Meadow Musings

MEADOW MUSINGS – Spring 2024

Spring has definitely sprung here at camp.  First sign was the crocuses, both purple and white, beginning to bloom.  Then daffodils of various shades of yellow and orange made their appearance.  Cherry blossoms were prolific around the island, and now the pear trees in the orchard are showing off their beautiful white flowers.  And although winter might see fewer folks on the land, it certainly stays quite busy nonetheless!  Read on to hear of the challenges and successes leading into this beautiful Spring season.  Thanks to all of the hardworking, dedicated individuals who keep things running in our community!

In this issue we remember and honor Mark Ray, an incredibly special and beloved member of our Indralaya community. We also bring you notes from our General Manager, updates about building and projects, news from the Board meeting, a treasurer’s report, inspiration about our Stewardship (formerly Fellowship) program, and updates about fundraising, library donations, and more! 

Table of Contents

Tributes to Mark Ray 

  • Isis Ray
  • Leonie Van Gelder
  • Rolf Eriksen
  • Call for material for the Book of Mark Ray

Manager’s Minute

Fundraising

Facilities and Grounds Update

  • Bathhouse
  • Water Systems

Stewardship

  • Fellowship Renamed
  • Stewardship Spotlight

Camp Doings

  • Work Parties in Pictures
  • The Garden!

News from the Board

  • 2024 Board Meetings
  • Q & A with your Treasurer

Library Donations

Announcements

  • Travel Reimbursement Announcement
  • We are Hiring! (Facilities Maintenance Manager)
  • Annual Friends of Indralaya Meeting
  • Be sure to review all the 2024 Indralaya programs and register!

Tributes to Mark Ray

Mark Ray, born Irving Mark Ray on April 26, 1954, was my brother and my best friend, (along with my husband Twig). Our mom, Joan Van Beusekom, raised us with a background in Theosophy since her parents were also theosophists in Holland. We participated in the Round Table at the T.S. Lodge in Seattle as little kids, along with the Lehwalder kids and others. Mark grew interested in astrology as a teenager and first learned about it from our dad, but he studied it his whole life. He was very involved in the T.S. as well as Indralaya, giving his time and energy to help build things and work on the boards for both places.

He and I traveled a few times around Europe when we were young, and we were also very lucky to be able to stay at Indralaya for entire summers as we grew up. He learned many skills there doing the construction work that he continued doing for many years.

He married Marcy in 1981 and they had three kids, Alex, Colin, and Tom, who he loved very much. He also helped Twig and me remodel our house, which was originally an old church, in 1993. We couldn’t have done it without him! I had started a business making banners and windsocks in the early ’80’s, which he took over for several years as well, and he is the reason that I have sold my work at the Pike Place Market since 1985. I can’t imagine my life without his influence, he was always there to give his help whenever we needed it.

His interest in the spiritual side of things never wavered, and his last trip to India was to study meditation and experience the ancient spirituality of the gurus he had been studying for a few years. I am saddened that I never got to hear about his trip. There is some comfort in knowing from his friend that a week before he passed, he had dreamed of our mom looking at him intently, perhaps she was there for him, and it was meant to be.

I will always miss him, as will many other people. He had so many friends, and people who really cared deeply about him.

~~ Isis Pearl Ray

It is still a shock to think that Mark is no longer with us—He was going to be 70 this year—April 26. For the last number of years, I have texted him on his birthday wishing him “many happy returns old man.”   (He is exactly one month older than me).

It seems strange that he is gone, that his time came before he got to be old. Although I am sure he will be present at Indralaya in spirit with the “old codgers” and lovers of Indralaya who have gone before. Mark is and will be profoundly missed. He did so much for Indralaya and touched so many people.

Mark was one of those people whose life spark shone bright. He was someone who could get along with everyone: He was quiet and listened well (except when you told him to stop working) and was always kind—and so generous, always contributing his time, energy, and many skills. He also had a wonderful sense of humor; his laughter came quickly and was a delight.

