Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Here comes the ARP Blog

I am posting the newsletters from the Audio Recovery Project of the Shambhala Archives. Somehow I lost the text of the first one, but here is the second newsletter:

Audio Recovery Project Newsletter 2 December 2005

*** PLEASE NOTE TIME SENSITIVE SPECIAL OFFER BELOW ***

Dear Friends,

This is the second issue of the Audio Recovery Newsletter, which is being sent to all of the centres that are participating in the Audio Recovery Project (ARP) to digitally remaster the recordings of the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and create digital CD libraries in many locations. The newsletter is also being sent to supporters of the Audio Recovery Project, including individual donors and groups such as the Shambhala Trust, as well as to other interested parties.

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide practical information and updates on the project. However, we want to begin again with a big

WELCOME

to everyone who is joining in. We have several new groups joining us since the summer. A list of participating centres appears at the end of the newsletter.


Storage: Special Offer Extended Until December 31, 2005

SPECIAL OFFER: Recommended Storage Cabinets

THIS IS A GREAT OFFER! WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO PUT 1,500 CDs?

We recommend the MC3D20 cabinets from Can-Am, which can be seen at http://www.can-am.ca/. Two cabinets will hold all 1,500 of the ARP CDs. They are quite reasonably priced at $499 CAN or $469 US each. The Shambhala Archives will be using these cabinets for our storage of the master sets of the CDs. In addition to meeting archival standards, the cabinets are compact and secure. Between now and December 15th, you can order these cabinets at a 10% discount directly from Can-Am at the website above. Please mention that you are part of the Audio Recovery Project when you order. If enough centers order, we may receive an additional rebate in the future. In the new year, prices may increase, so we recommend you order now.
Originally, we hoped to place a bulk order. However, it is easier for us and for Can-Am if you order directly and simply mention your association with us. We will notify you if there is a rebate.


General storage considerations:

Humidity and Temperature Recommendations
In order to maximize the longevity of the CDs you receive, they should be stored at a cool or moderate temperature, with low to moderate humidity. It is preferable to keep the CDs in a stable temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. If a climate- controlled room is not available, a home dehumidifier can help to remove a great deal of excess humidity from the environment. A window/room air conditioner is very helpful to control high temperatures in the summer. If you cannot provide air-conditioning, then be sure to have adequate ventilation of the room. You can use a window fan to help bring in cool air in the evenings and early mornings. High humidity and temperatures can greatly decrease the life expectancy of the CDs. Specific recommendations for your space can be discussed with Gordon Kidd or Carolyn Gimian.

Additional Information on Storage
If you decide to use some other means of storage, we would suggest that you check out the cabinets on the Can-Am website, to give you some idea of the features you may want to consider. We will be happy to provide you with advice. The key features of your storage system would be: security (a locking cabinet is essential if you want to keep the collection intact) and an inert archival environment (low light and cabinets made of inert materials that don’t off gas. If you choose to use wood shelving, it should be specially treated before use.)


New Staff Member Joins ARP:

The names, duties and contact information for all ARP staff appears at the end of the newsletter, in case you need to speak with any of us. We would like to welcome our new Audio Recovery Assistant, Rhiannon Wells, who will be helping with duplication, record keeping and shipping. She is included in the staff list at the end of the newsletter.

Schedule

The first shipment of ARP CDs was planned for October. Duplication of the first 100 CDs was delayed, due to compatibility problems between the duplicator, the printer and the CDs themselves. These have now been resolved, and we are sending this newsletter with the first shipment, as well as e-mailing it to all parties. We decided to start with a smaller group of CDs, in order to fine tune our systems and work out the “kinks.” A list of the first group of CDs is appended to this newsletter. They are all from 1970 and 1971. This is a terrific body of material.
Between now and Shambhala Day, February 27, 2006, we expect to ship another 200 CDs, which will put us almost on schedule. We’ll update you as soon as we have a firm date for the next shipment.
We expect to ship CDs 2 to 3 times per year, with the final shipment expected just before Shambhala Day 2008. We plan to hire students over the summer to do full time duplication, so expect big shipments in August and September!

In 2007, we will provide a database for the material, which will also include information on the content of the CDs, for educational and research purposes.

Schedule updates will be sent in future newsletters.


Making Copies

We are currently working on a general policy for copying of the CDs provided to you. We invite your input. The policy will allow limited copying for educational and conservation purposes within your “ARP network.” Thus, if two or more centres are sharing a set of CD’s we will allow you to make individual copies of CD’s as needed for your educational needs. Additionally, if you want to use CDs for a weekend at your centre but you prefer not to use your master set, we will allow you to make a single copy so that the masters remain in your library. We will ask you to send us a record of copies made each year. We are discussing the pros and cons of allowing limited creation of MP3 files for your duplicating needs. We must respect the copyrights to these recordings; at the same time, we want to make it possible for you to use this collection widely. We will ask you to agree not to publish any materials based on the CDs without the express written permission of the Archives and of the copyright holder. Please send your comments and suggestions for the copying policy to Carolyn Gimian at cgimian@suchns.com. We will finalize the policy between now and Shambhala Day, 2007. If you want to make any copies before then, please contact me directly at the e-mail address above. Please keep a record of any copies you make. Thank you.

