But yeah, so just reiterate that we're recording this call, I'm gonna post it to social media so others can watch and kind of learn from this and kind of be aware of what we have in mind for the retreat center for the 1964 keynotes. Thanks, everyone, for joining us, for this visioning empathy circle for a vision for what to do with how to develop the 1964 keynote at Santa Barbara property that Charles purchased. I'm Edwin Rutsch, founding director of the Center for building a culture of empathy. And this is an ongoing series to envision what to do with that property. And we invite others if anyone from Santa Barbara is watching this, we invite you to contact me my contact info is in the description below. And if you'd like to take part in one of these future visioning circles, it's really been great to connect with Santa Barbara Community and the neighbors and really appreciate that and do want to connect with as many people as we can. Maybe just get started with each of us introducing ourselves, your name, location, why you're interested in this is I've mentioned our model that I'm Edwin Rutsch, Founding Director Center for building a culture of empathy been working on building a more empathic culture for the past 15 years or so I've been working on this in for the center, and Charles told me he had purchased this property and that he asked me if I would help develop it and so that's why I'm interested in in this so Charles, do you want to introduce yourself?
Okay, my name is Charles rich. I'm Edwin's brother. I purchased a property at auction. So it's our goal to develop it into a retreat center. I live in Sacramento with my wife and four children. That's about all okay. Francesca.
Hi, everyone. I'm Francesca Terrell. I go by Frankie mostly. I lived down the road at the end of last Canovas place. And I've just enjoyed the beauty of the seminary, mostly my whole life and just very grateful to be invited to this empathy circle today. And I'm happy, very happy, Charles that you bought the property.
Sean? Yeah. Hi, everyone.
My name is Shawn Mitchell. And I'm excited you bought the property to Charleston, is long in need of what an incredible resource that last can notice me for the community. A little bit about myself. I I have been a Santa Barbara, native for a little over 30 years. But at this precise moment, I'm up over near Seattle, Bainbridge Island. If you're familiar with that area at the moment, I go back and forth. I've been in the retreat center business, if you will. I work at La Casa de Maria for about 10 years. You're familiar with that before the terrible free flow we had. And then I was graced with an offer to help launch your fabulous retreat center brand new in Italy was newly developed by these two young Dutch entrepreneurs. So I put everything in storage and moved to Italy. And so excited to have something come back in Santa Barbara, I really thrilled I hope I can participate in any way. I hope I can contribute in any way.
Thanks a lot for Thank you, Kent.
My name is Ken Ferguson, I'm in the Zuni mountains of New Mexico in my straw bale home that I love but I did spend 35 Happy years living in Santa Barbara I started the Santa Fe Santa Barbara middle school where I was to head for 20 years and and involved in the history of world culture and the Santa Barbara summit for Tibet which led me to this property many years ago when we played with the idea of it becoming if you will a international but essentially Tibetan Buddhist monastery. This is my second empathy circle. I'm quite taken with all
I have high regard for honestly For Edwin and his brother and what they're trying to do, so that's a bit about me.
Thanks Ken Lewis.
Yeah. Louis Griggs, I live in Berkeley California I'm professionally been what's called a diversity trainer speaker coach for 40 years because I'm when I got out of Stanford Business School, I realized my own ignorance was my biggest weakness. So I work with other white men. Help us with cultural diversity, consciousness. And with Sean I'm a member of the conscious leadership Guild, and I also had done several of Edwin's circles. I love the empathy, circle, concept and experience. I put my son in done school down just outside of Santa Barbara and my parents retired in Montecito in their own home. And then when age got to them, they retired and deceased peacefully in their 90s at Casa Dorinda, so I got to know Santa Barbara, really well, what a wonderful place. And because I'm part of conscious consciousness development, and in myself and everyone else, I just love the purpose of what this retreat center could be. So I love to sit here with all of you and learn more.
Great, so you're breaking up a little bit can't, you may need to turn your video off for a bandwidth at some point, right now, it's kind of at the edge. But just to give you a heads up about that, so far, it's working. So the mission of our center is to build a culture of empathy, which is really to raise the level of empathy in society. And one of the practices that we do is this empathy circle process, what we're about to do is one of the best first steps or the gateway practices, really, for developing sort of an empathic way of being fostering listening, everyone has a chance to speak freely, say whatever you want, ask any questions, nothing's off the table. And you will be heard and understood to your satisfaction. If you've watched the introduction to you know how to take part will be a speaker, you'll select who you who's your listener, you speak, say a few, you know, an idea or two, and then you pause, and your listener will reflect back their understanding of what you've said to your satisfaction check, did they understand that if they didn't say it again, maybe in other words, if they understood it, you know, continue with your train of thought, we're going to have four minute turns, and I'm going to keep time. And I'll hold up something like this maybe time, you know, when, when your time is up, you don't have to stop right there, just kind of finish your thought, you know, in a sentence or two, get your final reflection. And then the listener becomes the new speaker, they select who they speak to. And we go like that, for the time allotted, you know, maybe about a little bit over an hour and a half up to now half, then we'll sort of open it just for open discussion without using reflection. Just kind of and then and with that was on time. So trying to go for two hours, maybe we'll be might be a bit less to that's quite a bit of time. I know. So our question, which I'm going to put into the into the chat here is what is your vision for developing an empathy based Retreat Center at 1964, Los Cabos, Santa Barbara, or whatever's on your mind, you don't have to stay on topic. If you feel really energetic about something, you're free to share that. And so said, I'm gonna keep time and I'll be the first listener just to model it and who would like to speak and I will listen.