Another of his distinguishing characteristics was that Mark didn’t seem to need recognition. He simply got on with whatever it was that needed doing.

My memories of Mark really begin when we were teens, but he started coming to Indralaya as a child with his mother, Joan and his sister Isis. The old Indralaya photos reveal what cuties he and his sister were.

As teenagers, he and Isis and their peers (mostly from Seattle and Vancouver) were fixtures at camp and came to all the work parties and stayed the summer. This was a big Indralaya cohort due to the Indralaya baby boom in the years around 1954.

We learned so much from being at Indralaya on the outdoor and kitchen work crews, being responsible for chores and work projects, attending some programs or going to the beach, being in community, and being in nature. These were halcyon days for us teens. And I have to say that the Indralaya parents and elders were incredibly patient!

We had so much fun and Mark (he was better known as Irving then) was a central figure and always such a good sport. Even in those days, Mark was reliable and an incredibly hard worker.

One of the great strengths of Indralaya is that you have the opportunity to make friends with campers of all ages. This was particularly true for Mark. He had friends spanning the generations and was beloved by all. Little ones gleefully chased him through the meadow as he ran with his camera strung along his shoulder. Older teens and young adults, as well as parents and elders all connected with Mark. And these friendships lasted throughout his life. After his passing, Minor and I talked to some old campers who knew Mark, and it was astounding to us how many people—friends he was in touch with—texting and emailing within the couple of weeks of his passing. He had such connection with people!

He always stood out as a person who took theosophy and Indralaya into his heart. And as he grew into adulthood, he took on more and more responsibility for Indralaya, and the Theosophical Society in Seattle. Mark deeply studied theosophy and he continued studying throughout his life. Nor did he stop helping to maintain the physical structure of the Theosophical Society in Seattle, and Indralaya. He was on the Indralaya board several times and was a steadfast member on the Theosophical Society in Seattle board, where he served as President and Treasurer for many years.

As a teen he also began studying astrology. This was a subject he loved to share with others, and he continued to study and deepen into it though out his life, presenting programs at Indralaya and the TS in Seattle. He also loved sharing information with friends about their charts and the upcoming year and charting the fortunes of the US in these tempestuous times.

Mark was one that learned some of the tools of his trade at camp on the work crew and as a career he went into building and remodeling. He was skillful and worked hard, (of course) and was a problem solver. And he did a lot of this for camp. It is difficult to look anywhere on the built site that he did not have a hand at building, repairing, maintaining, or consulting about.

He would drive a big truck from Seattle to bring needed mattresses, or jump on a ferry for a water emergency, or? No matter how long and strenuous his work projects at camp were—no matter how exhausted he was–he always did chores. He didn’t give himself much relaxation time.

After Mark married Marcy, they and their 3 boys Alex, Colin, and Tom, were fixtures at Indralaya’s work parties and the 1st generation family weeks. As Mark turned into his 50’s and 60’s he continued to be an essential player at work parties— often getting up at 3am to catch the early Saturday ferry from Anacortes. And after he and Marcy moved to the Wenatchee area in eastern Washington, if the mountain passes allowed, he would be here.

Mark was a lifelong Theosophist. And I say this with a capital T. He was not only a member of the Theosophical Society—he was the third generation in his family, but Mark really lived theosophy and its lifeway: Meditation, Study and Service. When I think about Mark, I think about Rabindranath Tagore’s quote which is on a placard on a bench near the plum trees at Indralaya.

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

~~ Leonie Van Gelder

When I think of Mark Ray, words like consummate gentleman, quietly competent, positive, and committed, impeccably honest, a devoted family man, healthy and raucous sense of humor, and so forth come to mind.

I knew Mark as a quiet young boy at camp as a focused, good humored, positive individual who was quick to smile and quick to learn.

