Newsletter #22

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Volunteers have been working on the MAC building for the past five years, initially deconstructing and then reconstructing. It all began with the purchase of a 1927 educational building. A lot has happened during this time, so much that was not predictable, and as a result, tremendous creativity has been generated through uncertainty. This reminds me that Meher Baba, during His lifetime, welcomed and catalyzed a great deal of change as His work in the world evolved. And that we, His lovers, are learning lessons about not only accepting but also welcoming change as MAC evolves.

In this quarter, the MAC building is growing into its new self, one that was present all along and now is beginning to manifest. With paint added to the second-floor walls and ceiling, it has taken on not just the feel of becoming an archive, but something even more subtle, a place of beauty and dedication to the Avatar. Lights are being installed, 73 in number, to create a well-lit environment for work going forward. A cascade of other tasks can be completed now, such as the final electrical work, door installation, and security cameras.   

I see for myself that any path toward greater wisdom and love begins with a recognition of my own ignorance. Over the years I would not have grown inwardly without understanding that I often do not know, and have to lean into an edge of uncertainty. That edge is a powerful one in a way because it helps me to listen more deeply, and to respect what others know that I am unaware of. I see such dedicated and talented volunteers drawn to service with MAC because they love Meher Baba. These individuals work on communications, IT, finance, archiving, the building, and fundraising. What a gift it is for me to rub shoulders with each one. 

I feel particularly appreciative of all the Baba lovers from many parts of the world who are helping to make MAC a reality through your generous donations. Our newest campaign is a Match campaign of $50,000, and I hope you will want to help by doubling the value of what you give. Thank you!
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In His Embrace,
Evie
[email protected] / 203.915.8017

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FUNDRAISING UPDATE
MAC’s Progress Thrives on the Generosity of Donors and Volunteers

Service and gratitude are two powerful themes driving the success of Meher Archive Collective. More than 90% of the work performed at MAC is through talented volunteers who are generous with their time. And we are seeing tangible results of their service. 

MAC's vision is becoming clearer as we see rooms in our building now painted, and concrete discussions are underway on how MAC Archives, IT and the Library spaces will be set up for workspace and use. Thank you to so many who have volunteered their service and time towards manifesting MAC's vision.

We stand in huge gratitude to our MAC donors. Our Autumn/Winter fundraising campaign successfully met our financial goals and provided MAC the funds to continue the work on the building. We are now planning to move into the renovated spaces during the second half of this year. This could not be happening without the generosity of so many in the MAC community.

To manifest our vision of making Baba’s life and legacy available for present and future generations, MAC will continue to rely on the volunteer service of many, and on the generosity of continuing donations. 

MAC will do this with two seasonal campaigns annually. The first is our Springtide Campaign, which is already underway with an anonymous $50,000 match. Every dollar you donate will be doubled!
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We’d like to end by expressing gratitude for the ongoing contribution of your positive energy in the creation and unfoldment of MAC’s vision. We are rapidly moving toward having a tangible building and space, with people moving in and providing services locally as a thriving Baba community, and internationally through our digital Archive capabilities.

Donate Now

WIth love and thanks to all in Baba,
John Dalisky, Fundraising Chair
Evie Lindemann
Scott Tower
Jean Brunet

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BUILDING RENOVATION PROGRESS
Rigorous Work to Move into the New Building in 2023 Continues

Preparing for priming and painting the interior of the building was an enormous job; work that took almost two weeks! Consider some of these numbers: Taping and covering 48 very tall windows, ten door frames, two stairwells, and covering 8000 square feet of floors with plastic sheets. 

But at last, the walls were ready for priming in which we used 95 gallons of primer, followed by two coats of paint on all the walls.
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Additionally, light fixtures are being installed during the next few weeks, followed by the completion of the major electrical cables. As His Lovers know, Baba is working through each of them, using their time, talents, and hearts. Please watch Baba’s work unfolding in this short video aptly titled “Lighting the Way”!

Article by Hugh Huntington, MAC’s Building Committee Chair & Board Secretary

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ARCHIVE CORNER
Voices From the Past: MAC’s audio-visual collection expands and how you can be a part of it!

Oftentimes MAC focuses on the physical items within our collection. They are precious, so many of them are one-of-a-kind, and irreplaceable. But our collection doesn’t just deal with the tangible. We at MAC also deal with the intangible treasures: audio recordings. Much of our audio lives in the physical form of cassette tapes. The true value is in the connection with the past that audio offers us. Reading a recounting of trips to Meherabad is a moving experience, but hearing it spoken aloud tugs at your heartstrings.​

We recently received an incredible donation of audio recordings from a wide array of talks and events. It’s always a treat when we get items like this and we’re excited to welcome them into our collection. All the recordings entrusted to MAC will be digitized and transcribed to make them easily accessible to anyone interested in spending some time with them.

