |
| October     | 1            | 35,306      |
| November    | 1            | 40,775      |
| December    | 1            | 39,810      |
| **Totals:** | **11**       | **593,687** |

###

### 2018

| Month     | New Episodes | Downloads |
| --------- | ------------ | --------- |
| July      | 1            | 62,095    |
| August    | 2            | 71,503    |
| September | 2            | 70,213    |
| October   | 1            | 84,801    |
| November  | 0            | 54,797    |
| December  | 1            | 70,883    |


# Recording Instructions

Instructions for Podcast Hosts

### **Zencastr 🎧**

* Login at [Zencastr.com](https://zencastr.com/login)
* From your **Dashboard** click the **Create New Episode** button
* Click **Invite** and and copy recording URL

![](/files/-LjqNoGeAxeUG0JQvZ_F)

* Send this URL along with the following 📺 [How-To Video for Your Guest](https://vimeo.com/335330315).&#x20;
* Both Chrome and Firefox browsers are supported by we recommend that guests 🔗 [Update Google Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop\&hl=en) to the latest edition, and use that browser.


# Sangha Membership Metrics

Transparent generosity metrics for the Buddhist Geeks Sangha.

## Current Snapshot

* Suggested Donation: **$0 – ∞ / month**
* Total Number of Network Members: **274**
* Percentage of Members Giving: **20.4%**
* Average Given: **$30 / month**
* The Range: **$3 – $100 / month**

## **2021**

|                                  | Jan    | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| -------------------------------- | ------ | --- | ----- | ----- | --- | ---- | ---- | --- | ---- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Network Members**              | 285    |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Network Growth**               | 16.8%  |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Total Given**                  | $2201  |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Total Givers**                 | 69     |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Average Given**                | $32/mo |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |
| **Percentage of Network Giving** | 24.2%  |     |       |       |     |      |      |     |      |     |     |     |

## **2020**

|                                  | **April** | **May** | **June** | **July** | Aug    | Sept   | Oct    | Nov    | Dec    |
| -------------------------------- | --------- | ------- | -------- | -------- | ------ | ------ | ------ | ------ | ------ |
| **Network Members**              | *n/a*     | *n/a*   | *n/a*    | *n/a*    | 124    | 155    | 203    | 216    | 246    |
| **Network Growth**               | *n/a*     | *n/a*   | *n/a*    | *n/a*    | 20.4%  | 25%    | 31%    | 6.4%   | 13.9%  |
| **Total Given**                  | $425      | $930    | $1125    | $1535    | $1604  | $1690  | $1,940 | $1,980 | $2,176 |
| **Total Givers**                 | 14        | 27      | 33       | 53       | 53     | 56     | 58     | 67     | 67     |
| **Average Given**                | $30/mo    | $34/mo  | $34/mo   | $29/mo   | $30/mo | $30/mo | $33/mo | $30/mo | $32/mo |
| **Percentage of Network Giving** | *n/a*     | *n/a*   | *n/a*    | *n/a*    | 42.7%  | 36.1%  | 28.6%  | 31%    | 27.2%  |


# Social Meditation Calendar

Instructions on subscribing to the Buddhist Geeks Sangha's Social Meditation Calendar

Subscribing to the Social Meditation Calendar is important because each session's event details, including the zoom meeting link, are embedded in the event details, as seen below.&#x20;

![](/files/-M3xJyeTPoNHWgKtdWiI)

Once you've subscribed to the sangha practice calendar, you can overlay it over your own schedule, or even copy over practice periods you'd like to attend directly onto your calendar. 

## 📅 How to Subscribe to the Practice Calendar

![](/files/-M77wT0AKYm1O-078a88)

**Find your calendaring program below and follow the instructions.**

### **Google Calendar**

* Open up the Sangha Practice Calendar in your browser and click the "**+Google Calendar**" button on the bottom right-hand side of the screen. &#x20;

### Microsoft Outlook

* Using the iCal Address that we sent you, follow the instructions on [How to Show a Google Calendar on Outlook](https://www.howtogeek.com/408364/how-to-show-a-google-calendar-in-outlook/).&#x20;

### Other Calendars

* For other calendars we recommend doing a google search using the search phrase: "How to add a Google Calendar to {ENTER THE NAME OF YOUR APP}"


# Hosting Instructions

Instructions on how to host a live period of social meditation practice in the Buddhist Geeks Sangha.