As we worked together on camp projects he learned quickly and became incredibly valuable to the camp and, from time to time, he worked for my company and the results were always well executed, plus his positive and friendly demeanor was infectious. I always looked forward to working with him and he laughed at my bad jokes with abandon. I know that he spent many years at the market selling I don’t know how many million windsocks he and his sister made, but he always had a hand in camp projects as well as projects for the TS in Seattle. I always looked forward to his participation in camp projects because I knew he worked with dedication and expertise that I, as well as everyone who knew him, came to appreciate. He had my complete trust to say the least and his expertise and ideas were always useful and well thought out. As a matter of fact, we had planned together to work on the camp bath house upon his return from his trip to India. I was looking forward to his return and our participation together with much anticipation.

I was in shock and still am to hear of his passing. The camp, the TS, many many admirers as well as myself have experienced a loss of unknown magnitude. I will never forget.

~~ Rolf Eriksen

Appreciations of Mark Ray to Share with His Family

We recently gave special books with letters written by Indralaya people and many photos to honor the 40 years that Kelly Bachman gave as treasurer, the 5 years that Malcolm Funt was Chair of the Board, Jeannie Chamberlain’s dedication as the Manager/Registrar/Head Cook during Covid, and to Steven Lucas as the Facilities & Maintenance Manager for 2 years.

We would like to gift a book to Mark Ray’s family to honor his exceptional dedication to camp. His family was so generous about sharing him with Indralaya. If you have a story to tell, a write up, poem, or a photo to share, please send to andriebates@hotmail.com.

The book of ‘Mark Ray’ will be given at the celebration of his life during the Connections program this August.
The deadline for sending materials is May 15, 2024. Reminders will be lovingly given out a few times before this date.

Thank you in advance.

Manager’s Minute: Service as a Spiritual Path

Tribute to Mark Ray

Although I did not have the privilege of knowing Mark for very long, we had a meaningful connection, nonetheless. He reached out to me when I first came on board, wanting to do my astrological chart for being here at Indralaya. Although tired from working long hours on construction projects around the land, he spent quite a few hours with me, reviewing my personality traits, astrological aspects, and even more subtle layers of meaning behind my coming to this community. And this, after many email communications exploring this opportunity and each other. I felt quite welcomed by Mark, already feeling myself bonding with certain members of the community. And beyond his commitment to building relationships, he had a strong work ethic, which I attributed to his spiritual values, especially that of a path dedicated to service.

A spiritual path such as this recognizes that the greatest manifestation of selflessness, of love and compassion, is service. Service given freely to others, to the community, and to the source of all, without expectation of reward or need of recognition. Some feel that this is the most direct path back to oneness with that universal source, the path of love made manifest. Mark knew from his life experience the Buddhist saying: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”  And, aside from the many other connotations embodied within that statement, the meaning I am exploring here is that of service as the ultimate expression of that enlightenment. The path to greater enlightenment and the result of it: selfless service, as Mark demonstrated daily.

And Beyond

I would be remiss if I did not include some feeble attempt at astrological insight here, as well. Although I am certainly no expert in such matters, I have taken an interest for many years now and had a lot of fun exploring these concepts with Mark. According to those who ARE experts in such matters, we are now entering a brand-new time, that of Pluto entering Aquarius. This new phase will last for the next 20 years and will be unlike any period that came before. It will mean the establishment of a new paradigm, one moving away from rigid, hierarchal systems that have wreaked havoc on people and planet, and toward a new system, a monumental collective shift, focused on altruism, service, and the further evolution of humankind.

According to astrologers and other spiritual teachers as well, this is the time that we have been waiting for – we, meaning those who incarnated purposely to help usher in this new era, an era of cooperation, an era where we move from focus on the individual to that of the collective. An era where our gifts and our spiritual light are meant to come to the fore, to shine. To stand boldly in our own unique expressions, unafraid to bring our unique offerings to the table. A time to be in community, offering our service freely to each other, to humanity, and to the cosmos, bringing nature and people back together in sacred connection, healing our relationship to the earth and its many other inhabitants. A time to honor, from the heart, our brother Mark’s example, a humble yet shining combination of diligent spiritual practice and practical service. Your community and your planet need YOU!

