Thank You for Your Pledges!
Members expressed their appreciation for MZMC by making generous pledges of financial support during our 2012 member drive. Thank you! These regular contributions from members are our largest form of revenue, making it possible to offer a wide range of programs for practitioners and community members. Our goal was to raise $50,000 in member pledges for the coming year. We came close to our goal with $47,980 in pledges! New memberships are welcome at any time of the year.
What does it mean to be a member of MZMC?
If you find that you are meditating and attending programs at MZMC regularly, we encourage you to consider becoming a member of the sangha (community). Members make a yearly financial contribution to MZMC, and many also give time and energy by working in a volunteer capacity. Member gifts of time, money, and enthusiasm are the fuel that propel all our activities.
Financial contributions from our members, our largest form of revenue, are vital to our ability to keep the doors open and lights on. Volunteers are the cornerstone of day-to-day operations, making it possible to maintain the building and gardens and offer a wide range of programs for practitioners and community members.
As a member, you will have voting rights at our annual community meeting and, after making the first three months of pledge payments, you will receive the member discount on classes, guest lectures, and retreats.
"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." -- The Buddha
How do I become a member?
It's simple! Fill in the box below, contact the MZMC office, or fill out a yellow membership form available at the Center. During the month of November, we'll be conducting our annual membership drive, which is an opportunity to reflect on what our activities here have meant to each of us and serves as a reminder of how important it is to continue our support of the people and programs at MZMC.
Since membership entails a pledge of financial support, and since membership pledges make up a high percentage of our income, these funds are vital to MZMC's survival. But membership is much more than that! It is a way to formally recognize that you are a part of this community, and to affirm your support for our mission, which is at the top of our main page. If you appreciate the difference that MZMC has made in your life, please join us, and help us to maintain this supportive place of contemplation on Lake Calhoun.
Each member determines a pledge amount based on his or her personal financial situation. When deciding how much to pledge, we often ask our members to consider donating 2.5% of their income (about one hour's pay per week). Of course, everyone's personal circumstances are different, so this is offered only as a guideline.
Thank you for considering becoming a member of MZMC; we appreciate your pledge of support, look forward to getting to know you, and welcome you to the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center community! If you have questions about membership, please contact the MZMC office at info@mnzencenter.org.
Payment Methods and Maximizing Your Membership Donation
We encourage members to consider paying with a check or using electronic payment, an automatic funds transfer from a checking or savings account. These methods of payment maximize your contribution by eliminating fees. Authorization forms for an automatic funds transfer are available from the office or click here for a PDF form.
To make a membership donation online using your credit card, please fill in the box below with your annual or quarterly recurring membership amount.(Please note that credit card companies will subtract 3 to 5% from your donation in fees. Donating by using a check or monthly electronic payments instead will maximize your contribution.)
