Newsletter #12

© Meher Nazar Publications

Message from the Chair
2021 – The View Ahead

Greetings to all from the mountains of North Carolina. We hope your new year is starting well and 2021 will be a year of joy and fulfilled possibilities in His Love. At MAC we are excited by the many goals and opportunities ahead for us in the coming year.
Our primary goal is completing renovations and moving MAC fully into the Meher Archive Collective building, where our archiving capacity will grow, allowing us to receive and process an increased number of individual items as well as larger collections.
Having created a solid foundation for our organizational structure, we are also seeking to expand the Board of Directors with enthusiastic new members. We are looking forward to building community through a collective remembrance of Baba and assisting in the preservation of Meher Baba’s legacy by helping people create a plan for their Baba Treasures, with clear instructions for family members, and a designation of an archival destination of their choice.
If you’d like to join MAC in carrying our vision forward, please reach out to me: scott.tower@meherarchive.org

In His Love,
Scott

---

Help MAC carry our vision forward.
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 – contact: Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org
Video Editors – as needed/as available; can be remote – contact: Debbie.Nordeen@meherarchive.org
Window Cleaner(s) Interior — 3-5 days quarterly; flexible schedule -- Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org

---

Women to Women Storytelling Festival and Fundraiser

Due to the overwhelming success and response to the first Women to Women Storytelling event we’re organizing a second event. So please join us for Part 2 of:

S A V E   T H E   D A T E
Saturday, April 10th, 2021  — 11 A.M. EST
Zoom Webinar
 
If you are a woman who has been impacted by meeting the women mandali consider sharing your story with me: Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org 
Watch for details the 1st week of March via email and website.

---

MAC Teams

SPECIAL PROJECTS TEAM:
VLOG and videos
The MAC Special Projects team had lots of fun creating the video, "PHASE 1: CONSTRUCTING THE VISION." Because of the wonderful response to this tour video, we'll be creating vlogs at least once a month. These vlogs, which will be posted on the MAC website video page and Youtube, will feature renovation progress at the Meher New Life Center building, as well as bring our viewers little news nuggets and gems about other happenings in, about, and because of Meher Archive Collective. Ideas for short videos are welcomed and volunteers are needed who'd like to be on a contact list to do video editing on an 'as needed' and 'as available' basis.
Please contact Debbie for more information. Debbie.Nordeen@meherarchive.org.

"Beloved God Prayer" —  Played During Amartithi
This video of Meher Baba's "Beloved God Prayer" was recently presented during the 52nd Amartithi Virtual Program (hosted by the Avatar Meher Baba Trust.) Originally performed and audio recorded a few years ago by the Asheville Music Sahavas Choir, the audio track was used to create a virtual choir video for Amartithi. Add it to your playlist for daily inspiration! 

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:
Social Media Presence
The use of Social Media in today's world remains a powerful tool in creating community, connecting people, and championing important work. Hundreds and thousands can be reached with a single click.
Did you know that MAC has a FaceBook page with nearly 800 followers? We hope that includes you! But, if you haven't yet joined the Meher Archive Collective page, we invite you to and welcome your participation.
We have a volunteer who is focused on expanding MAC's social media presence through regular posts. You'll find Meher Baba quotes, Archival links, Videos, Building news and more. It's a great way to stay current and be inspired by MAC's mission and it's energetic Baba community.
We invite you to watch your Newsfeeds and promote MAC's page through your "likes," "comments" or "shares" whenever possible. MAC Facebook

FUND DEVELOPMENT TEAM:
Evie shares why she’s passionate about these stories
“Gathering Women’s Stories Connected with the Women Mandali”
One of the things I learned in my pilgrimages to India, and in many intense conversations with the mandali, especially Arnavaz, was to listen to Baba’s voice in my heart. As I listen to that voice now, I know with certainty that what happens in future generations of Baba lovers matters.
If you are a woman who has been impacted by meeting the women mandali from the East or the West please consider participating in our project:  “Gathering Women’s Stories Connected with Women Mandali.”
We welcome stories from around the world.
We are developing an archive, sharing stories at a virtual event, and/or publishing a book of these stories.
Please connect with me if you have an encounter to share about the women mandali. We are committed to preserving and sharing items related to Baba’s advent for future generations who will not have met the women mandali. Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org

NEW TO THE TEAM
New Volunteers

Jana Weed: Jana Weed is working with the Communications and Building teams. She and her husband moved to Asheville in 1992. They both retired in 2019 and began taking trips in their motorhome. She also enjoys hiking, biking and photography. Jana learned of Meher Baba when a friend came to visit in 1996 and gifted her with a copy Discourses. She soon learned of the Meher Center in Myrtle Beach and has visited many times. Baba's words and Love continue to inspire her. Jana.Weed@meherarchive.org

---

Alisa Genovese: Alisa Genovese is a psychotherapist in private practice for 30 years. She brings her skills in working with individuals and groups, as well as her strengths in communication and facilitation to the team. She has been a Baba lover for 41 years and has traveled over 20 times to India. Alisa.Genovese@meherarchive.org

---

Jim Tomlinson: I have worked in health care and disaster services since graduate school and I have found that volunteers are an integral component of any program's success. Not only does it provide support for those in need, but it provides a sense of well being to the volunteer. I have known of Baba for nearly 51 years. I learned of Baba while attending Georgia State.  One day I was at a friend’s home, and overheard my friend, Rick Berman, say “Jai Baba” to someone on the phone. “I asked him what that meant.  Later he told me about Baba and I replied immediately that, yes, Baba was God.  It was just a ‘relinking’ of Baba to me and Rick Berman was the messenger.” Jimisreally@gmail.com

---

---

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

VOLUNTEER CORNER
January’s News
Our Volunteer Services team is preparing a strong foundation for the volunteer program which will be a vital part of MAC and the MAC building. Already, over 8,000 volunteer hours have been given in the work of the Board, the committees and the crew restoring the Red Oak School. Volunteers have been addressing the future needs of the archives for Meher Baba’s work and creating a program for the community focused on the women Mandali. A volunteer tab will soon be available on the Meherarchive.org website. There, one can find information about volunteering, including volunteer applications, current volunteer needs and videos showing the work on the building.  We invite all interested in volunteering to check the website and to feel the vitality growing in this center for Meher Baba.
Current volunteer needs are in:

•  restoration of the building
•  scraping paint and painting
•  fund development
•  videography
•  window washing
•  custodial help

Come and contribute your skills, your passions, your time for this amazing center of Meher Baba’s Love. Consider donating your time or financial resources as a birthday gift for Him.
Contact the Volunteer team at: Volunteers@meherarchive.org or visit Volunteer Here