| Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | Trustees' Annual Report | for theperiod | for theperiod | for theperiod | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | Period start date | To | Period end date | |||||
| 6 | April | 2020 | 5 | April | 2021 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Other names charity is known by Shrewsbury Triratna Registered charity number (if any) 1157987 Charity's principal address 86 Canon St
Triratna Buddhist Community (Shrewsbury)
Shrewsbury
SY2 5HF
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoe Stephenson (Saravantu) |
Chair | Council of Trustees | ||
| Harvey Mason (Jayaratna) |
Treasurer | Council of Trustees | ||
| Jonathan Bruton (Akasharaja) |
6thOctober 2020 - present |
Council of Trustees | ||
| Tim Crosskey (Abhayanara) |
Council of Trustees | |||
| Simon Moss (Vajrapriya) |
Secretary | Council of Trustees | ||
| Karen Lambert (Vajradevi) |
Council of Trustees | |||
| Sioned Wynn (Prabhakari) |
7thOctober 2019 – 31 October 2020 |
Council of Trustees |
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Charitable Incorporated Institution How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Appointed by the Council of Trustees Trustee selection methods
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
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You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
Our Council of Trustees met for a formal meeting every two months in the reporting period, and informally most weeks to cope with the adaptations needed for the Covid-19 situation.
We maintain close communication with other members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and work in harmony with other Triratna Centres and Institutions.
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
To support the Buddhist religion, in particular by:
- 1) Encouraging people to live ethical lives in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha;
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
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2) Using applications of the Buddha’s teachings to promote the health and well-being of all;
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3) Maintaining close communication with and working under the guidance of the Triratna Buddhist Order and in co-operation with other groups with the same objects;
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4) Supporting ordained members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and other duly ordained Buddhist, at the discretion of the Council of Trustees.
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At introductory level:
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Running meditation courses and drop-in classes for people who want to learn to meditate.
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Running introductory courses for people who want to learn about Buddhism
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Running courses especially for younger people (18-30) who want to learn about meditation and Buddhism
For regulars:
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
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Running a weekly class of meditation and discussion (“Sangha Night”)
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Running regular study groups for people to deepen their understanding and practice of ethics, meditation and wisdom.
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Running occasional day events addressing specific themes
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Running a daily early morning meditation session online
For those seeking ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order:
- Running occasional events to support their training for ordination.
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
There were fewer opportunities for volunteers to work together contribute practically to the Centre’s activities.
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The garden was maintained by an enthusiastic team.
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The fabric of the building was maintained and cleaned, with Covid necessitating more intensive cleaning regime from the volunteers.
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- As always, all the teaching is conducted and supported by enthusiastic volunteer teams.
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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And of course, it is the donations from members of our community that underpin the activities of the Centre.
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The period April 2020 – April 2021 has of course been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Upon the first lockdown, all activities migrated online to the Zoom platform, and mostly stayed there during this reporting period.
The trustees immediately started meeting weekly online to plan our response and support our community. The first response was to canvas for emergency gifts and loans for anyone in need; a large number of our community offered these resources, which were happily not needed.
We quadrupled the number of “drop-in” meditation sessions from once fortnightly to twice weekly, with a beginner’s class every Saturday, and a class for regulars every Sunday. We also added an extra early morning meditation session every day for regulars.
We started two extra social events, to provide additional contact for people feeling isolated: a Sunday night “Sangha Social”, and a Thursday afternoon “Silver Sangha” especially for those in later life. The former dwindled away after the first lockdown, but the latter continues and is greatly valued.
The online nature of the Centre has had some unexpected bonuses: some more geographically remote members of our community found it much easier to engage with activities; and we have formed an informal twinning arrangement with a small group in Denmark, who had little active teaching in their area. They now feel like treasured members of our own community.
Most of our 5 regular festivals were also held online. This again had some benefits, as for two of them we could join in with an internationally organised online event, thereby giving our local community members a feeling of connection with something much larger.
We did manage one in-person festival in the period: a “Padmasambhava Day”, which included a ritual for 6 people to become Mitras (friends) in our community.
There was one fundraising event: an online meditation retreat led by Tejananda.
During this period, two people in the Shrewsbury Sangha requested ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order.
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Section E Financial review
Our policy is to have reserves of £5,000, to ensure we can make the loan Brief statement of the interest payments due at the end of each financial year, and cover the charity’s policy on reserves core costs of running the Centre in the event of a sudden decline in income.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
n/a
Further financial review details (Optional information)
We were very lucky that our main sources of income continued without You may choose to include disruption: regular standing order donations, and rental income from the additional information, where flat. Most other income sources dwindled: we continued to receive some relevant about: income from online newcomers’ courses, but most fundraising events • the charity’s principal were cancelled and our hire-out income was eliminated. sources of funds (including any fundraising); The main costs were servicing our loans, maintenance and utilities, • how expenditure has insurance, and contributions to a central development fund. supported the key objectives There was a successful fundraising appeal within our community for of the charity; funds to purchase IT equipment to enable us to run “hybrid” zoom events, • investment policy and mixing in-person and online attendance. This raised £1,830, and covered objectives including any the full cost of the equipment. ethical investment policy adopted. We repaid £16581 of our loans in this financial period
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
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INDEPENDEKf EXAMINEWS REPORTTOThE TRUSTEES OF SHREWSBURY BUDDHIST CENTrE I report on the accounts of the ch•rty the Shrewsbwy Buddist Centre ft>r Ihe Year Ended 5th April 2021 RESPEcllvE RESPONSIBULTIES OF TrUSTEES AND EXAMINER As the charit¢s twstees you are reswisibl• for the Pfepardtion of the •ccounts.' you Consider th•t the audit requirement of section 43(2le of the Chartties Art 1993 lthe Artl does not appty: it is mv responsibility to stste. on the basis of PredureS spttified In the Genernl Directions qiven by the ¢h4rlty Cornmissioners under Section 43(7J Ib) of the Act w4hethr p•rticul•r matters h•¥e come to my •ttention. 8AS15 OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT. My examlnation was carried out in 4ccord•n¢e yth the Gener•1 Olrfftlons (Iv•n by the Chorlty Commiuion•r5. An examin•tion includés • rÉvie••of the •c¢(ntiFI records kept by the charity and ¢ompafison of the accounts presented with records. It includes consid•r•tlon of •fty unusual Iterns or dlxlosur•s In the actounts •nd seekln8 explamtions from you as trustees cOtm1n$ sh matters. The procedures undertaken do not Pfovide evidence that Uld be r•qulred In •n •udl¢ •nd coniequenty I do not expfey an audit oplnion given by the accoun INDEPENDENT EK4MINEW sfATEMENr All records that were asked for were PrOded to me In my ex•mi•i•tlon, •nd no rn•tters c•me to 118ht th•tSU88ested true and accur•te recwds wwe not k•pt Sl8n•d.' w.mc Upper D esne, Th• Turnin& Garw•yi HR2 8RJ 2IY' Cttober 2021