 © Meher Nazar Publications Message from the ChairWe hope this finds you all well. Spring is well underway here, and may be more welcome than usual for all of us after this past year. We are excited at the increased level of interest from prospective donors of various collections and other items, including the door and components of Baba’s room at the Holiday Lodge in San Francisco, which were rescued by Peter Ravazza before it was torn down. We have plans to install this as the door to our Baba/reflection room. Other major collections of artifacts and correspondence are also on their way or pledged. We also have received a wonderful offer from Pam Greenwald for the design and installation of a rose garden, in honor of Mehera’s love for roses. This will happen after renovations and grading are completed, and we look forward to this reminder of Baba’s fragrance at Meher Archive Collective. In addition to ongoing archival work, we continue our focus of getting MAC moved into and established in the building. This work is progressing, with more details below. We are heartened by the growing community of enthusiastic volunteers who are contributing from their hearts in a variety of ways, including expanding our social media presence. We are excited as well about the upcoming second Women to Women storytelling festival on April 10th, (see details below). We look forward to seeing more of you as travel restrictions (we hope) lift and we move toward warmer weather. In His Embrace, Scott Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org / 828.290.6972  Women to Women Storytelling Festival and Fundraiser |
 | Tickets are $20 per person with an option to purchase a scholarship for someone at $15. Please 'add-up' when ordering your ticket. ($35. purchase = 1 ticket and 1 scholarship) Confidential scholarships are available – contact Tracey.Lilley@meherarchive.org Ticket Purchase closed one-hour before Festival (10:00am EDT on April 10th) |
MAC Teams
| FUND DEVELOPMENT TEAM: Shop AmazonSmile and Earn Donations for MAC MAC is registered with AmazonSmile; a program where Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charities selected by customers. As a shopper you pay nothing extra. If you are an Amazon shopper, please consider using this direct link to MAC’s very own charity link to make your purchases. Our unique charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4362958 |  |
 | NEW TO THE TEAM New Volunteer Heather Miljour: Administrative Assistant. I have been a paralegal for over 15 years and am very familiar with the ins and outs of office work so I am happy that I can contribute these skills to MAC. I also like getting my hands dirty and have participated in hours of “clean up” at the school. Sometimes these physical tasks are better since I don’t have to think too much—it’s like a meditation! I’m originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and moved to Asheville about 15 years ago via Chicago. My down time is shared with my beloved yorkie/mini schnauzer, Buster. I’m a third generation Baba Lover and honored to contribute even the smallest bit to this incredible MAC project. Heather.Miljour@meherarchive.org |
 | UPCOMING Save your 'stuff'! Please put aside your gently used items when spring cleaning because MAC is planning a rummage sale sometime in the future. No date yet because of Covid restrictions. Your donations for MAC will be greatly appreciated! (Please store them at your home at this time.) It would be helpful to put a price on your items too—if you can. More details to follow. Contact Jean: Jean.Brunet@meherarchive.org |
WHAT’S NEW
Meher Archive Collective Building -- Report
As you stroll through the MAC building today you will begin to get a feel for what the spaces are going to be like when finished. We are at a stage in the reconstruction process where it is visibly clear just how close we are to completing many of the elements that will bring our Center to life.
The infrastructure for the electrical, heating and cooling, fire alarm system, ethernet and lighting are mostly in place. The walls and ceilings are being prepared to receive acoustical materials, insulation and sheetrock. The fire rated doors are finished and on site. The new windows are constructed and awaiting installation (as the weather allows us to finish the north stairwell). The lighting fixtures have arrived, and we are in the process of running the electrical wiring to accommodate them. A tremendous amount of work is being done by volunteers in all these endeavours, saving us a significant amount of money.
Recently, I was moved to spend some time in each room and talked to Baba about His plans for each space. I began in the central room, the silent, contemplative space, which will provide us all the opportunity to embrace His presence. For me personally this is where everything emanates from: the silent inner connection with Baba. I walked across the hall to the Archival Work Area, where volunteers will have a beautiful space within which to receive and process the sacred items to be preserved and shared with the world. Our two fireproof, waterproof and climate-controlled archival storage rooms have a great feel to them, and will safeguard the precious materials to be housed there for the next 700 years.
Next I entered the library where we will be invited to explore the many books, magazines, videos and documents available to us. Down the hall, I stood in the beautiful reading room with it’s pan ceiling which I find so inviting and providing a cozy spot for reading, meetings, and small musical gatherings. I moved on to the adjacent larger meeting room with its unique shape and orientation to the open sky. It has a sense of cheerful welcome for future visitors. Lastly, is the break room and adjacent volunteer space where chai and snacks will nourish our spirits.
I invite you all to envision yourselves in this remarkable space as it opens itself, with His grace and love, to nourish and further deepen our connection with Him. I’m now remembering the song which for me so aptly applies:
Welcome to My World, won’t you come on in?
Miracles I guess, just happen now and then.
Step into my world and leave your cares behind.
Welcome to my world —built with you in Mind
In His sweet Embrace
Jai Baba,
Ken ( for the MAC team )
Ken.Blackman@meherarchive.org
Meher Archive Collective Building -- Report
As you stroll through the MAC building today you will begin to get a feel for what the spaces are going to be like when finished. We are at a stage in the reconstruction process where it is visibly clear just how close we are to completing many of the elements that will bring our Center to life.
