Minutes of Annual General Meeting of FWBO Corwen 29[th] April 2025 Vajraloka, Ty’n Ddol , Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 OEN
Present; Rijumitra, Tejananda, Julie, Cittamoksa, Kusalajoti, Jinapalita, Paul, Moksavira, Amita (minutes), Samata, Vidyacitta(zoom)
1)Apologies for absence Prakasa ,Kavaradhi, Tejapushpa
2)The previous AGM minutes (2024) Ratified by council
3)Chairmans report
4)Treasurer’s report
5)Membership review. Current members of FWBO Corwen. Rijumitra, Prakasha, Jinapalita,Tejananda, Cittamoksha, Amita, Vidyacitta, Tejapushpa, Kavaradhi,Samata,Julie, Paul, Moksavira,Kusalajoti.
6)Resignations of council members
Samata,Rijumitra,Tejananda,Cittamoksa,Vidyacitta, Amita, Tejapushpa, Jinapalita
7)Election of council
Rijumitra proposed by Citamoksa seconded by Vidyacitta Amita proposed by Rijumitra, seconded by Tejananda Tejananda proposed by Rijumitra seconded Kusalajoti Cittamoksa proposed by Paul seconded by Jinapalita Vidyacitta proposed by Rijumitra seconded by Moksavira Jinapalita proposed by Tejananda seconded by Julie Tejapushpa proposed by Rijumitra seconded by Amita Samata proposed by Amita seconded by Rijumitra
8) Any other business None
9) Audited Accounts accepted by the council
FWBO Corwen Council Meeting 29[th] April 2025
Present: Rijumitra(RM), Tejananda (TN), Cittamoksa(CM), Kusalajoti (KJ), Moksavira (MV), Julie Yau (JY), Amita (AM),
Paul Foster(PF),Vidyacitta (VC), Samata (ST)
- 1) Apologies for Absence
Prakasha, Tejapushpa, Kavaradhi
- 2) Election of officers
Jinapalita nominates Rijumitra as chairman, seconded by Samata Rijumitra proposes Cittamoksa as treasurer seconded by Tejananda Jinapalita proposes Amita as secretary seconded by Samata
- 3) Ratification of minutes
Minutes accepted and ratified as accurate
-
4) Matters arising
-
Vajraloka charitable status-(AM) in process of contacting Stiranaga for advice about changing this. CM will help.
-
External lighting progress, JP, electricians are over the next two months installing lighting .
-
Hut is in process, in the gaps between next three retreats new hut will go up
-
5) Proposal for new beds. Money for new beds will come out of the legacy. Julie looked at all the beds and their condition. 17 need replacing due to old age and poor condition. 8 have some possible life left and newer mattresses. VC feels we should take the opportunity to change them all, Julie said that would offer advantages. CM felt it was excessive to replace them all in the context of resources, but having slept on one of the newer beds felt the mattress poor. Excluding VAT it would be £3500 extra to replace them all. ST felt all new beds would be a good factor to promote Vajraloka .JP in favour of replacing all, but will be keen to rehome the reasonably good beds.
Motion to replace all the beds accepted, with the aim of trying to re-home the good beds. Possibility of free free-floating tables being included in the order muted by Julie.
- 6) Non-residential cook payments
Paul-at present it is cook for two retreats and get a free retreat. Proposal is to increase payment to £26 a day including days off. A lot of the cooks are living off the money. Just under half retreats have non-residential cooks. Amita felt more money would be appropriate due to the arduous nature of the work. Motion to increase payment to £26 a day carried.
7) Financial report (CM)
CM sent around the report. In a healthy financial situation due to legacies, small community historically and running a surplus on running retreats. Future considerations are the new larger community and paying external retreat leaders.
8) Team update
-
Paul- Morning sit and exercise important to him. Getting familiar with kitchen role and finds the cooking ok. Will review after a year.
-
Julie-Been here 6months. Has been planning beds, enjoying spring. Feels everyone is lovely. Took a 1yr sabbatical from work.
-
Moksavira- Has moved from similar role in NZ. Familiarising himself with the maintenance in this settling in time.
-
Kusalajoti-New booking system reliable and satisfying. Has finished a financial year. Community is supportive. Came for a year, now entering 3[rd] year.
-
Jinapalita-Still feels he is arriving as living out of cupboards prior to new hut. Enjoying new situation and helpful atmosphere in the community. Has enjoyed giving shrine room some attention.
