Newsletter #11

Meher Archive Collective (MAC) Newsletter
— December 2020 

Meher Archive Collective is committed to honoring Meher Baba through a culture of Integrity, Transparency and Trust; we take this Responsibility seriously, as we continue to build Expertise, and pledge to be of Service to all those invested in protecting Baba’s legacy.

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It has been a full and exciting two months at Meher Archive Collective. We received very positive feedback from our AGM in September. If you did not attend and would like a great overview of MAC and its trajectory, you can find a video here.

I am very happy to announce that with the help from many donors, we were able to meet the $50,000 Matching Challenge that ended Nov 30th. The $100,000 raised is an important step toward moving MAC into the MAC building. Evie Lindeman’s report below offers more details. 

Renovation of the building continues with many details now falling into place, as you will learn in Ken Blackman’s annual report, to be released mid-December.

Other developments include preparations for the Women to Women’s Storytelling Festival and fundraiser, featuring women’s Mandali stories on Saturday Dec 5th (please see more details below).

We are also continuing to build and expand the MAC team. Debbie Nordeen is the interim Chair of Special Projects, Debby Blackman is the new Chair of the Library Committee and Lynn Pace is our new Volunteer Committee Chair.

In the spirit of the recent holiday, I would like to extend, on behalf of all of us at MAC, our thankfulness for your interest and support, and for Baba whose Love inspires us to do our best to try to please Him in this work.

In His Embrace,
Scott
Board Chair and MAC President / scott.tower@meherarchive.org / 828.290.6972

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MAC TEAM
Eruch Adams is stepping down

Later this month, Eruch Adams will be stepping down from his position of Archive Director in order to focus on his primary work at Odyssey School where he has taken on increased responsibilities. We would like to acknowledge the vast contribution that Eruch has made to Meher Archive Collective since its inception. He was part of the original impetus for MAC, and played an instrumental role in the creation of the organization which we are now growing and expanding. The Board and team wish him all the best in his endeavors and look forward to other opportunities for collaboration in the future.

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HIGHLIGHTS 
Time is running out! Join us for a Women to Women—Storytelling Festival and fundraiser to hear personal stories from women in the Baba community who are blessed to have met Meher Baba’s women mandali: Cynthia Barrientos, Candy Bloeme, Havovi Dadachanji, Shireen Davenport, Lourdes Echeverria, Lisa Greenstein as read by Tracey Schmidt, Jeanne Felknor, Alisa Genovese, Rosie Jackson, Cindy Lowe, Debbie Nordeen, Karen Talbot, and Kristine Zalewski. 
Saturday, December 5th, 2020 11:00 am -1:00 pm EST — Zoom Webinar (English)
Tickets are $20 per person — Due to the generosity of several attendees, confidential scholarships are still available. To request a scholarship or for any questions, please contact us at: info@MeherArchive.org
Thank you for supporting our efforts to save our stories for future generations.

Get Your Ticket

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FUNDRAISING
$50,000 MATCHING CHALLENGE — RESULTS

With the help of all those who donated during the Matching Challenge campaign, we have been able to raise the matching goal of $50,000 between October 1st and November 30th, 2020. Thank you for your generous support, and donations great and small!

Although we are another step closer, funds are still needed to complete the remodel of the second floor for MAC to move into the MAC building, a dynamic hub devoted to Meher Baba.

Our achievements so far have included more than two years of physical labor, tirelessly and meticulously overseen by Peter Nordeen and Ken Blackman. For additional information about the building process itself, please reach out to Ken.Blackman@meherarchive.org  

The completion of Phase One includes MAC’s new home, where archive processing and storage will take place, and will also include the New Life Library, meeting room/s, offices, a children’s space and a Baba room for contemplation and reflection.
Please consider making a donation to help MAC move-in through our on-going  Capital Campaign

You can also reach out to scott.tower@meherarchive.org or evie.lindemann@meherarchive.org with questions or to discuss your donation.

In Baba,
Evie
Board Member, Liaison to Fund Development Committee / Evie.Lindemann@MeherArchive.org

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WHAT’S NEW
New Caretaker

We are pleased to welcome and announce that Jamie Zimmerman is our new caretaker at the Meher New Life Center. Jamie grew up in a Baba family and is very knowledgeable about Baba. He brings many skills that we will need as we anticipate being in the facility soon. He is also one of the construction workers assisting Ken and Peter so he will have a thorough understanding of the building.