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

–Alec Grae

Fundraising

Bathhouse Fundraising Thermometer in the Indralaya Dining Hall

Fundraising for the Bathhouse

The Bathhouse Fundraising Thermometer marks one-third of the way toward attaining the $200K needed to complete the Lower Bath House!  Rolf Eriksen has kindly donated again to help move forward with the building effort. The goal is to match his latest donation of $22,500. We appreciate all your individual donations. They add up and certainly make a difference. Thank you for continuing your generous support!

We are appreciative of the time and effort invested by everyone who participated in the October, November, and February work parties. Your efforts from the heart and hands, helped get the building winterized and looking very 3-dimensional. These community efforts saved thousands of dollars. Being two stories with skylights will help to bring brightness and joy to your bathing experience. Let’s have toilets and showers ready to welcome everyone for our 100th anniversary celebration in 2027!!

We are excited to announce that the Vancouver Canadian Theosophical lodge has voted to give Indralaya funding for the bathhouse!! The exact amount will be determined at their next board meeting.

Donations to Camp

Donations to camp are welcome and needed! Donations can come in many forms – money, stock holdings, tax-free contributions from retirement funds, bequeathments; you can also donate needed items to camp; Please inquire!

  • General donations (which are used for overall programs and projects) are always welcome, as they are an important part of keeping camp running and programming affordable. You can donate when registering for programs, you can mail a check, or you can donate any time using this link: 
  • Bathhouse donations are used to move our new construction along.
  • If you are interested in donating any specific items to camp, contact Alec Grae (office@indralaya.org) for a current list. 

Please be sure to designate how you would like your donation used, as a bath house contribution, or as a general donation to camp operations, for instance.

For any fundraising suggestions please contact Lin Bauer (kathlin623@aol.com) or Andrie Levey-Bates (andriebates@hotmail.com). Thank you.

Facilities and Grounds Update

Lower Bathhouse

Work on the Lower Bathhouse was a continuation of Phase 2: framing the exterior walls and roof. The intent in the fourth quarter of 2023 was to concentrate on achieving the exterior framing (frameworks, exterior walls, and roof) to provide weather protection during the fall and winter months. Much of this has been accomplished using volunteer labor, significantly reducing costs. The first stage of the roofing element was completed by professional roofers, paid from donations.

During the February work party, most of the exterior work was completed and passed county inspections. Roof fascias and barge boards are in place and final roofing material is due to be installed soon.

Phase 3, beginning in the second or third quarter of 2024, will focus on the interior build out and installation of windows and doors.

Water (potable) System

Unfortunately, during the February work party, instead of simply preparing camp for the season, we encountered numerous plumbing disasters in the kitchen and nearly all plumbing cabins. Additional damage was also found to cabins and rooftops, all due to a confluence of factors exacerbated by extreme weather conditions this winter across the region and affecting the entire island directly.
 
During the work party we were so appreciative to have Rolf Eriksen and Tessa Ormenyi on site to contribute their expertise, as well as Mark Klco, a work party volunteer who is incredibly knowledgeable about plumbing.  They saved Camp.  And now, Rolf Eriksen and Carla Stanley are working hard to try to fix the major plumbing issues before programs start.  It takes a Community!
Window blown out of cedar
Water leaking under Spruce
Bathroom leaks
Fixing the leaks
Spruce Exterior Shut-Off Valve

Stewardship

Volunteer Program Renamed – Positions Open for 2024 Season

The Indralaya board voted to rename Indralaya’s volunteer Fellowship Program to Stewardship Program at its February meeting.

Stewardship means ‘careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care’ which better reflects our commitment to the 78 acres of forest, meadow, coastline and trails we preserve, and the community created through the camp’s foundation in service, programs, and work parties. Being a steward fosters a deeper connection with Indralaya and is essential to making the ideals of Indralaya a reality.