-
Rijumitra- An interesting phase , the community enlarged, and also busier. Feels the making of a good community. Has a 5 week break coming.
9) Chairmans input
-
Prakasha’s report excellent, to be circulated further.
-
Publicity needs a fair amount of attention. The website itself needs revamping, and will cost @£3000. Needs to be more alive, containing blogs and retreat information. Paul says some retreat centres have active Instagram accounts. Vajraloka approach to social media needs to be reviewed.CM- we made a good surplus last year so infact there are new people attending.
-
Virtually no presence in other centres, eg no leaflets and programmes nowadays. We need to develop a strategy with regards to reach people who just don’t know about Vajraloka. People in the Mandala group from different centres could be involved in having day events where Vajraloka’s approach is presented in those centres.
-
Programme for 2026 is nearly completed, looks fantastic.
-
Less popular retreats are still being run, as these are for teachers who are establishing themselves. These need to be nurtured.
-
Bute Pylons-No finalising of planned route of Pylons yet.
-
10) Kamalashila’s ashes
JP- significant portion of his ashes in shrine room. The existing stupa was Vajracitta’s, and recently his brother attended to pay respects. VC-Perhaps we should have a second stupa or memorial in the garden.
11) Any other business
-
CM asking about Sheffield hosting retreat here.RM-programme is full.
-
CM raising issue about improving quality of life during winter, could anything be done. Maybe making communal area cosier.
-
CM Cashflow difficulties. (KJ money is in a 90day account- will be released in June- needs to be more planning to avoid this situation)
-
CM Vajraloka will be spending £41,500 on beds, hut and website.
-
Julie. Pensions is a concern she has. Rijumitra will try to find out from ECA what other centres plan. Some sort of pensions provision will help support longer term stay-Amita will minute this for the next meeting.
Date of next meeting Tuesday 22[nd] July 2025 10.15am
The
Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (Corwen) – henceforth FWBO (Corwen) – is registered with the Charity Commission , number 514363. The charity runs Vajraloka Meditation Retreat Centre, Tyn y Ddol, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 0EN. The charity is constituted by Deed Trust, constituted in September 1983 and amended in November 1986 and again in December 2002.
FWBO(Corwen) is administered by a council of Trustees comprising, during 2023, Dh Rijumitra (William Gow) Chairman, Dh Cittamoksa (Mark Shea), Treasurer, Dh Jinapalita, Dh Tejapushpa Entwistle and Dh Amita (Dr Sion Williams), Dh Tejananda (John Wakeman), Dh Vidyacitta (Cormac Higgs) and Dh Samata (Teresa Fischer)
The overall purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Buddhist Religion, and to encourage and teach members of the residential community at Vajraloka, and members of the wider Triratna Buddhist community (FWBO), and others, to live in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and of Buddhism. In particular the charity supports members of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community and works in cooperation with the other groups within the Triratna Buddhist Community. The charity is organisationally and financially independent from these other groups, though all are under the spiritual guidance of the Triratna Buddhist Order.
The charity carries out its objectives principally by running residential retreats on the theme of Buddhist meditation. The
retreats are mainly open to the general public, with various degrees of previous meditation experience. The capacity for each retreat is 21 people. In addition, members of the residential team also visit other Buddhist groups and centres to teach.
Vajraloka Retreat Centre aims to have a residential community of between five and seven who support the running of the retreats. During 2024 the team included three women and two men. As well as living support a small stipend is offered to each member, together with a retreat/vacation stipend allowance. Despite not being up to full strength the community in 2024 were able, with the help of Order Members living elsewhere, to offer a full range of residential retreats.
Akasapala, our resident cook left after six years of loyal service and Jinapalita returned as part of the residential community. Kavaradhi ran a very successful recruitment drive and Julie Lou joined us in September and two further team members will join the Community early in 2025 bringing the Community up to full strength with a team of seven.
In addition, other former members of Vajraloka community continue to play an active part in the wider team, which helps Vajraloka greatly with running the retreats. The admin works that Padmadasa and Prajnapriya who had been helping with has now been brought in-house and great appreciation is given to them both in the support they gave in helping bridge a difficult time. Upeksanandi continues to help with programme planning, and ongoingly participating in retreat teams. Huge gratitude goes to all who help Vajraloka to keep running and fulfilling its purpose, including our guest leaders and retreat
team supporters. Particular thanks to our ‘external’ trustees who have continued to be highly supportive of the project, despite sometimes very demanding personal circumstances.
