FUNDRAISER UPDATE
This past week was a journey towards resolution, and a step in the right direction. The wave is rising again and we are now close to securing a 6 month lease extension, which will give us the time needed to develop a new and more stable organizational model.
It is truly an amazing and demanding process to be a part of, and to hold. A process that requires a great deal of time, energy and focus. As a result, we will not be hosting the Art Reception this Sunday November 7th. We are actually looking for volunteers willing to help create this event in the near future, sell all the beautiful art pieces that have been donated to us and help us reach our fundraising goal. We also need help in other areas. Our "wish list" is on the Studio Maui Facebook page and will be updated regularly.
It is clear that the WE is what will carry the Studio forward, and that includes all of us. Please take a moment and see how you might be of service right now and be a part of the co-creation that is unfolding. One of the best and most tangible ways to support our effort and secure the future of Studio Maui is to attend our classes and workshops. We have an amazing 5 Rhythm teacher that flew all the way from Buenos Aires to be with us this week. If you are a dancer, don't miss the chance to experience the sparkle of her Latin twist. If you never danced before, it is a great opportunity to start.
There is a team forming in order to work towards a long term plan and address the financial and organizational requirements that will enable Studio Maui to move onto more stable ground. If you want to be a part of this team, please let us know.
If you have any questions or want more information please contact pierpaolo@thestudiomaui.com or amara@thestudiomaui.com
Thank you all for your help and support so far!
There is good news. Great news actually. The Fundraising effort of the past week is working....in some surprising ways.
The major gift that has emerged from this challenge, is the way that we have come together as a community, local as well as global. Many of the pledges that have been received have come from other states and countries, proving that the Studio reaches far beyond the walls of the facility.
Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that "Community is the next Buddha" and Studio Maui is experiencing this right now. It is so clear that it is the "We" that is creating the magic and the momentum of the moment that is happening right now at Studio Maui. It is an exciting time.
Here is a short clip filmed and edited Sam Small, capturing the essence of the Sunday Fundraiser. A big thank you to all the teachers that participated in the Yoga-Dance-Athon, to all the people that attended and contributed, and the ones who donated time, products and services to make this happen.Click to see video
Thanks to your generous contributions, we were able to raise over $10,000 and that has allowed us to re-open a dialogue with the landlords. We have reached a verbal agreement to enter a short term lease effective November 1st, that will allow us time to reorganize and develop a long term plan. This agreement will be formalized by the end of next week.
While there is progress, the Studio still needs to reach our goal of 30K in order to fulfill its obligations and move into the creation of the new. The Fundraising drive is continuing and on October 31st there will be the "Be Here Now For Studio Maui" event hosted by Ram Dass, who has graciously offered to donate the proceeds of his Satsang and Silent Auction to the Studio Maui Fundraiser. We are still accepting donations of goods and services for the next auction. If you wish to donate items and services for this event, please contact aimeekoch@maui.net. We are also needing volunteers to gather donations, prepare for the event and answer phones during the next 10 days. If you have some love and time to donate please email amara@thestudiomaui.com.
There has been an outpouring of incredible art pieces that have been offered by local artists. World famous Spar Street has generously agreed to donate 50% of the proceeds of any sale of his original art collection and reproductions shown at the Studio through the end of October. Other artists include Piero Resta, Sterling Ross, Donovan, Stephanie Clifford, Pamela Neswald, Ged Bryant and Gabriel Mott. We are planning to display these pieces on our website and hold a live auction (more details to follow). If you are looking for a way to bring art into your life and your home, you have a great opportunity to do that now, and be part of the new that is unfolding.
Once again, thank you all for your support and generosity
With love and aloha,
Pier Paolo & Amara
Since many of you have asked for more details, here is some information that will help you understand the current situation. The total amount owed to the landlord is 45K. We have been asked to pay half of it by next Monday and the balance by November 1st, in conjunction with a new lease agreement. Our total fundraising goal is 50K. This amount would allow us to repay our debt in its entirety and make some very urgent repairs needed in our facility.
I have worked hard to support Studio Maui and donated my time for the past 20 months in an effort to keep the doors open and lead the Studio into sustainability. Even though I made several mistakes along the way, I have been able to introduce a new and simpler organizational model and clean up a substantial amount of debt. I also covered cash flow deficiences with personal funds and taken full financial responsibility. However, I am not in a position to respond to the current monetary challenge. And while I am happy to continue my work and keep serving our community, I need your help to get through this difficult time.
I have never asked for your help before. The reason why I am willing to do so now is because, besides needing to address the current contingency, I believe that the Studio has a real chance to move onto more stable ground. I am optimistic and yet, the future is still uncertain. Our success will depend on many unpredictable factors, including an increased level of attendance to our classes and programs. All this will become clear in the next few months. In the meantime, I will be happy to keep working and hold a space for truth to unfold.