### Detailed Instructions:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3af68DEMXrdirCvlBo" %}
[Just Sitting Hosting](/espanol-2/network/hosting-facilitation/just-sitting)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3ac6NJwRQRpi4PW1qQ" %}
[Social Meditation Facilitation](/espanol-2/network/hosting-facilitation/social-noting)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Just Sitting Hosting

Instructions on how to host a silent Just Sitting practice period within the Buddhist Geeks Sangha.

## **Step-by-Step Instructions**:&#x20;

#### &#x31;**) Just Sit**

Just Sitting, in this context, means sitting together silently. &#x20;

#### **2) Ring the Bell to End**

At the end of the session ring the bell to mark the end of the formal period of just sitting.

#### **3) Say Goodbye**

Say goodbye in whatever way you're comfortable with.  ❤️🙏😘👋


# Social Meditation Facilitation

Instructions for social meditation facilitators who are hosting out-loud, peer-2-peer sessions in the Buddhist Geeks Sangha.

## **Step-by-Step Instructions**:&#x20;

#### **Sitting in Silence**&#x20;

Please spend the first 2 minutes **Sitting in Silence**, giving a bit of time for folks to arrive & settle.

#### Quick Check-In

Next, do a **Quick Check-In Round**, asking everyone to share their 1) Name, 2) Location, and 3) How they're doing in a word or two. The check-in round will also give you a chance to do a **Tech Check**.&#x20;

If there are any tech problems, particularly with people's microphones, let them know, so they can troubleshoot as you move on. If they can't get it fixed, before the practice period begins, please invite them to take the role of the witness.  Don't spend a bunch of time trying to troubleshoot, just highlight the issue and move on. &#x20;

**Optional: Announce an Optional Debrief Period**

If you'd like to stay after the half-hour period is complete, let people know that there will be an optional 15 minute debrief period at the end of the session.   This is optional for people to attend, and also optional for you, as a facilitator, to offer.  If you aren't going to offer this, mention it before you get into the instructions.

#### Review the Instructions

Next, briefly review the instructions that you're practicing in this session. If you aren't sure of what they are, or want a refresher, check out the [Social Meditation Guide](https://www.socialmeditation.guide).

If there are *5 or less people* in the session ask people do the the instructions in a **sequential order,** taking turns noting one at a time.  If there are *more than 5 people* in the session at this time, then give instructions to **doing the practice spontaneously**–as you feel moved.&#x20;

#### Introducing The Witness

Lastly, ask people to identify themselves if they'd like to take [**The Role of the Witness**](https://www.socialmeditation.guide/facilitators/the-witness). If you are using a sequential order (4 or less in the group), then *ask people who are witnessing to identify themselves*.  If you are noting spontaneously (5 or more in the group) then *remind people that they can witness at any time*.  Our aim is for this whole process, up to this point, to take 5-10 minutes or so, leaving at least 20 minutes of time to practice.

#### Ring the Bell and Begin

At this point you can Ring the Bell and Start Meditating!

#### Ring the Bell to Mark the End

At the end of the session please Ring the Bell to Mark the End. &#x20;

#### Say Goodbye

Feel free to **Say Goodbye** however you like.  If you are offering an optional debrief at the end, then you can remind people that they're welcome to stay for the 15-minute debrief.

**Optional Debrief**

From here, you can move right into an open debrief, where you role is to facilitate the conversation, helping to draw out the insights that occurred in the practice period.   We ask that you keep this debrief period to \~15 minutes, that way there's no possible conflicts with upcoming sessions. &#x20;


# Training Metrics

Transparent generosity metrics for all of our past training programs.

