What is BPF About? What are Chapters?

First draft: July 13, 2005

Maia Duerr 

Click here to download this document as a Word file (coming)

The mission of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship is to serve as a catalyst for socially engaged Buddhism. Our purpose is to help beings liberate themselves from the suffering that manifests in individuals, relationships, institutions, and social systems. BPF's programs, publications, and practice groups link Buddhist teachings of wisdom and compassion with progressive social change.

BPF is characterized by a commitment to “being peace as we work for peace.” Consequently, we encourage everyone who is part of the BPF mandala –in-office staff members, board members, chapter members, and others – to pay special attention to the process by which we work together.

BPF is a justice- and action-oriented organization, and one which works for progressive social change.  However, all of our actions should be based and rooted in dharma practices which help us to cultivate wisdom and compassion. Our work together should nourish us for the road ahead rather than leave us drained, exhausted, burned out, angry. Our intention is to learn how to become peacemakers in all of our interactions – in the way we lead our daily lives, in how we hold meetings together, in how we engage at rallies and vigils, in how we design and carry out actions.

What this might look like in a staff or chapter meeting? We try to weave in elements of contemplative practice; to pay attention to honest and open group process through techniques such as council circle and nonviolent communication techniques.

Possible project – collaborative guidebook compiled by chapters on their best practices.

What are BPF Chapters? What are the responsibilities and the privileges of being a chapter?

BPF chapters are groups of people who, together, have committed to exploring this practice of peacemaking. They play a key role in BPF’s international network of members through responding to inquiries in their local area, welcoming out of town guests, hosting socially engaged Buddhist events, representing BPF at local events, etc.

Chapters can vary how the kinds of leadership and decision-making structures they choose, as well in topics of interest to them, However, all chapters are asked to make these common agreements with each other and with the BPF Central Office to –

• Communicate with their Regional Representative on the Chapter Council on a regular basis

• Meet together at least xx times a year,

• Maintain updated contact information with the BPF Chapter Coordinator
• Encourage their members to respond to BPF’s Action Alerts
• Take part in an annual reflection process and send the written notes from this process to the BPF Chapter Coordinator 

[Here’s where we get into a big question – should chapters be asked to make a financial donation/dues payment to the Central Office? Many other organizations with a chapter/affiliate structure do this]

In turn, chapters benefit from the resources and community of the BPF organization. These benefits include:

• Being listed in Turning Wheel (BPF’s quarterly journal) and on the BPF website;

• Communication  with/from BPF board/staff,  including in-person visits when possible

• Access to BPF database to receive names of local BPF members

• Access to BPF video lending library,

• Eligibility to apply for pilot project grants form the BPF Central Office, when available

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