Community Updates: What You May Not Know

“T’ai Chi – like wind and rain it changes the world with whispers and sighs.” – Bill Douglas, Founder of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day.

When I read this quotation I can feel the truth of this statement rather than process it cognitively. As we practice T’ai Chi Chih vibrations of harmony, whispers of calm, flow outward from us. We feel our spirit breathe a sigh as we let go and open. The more this happens our world changes, who we are changes, our patterns of response change, our relationships change. These changes have a rippling effect.

The community of TCC also feels like it moves in whispers and sighs – slowly and quietly. In order for us to stay connected, thrive, share, learn and grow, many people lend their hearts, hands and time to work toward that end. It is a slow process, but by developing slowly we are building a strong foundation.

At the yearly teacher conference this year there were several updates about what is happening in the community that I would like to pass on to those unable to attend.

Five years ago, 20 or so teachers participated in developing a two-part TCC Community Vision Statement. How do we see ourselves in five years, and how do we want the world to see us in five years? At conference the question was asked of those attending: “Do we need to update this now that five years have passed?” After discussion it was felt that we are just beginning to make headway toward our vision so we decided to renew the vision statement for another five years.

It was brought to my attention that many people are still not aware of the TCC International Foundation and what it does. Incorporated in 2013 with non-profit status, the Foundation is slowly getting underway. In 2017 donations totaled $13,446; the ending balance in the general fund was $14,805; the conference scholarship fund was $4,434; and the continuing education/teacher training scholarship fund was $14,468. (At the end of 2017, the total on hand was $33,707.) In 2017, 17 scholarships were granted to the conference and 15 scholarships were granted for continuing education.

The Foundation’s purpose is to sponsor the annual teacher conference; provide scholarships for TCC and Seijaku Teacher Accreditation and continuing education; and sponsor events and projects that promote the knowledge of and practice of TCC worldwide.

In 2016 a scholarship committee developed guidelines and procedures to administer the educational scholarship fund. Committee members are Jim Eagle and Lucinda Kutsko.

This year a group of teachers with experience hosting conferences produced a conference guideline book to assist future hosts. This took many hours, conference calls, gathering and culling information from several conferences, and I appreciate this effort to support future hosts with their planning.

Last year the Foundation gave two grants to teachers (Julie Heryet and Sr. Christa Thompson) for their TCC projects; they will share results in a Vital Force article. Three grants are offered for 2019, with an overriding goal to spread TCC. Contact me for an application or more information.

This year a five-member focus committee will explore ideas and develop programs, projects, events or practices that will support the growth of TCC that the Foundation will sponsor. Steve Stevens is the chairman.

In 2018 Laurie Thomas’s work allowed conference participants to register online through PayPal. It was a big project and her time and effort are much appreciated.

I would like to shout out a big thank you to Dorene Krause for her five years of service as the Foundation treasurer. I deeply appreciate her dedication to detail and desire to see that things are done correctly which has freed me from any concern about our accounting. On January 1st she will turn over duties to Jim Kaib.

As you can see, many people support TCC in various ways through the Foundation. In addition there is The Vital Force journal, the taichichih.org website and the teacher database. On Facebook there is the main page and a teacher’s circle page. There is the TCC Association, with a monthly newsletter. There is the monthly community newsletter and the tcccommunity.net webpage. I can’t even begin to name all the teachers who volunteer their time working for the abovementioned programs, but I thank them all.

When we all participate in our community, no matter how small the contribution, it produces a more well-rounded, healthier community; more opinions are expressed, more ideas can bloom and bear fruit. Volunteering gives you a voice and a deeper sense of belonging. I encourage each teacher to search their hearts and consider how they can lend a hand to share the work.

I would like to make a special appreciation for Connie Hyde, who died in August, for her many years of service to the TCC community. She was a founding board member and supporter of the TCC Center in Albuquerque and produced their monthly newsletter for 25 years. She transcribed several of Justin’s talks, available in booklet form from the Center, and was a Good Karma Publishing board member. She was a great support and friend to Justin. And she was my dear friend who I will greatly miss. Thank you Connie for giving so much of yourself to TCC.