## 2021

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJbjSHOLxOUov0zEC" %}
[Social Meditation (2021)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/social-meditation-facilitation-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJgpdwz5sfK9amHs3" %}
[Neurodharma (2021)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/neurodharma-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJZfcYZyRsEdqnNjI" %}
[Awareness Meditation (2021)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/awareness-meditation-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MbrJp9Ig9CD\_J4r3KHw" %}
[Integral Dharma (2021)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/integral-dharma-2021)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 2020

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwJFsiarnLozlw3Iq" %}
[Integral Dharma (2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/integral-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M6V74sdgjiAn9oFU4d1" %}
[Responsive Meditation (2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/responsive-meditation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## 2019

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_coLZX0lmt5CU8dbKP" %}
[Teacher Training (2019-2020)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/teacher-training)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cmkPfoZbbyqqyv944" %}
[Pragmatic Dharma (2019)](/espanol-2/trainings/metrics/pragmatic-dharma)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Neurodharma (2021)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Neurodharma Training

## Neurodharma: Q2, 2021

* **Suggested Amount:** $225
* **Average Given:** $213
* **Registered Participants**: 31

| Month            | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| March, 2021      | $500.00       |
| April, 2021      | $3,955.00     |
| May, 2021        | $395.00       |
| June, 2021       | $1,460.00     |
| July, 2021       | $300.00       |
| **Grand Total:** | **$6,610.00** |


# Social Meditation (2021)

Transparent Generosity Metrics on our Social Meditation Facilitator Trainings in 2021.

## Social Metta Facilitator Training (H1)

* **Suggested Amount:** $500
* **Average Given:** $411
* **Registered Participants**: 36

| Month            | Total Donated  |
| ---------------- | -------------- |
| December, 2020   | $2,880.00      |
| January, 2021    | $2,248.00      |
| February         | $1,998.00      |
| March            | $1,618.00      |
| April            | $2,688.00      |
| May              | $1,783.00      |
| June             | $1,388.00      |
| July             | $200.00        |
| **Grand Total:** | **$14,803.00** |


# Awareness Meditation (2021)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Awareness Meditation Training

## Awareness Meditation: Q2, 2021

* **Suggested Amount**: $225
* **Average Given**: $196
* **Registered Participants:** 28

| Month            | Total Given   |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| March 2021       | $1,700.00     |
| April 2021       | $2,975.00     |
| May 2021         | $470.00       |
| June 2021        | $350.00       |
| **Grand Total:** | **$5,495.00** |

## Awareness Meditation: Q1, 2021

* **Suggested Amount**: $225
* **Average Given**: $197
* **Registered Participants:** 35

| Month            | Total Given   |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| December 2020    | $2,390.00     |
| January 2021     | $2,440.00     |
| February 2021    | $860.00       |
| March 2021       | $860.00       |
| April 2021       | $360.00       |
| **Grand Total:** | **$6,910.00** |


# Integral Dharma (2021)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Integral Dharma Course

## Integral Dharma: Q1, 2021

* **Suggested**: $225
* **Average**: $155
* **Registered Participants**: 17

| Month            | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- |
| December 2020    | $650        |
| January 2021     | $570        |
| February 2021    | $300        |
| March 2021       | $440        |
| **Grand Total:** | $1,960      |


# Integral Dharma (2020)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Integral Dharma Training

## **Integral Dharma Training: Q4, 2020**

* **Suggested:** $225
* **Average:** $159
* **Registered Participants**: 27

## **Integral Metadharma Training: Q1, 2020**

* **Suggested**: $75/month
* **Average:** $86/month
* **Range**: $10-200/month

![](/files/-M3vgD2iLV6LCofEoYEL)

| Date          | # of Givers | Total Donated |
| ------------- | ----------- | ------------- |
| January 2020  | 23          | $1,828        |
| February 2020 | 27          | $2,158        |
| March 2020    | 26          | $2,083        |
| **Totals:**   |             | **$6,069**    |


# Social Meditation Facilitation (2020)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Social Meditation Facilitator Training

## Social Meditation Facilitator Training I (Q4, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount:** $250
* **Average Given:** $289
* **Registered Participants**: 19

| Month            | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| September 2020   | $1,350        |
| October 2020     | $3,497        |
| November 2020    | $638          |
| December 2020    | $230          |
| **Grand Total:** | $5,485        |

## Social Meditation Facilitator Training II (Q4, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount:** $250
* **Average Given:** $165
* **Registered Participants**: 12

| Month            | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| September 2020   | $738          |
| October 2020     | $490          |
| November 2020    | $535          |
| December 2020    | $535          |
| **Grand Total:** | $1,763        |