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Our audio collection isn’t just made up of recordings of events and talks. Late last year we began our interview project, and our first participant was Susan Paul. She gave us the opportunity to record her story of coming to Baba. The recording will be uploaded onto our YouTube channel. Listening to her speak gives you goosebumps, it’s so impactful. We hope that other Baba lovers will listen and get inspired to share their story with MAC. All stories have the potential to impact future generations.

Each and every piece in our collection is integral to our mission, but our audio collection is particularly interesting. Audio recordings offer us a particularly special chance to interact with the past in a tangible way. The power of the human voice is indescribable.
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By Claire Barrett MLIS, Archives Manager
​[email protected]

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IN TOUCH WITH MEHER ARCHIVE COLLECTIVE
​— CHERISHING MEHER BABA’S LEGACY
Join us for MAC’s presentation on Baba Zoom - June 3rd!

In May the Asheville Baba community was privileged to have a visit from Hardeep and Indra Hanspal. They toured the building renovation and Indra said, "It is like a palace!" Hardeep shared a heartfelt and moving talk with us about his time spent with Meher Baba and the mandali. This love feast made a huge impact on the gathering. The MAC Baba Zoom recording of his talk will be shown on Saturday, June 3rd at 11 a.m. Please join us at  babazoom.net. 

Hardeep Hanspal gave a talk recently in Asheville. Photo by Chris Barker

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VOLUNTEER CORNER
An invitation to volunteer with Meher Archive Collective: Serving the Master is the quickest means of realizing Him

Those of us who have been touched by Baba are each on a unique journey personally guided by Him. What little we can do for Him is our gesture of our love for our Beloved. If you are seeking ways to serve Baba, Meher Archive Collective has so many opportunities to volunteer, both virtual and onsite. Ponder Baba’s words from the Discourses, “Serving the Master is the quickest means of realizing him.”

In the Discourses, Baba states, “The service that the disciple can offer the Master is not only linked with the universal cause of humanity but is one of the most potent means of bringing the disciple nearer his spiritual goal.” As MAC matures, the on-line searchable archives will be available to serve the universal cause within awakening humanity.

It may be too easy for us to take for granted all that Baba has given us. As time progresses since His physical passing, unless care is given to all the stories and artifacts that many of us have, these things could be lost or become less accessible. The long-term vision for MAC is a large effort, with so many opportunities to support the archival work, both on-site and remote. This is a group effort, and whatever talents and skills you share will become the foundation to ensure future generations have access to know more of and to be touched by Baba.
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Story has it that when St. Francis was on his deathbed, he said, “I have done what is mine to do. May Christ now teach you what you are to do.” Is Baba prompting you in any way to share your talents and love for Baba at MAC? If so, ask, “What is mine to do?”

The way of My Work is the way of effacement, which is the way of strength, not of weakness; and through it you become mature in My love. At this stage you cannot know what real love is, but through working for Me as you should work for Me, you will arrive at that ripeness where, in a moment, I can give you That for which you have been millions of years seeking. - MEHER BABA

We welcome anyone who feels a call to service through volunteering with MAC where archival and building projects provide many opportunities for you to find a special niche for your talents, your passions, and your experience. ​

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Volunteer opportunities exist in a variety of areas and some can even be done from home!

Administrative Support: Office Work
Archive Support: Archives, Art Advisory Subcommittee, Processing, Scanning, Transcription
Leadership: Board of Directors - Board Member, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Nominating Committee
Building & Grounds: Cleaning/Custodial, Construction, Painting
Communications: Communications Committee, Newsletter/MailChimp, Social Media, Vlog/YouTube, Website, Worldwide Baba Family Zoom
Fundraising: Fundraising Committee
Information Technology/Information Systems: Google Admin, IT/IS, Tech Support, Zoom Webhost
Library: Library Services
Programs/Events/Projects: P/E/P Creating, Facilitating
​Volunteer Coordination/Human Resources: Human Resources, Volunteer Coordination - Volgistics

If you are interested in taking the next step to becoming a MAC Volunteer, visit our website [https://www.meherarchive.org/volunteers.html] or send us an email [mailto:[email protected]].

Contributed by Cheryl Johnson and Marilyn Buehler, IT/IS Volunteers

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PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
MAC’s Monthly Dhunis Bring the Baba Community Together in His Name

Meher Archive Collective is hosting a Dhuni on the lawn of the MAC building every 2nd Sunday at 6:00 p.m, organized by Laurent Weichberger. We invite your participation in the upcoming Dhuni events. Please watch for reminders.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Evie Lindemann, President: [email protected]
Hugh Huntington, Secretary: [email protected]
Anne Barker, Director: [email protected]

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