Restricted Materials

All centres participating in the Audio Recovery Project will receive 1,500 CDs of the Vidyadhara’s teachings. Access to the content of some recordings is restricted. There may be restrictions on reproduction of these materials for participating centres who are not Shambhala Centres. If due to access restrictions we are not able to provide some recordings to centres outside of Shambhala International, we will provide alternative recordings or a partial refund. This will be negotiated and discussed on an individual basis. We will endeavor to provide the most complete set to the largest number of centres. We will update you when we have more information on this.

Shipping

We have not discussed shipping charges with most of the participating centres. We are investigating what it will cost to ship the CDs to you by various methods. We hope to be able to cover most of the costs of shipping within North America, depending on how you want the CDs shipped to you. For participating centres outside of the U.S., we will work with you to find a reasonable but secure method of shipping to your location. As you know, shipping costs have increased with the rising costs of fuel. We are covering the shipping charges within North America for the first shipment. We will contact you regarding charges related to future shipments.

A Gift to Say Thank You

We would like to express our thanks to all participating centres and donors by sending a special gift for your centre. Between now and Shambhala Day, we will be sending a number of copies of one of the newly restored talks by the Vidyadhara to you, to give to contributors and others interested in the project.

Future Newsletters

We will be sending updates on the progress of the Audio Recovery Project on a regular basis, as the project develops.

Finally

Once again, our deepest thanks for your participation in the Audio Recovery Project.

Please feel free to post this e-mail newsletter in your centre and please forward it to other members of your centre or other parties interested in the Audio Recovery Project.

Yours in Oceans of Dharma,

The Staff of the Audio Recovery Project of the Shambhala Archives


Helen Bonzi: 425-4275 x 22. hbonzi@shambhala.org Administrative Support. Questions about your contract, financial contributions or other administrative details.

Gordon Kidd: 425-4275 x 21. gkidd@shambhala.org Technical Director of the project. Contact Gordon with general as well as specific questions about your participation in ARP. Technical questions can be directed to Gordon or to:

Chris Levy: 425-4275 x 22. clevy@shambhala.org ARP Technician.

Rhiannon Wells: 425-4275 x 22. rwells@shambhala.org ARP Assistant

Carolyn Gimian: 902-420-0009. cgimian@suchns.com Overview. Send questions to Carolyn about any aspect of the project that aren’t covered above. Also questions about the content of the tapes, database overview, etc. may be directed to Carolyn or other staff members.

Dominique Le Grand: 421-1550, x 2. dlegrand@shambhala.org If you have questions about donations to other Archives related activities.

Centres Participating in the Audio Recovery Project, November 2005


Please note: in some cases, more than one centre is sharing a set of CDs.

Canada
Halifax Shambhala Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dorje Denma Ling, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
Gampo Abbey, Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia
Toronto Shambhala Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Vancouver Shambhala Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
Khyentse Foundation, Vancouver, British Columbia
Mexico
Mexico Shambhala Centre
Chile
Chile Shambhala Centre
United States of America
Washington/Philadelphia
Washington Shambhala Centre, Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia Shambhala Centre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New York Shambhala Centre, New York, New York
Karme-Choling Meditation Centre, Barnet, Vermont
Southeast Shambhala Centres
Atlanta Shambhala Centre, Atlanta, Georgia
Durham Shambhala Centre, Durham, North Carolina
Birmingham Shambhala Centre, Birmingham, Alabama
Chicago Shambhala Centre, Chicago, Illinois
Boulder Shambhala Centre, Boulder, Colorado
The Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado
Shambhala Mountain Centre, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
Dharma Ocean Foundation, Crestone, Colorado
Los Angeles Shambhala Centre, Los Angeles, California
Ojai Valley Dharma Centre, Ojai, California
Bay Area Shambhala Centres, California
Berkeley Shambhala Centre, Berkeley
Davis Shambhala Centre, Davis
San Francisco Shambhala Centre, San Francisco
Sonoma Shambhala Centre, Sonoma
Santa Cruz Shambhala Centre, Santa Cruz
Grass Valley Shambhala Meditation Group, Grass Valley
Monterey Shambhala Meditation Group, Monterey
Santa Rosa Shambhala Meditation Group, Santa Rosa
Silicon Valley Shambhala Meditation Group, Mountain View
Tamalpais Shambhala Meditation Group, San Rafael

Europe
Shambhala Europe, Cologne, Germany

Nepal
Pullahari Monastery and Retreat Center, Kathmandu, Nepal

Institutional Sets within Shambhala International
Shambhala International Practice and Study
Shambhala Archives
Family of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Future Home of the Chogyam Trungpa Institute

Several other groups are considering joining the Audio Recovery Project. Future newsletters will include updates.

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