## Social Meditation Facilitator Training (Q3, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $75/month
* **Average Given:**  $68/month
* **The Range**: $10 – 200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ------------- |
| July 2020        | 29          | $2,229        |
| August 2020      | 33          | $2,101        |
| September 2020   | 27          | $1,692        |
| **Grand Total:** |             | $6,022        |

## Social Noting Facilitator Training (Q1 & Q2, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $100/month
* **Average Given:** $83/month
* **The Range**: $10-200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Donated |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ------------- |
| January 2020     | 26          | $2,095        |
| February 2020    | 32          | $2,999        |
| March 2020       | 33          | $2,674        |
| April 2020       | 31          | $2,504        |
| May 2020         | 28          | $2,259        |
| June 2020        | 29          | $2,414        |
| **Grand Total:** |             | **$14,945**   |


# Responsive Meditation (2020)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Responsive Meditation Training

## Responsive Meditation Training (Q4, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $225
* **Average Given**: $178
* **Registered Participants**: 27

| Month            | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- |
| September 2020   | $1,025      |
| October 2020     | $2,883      |
| November 2020    | $900        |
| December 2020    | $830        |
| **Grand Total:** | $4,808      |

## Responsive Meditation Training (Q3, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $75/month
* **Average Given:** $72/month
* **The Range**: $10–200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ----------- |
| July 2020        | 45          | $3,440      |
| August 2020      | 49          | $3,323      |
| September 2020   |             |             |
| **Grand Total:** |             | $6,763      |

## Responsive Meditation Training (Q2, 2020)

* **Suggested Amount**: $75/month
* **Average Given:** $67/month
* **The Range**: $10–200/month

| Month            | # of Givers | Total Given |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ----------- |
| April 2020       | 48          | $3,230      |
| May 2020         | 52          | $3,510      |
| June 2020        | 50          | $3,338      |
| **Grand Total:** |             | $10,078     |

##


# Teacher Training (2019-2020)

Metrics on the Transparent Generosity model with our current cohort of Buddhist Geeks teacher trainees.

* **Suggested Amount**: None
* **Average Given**: $124/month
* **Range**: $60-300/month
* **Registered Participants**: 5


# Pragmatic Dharma (2019)

Transparent Financial Metrics on the Pragmatic Dharma Training

* **Suggested Amount**: $100/month\* | $75/month
* **Range Given**: $10-160/month

| Month          | # of Givers | Average Given | **Total Donated** |
| -------------- | :---------: | :-----------: | :---------------: |
| December 2018  |      24     |     $84\*     |     **$2015**     |
| January 2019   |      41     |     $83\*     |     **$3418**     |
| February 2019  |      42     |     $87\*     |     **$3571**     |
| March 2019     |      46     |     $82\*     |     **$3778**     |
| April 2019     |      44     |     $86\*     |     **$3789**     |
| May 2019       |      43     |     $84\*     |     **$3618**     |
| June 2019      |      44     |      $83      |     **$3636**     |
| July 2019      |      53     |      $78      |     **$4137**     |
| August 2019    |      53     |      $75      |     **$3976**     |
| September 2019 |      52     |      $75      |     **$3877**     |
| October 2019   |      48     |      $77      |     **$3684**     |
| November 2019  |      45     |      $71      |     **$3184**     |
| December 2019  |      42     |      $72      |     **$3028**     |

*\*During these months we were running a program and asking $100/month as our suggested amount.  After doing this for several months we unbundled private sessions & group work, which used to be an integrated part of the 1.0 version of this training, and began asking for $75/month instead, which no longer includes private session work.* &#x20;


# ⚙️ Managing Recurring Donations

Instructions, for those who are giving regularly to support a Buddhist Geeks Training, on how to manage their recurring donations.

In order to **manage your recurring donations** through Kindful, you must first set-up and have access to a Kindful Account.  Once your account is set-up you’ll be able to **delete your recurring donation**, **change the recurring donation details**, and/or **update your payment information**.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqI08SaGiJW4ZiAL20" %}
[Access your Kindful Account](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/access-kindful-account)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqJAb8ziWNyzHbWU8J" %}
[Update your Payment Information](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/update-your-payment-information)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqIpLMhcElX9f3scvK" %}
[Change your Recurring Donation](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/change-your-recurring-donation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LZqIWrxMRR7ETiEvpoE" %}
[Delete your Recurring Donation](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/delete-your-recurring-donation)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Access your Kindful Account

Instructions on how to set-up and login to your Kindful account.

