Santa Monica Karma Thegsum Choling
Thank you for your support of SMKTC. This section provides an explanation of donation categories, benefits of membership, and allocations.
MEMBERSHIPS
We encourage anyone who has taken refuge and enjoys listening to dharma teachings through SMKTC weekly programs to join us as a Full Member in one of four categories: Individual Member; Family Member; Sponsor; or Benefactor.
A benefit of joining SMKTC as a Member provides practitioners with the knowledge their support contributes to the ongoing vitality and weekly outreach of SMKTC. A Membership in SMKTC also provides the member with the knowledge they are an important part of our local sangha as well as providing support for our home monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) in Woodstock, NY.
A portion of all SMKTC Member dues is sent to KTD to support its national outreach and programming. After payment to KTD, the majority of the remainder of SMKTC Member dues is given to our teachers who provide monthly teachings in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. The level of one’s Membership determines the amount of additional money which is automatically sent to the teacher for a given week.
The benefits of each level of Membership are described here:
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP $25/month (Refuge or intent to take refuge required)
Individuals committing $25/month are FULL MEMBERS of SMKTC with voting privileges and the ability to serve on the SMKTC Board of Directors. Member donations support local activities of SMKTC as well as the national outreach of KTD. FULL MEMBERS receive notifications of SMKTC public events, Zoom meetings, special announcements, and communications from KTD. FULL MEMBERS dues are applied to weekly Zoom meetings, teacher support, and all activities of SMKTC as well as KTD. FULL MEMBERS additionally qualify for discounts to SMKTC in-person teacher or lama visits.
FAMILY MEMBERS $36/month (Refuge is required of at least one family member)
The FAMILY MEMBERSHIP category is designed to recognize the growing diversity and depth of family relationships in today’s world. Up to two family members who have taken refuge or intend to take refuge to have voting rights and the ability to serve on the SMKTC Board. In the event that only one member of a family has taken refuge, that member may serve as the family’s voting representative. There is no limit to the number of names, within reason, which qualifies as a FAMILY MEMBER. One designated family representative will receive notifications of SMKTC public events, Zoom meetings, special announcements, and communications from KTD. Additional FAMILY MEMBERS may request to be added to notification lists. FAMILY MEMBERSHIP dues are applied to weekly zoom meetings, teacher support, and all activities of SMKTC as well as KTD. Up to two FAMILY MEMBERS qualify for SMKTC discounts to an in-person teacher or lama visits.
SPONSOR $54/month (Refuge is required of at least one Sponsor member)
The SPONSOR MEMBERSHIP category enables those wishing to support SMKTC as well as lineage teachers at a higher level than family memberships. Similar to the family membership category, SPONSORS may be listed as a family group. Up to two SPONSOR members who have taken refuge or intend to take refuge to have voting rights and the ability to serve on the SMKTC Board. In the event that only one member of a SPONSOR family has taken refuge, that member may serve as the family’s voting representative. There is no limit to the number of names, within reason, which qualifies as a SPONSOR MEMBER. One designated SPONSOR representative will receive notifications of SMKTC public events, Zoom meetings, special announcements, and communications from KTD. Additional SPONSOR MEMBERS may request to be added to notification lists. SPONSOR MEMBERSHIP dues are applied to weekly zoom meetings, teacher support, and all activities of SMKTC as well as KTD. Up to four SPONSOR MEMBERS qualify for SMKTC discounts to an in-person teacher or lama visits.
BENEFACTOR $108/month
BENEFACTORS are special members who provide extraordinary support for SMKTC programs and activities on a monthly basis. BENEFACTORS receive the membership benefits that full members enjoy, plus the added knowledge that their support provides essential monies for the fiscal and organizational well-being of SMKTC.
TEACHER SUPPORT
To express our appreciation for the teachers of the Karma Kagyu lineage who offer monthly teachings, SMKTC makes an offering that is paid through Membership dues and other donations.
Our primary teachers are Lama Karma Drodhul, Lama Kathy Wesley, and Lama Adam Berner. Occasionally we also host other teachers authorized by our home monastery Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) in Woodstock, New York, or another center in the Karma Thegsum Choling network. Supplemental donations to our primary teachers (categories below under specific teacher names), as well as visiting teachers (category below as “Other Visiting Teacher”), may be made.
Offerings made to teachers through the Teacher Support category are applied to the amount SMKTC sends teachers each week. Once our minimum threshold for teacher donations is reached, 90% of donations generated through this donor category are additionally forwarded to the teacher while 10% is kept by SMKTC to help cover our expenses.
MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS
A final category of donations qualifies as a Miscellaneous Donation which does not require a minimum amount or an ongoing commitment. Miscellaneous donations may be made in any amount at any time. Those wishing to provide a miscellaneous donation on an ongoing basis may do so. However, it should be noted Miscellaneous Donations do not qualify in the Memberships category, which requires an ongoing commitment of support at a minimum level. Please know your support in whatever form you choose to give it is appreciated.
Santa Monica Karma Thegsum Choling is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization.
Donations may be made online using auto-pay options here or by mailing a check. Please contact us about details.
Thank you sincerely for your support of SMKTC. May all beings benefit!