Stewardship positions require a two-week commitment, but are often extended. Volunteers work approximately 5 hours/day with one day off each week. Indralaya provides food, a cabin, and everlasting gratitude in addition to waiving all program expenses. More information and a brief online application are available on the Indralaya website at Indralaya Stewardship Application – Indralaya. Questions can be directed to Marilynne at mlygardner@msn.com

Here are a few comments from 2023 participants to spark your interest…

  • I think the program as it is creates an environment for an individual to take away exactly what they need at the moment, while sustaining that same environment for future participants.
  • This year I experienced a stellar fellowship staff… With other attendees I did feel valued, respected for my service and a sense of friendship… everyone seems to try here because they are happy to be in such a special place.
  • I felt immediately comfortable being my authentic self… I enjoyed the heartfelt conversation one on one and in groups.
  • The land was so magical and beautiful… I am so grateful for the experience at Indralaya. I met so many cool people and learned so many amazing things.
  • I think it was one of the better decisions I have made with my life… I have made friends, learned things about myself, gotten answers, and formed great memories.

Stewardship Spotlight – Caleb Jenkins

Caleb is our first Stewardship volunteer this season! He has been an amazing helper, very thorough and mindful, as well as an adventurous island hopper and local explorer. He also plays piano expertly! I am sure that the sun shone so many days during his visit because of his own cheerful disposition. Thanks, Caleb, for lending your physical energy and positive vibes to camp, and I hope to see you in the future. And a special thanks to Marilynne Gardner, who has put such an immense effort into finding us quality candidates who are also wonderful human beings!

“My time at Indralaya could not have been more peaceful. When the sun is shining there are hardly any more beautiful places I have been. The property really has a unique sparkle to it. There is of course always going to be plenty of work to be done at a camp such as this, but coordinating with Alec on what I should focus on was the opposite of overwhelming throughout my stay. I felt like I could contribute in a real way while having a relaxing and exploratory time on Orcas Island. The work party weekend that landed right in the middle of my stay was great in showing me all the fun busyness and community that make Indralaya what it is. It is nice to have gotten to experience both the quieter and more lively sides of Indralaya. I’m definitely thankful to have made the effort to make Indralaya part of my travels.”

Caleb Jenkins
North Carolina State University
Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Management

Camp Doings

Work Parties in Pictures!

 

The Garden

Spring has sprung at Camp Indralaya which means: GARDEN TIME!
Although our March work party was small, we had a hard working crew. In only one day we accomplished a lot:

  • Compost tossed onto our 7 new beds
  • Herbs thinned
  • Weeding started
  • 14 flats of seeds (mostly greens) planted in the greenhouse. WOOP! WOOP!

The bright and delightful daffodils are smiling and the birds are harmonizing. What more could we ask for? We welcome spring.

~ Laurie Rotecki

News from the Board

Indralaya Board Meetings

The Indralaya Board has met twice in 2024 – by ZOOM in February, and in person in March. Each meeting begins and ends with a short meditation, grounding the Board for its work.

The February meeting met on ZOOM. The Board heard reports from its various committees and made the following decisions:

  • The Board established a new Therapeutic Touch Scholarship Fund to facilitate participation of TT students/practitioners and healing partners. 
  • The Board approved posting the Facilities and Maintenance Manager job description and invitation for applications on the website and sending it to job recruitment outlets.
  • TheBoard changed the name of the Fellowship Program to the Stewardship Program.
  • The Board confirmed Saturday August 3 at 3 p.m. for a camp celebration of life for Mark Ray.
  • The annual Friends of Indralaya meeting time was set for Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

The March meeting included a General Manager’s report on registration and use of the new portal, marketing plans, and upcoming preparations for the program season; and reports on facilities, finances, personnel, fundraising and the Stewardship program.

In addition, the Board heard a sustainability plan that highlighted the importance of economically feasible, environmentally-positive practices in construction and maintenance by Arthur Van Gelder. He noted that the local utility would subsidize retrofitting lighting systems to be more efficient and sustainable, saving utilities costs. 

