GAYA
September 15, 2008
West Asheville Library
Meeting Notes
Welcome and Introductions
In attendance: Jackie Dobrinska, Timothy Burgman, Jeri Senor, Angela McWilliams, Luna Ray, Chase Jansen, Derek Rinaldo, Brad Rachman & Martin Bennett, Mado Hesselink, Melanie Leenhouts, Jason Brodsky, Nichole Alexandyre, Jeri Tatum, Kaoverii Weber, John Mole, Cat Matlock, Deirdra
What is GAYA?
A fellowship of yoga studios, teachers, and students encouraging and supporting each other in spreading the universal teachings and joy of yoga. Through the application of yoga principles the Association’s goals are to celebrate & foster community, encourage & provide education, and create prosperity.
History
Seven years ago about 20 yoga teachers and studio owners met to begin to foster the Yoga Community of Asheville.
Today, as we honor and celebrate that initial group and their great foresight, we find that we are re-poised to launch this community effort. We stand at the precipice of a new era - one that calls for greater community and cooperation; one in which the principles of Yoga can help guide our actions.
As we look at the city around us, we see a place burgeoning with talented and powerful yoga teachers of all different traditions. As the wisdoms of yoga spread, more and more people are searching for ways to connect with this community – from tourists and new residents to nationally known teachers. These two facts, combined with the city’s new plan to broaden its economy through integrative health, creates a fertile soil in which to launch the Greater Asheville Yoga Association.
Both Timothy Burgin and Jackie Dobrinska independently, began to think a unified, professional organization would benefit the community as whole on many different levels. It turns out, they were not the only one’s with such an idea percolating. Members of the community, as well as yogi/nis who had recently moved from other areas that supported a professional yoga associations, thought an in-road was needed for the Asheville Yoga community. So, tonight several talented and dedicated yogis and yoginis came together for the first Greater Asheville Yoga Association meeting.
Immediate Goals
• Create cooperation between studio owners, teachers and substitute teachers
• Connect students to the right class, teacher and style of Yoga through a website that includes:
• a comprehensive calendar of class schedules
• teacher and studio profiles
• descriptions of yoga schools/philosophies/styles
• teacher training programs.
• Act as a central referral source of Yoga events,
• Provide educational and entertaining events to support teachers and students in their continued self-study.
Long –Term Goals
• Organize cooperative community yoga events – from the Global Yoga Mala to a city-wide free Yoga day to a National Conference,
• Local and National outreach and education – from hosting booths at city events to National Yoga Conferences.
• A unified and professional voice to work with the City Government nd Mission Hospital to help Yoga be a part of Asheville’s Sustainable Economy,
• Network and connect the Yoga community to other professional health care providers,
• Cordinate Karma Yoga/Seva opportunites – from organizing Yoga classes for those in need (military vets, women’s shelters, etc) to arranging community service days (streamside restoration, soup kitchen help, etc.)
• Perhaps a city-wide standardization of class levels that makes it easy for students, health care providers and others to know exactly what is appropriate class for them. Lots of ideas were discussed. Perhaps a grid that indicates physical appropriateness (can you briskly walk around the block and do 3 push ups) as well as subtle body appropriateness ( are you comfortable with chanting and discussing more esoteric philosophies).
Current Status of GAYA
Website:
Please check out the website at www.yogaasheville.com
• Two web sites.
• One to interface with the community. Includes:
• Calendar, teacher/studio profiles, glossary of yoga terms, teacher training programs. Upcoming events
• One for the GAYA membership – GAYA events, membership, databases, etc.
• Discussion about how the website will work with gyms, YMCA, independants.
• Discussion about how the websidte will work with communities further afield than Asheville – e.i. Marshal, Burnsville, etc
• How will series classes be incorporated? Probably handled like an event.
Bylaws:
These are almost complete and to be on the website soon. These include information about membership, board member duties, voting and more.
• It was suggested that the decision making process be done by a consensus model. GAYA will look into incorporating this into the bylaws.
• The topic of student members was brought up. Student members might receive a discount on events.
Board, Offciers and Committee Chairs.
• GAYA will 5 Board Members – Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasure. Also possibly outreach & communication. (see website for more details.) It was suggested we rename these to something more appropriate to yoga. (again, see attached suggestions.)
• GAYA will also have an Executive Director position.
• Jackie Dobrinska and Timothy Burgin have offered to serve as Chair and Vice Chair respectively. All positions need to be filled as soon as possible. (see Duties on website.)
• Nominations will be made this month, with voting to take place at the next meeting.
• Suggestions were made by several that outreach is needed.
• Jason will connect with local papers.
• Chas will commit to word of mouth marketing
• Derek and Cat will put out fliers and send to their listserve/newsletter.
• Suggested that everyone make some commitment at each meeting to spread the word about the organization.
• Advisory Board
• Will be made up of studio owners, to avoid any conflict of interest.
• Questions: how often do they meet to keep the momentum going but without overwhelming their time. Suggestion: Quarterly.
• Question: can they miss meetings? Suggestion: a certain number is mandatory. Can meet through conference call if they can’t meet in person.
• Need: spell out what happens if advisory board members do not participate.
Non-profit Status
Currently in process of incorporation and receiving non-profit status. 4-9 month process.
BENEFITS & COST OF MEMBERSHIP (handout)
• Member of a harmonious community promoting the understanding of Yoga disciplines and philosophies,
• Fun community building events,
• Discounts on educational opportunities,
• Outreach for classes, fitting the right student to the right class:
• Yoga style and profile listed on Website,
• Classes posted on comprehensive calendar,
• Advertising for events and workshops,
• Access to substitute teacher list.
LONG – TERM GOALS TO OFFER TO MEMBERS
• Part of Local Outreach Campaign:
• Voice in Government,
• Chamber of Commerce outreach, and more!
• Part of National Outreach Campaign:
• Yoga Destination Spot,
• Conferences and more!
• SEVA Program:
• Teaching to populations in need,
• Group projects in the community.
• Scholarship & Apprentice opportunities
• Wholesale discounts on clothing and props (teachers only)
COST
• Teachers: $30 per year + 2 hours Seva
• Studios: $80 per year + Seva on Advisory Board
Noted by participant that with membership benefits also comes responsibility…a stake in the organization. Make a commitment to spread the word.
GAYA will provide a service to the community by putting all studio’s information on the website with the expectation that they will become members. We will also expect the SEVA/Karma Yoga to be done on the honor system. We reserve the right to revisit this and change if it becomes necessary.
Question & Answers
• Suggested to look at Yoga Society of Nasheville.
Public Relations and Spreading the word.
• Suggested that we create and event to make this newsworthy and create a buzz.
• Perhaps a free yoga day in the park.
• Or in January be a part of the World Yoga day.
Next steps
• Put notes, description of board positions, and bylaws on website.
• Nominate board members – to be voted on by next meeting
• Send newsletter
• Set date for next meeting.
• Send PDF to studios to with short info sheet for marketing purposes
• Continue on 501c3 process