The infrastructure for the electrical, heating and cooling, fire alarm system, ethernet and lighting are mostly in place. The walls and ceilings are being prepared to receive acoustical materials, insulation and sheetrock. The fire rated doors are finished and on site. The new windows are constructed and awaiting installation (as the weather allows us to finish the north stairwell). The lighting fixtures have arrived, and we are in the process of running the electrical wiring to accommodate them. A tremendous amount of work is being done by volunteers in all these endeavours, saving us a significant amount of money.
Recently, I was moved to spend some time in each room and talked to Baba about His plans for each space. I began in the central room, the silent, contemplative space, which will provide us all the opportunity to embrace His presence. For me personally this is where everything emanates from: the silent inner connection with Baba. I walked across the hall to the Archival Work Area, where volunteers will have a beautiful space within which to receive and process the sacred items to be preserved and shared with the world. Our two fireproof, waterproof and climate-controlled archival storage rooms have a great feel to them, and will safeguard the precious materials to be housed there for the next 700 years.
Next I entered the library where we will be invited to explore the many books, magazines, videos and documents available to us. Down the hall, I stood in the beautiful reading room with it’s pan ceiling which I find so inviting and providing a cozy spot for reading, meetings, and small musical gatherings. I moved on to the adjacent larger meeting room with its unique shape and orientation to the open sky. It has a sense of cheerful welcome for future visitors. Lastly, is the break room and adjacent volunteer space where chai and snacks will nourish our spirits.
I invite you all to envision yourselves in this remarkable space as it opens itself, with His grace and love, to nourish and further deepen our connection with Him. I’m now remembering the song which for me so aptly applies:
Welcome to My World, won’t you come on in?
Miracles I guess, just happen now and then.
Step into my world and leave your cares behind.
Welcome to my world —built with you in Mind
In His sweet Embrace
Jai Baba,
Ken ( for the MAC team )
Ken.Blackman@meherarchive.org
VOLUNTEER CORNER
April's News On a recent Saturday in March, many willing volunteers showed up at the MAC building to help for several hours with lots of projects. With all hearts, minds and hands working together we accomplished a lot and had fun too! This is the beginning of many more Volunteer Days to come. In the spirit of our united love for Baba and MAC, we will support the unfolding of His Will for the Meher Archive Collective building.
We hope to build a strong community of volunteers and foster a sense of service to our Beloved. We are beginning by building a volunteer base from within our local community, and then we are planning to attract volunteers from the worldwide Baba community, and finally we will be reaching out to the non-Baba community. We will move step-by-step as our needs grow.
Below are available service opportunities. Please share with others you know who may have skills or an interest to match these positions. A willing heart and some useful skills are valued and appreciated.
Jai Meher Baba,
Alisa and the Volunteer Team
April's News On a recent Saturday in March, many willing volunteers showed up at the MAC building to help for several hours with lots of projects. With all hearts, minds and hands working together we accomplished a lot and had fun too! This is the beginning of many more Volunteer Days to come. In the spirit of our united love for Baba and MAC, we will support the unfolding of His Will for the Meher Archive Collective building.
We hope to build a strong community of volunteers and foster a sense of service to our Beloved. We are beginning by building a volunteer base from within our local community, and then we are planning to attract volunteers from the worldwide Baba community, and finally we will be reaching out to the non-Baba community. We will move step-by-step as our needs grow.
Below are available service opportunities. Please share with others you know who may have skills or an interest to match these positions. A willing heart and some useful skills are valued and appreciated.
Jai Meher Baba,
Alisa and the Volunteer Team
We are looking for Volunteers
Administrative Support — 2-6 hours/week — Katherine.Dadachanji@meherarchive.org
Archive Support — Collections inventory; scanning; re-housing; leadership role — Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Board Members — leadership experience; 5-10 hrs/mos; can be remote — Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Committee Chair, Fund Development — 5-7 hrs/mos; can be remote — Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org
Custodian(s) — MNLC building; 3-8 hrs/wk; can job share — Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org
Data Entry & Admin for Donors —1-2 hrs/week; can be remote — Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org
Fundraising team — two positions as needed; can be remote — Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org
Grant Writer — as needed basis; can be remote — Jean.Brunet@meherarchive.org
Landscaper(s) — MNLC building; 1-2 hours/week; light duty — Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org
Public Relations — 3-5 hours/month; can be remote — Jean.Brunet@meherarchive.org
Treasurer — prior experience; 4-6 hrs/mos; can be remote — Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Video Editors — as needed/as available; can be remote — Debbie.Nordeen@meherarchive.org
Window Cleaner(s) Interior — 3-5 days quarterly; flexible schedule — Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org
Administrative Support — 2-6 hours/week — Katherine.Dadachanji@meherarchive.org
Archive Support — Collections inventory; scanning; re-housing; leadership role — Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Board Members — leadership experience; 5-10 hrs/mos; can be remote — Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Committee Chair, Fund Development — 5-7 hrs/mos; can be remote — Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org
Custodian(s) — MNLC building; 3-8 hrs/wk; can job share — Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org
Data Entry & Admin for Donors —1-2 hrs/week; can be remote — Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org
Fundraising team — two positions as needed; can be remote — Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org
Grant Writer — as needed basis; can be remote — Jean.Brunet@meherarchive.org
Landscaper(s) — MNLC building; 1-2 hours/week; light duty — Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org
Public Relations — 3-5 hours/month; can be remote — Jean.Brunet@meherarchive.org
Treasurer — prior experience; 4-6 hrs/mos; can be remote — Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Video Editors — as needed/as available; can be remote — Debbie.Nordeen@meherarchive.org
Window Cleaner(s) Interior — 3-5 days quarterly; flexible schedule — Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org