**First, go to**: <https://buddhistgeeks.kindful.com/user/sign_in/>

If you created a login when you set-up a recurring donation, then you can login directly here. &#x20;

![](/files/-M525jOd0HFKReFCQGGR)

**If you can't login** then try clicking the **"Didn't receive confirmation instructions?"** link, which will bring up this:

![](/files/-M537NtVSbmPfaiLPT8t)

Once you've confirmed your account you'll be able to [**update your payment information**](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/update-your-payment-information), [**change the recurring donation details**](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/change-your-recurring-donation), and/or [**delete your recurring donation**](/espanol-2/trainings/kindful-donations/delete-your-recurring-donation).


# Update your Payment Information

Information on how to add a new payment method, update the expiration date on a new card, or update your mailing address.

**Click the "Billing" section** on the left-hand side.

Here you'll be able to **add a new payment method**, **update the expiration date** on your card (if you have a new card with the same number but different expiration), or **update your mailing address**.

![](/files/-LZqJNRB6tG4Oh-rwiAE)

**IMPORTANT**: If you update your billing method by adding in a new payment method, it is imperative that you Edit the assigned profile.

To do this, the locate your list of Recurring Transactions on the Billing Information page (where payment info is added/updated). **Click on Edit** on this page to change the recurring donation's assigned payment method to the NEW payment method. This does not happen automatically.


# Change your Recurring Donation

In Kindful you can change **when your recurring donation comes out**, **when the next recurrence will be**, and **the amount you'd like to give**.

To change any of these details, simply look under the Recurring Transactions section, find your recurring donation, and **click "Edit"**.

![](/files/-LZqIvdAwU5rw95GjleW)

After updating the details, click the green “**Update Recurring Transaction”** button.

![](/files/-LZqJ0Im_SpU7wN43T6R)


# Delete your Recurring Donation

Instructions on how to delete your recurring kindful donation.

To delete your recurring donation, simply look under the **Recurring Transactions** section, find the recurring donation, and **click "Remove"**.

![](/files/-LZqIj5AW2DhEptIf0nw)


# Retreat Metrics

Below, you'll find detailed metrics from all of our past retreat programs, broken down my retreat type.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj5A0qlqKOW0bFC91" %}
[In-Person Retreats](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/in-person)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M3WwZWClqyzhC\_\_v36M" %}
[Virtual Life Retreats](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-L\_cj-3TTj8e6NVQeCld" %}
[Virtual Daylong Retreats](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-retreats)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# In-Person Retreats

A transparent list of donation totals, from past in-person Buddhist Geeks Retreats.

Buddhist Geeks follows a [Transparent Generosity Model](/espanol-2/about/transgenerosity) and is a 501(c)3 educational non-profit.  All donations to teachers are tax deductible.

| Date    | Teachers                                 | Retreat              | Length | Amount  | Avg Gift |
| ------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------- | ------ | ------- | -------- |
| 07/2018 | Kenneth Folk & Vince Horn                | Pragmatic Dharma     | 6 days | $10,000 | $558     |
| 02/2019 | Emily Horn & Vince Horn                  | Embodied Mindfulness | 2 days | $1,750  | $146     |
| 03/2019 | Emily Horn                               | Davidson College     | 3 days | $2,000  | $249     |
| 06/2019 | Emily Horn, Vince Horn, & Lisa Sherman\* | Awakening Presence   | 6 days | $13,315 | $444     |
| 11/2019 | Kenneth Folk & Vince Horn                | Pragmatic Dharma     | 6 days | $7,750  | $966     |

Unless otherwise noted, teachers do an even split on the donation amount.&#x20;

\*Teaching assistant in training.  Receives $1,000.00 from total retreat donations in order to support their training.&#x20;


# Virtual Life Retreats

A transparent overview of donation metrics, from past virtual Buddhist Geeks Life Retreats.

Donations to the Life Retreat program are split up between [Administrative Donations](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/administrative-donations)–offered on a suggested donation basis at the beginning of the retreat–and [Teacher Donations](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/teacher-donations)–which have no suggested amount and are requested at the end of the retreat.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MAEKvwh8HKPazia6Eks" %}
[Administrative Donations](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/administrative-donations)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MAEL-HwR1lbhOiMk3fh" %}
[Teacher Donations](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/teacher-donations)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Administrative Donations

A record of administrative donation metrics for past Life Retreats.

