The Boulder Shambhala Council Mission

The Boulder Shambhala Council is the leadership group that represents and integrates the various facets of the Boulder sangha.

The Boulder Shambhala Council is grounded in the basic inspiration of supporting and expanding a community in which people can dedicate themselves to building Shambhala society and propagating the vision of Shambhala.

The Boulder Shambhala Center Director chairs the council, which is composed of the chairpersons of all working groups, councils and other major entities in the Boulder Shambhala community. The primary role of the Council is to provide continuity and communication between the various areas of the Shambhala mandala in Boulder and advise the Director and other senior leaders of the community. Through sharing activities, inspirations and concerns together the Council provides cohesion and stability for the Boulder mandala to thrive.

The Shambhala Council takes the "Treatise on Society and Organization" written by the Sakyong, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche, as its foundational document providing the ground for engaging in social transformation, and "The Six Ways of Ruling" as the lineage instructions on governance of the mandala.

The members of the Council are appointed by the Kalapa Court on the recommendation of the Director of the Boulder Shambhala Center.

Members of the Boulder Shambhala Council

Ulrike Halpern
Council Chair and Center Director

Jim Fladmark
Practice and Education Director

Betsy Railla
Interim Regimental Gesar Commander

Lea Basch
Head of Culture and Decorum

Tamara Sell
Director of Societal Health and Well-Being

 
Bob Sutherland
Chagdzo (Bursar)

Mary Sweet
Building and Design Committee Chair

Cathy Conlin
Family Council Chair

Sophie Maclaren
Young Sangha Representative

Ralph Basch
Head of Coordinators

Silvan Erb-Summers
Community Outreach Chair

Rachel Zatterstrom
Council Secretary