Introducing the new members of Rigpa’s Vision Board
Rigpa Vision Board
When the Vision Board was first founded by Sogyal Rinpoche in 2017, it was decided that its membership would be renewed every four years. With this in mind, a process to renew the Vision Board began in January this year.
Keep reading more below or WATCH THE PRESENTATION by the Vision Board on Prajna (from Saga Dawa Düchen, 4 June, 2023)
Nominating and appointing new Vision Board members
Given the important role of safeguarding the vision of Rigpa and taking into consideration the diversity and balance needed in the team, a careful process to select new members involved several stages. First, nominations were submitted by Rigpa’s teachers, practice holders, international activity holders and senior national activity holders; then each nominee was interviewed by current Vision Board members. Tulku Rigdzin Pema Rinpoche was then requested to perform divinations about the potential new Vision Board members and, in a final step, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, one of Rigpa’a Spiritual Advisers, was consulted for her advice.
Now this process has been completed and we are excited to announce Rigpa’s new Vision Board members.
Jacki Lee, Lerab Ling
Gabriele Maass, Germany
Jane Packham, Australia - currently in retreat, starting at Losar 2024
Emma Heijdeman (Youth Advisor), Netherlands
Carla Ott (Youth Advisor), Lerab Ling
Read their full biographies here.
Several Vision Board members step down
As part of this renewal of the Vision Board membership, two members have stepped down—Verena Pfeiffer and Valerie Baker. Valerie and Verena have both been both part of the Vision Board since its inception in 2017. They will now focus on their roles as senior teachers, while remaining close to the Vision Board. In this way they will continue to contribute through their experience and expertise. We take this opportunity to thank them for their immense contribution, care and devotion and we will take the time to rejoice about their accomplishment during one of the annual sangha retreats in Lerab Ling this Summer. Valerie and Verena stepped up to this role at a time it was needed, when Rigpa was going through a particularly challenging period, and in response to Sogyal Rinpoche’s request to take care of the Rigpa sangha and to make sure Rigpa’s vision continues to be upheld.
The full Vision Board membership
From this point forward, Rigpa’s renewed Vision Board consists of (in alphabetical order of first names): Gabriele Maas, Jacki Lee, Mauro De March, Philippe Cornu, Seth Dye, Vinciane Rycroft, and its Youth Advisors, Carla Ott, Emma Heijdeman, Fian Loehr and Yara Vrolijks.
What is the focus of the renewed Vision Board?
Auspiciously, the new Vision Board members were presented to the sangha via streaming on Saga Dawa Düchen. The group also shared their focus for the coming year and beyond. Did you miss it? Watch the recorded presentation here.
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