The current fundraising effort will culminate in a beautiful event this Sunday October 17 from 5 to 8 pm at Studio Maui. The schedule will be posted soon on our website. Your contributions will be kept in a separate bank account and used only for the purpose of this fundraiser. If, for any reason, we are unable to reach our satisfactory resolution with our landlord and be forced to close at the end of this month, we will return your donations. Thank you again for your help and support.
If you would like more information please contact me directly at pierpaolo@thestudiomaui.com
Wiith much aloha to all of you,
Pier Paolo de Angelis
Here is how you can help
with the Fundraiser this weekend
· Spread the word to your email and Facebook lists and via "coconut wireless" we need to get the word out
· Volunteer to help on Sunday (contact ardas@thestudiomaui.com)
· Donate an item or solicit someone you know to donate to the Silent Auction (contact Grace @264-5997 fromgracetoyou@gmail.com)
· Find sponsors in your network of family and friends for the Yoga-Dance-Athon.
· COME TO THE SUNDAY EVENT. Your presence would be a clear sign of your support and a message that you want us to move forward.
You can also...
· Make a contribution by credit card by clicking on the dollar amounts here:
[ $25 ] [ $50 ] [ $100 ] [ $500 ] [ $1000 ] [ $5000 ]
We have created a special username and password for those of you who are not registered in our system and do not wish to register. The username is fundraiser and the password iwant2help. If you access our system as a guest do not store your credit card information on the profile.
· Send us a check
· Send a wire or make an anonymous deposit to our Bank of Hawaii Studio Maui Fundraiser account n. 0007235879 ABA 121301028.
· If you wish to make a tax deductible contribution please call us and we will tell you how.
Thank you so much for being a part of the Studio Maui Ohana and for your support of this Fundraiser.
Pier Paolo (808) 575-9390 x 206 pierpaolo@thestudiomaui.com
Amara (808) 575-9390 x 202 amara@thestudiomaui.com
www.thestudiomaui.com
Dear Friends and Members of our Ohana
Blessings on this 10-10-10. We are deeply grateful for your support and participation to our classes, workshops and events and for your ongoing encouragement and appreciation. As we write this, Anusara Yoga founder John Friend is in our main hall with 120 yogis all in unison. He is finishing his weeklong training accompanied by Ty Burhoe playing tabla, and Ram Dass on his way here for the closing session.....
The spirit of health, vibrancy and community is alive at Studio Maui. We have had a year of amazing teachers like Adyashanti, Hank Wesselman, Vinn Marti and performers like Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Jah Levi and Donna DeLory, to mention a few. We are also excited to be hosting Ram Dass, Prem Baba, Reggie Ray, Sharon Salzberg and many other amazing guests in the next couple of months. It has truly been a privilege to be a part of making this happen.
In this past year we have been working hard to clean up old debt and develop a new organizational model that is sustainable in the current economy. This model has allowed us to finally reach break even and we are excited about the possibilites that this opens for all of us.
If you have come to the Studio in the last couple of months you have probably noticed the aesthetic changes and also felt the energetic shift, like many of you have reported.
We now have a beautiful Island Tribe boutique featuring hand made clothing and crafts from four continents, and Cafe' Namaste' where we serve delicious organic juces and snacks.
However, unexpectedly, we just received notice from our landlord that we need to pay the back rent that has been accrued, during the economic downturn and sign a new lease with a personal guarantee by the end of October. Unless we are able to raise enough money to satisfy our landlord, Studio Maui will need to close at the end of this month.
We certainly do not want this to happen, and hope that you do not as well. We are willing to take the personal responsibility necessary and keep investing our time and love into moving forward, but we do not have the financial resources to satisfy the landlord, and need your help to make that happen. In order to continue, we need to know if the Studio is as important to you as it is to us and if you are willing to make a contribution at this time.
There are several ways you can help.
· You can send us a check
· You can send a wire or make an anonymous deposit to our Bank of Hawaii account n. 0006 525539 ABA 121301028.
· You can make a contribution by credit card by clicking on the dollar amounts here:[ $25 ] [ $50 ] [ $100 ] [ $500 ] [ $1000 ] [ $5000 ]
· If you wish to make a tax deductible contribution please call us and we will tell you how.
We are also planning to host a fundraising event this coming weekend. We'll send you more details soon, but we wanted to let you know so that you can plan ahead. If you feel inspired to be a part of making this event happen by donating time, services or items for a silent auction please let us know. Your presence at the event would be a clear sign of your support and a message that you want us to move forward.
Even above raising the money that is needed, this is a moment for us to come together in the true spirit of ohana, honoring what the Studio has provided to all of us in the past and allowing it to mature in its new form to support our community and make a difference in the world.
In Love and Gratitude,
Pier Paolo de Angelis & Amara Pagano
Pier Paolo (808) 575-9390 x 206 pierpaolo@thestudiomaui.com
Amara (808) 575-9390 x 202 amara@thestudiomaui.com
Studio Maui - 810 Haiku Road, Suite 265, Haiku, HI 96708
www.thestudiomaui.com