Patti was attracted to Buddhism in 1994 when she met Tibetan monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery at their "Sacred Music, Sacred Dance" performance for world harmony in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Her first Sunday teaching at the Kadampa Center in 2010 inspired her to begin the two-year Discovering Buddhism class the very next day. She found the Dharma teachings, tools and practices to be of enormous personal benefit. Patti hopes to utilize her work experience in marketing and communications to benefit our Center and the community it serves.
Jim developed an interest in Buddhism as a result of his time in both Okinawa and Taiwan during his time in the military. As a result of His Holiness's book The Art of Happiness he and his wife Cherie joined the Kadampa Center in 2001. Jim has participated with the Center in various areas including Sanga care, working with the initial Shiwa Tour, the Center Relocation, as a member of the Board of Directors and assisting with the Book Store. Jim feels that the association with Center and being around the monks and nuns has benefited him greatly.
Karen Mastroianni has been coming to Kadampa Center since 2004 and has volunteered in a number of ways, including chair of the Special Events Committee. She now coordinates the driving schedule for our Geshe-la, Geshe Gelek Chodha. She also volunteers with the Liberation Prison Project. Karen has studied the 16 Guidelines as methods for well-being and leadership development in the workplace. Karen also teaches mindfulness as an essential component of workplace wellness programs. Her real job is co-principle of a health and safety firm in Raleigh.
Barb is forever grateful to Herb Cunningham for showing her the ropes, and trusting her with continuing this wonderful project that he led for so many years!
In 2012, her work circumstances changed so she could be more flexible with her time during the week. It was a great time to reach out to Herb - who was also a participant on Venerable Robina's pilgrimage to Nepal and India in 2004 - to volunteer for the Kadampa Center Prison Project. It is amazing to watch workshop participants struggle with concepts like gratitude and forgiveness, and work through that process with them. Prison work has become a passion - Barb is also on the Steering Committee for the Department of Public Safety's Transitional Aftercare Network, and enjoys trying to figure out how to connect folks together with a similar purpose or mission.
Barb started coming to Kadampa Center in 2003 with her husband Chris to participate in the Center's first round of Discovering Buddhism. The teachings really resonated with her, and she's been actively participating in a variety of roles ever since.
Sandy joined Kadampa Center in 2010. A practicing Buddhist for many years, she aspires to use the teachings in every aspect of her life. Over the years, Sandy has volunteered in many roles at the Center, most currently as one of the Buddhism in a Nutshell Class leaders. She and her husband, John, own Blue Yonder Media, a communications company specializing in strategic messaging, HD Video Production and web-based identities.