2024 Board Committees were confirmed – you can see them here.

The 2024 Indralaya Board includes: Michael Van Gelder, Chair; Tessa Ormenyi, Vice Chair; Marilynne Gardner, Secretary; Merry Bullock, Treasurer; Lin Bauer, Victoria Fonseca-Bennett, and Andrie Levey-Bates.

Treasurer’s Report: Q & A with your Treasurer, Merry Bullock

Hi everyone!

I am your new Indralaya Treasurer. I began in October of last year. I thought for this issue of Meadow Musings, I  would share with you what I have been learning about Indralaya’s finances, financial policies, perspectives, and outlook.

How is Indralaya funded?

The Orcas Island Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization – a 501c3. It’s sole activity is to maintain and run Indralaya. This obliges us to ensure that our activities are in the service of our mission as an educational and spiritual organization, and that we are open to the public. 

Indralaya’s resources have always relied entirely on program fees, generous donations ,and bequests. The annual income from program fees covers only a portion of costs, and is supplemented by donations and investment income. This mix kept camp more or less in balance until 2020 when COVID hit. Camp was closed for the 2020 season and has experienced reduced attendance since. Although we are almost back to pre-COVID attendance levels, these years of much reduced revenue meant that Indralaya’s investments (our reserve) decreased from a portfolio totaling over $1 million to one that is worth around $400,000. Thus, your Board is working hard to balance expenses, affordable fees, and appropriate reserves.

In addition to the operating income and expenses which keep camp running on a day-to-day basis, we must maintain Indralaya’s “campus” – the over 20 cabins, the Roundhouse, Dining Hall, Pavilion, and other infrastructure including the shops, bath houses, water system, and septic systems. Replacing one of two bathhouses – the lower Solarium – has been an ongoing project since 2020. As you will read elsewhere in this Meadow Musings, it is about halfway there. This project can only proceed with additional resources – your generous donations and draw-outs from our investments. 

What do Indralaya’s overall finances look like?

At the end of 2023 we had a little over $60,000 in the bank (checking and savings) and $392,000 in investments. Our budget for 2024 anticipates operating income and expenses of around $300,000. Our operating income comes from program fees (in 2023 this was $176,000), donations ($32,000 in 2023). Our operating expenses cover program costs ($55,000 for food and supplies) and everything that makes camp run (around $112,000 per year for facilities, utilities, maintenance and repair, and the same amount again for personnel, insurance, and administration costs).

For 2024 we are projecting an operating budget that will, with about $20,000 extra from investments, be balanced. Of course, our goal is to move well into the black! So far, for 2024, registration has been brisk, and the market is doing well (so our investments are increasing). We are hoping that robust contributions, combined with planned use of investment funds, will allow us to complete the next phase (roofing and interior framing) of the new Bathhouse project.

How are Indralaya’s fees set?

Indralaya has a multi-layered fee system, based on accommodation (plumbing, non-plumbing, or tent), age (adult, young adult, teens, children, and toddlers), and contributions to camp operations (daily staff discounts).   

The goal is to keep fees low and affordable enough so that all may attend.* The principles used for fee setting are as follows:

  • There are incentives to choose non-plumbing accommodations, especially for daily staff discounts (due to limited plumbing options)
  • Incentives for young adults and teens to be on daily staff
  • Children continue to have the same low rate regardless of accommodations

* Please note that scholarship options are available. Please ask the Camp Manager at registration@indralaya.org for more information!

What is Indralaya’s financial outlook?

At this point in the year, the financial outlook is cautiously optimistic! We are hoping program registrations, especially for the newer spring and fall programs, increase, and that our budgeted income is exceeded. We hope that we continue to find ways to keep costs low – thoughtful and delicious garden and meal planning, and investment in sustainable solutions for utilities and maintenance. Our Camp Manager, Alec, is also working to engage the local community in more of our activities – another source of fiscal sustainability! The aging infrastructure will require rebuilds and remodels of several cabins in the next few years to ensure available and comfortable beds for all. We will continue to rely on generous donations from those who call Indralaya home – so many of us! Look out new  ways to donate – from stocks, to IRA funds, to specific fundraisers.