These donations help to cover the basic overhead of running the Buddhist Geeks organization.  None of these donations go toward the [Teacher Donations](/espanol-2/retreats/metrics/virtual-life-retreat/teacher-donations).

### 2020

| Date        | Retreatants | Givers | % That Gave | Total Given | Average Gift | The Range      |
| ----------- | ----------- | ------ | ----------- | ----------- | ------------ | -------------- |
| March, 2020 | 15          | 11     | 73%         | $1,015      | $92          | $100 – $115    |
| June, 2020  | 59          | 52     | 88%         | $5,504      | $106         | $10 – $210     |
| **Totals:** | **74**      | **63** | **85%**     | **$6,519**  | **$103**     | **$10 – $210** |

***Retreatants** refers to the total number of participants in the retreat.*

***Givers** refers to the total number of people who made a donation.*

***% That Gave** refers to the total percentage of people, who were in the retreat, that choose to contribute to the Admin Fund.*

***Total Given** is the total amount received for that particular retreat.*

***Average Gift** is the average amount that each person, who ended up contributing, gave.*&#x20;

***The Range** describes the low and high end of what was given.*


# Teacher Donations

A record of donation metrics made to the teaching team of the Buddhist Geeks Life Retreat.

### 2020

| Date        | Teachers                                                                                                | Retreatant #'s | Giver #'s | % That Gave | Total Given (USD) | Average Gift (USD) | The Range (USD) |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | --------- | ----------- | ----------------- | ------------------ | --------------- |
| March, 2020 | Vince Horn & Emily Horn                                                                                 | 15             | 14        | 93%         | $5,675            | $405               | $60 – $600      |
| June, 2020  | Emily Horn, Vince Horn, Ryan Oelke, Francis Lacoste, Will Hamilton, Lisa Sherman, & teaching assistants | 59             | 50        | 85%         | $15,420           | ​$308              | $50 – $1000     |
| **Totals:** |                                                                                                         | **74**         | **64**    | **86%**     | **$21,095**       | **$330**           | **$50 – $1000** |

***Retreatants** refers to the total number of participants in the retreat.*

***Givers** refers to the total number of people who made a donation.*

***% That Gave** refers to the total percentage of people, who were in the retreat, that choose to contribute to the Admin Fund.*

***Total Given** is the total amount received for that particular retreat.*

***Average Gift** is the average amount that each person, who ended up contributing, gave.*&#x20;

***The Range** describes the low and high end of what was given.*


# Virtual Daylong Retreats

Current transparent generosity stats for our virtual daylong retreats program.

## **2019**

* **Suggested Amount**: $50/day
* **Average Given**: $53/day
* **Range**: $0-130/day

| Month         | Participants | Total Donated         | Avg Donation |
| ------------- | ------------ | --------------------- | ------------ |
| February 2019 | 16           | $750                  | $47          |
| March 2019    | 13           | $802                  | $62          |
| April 2019    | 12           | $529                  | $44          |
| July 2019     | 9            | $574                  | $64          |
|               |              | **Absolute Average**: | $53          |
|               |              | **Absolute Range**:   | $0-130       |


# 🧘‍♀️ Virtual Daylong Guide

Instructions on setting up and executing a Connecting to the Source daylong retreat.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LaanCW1QA2u10YMaI5t" %}
[Setting up a Virtual Daylong](/espanol-2/retreats/daylongs/virtual-daylong-setup)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-Lag7H8eNncd7OLvCbhW" %}
[Daylong Marketing](/espanol-2/retreats/daylongs/daylong-marketing)
{% endcontent-ref %}


# Setting up a Virtual Daylong

The technical aspects of what's involved in setting up a virtual daylong retreat through Buddhist Geeks

## Create Zoom Meeting Link

* Login to [**Zoom.us**](https://meta.buddhistgeeks.org/espanol-2/retreats/daylongs/www.zoom.us)
* Click **Meetings**
* &#x20;Click **Schedule a New Meeting** button

![Fill out the details as appropriate for your retreat.  We suggest using these Meeting Options.](/files/-Lag53ZF3deSVQacBCXX)