Hugh
Board Member, Liaison to Building Ops Committee / Hugh.Huntington@Meherarchive.org

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MEHER NEW LIFE CENTER
Greetings all from the Meher Archive Collective Construction Center

We could use a printer out here; nothing fancy, just a black and white capable of syncing up to a basic HP laptop;  having scanning potential would be nice but not critical. Call Ken at 520.907.8056

Jai Baba, 
Ken
Vice President, Board of Directors, Building Project Manager / Ken.Blackman@MeherArchive.org

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VOLUNTEER CORNER
MAC Volunteers and Board members met for a workday at the MAC building two weeks ago to help with important clean up and paint prep under Jeanne Felknor’s direction. Our plan is to have regular opportunities to work alongside (but with masks and at appropriate distancing!) each other as we move the project along. We all enjoyed tea and cake and seeing one another in a safe space. 

Every hour that volunteers help with the renovation part of the work—parts that do not require expert or professional people—saves money for MAC. As the detailed professional and construction work comes closer to being completed, the opportunities for volunteers to pitch in grow. So far thousands of hours have been donated and we gratefully thank everyone for helping to grow the Archive and future event site.

Look for the announcement coming soon about the next Board and Volunteer day at MAC—hope to see you there then, or any day you may have to donate some hours. If you wish to help out, please call Ken Blackman at 520-907-8056 or Jeanne Felknor at 773-329-7400. We are also looking for help from time to time with other skills in our community and will be reaching out to you, asking about your interests and experience. If you want to discuss opportunities for future involvement or have any questions, please call Lynn Pace at 828-702-2899. 

Renee
Board Secretary, Liaison for HR & Volunteer Services Committees / Renee.Bussanich@Meherarchive.org

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NEW TO THE TEAM

Debby Blackman, Chair — Library Committee
Debby Blackman is the new chairperson for the Meher New Life Center Library. Her main qualification is her lifelong love of books and reading. As a special education teacher and owner of Desert Willow Educational Center in Tucson, Arizona, Debby taught students to read and started a high school for kids with learning disabilities, autism and addictions. Her enthusiasm for learning and her ability to relate to the individual needs of her students will carry over into her position on the library committee. Debby was the Chairperson for the Womansong Choir of Asheville’s board here in Asheville. She became a Baba liker and then a Baba lover starting in 1978 through her then boyfriend and now husband Ken Blackman. 
Debbie.Blackman@meherarchive.org

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Lynn Pace, Chair — Volunteer Services Committee
My professional experience includes years as a social worker, leading to creating and managing large volunteer programs, training volunteers for faith communities, colleges and other community groups. I delight in working with others to develop programs, to watch them unfold successfully. I chaired the Asheville Music Sahavas team for several years. 

When I was a teenager, Baba came to me in a powerful vision, telling me that He was taking care of me and I never needed to worry (of course, I did!) I see His thread through all my life. Now, I bring it all back to Him–weaving His gifts into this work at the New Life Center.

My other interests include hiking, photography, travel and deep sharing with friends. I ask you all to bring your strengths, passions and ideas in the manifestation of Baba’s Center here. Please let me know your desires.
Lynn.Pace@meherarchive.org

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Debbie Nordeen, Interim Chair — Special Project Committee
Debbie Nordeen first heard Meher Baba’s name in 1976 and visited India for the first time in 1979. During most winters since 1984, Debbie and her husband, Peter, have been living in Meherabad, where she directs special event Baba choirs, and works in the Meherabad Welcome Office helping coordinate events. Debbie is a community music facilitator who enjoys leading Baba choruses at various events in North Carolina, like the Meher Baba Asheville Music Sahavas. Debbie loves to dance to Baba's tune, and currently she is interested in learning more about video and music production.
Debbie.Nordeen@meherarchive.org

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MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Contacts:  Anne.Barker@Meherarchive.org; Evie.Lindemann@Meherarchive.org; Hugh.Huntington@Meherarchive.org; Jean.Brunet@Meherarchive.org; Ken.Blackman@Meherarchive.org;  Renee.Bussanich@Meherarhive.org; Scott.Tower@Meherarchive.org

MAC’s Mission Statement 

 To collect, preserve, and share Meher Baba’s Divine legacy of materials, artifacts, and words with integrity, love and transparency for the benefit of humanity.

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