I would add that morale is high and there is a real enthusiasm in keeping the spirit of Vajraloka well and truly alive helping people deepen their spiritual practice.
Dh Rijumitra (William Gow) Chairman. January 2025
FWBO CORWEN
Financial Activities
January - December 2024
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| 4000 Donations received | 4,019.08 |
| 4001 Donations (non gift aid) | 494.00 |
| 4002 Donations for Online retreats | 4,906.63 |
| 4006 Bursary donations | 979.00 |
| 4200 Gifts and legacies | 49,397.31 |
| 4400 Retreat income | 119,008.10 |
| 4701 Bank Interest | 6,583.72 |
| 4801 Gift aid claimed | 1,258.00 |
| 4810 Stationary/pharmacy items | 103.34 |
| 4901 Solar Panel income | 1,558.20 |
| Services | 0.00 |
| Total Income | £188,307.38 |
| Cost of Sales | |
| 6400 Kitchen Equipment | 1,656.15 |
| 6401 Suma wholefoods | 20,080.24 |
| 6402 Supermarkets & Online Food | 5,488.56 |
| 6403 Fruit and Veg | 9,645.30 |
| 6404 Shrine room costs | 583.15 |
| 6406 Household general | 3,251.00 |
| 6501 Laundry | 1,017.50 |
| 6601 Guest teachers and team help | 21,294.16 |
| Total Cost of Sales | £63,016.06 |
| TOTAL | £125,291.32 |
| Expenditures | |
| 7002 Water | 852.68 |
| 7003 Business tax/rates | 3,647.61 |
| 7104 Premises Insurances | 3,284.84 |
| 7105 Electricity | 4,455.59 |
| 7106 Gas | 7,027.45 |
| 7251 Chair/Mitra convener costs | 582.00 |
| 7300 Printing, Postage and Stationery | 463.25 |
| 7302 Office/General Administrative Expenses | 470.28 |
| 7303 Bookkeeping | 427.50 |
| 7304 Computer and software Costs | 2,014.18 |
| 7351 Internet | 893.95 |
| 7450 Books/Other | 15.00 |
| 7490 Gardening | 1,650.02 |
| 7500 Repair and maintenance | 4,237.48 |
1/2
Monday 8 September 2025 10:17 am GMT+01:00
FWBO CORWEN
Financial Activities
January - December 2024
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| 7503 Premises expenses | 286.96 |
| 7505 Vehicle fuel | 1,144.90 |
| 7506 Vehicle expenditure | 42.98 |
| 7507 Vehicle licenses | 335.00 |
| 7606 Medical | 130.93 |
| 7701 Bank charges | 307.85 |
| 7702 Paypal Bank charges | 2,206.74 |
| 7803 Team Support Akashapala | 8,717.34 |
| 7804 Team support Kavaradhi | 5,315.50 |
| 7805 Team Support Rijumitra | 5,054.78 |
| 7806 Team Support Tejananda | 9,000.00 |
| 7807 Team Support Julie Yau | 384.73 |
| 7809 Team Support Prajnapriya | 2,574.00 |
| 7810 Team Support Kusalajoti | 6,995.00 |
| 7830 Team Recreation | 475.20 |
| 7902 Accountancy and other Professional Services | 225.45 |
| 7950 Dues, Subscriptions & Donations | 7,999.50 |
| Total Expenditures | £81,218.69 |
| NET OPERATING INCOME | £44,072.63 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | £44,072.63 |
Note
1. Cittamoksha and Upekshanandi support is included in Guest/team help
BANK ACCOUNTS ; Nat West Current Account £64,712.16 . Nat West Deposit account £19,871.05 Savings Account £20.00 . PayPal £14,290.08. Petty Cash £200 Estimated Credit card debt (£500)
2/2
Monday 8 September 2025 10:17 am GMT+01:00
==> picture [466 x 37] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
| wwe, CHARITY COMMISSION | Independent examiner's report on the
| _ FOR ENGLAND AND WALES accounts
----- End of picture text -----
. Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees amily Bene TIERS CORWEend | On accounts for the year | 2st os. | Charity no | wis | report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (‘the Trust”) for the year ended , Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, (“the Act”). | report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent [The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and | am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable. co | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material _ respect:e the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 ‘ of the Charities Act; or e the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or e the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports). Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter ~ considered as part of an independent examination. | have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Aas OS Date: |27.02.2020 Ue ao . : Name: a OGER GoobuAnw | Relevant professional qualification(s) or body : 1 Oct 2018 IER