* Add any **Alternative Hosts** (aka Fellow Facilitators) under the **Advanced Options**

![Here I ("Vince") am scheduling for myself, and adding Ryan Oelke as a Co-Host.](/files/-Lag5o-b09LiELGi9ZF-)

* **Save Meeting**
* Go to bottom of page and **Edit the Registration Options**
* Select the following Registration options and then **Save All**

![](/files/-Lag9JvCq96B4LC-MF3F)

* Go to **Email Settings** and **Edit the Email Contact**

![](/files/-LagE2XLnSfbocF8RqCY)

![](/files/-LagDxBwTnw4KrcFcavz)

* Select the **Branding** Tab

![](/files/-LagEx3SJ6w51JVs2l45)

* **Upload your Square Logo** (Heart of Insight Logo pictured here)

![](/files/-LagEzVfBdqdZ_u_V94x)

* **Upload Retreat image** to **Banner** section

{% file src="/files/-LaarF4dW3g4yagxXCWD" %}
Heart of Insight Zoom Logo (.PSD)
{% endfile %}

![](/files/-LagF4yOPIxl2kqbAgwQ)

## Setup Mailchimp Audience

* Create New Audience and name it after the event (ex. "Heart of Insight Daylong: July 19")
* Duplicate the Intro Series Campaign
* Edit Intro Series Campaign so that it's up-to-date

## **Set-up** Zapier Automation

* **Open** the [Virtual Daylong Metrics](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HpbLtIbCiqssESQEcCxWH6YrGlj7FRbGIoOexbZ9eQE/) **Google Sheet**
* **Duplicate** a new Worksheet for this event, naming the worksheet after the date of the event (ex. January 2020)
* Login to [Zapier.com](https://meta.buddhistgeeks.org/espanol-2/retreats/daylongs/www.zapier.com)&#x20;
* Navigate to the "Virtual Daylongs" folder
* **Copy** the "Virtual Daylongs Sign-Up" Zap
* **Rename** the Zap to match the name of your retreat (ex. "Heart of Insight Daylong Sign-Up")
* **Edit** the new Zap
* Under **1. Trigger** (Gmail) click **Edit Options** and change the text after "subject:Meeting Registration" to match the exact title of the event, as it's named in Zoom.

![](/files/-LioPdbFHg8NU0hfrICo)

* Click **Continue** and **Test**
* Under **7. Action** (Mailchimp) click **Edit Template**

![](/files/-LabfnLmNjq4bcjTEzbE)

* Update the **Audience** to match the Mailchimp audience that you created earlier for this retreat.

![](/files/-LioQnOrvlXQikk5-gXR)

* Click **Continue** and **Test** the connection with Mailchimp, making sure that the e-mail is added to that Audience in **Mailchimp**.
* Under **8. Action** (Google Spreadsheet), click **Edit Template.** &#x20;

![](/files/-LabgKInaY4Q7jyiopGd)

* Under **Worksheet** (required) select the new worksheet that was created earlier.

![](/files/-LioUdT2I4ydwJ8C73Z7)

* Click **Continue** and then **Send Test to Google Sheets**
* Check the [Virtual Daylong Metrics](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HpbLtIbCiqssESQEcCxWH6YrGlj7FRbGIoOexbZ9eQE/) **Google Sheet** to make sure that the information propagated correctly.
* **Turn on the Zap**

## Update Kindful Campaign

* **Login** to Kindful.com, go to **Campaigns**, and select the campaign that corresponds with this retreat (ex. "Heart of Insight Daylong", "Pragmatic Dharma Daylong", or "Awakening Life Daylong")
* Upload a new **Splash Image**
* Click **Update**

{% file src="/files/-LagF8j\_xm\_VlwLyRGAd" %}
Zoom Banner (.PSD)
{% endfile %}

## Create Retreat Page

* Go to HeartofInsight.training and login with an admin account
* Click on the "Retreats" section and find an old Connecting to the Source event
* Edit the old event and then go to the bottom and click "Duplicate"
* Update image + copy


# Daylong Marketing

## Create Retreat Image in Canva

*example:*

![](/files/-LaayDo35w6SMzseoZsI)

## Deploy Podcast Audio Ad

## Mail Past Retreatants

## Mention in Buddhist Geeks Newsletter

## Share on CoSchedule