What is in the future?

Indralaya’s Finance Committee (consisting of Board members Marilynne Gardner and Andrie Levey-Bates, Camp Manager Alec Grae, Casi Brown, Budy Djunaedji, and me) will be meeting soon to review the OIFs investment portfolio.  And taxes are due! Indralaya files its non-profit taxes by May 15 each year.  

If you have any questions, concerns or discussion, please let me know – Merry Bullock, merrybullock@mac.com, Indralaya Treasurer

Library Donations

The library has received a unique collection of books from the estate of George Douglas, a gifted engineer, chiropractor, and innovator instrumental in the building and development of the modern microcurrent machine, and an extraordinary fellow inspired by the work of Harry Van Gelder at Indralaya. (The Frequency Specific Microcurrent machine has now been introduced to over 3000 doctors worldwide through the exceptional work of Dr. Carolyn McMakin.)

George left books exploring electro-magnetic fields, radionics, micro-current and magnetic healing that will complement our present collection of books on TT and the healing arts. Theosophical books were also included. Some, that are old but damaged classics  will be added to the library book-sale corner. Others will back-up our present collection.

That said, the library is currently overwhelmed with more books than we have space to store, thus we ask that campers refrain from dropping off more donations for the time being.

If you have books to donate, check with our manager Alec Grae at office@indralaya.org to see if there is space on the Dining Hall book-sale table. All proceeds from this book sale will benefit the bathhouse project.

If you believe you have a rare item of theosophical or esoteric value, please contact nancylehwalder@hotmail.com.

And don’t forget to visit the library to enjoy its peace and serenity, gorgeous views inside and out, most unique books, and comfy chairs.

Current library custodians are  Nancy Lehwalder & Maryse Sagewynd.

Announcements

Travel Reimbursement available for carpoolers: The Levey Sunshine Fund

To alleviate environmental impacts and costs involved in getting to Indralaya, we encourage people to carpool together. If you can help other people to get to camp to attend a work party or a program, the Sunshine Fund will subsidize that effort.

The ferry fare for you, your carpoolers, and your vehicle will be provided by the Levey Sunshine Fund. (Set up in honor of John/Shelagh Levey). Please present evidence of such costs to the Camp Manager for reimbursement.

We Are Hiring!!  – Facilities and Maintenance Manager

Do you know someone who is a great handy-person, with expertise in electrical, plumbing and construction? And who would be a good fit for Indralaya?  Let them know – Indralaya is looking for a Facilities and Maintenance manager. The full-time position includes accommodation at Indralaya.

The FMM duties include:

Physical Plant: Responsible for managing and overseeing the operations and maintenance of Indralaya’s buildings, facilities, infrastructure systems, and equipment.

Construction & Maintenance Projects: Lead responsibility for construction and maintenance projects and outside contractors, except as determined by the Board or General Manager.

Volunteer Work Parties: Lead responsibility for work parties at scheduled times throughout the year to facilitate planned and break and fix maintenance and repair projects, planting and harvesting of fruit and vegetables (in coordination with the lead garden coordinator), trails maintenance, and firewood cutting.

Collaboration: The FMM is part of a collaborative management team, reporting to the General Manager and the Board.

On-call: The FMM is the on-call lead for emergencies and other needs as designated.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis upon receipt and accepted until April 30, 2024, or until the position is filled.

More information, including qualifications and skills, as well as compensation, can be found at our website, at this link:  https://www.indralaya.org/facilities-manager/

Friends of Indralaya

The Annual Friends of Indralaya meeting will be Sunday, August 4.

Visit the 2024 Indralaya Program Pages – Sign up and Come!

Link to Program page: https://www.indralaya.org/programs/programs-and-work-parties-in-2024/