Karma Thegsum Chöling Southern California

Thank you for supporting Karma Thegsum Chöling Southern California. This section explains donation categories, the benefits of Membership, and allocations.

MEMBERSHIPS

We encourage anyone who has taken refuge and enjoys listening to dharma teachings through KTC SoCal weekly programs to join us as a Full Member in one of five categories: Individual Member, Family Member, Supporter, Sponsor, or Benefactor. 

A benefit of joining KTC SoCal as a Member is that practitioners know their support contributes to the ongoing vitality and weekly outreach of KTC SoCal. A Membership in KTC SoCal also gives members the knowledge that they are an important part of our local sangha and provide support for our home monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) in Woodstock, NY. 

A portion of all KTC SoCal Member dues is sent to KTD to support its national outreach and programming. After payment to KTD, the remainder is given to our teachers, who provide monthly teachings in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. The level of one’s Membership determines the amount of additional money automatically sent to the teacher for a given week.

The benefits of each level of Membership are described here:

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP $25/month 

(Refuge or intent to take refuge required)

Individuals committing $25/month are FULL MEMBERS of KTC SoCal with voting privileges and the ability to serve on the KTC SoCal Board of Directors. Member donations support local activities of KTC SoCal as well as the national outreach of KTD. FULL MEMBERS receive notifications of KTC SoCal public events, Zoom meetings, special announcements, and communications from KTD. FULL MEMBERS dues are applied to weekly Zoom meetings, teacher support, and all KTC SoCal and KTD activities. FULL MEMBERS additionally qualify for discounts to KTC SoCal in-person teacher or lama visits.

FAMILY MEMBERS $36/month 

(Refuge is required of at least one family member)

The FAMILY MEMBERSHIP category is designed to recognize the growing diversity and depth of family relationships in today’s world; up to two family members who have taken refuge or intend to take refuge to have voting rights and the ability to serve on the KTC SoCal Board. If only one family member has taken refuge, that member may be the family’s voting representative. There is no limit to the number of names, within reason, which qualifies as a FAMILY MEMBER. One designated family representative will receive notifications of KTC SoCal public events, Zoom meetings, special announcements, and communications from KTD. Additional FAMILY MEMBERS may request to be added to notification lists. FAMILY MEMBERSHIP dues are applied to weekly Zoom meetings, teacher support, and all KTC SoCal and KTD activities. Up to two FAMILY MEMBERS qualify for KTC SoCal discounts to in-person teacher or lama visits.

SUPPORTER $54/month

(Refuge is required of at least one Sponsor member)

The SUPPORTER MEMBERSHIP category enables those wishing to support KTC SoCal and lineage teachers at a higher level than family memberships. Like the family membership category, SUPPORTERS may be listed as a family group, with up to two SUPPORTER members who have taken refuge or intend to take refuge to have voting rights and the ability to serve on the KTC SoCalBoard. If only one SUPPORTER family member has taken refuge, that member may be the family’s voting representative. There is no limit to the number of names, within reason, that qualifies as a SUPPORTER MEMBER. One designated SUPPORTER representative will receive notifications of KTC SoCal public events, Zoom meetings, special announcements, and communications from KTD. Additional SUPPORTERMEMBERS may request to be added to notification lists. SUPPORTER MEMBERSHIP dues are applied to weekly Zoom meetings, teacher support, and all KTC SoCal and KTD activities. Up to four SUPPORTER MEMBERS qualify for KTC SoCal discounts to in-person teacher or lama visits.

SPONSOR $108/month

SPONSORS are special members who support KTC SoCal programs and activities every month. They receive the membership benefits that full members enjoy, plus the added knowledge that their support provides essential funds for KTC SoCal’s fiscal and organizational well-being.

BENEFACTOR $324/month

BENEFACTORS are our top-tier supporters who provide essential funds for KTC SoCal’s fiscal and organizational well-being every month. They receive membership benefits, and their support enables us to provide further events and programs for our community. We are truly grateful for their generosity and commitment to our mission.

TEACHER SUPPORT

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To express our appreciation for the teachers of the Karma Kagyu lineage who offer monthly teachings, KTC SoCal makes an offering that is paid through Membership dues and other donations. 

Our primary teachers are Lama Karma Drodhul, Lama Kathy Wesley, and Lama Adam Berner. Occasionally, we host other teachers authorized by our home monastery, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) in Woodstock, New York, or another Karma Thegsum Choling network center. Supplemental donations to our primary teachers (categories below under specific teacher names), as well as visiting teachers (category below as “Other Visiting Teacher”), may be made.

Offerings made to teachers through the Teacher Support category are applied to the amount KTC SoCal sends teachers each week. Once our minimum threshold for teacher donations is reached, 90% of donations generated through this donor category are additionally forwarded to the teacher. In comparison, KTC SoCal keeps 10% to help cover our expenses.

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS

A final category of donations qualifies as a Miscellaneous Donation, which does not require a minimum amount or an ongoing commitment. Miscellaneous donations may be made in any amount at any time. Those wishing to provide a miscellaneous donation on an ongoing basis may do so. However, it should be noted that miscellaneous donations do not qualify in the membership category, which requires a continuing commitment to support at a minimum level. Please know your support in whatever form you choose is appreciated. 

Santa Monica Karma Thegsum Choling is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization.

Donations may be made online using auto-pay options or by mailing a check. Please contact us for details.

Thank you sincerely for your support of KTC SoCal. May all beings benefit!