Ethical Statements, Agreements & Complaint Procedure
Our agreements, along with the statements below, define our ethical conduct individually, and within the sangha. This practice is ongoing.
We endeavour to use the five precepts as an initial step for awareness of ethical issues:
We endeavour to use the five precepts as an initial step for awareness of ethical issues:
- We acknowledge the power we have in a teaching position, and we endeavour not to abuse this power. We also work toward awareness of conflicts-of-interest or problems that may occur in the teacher/student relationship. When working with others, we agree to be accountable to another teacher or peer in our community by being receptive to feedback and critique, and taking appropriate action when deemed necessary. Additionally, we agree to treat each person with respect and dignity, and will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical form.
- In offering our teachings on the basis of generosity, we are grateful to receive donations of money, time or expertise. Along with this honour, comes the responsibility of allowing others to give freely and without coercion.
- Sexual relationships between teacher and student are prohibited. We endeavour to maintain appropriate sexual relationships within our lives and community, encourage healthy boundaries, and endeavour to create an atmosphere free from sexual harassment.
- With our speech we endeavour to be appropriate, honest and fair. We favour dialogue over silence, and encourage people to talk about conflicts and disagreements, and to become aware of their own inevitable biases. We encourage reconciliation when possible, and agree to part ways when it looks like staying together would create more harm. Any person who speaks up to any perceived conflict, can do so without fear of retaliation by the teachers, committee, or sangha.
- In order to reduce recklessness and heedlessness, we will not abuse mind altering substances. We will also take into consideration how any sensual experience might be overused to the detriment of ourselves or others.
Agreements.
The Buddha dharma has as its aim awakening and the fostering of a flourishing life that has less pain, difficulties and harm for oneself and others.
Our community commits to this aim.
Being a part of our community involves working together in relationships with others. We encourage working with your dharma practice as an individual, in groups and in larger workshops and retreats.
In this endeavour, we want to foster a safe space for people to share freely, to their comfort level and expect what they share to be held with care and respect. We ask that all members of our community use kindness, understanding and appropriate restraint in their action, speech and written communication. We do our best not to bring harm to others and to be open to learning from our mistakes, expressing regret and practising compassion and understanding . The community will attempt to hold and facilitate this kind of maturing and support, through open, honest and appropriate communication.
If conflicts arise, please try to talk directly with each other. If this cannot be resolved then please bring the issue to a teacher.
The Buddha dharma has as its aim awakening and the fostering of a flourishing life that has less pain, difficulties and harm for oneself and others.
Our community commits to this aim.
Being a part of our community involves working together in relationships with others. We encourage working with your dharma practice as an individual, in groups and in larger workshops and retreats.
In this endeavour, we want to foster a safe space for people to share freely, to their comfort level and expect what they share to be held with care and respect. We ask that all members of our community use kindness, understanding and appropriate restraint in their action, speech and written communication. We do our best not to bring harm to others and to be open to learning from our mistakes, expressing regret and practising compassion and understanding . The community will attempt to hold and facilitate this kind of maturing and support, through open, honest and appropriate communication.
If conflicts arise, please try to talk directly with each other. If this cannot be resolved then please bring the issue to a teacher.
Complaints Procedure
This is the procedure for resolving complaints with individuals and teachers in
Coast and City Sangha.
Email or call to set up a time to speak with Anna Markey, teacher at CCS, or
If you’re not comfortable to meet with Anna on your own, you can bring another person along with you. This can be someone who understands the issue, someone you trust, who may have a similar concern, or a neutral party, or
If you’re not comfortable bringing the issue to Anna Markey, you can contact another teacher in this approach. There is Nelly Kaufer (nellykaufer(at)gmail.com) of Pine Street Sangha in USA or Linda Modaro (lindamodaro(at)gmail.com) of Sati Sangha in USA.(online meeting through zoom) You may also bring along another person to this meeting, or
If none of these interactions resolve the issue you can continue with the CCS committee. You will need to put your complaint in writing and send your letter to barbkirke(at)gmail.com or any other member of the committee (see addresses below)
Some members of the committee will arrange to meet with you (perhaps online), speak with any relevant parties, get advice from others and make a decision about the issue, if appropriate.
The committee will follow up with you, in writing at the end of this process.
Teacher Contact details.
Anna Markey ammarkey(at)yahoo.com.au
Tina Gibson tinalg(at)me.com
Nelly Kaufer nellykaufer(at)gmail.com
Linda Modaro lindamodaro(at)gmail.com
CCS Committee.
Barb Kirke barbkirke(at)gmail.com
Denise Martin Denise.martin(at)outlook.com
Liz Hobbs Lizghobbs(at)gmail.com
Trees Westcot Theresewestcot(at)gmail.com
This is the procedure for resolving complaints with individuals and teachers in
Coast and City Sangha.
Email or call to set up a time to speak with Anna Markey, teacher at CCS, or
If you’re not comfortable to meet with Anna on your own, you can bring another person along with you. This can be someone who understands the issue, someone you trust, who may have a similar concern, or a neutral party, or
If you’re not comfortable bringing the issue to Anna Markey, you can contact another teacher in this approach. There is Nelly Kaufer (nellykaufer(at)gmail.com) of Pine Street Sangha in USA or Linda Modaro (lindamodaro(at)gmail.com) of Sati Sangha in USA.(online meeting through zoom) You may also bring along another person to this meeting, or
If none of these interactions resolve the issue you can continue with the CCS committee. You will need to put your complaint in writing and send your letter to barbkirke(at)gmail.com or any other member of the committee (see addresses below)
Some members of the committee will arrange to meet with you (perhaps online), speak with any relevant parties, get advice from others and make a decision about the issue, if appropriate.
The committee will follow up with you, in writing at the end of this process.
Teacher Contact details.
Anna Markey ammarkey(at)yahoo.com.au
Tina Gibson tinalg(at)me.com
Nelly Kaufer nellykaufer(at)gmail.com
Linda Modaro lindamodaro(at)gmail.com
CCS Committee.
Barb Kirke barbkirke(at)gmail.com
Denise Martin Denise.martin(at)outlook.com
Liz Hobbs Lizghobbs(at)gmail.com
Trees Westcot Theresewestcot(at)gmail.com