Important Updates on Facility and COVID-19

At the March 12th board meeting we discussed the topic that is on everyone's mind--the COVID-19 virus and how it impacts the EBS community. After considering all the options, the board recommends that we close EBS to ALL practice groups, classes, and events indefinitely starting March 13th, at noon. 

Practice leaders will be in touch with you regarding any practices you attend. Some leaders may choose to hold online practices via Zoom while others may simply suspend practice for a time.

We realize that EBS plays a very important role in the lives of its members and don't make this recommendation lightly. But based on the information currently available, it appears that EBS members may unknowingly spread the virus to others in vulnerable populations. We want to be part of the solution, not the problem, for public health officials and keep the greater good in mind--no matter how much we all love EBS and practicing there.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at all. You may contact us at EBS@ebslr.org

Updates will be posted here as we have them. We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook here as well.

We want to remind you that our Sangha is not contained by the 4 walls of the building. EBS lives within the hearts of its members. Our practice goes on, minute by minute...day by the day.

In the Dharma,

The EBS Board

New Teen Mindfulness Group started at EBS

EBS is excited to announce the start of a new practice group focused on helping teenagers better cope with stress and anxiety through the use of mediation techniques. The Teen Mindfulness Group will meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month in the main hall. It is free and open to all between the ages of 13 and 19.

The group is lead by two adults (one male and one female) both with experience in meditation and working with teens.

Learn more here.

New Five-Year Strategic Plan for EBS

Opening Outwards: Embracing and Sustaining the Growth of the Ecumenical Buddhist Society

Five years ago, the EBS community collectively decided to move into the current location at 1516 W. 3rd Street because the physical space so beautifully reflects our Buddhist values, and the location across from the Capitol is easy for interested people to find. 

The move successfully increased our visibility and provided opportunities for new activities. It also created new challenges: funding goals went unmet, and some decision-making bogged down. We discovered that we needed a different organization structure to support the bigger and more complicated community we were becoming.    

A team of EBS board and community members worked over ten months in 2018 to address these challenges. They developed a road map for the next five years.

Here are the highlights:

  • Newly created volunteer staff positions – inviting more people to help organize, manage, and support our activities.

  • New classes, teachers, and practice programs – welcoming new people into the community as well as meeting the changing needs of current members.

  • New operating structure – centralizing and organizing basic tasks like marketing, fundraising, and facilities management.

  • Gathering new information – about the needs and interests of our members.

You can read the complete plan here.

Contact Board President, Cheryl Woodard, if you have questions, comments, or suggestions. 

Contact our volunteer coordinator, Marcia Zamora, to learn about how you can help EBS grow.

And you can donate by going here.