Because I love doing this with you. And it's good to be back in one of these circles.
Okay, I'm hearing that you want to go first because you really liked this process. And you're glad to be in one of these circles again. Yes,
in fact, given that I've spent 40 years trying to raise the diversity consciousness of others, especially straight white male executives, because it takes one to know one no shame, no blame. I am fascinated by how this retreat center could among all of the other things that does the serve, could actually be a location for diversity, consciousness, empathy circle with executives. What a great idea and I would love to be part of that.
So you're thinking about along the lines of your work with Diversity training in with organizations like, how could the center via a center for that for diversity training and you'd like to be part of it?
Yeah, absolutely. I myself have learned that I get my most intimate, professional, personal interactions outside of my tribe, okay, and no judgment, but except for my wife and her kids and my kids, it takes me to meet a wonderful non white male, and through which the learning of which the learning through which I gained so much enhanced consciousness that I never would have had, that I have not been able to empathetically hear, and feel and see somebody of great diversity with whom I never grew up. It's really life changing.
So you find that life changing the connect with people who are different from you, and to be able to emphasize with them and to connect with them.
Yeah, it's much more fun than just playing tennis with all the rest of us.
Connecting with different people, if people are different from you is better than tennis. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Okay, then now speak to Charles. Yeah, it's great to see Louis, we'd been in an empathy circle before. And we've met, you know, for coffee here in Berkeley. So it's great to see, Louis, I know, he had some health issues with COVID. So I'm glad he you know, he looks pretty good, like he got through it. But I know he had I was very concerned about his well being.
So you're very glad that Lewis is participating, you know him before. And you're glad he's recovered from COVID.
And in the circles, we've talked more about the vision for the space, but I'm setting up a nonprofit now for the empathy Center are going through this nonprofit work, and they really talk about the mission more. So I'm starting to think more in terms of we have the vision of a culture of empathy. But really, what is the mission, and I just wanted to maybe speak a little bit more you know, about the mission to kind of set that is kind of the one aspect, you know, that kind of a central aspect of the retreat center.
So your main focus is setting the mission. And you'd like to talk about that. And you've been working on creating a nonprofit.
Yeah, the center has not been a nonprofit, you know, which I've done for 14 years, if I didn't want to do all the bookkeeping, it's been more of an association, nonprofit association. But now we need a formal nonprofit. And you know, central of that, also, to keep the, you know, to kind of create the direction you got to have your mission. And so that's what I've been really trying to formalize.
So your empathy work has been kind of a Association. But now you want to add that up the level to nonprofits that make it more legitimate, I guess more
normal, I think more for your S and so forth, the IRS and everything. So is that the core mission is still it's still the same, it's building a culture of empathy, which means to with through education, different initiatives just to foster mutual listening, and really nurture connection, which I think is just a foundation for greater well being if we can get people together, talking to each other, listening to each other, that that's really, you know, the core of just, you know, foundation for well being.
So your core mission is to build a society of empathy, which you believe is core to a healthy functional society.
Yeah, and it's great for conflict resolution, like Lewis had done living room conversation group, and when they just talked to have a topic, and they talked about it, but a conflict came up and that process wasn't able to handle a conflict very well, you know, so. So I said, Let's do an empathy circle. And we did the next day, we did an empathy circle. It was just like, just work to people just were able to talk through using this process that we're doing now, and really kind of talk through those issues. So it's just an example of the power of events.
So Lewis was involved All dinner discussion group and there was some kind of conflict. And then you said, Hey, let's use a sympathy format to try to resolve the the conflict and it worked out pretty good.
Yeah, I feel fully heard. That's my time.
Okay. Talk to shun Michel. So, my kind of vision for the center when I first bought it was, maybe use it for men's retreats, women's retreats, couples retreats, church camps, youth camps. So that was kind of my main idea when I first purchased that you can reflect that.
Now, hi, Charles. So what I understand that you're saying is that your original motivation and thoughts and visions and ideas for Los Pinos Los Angeles was to have it be a center that could host men's and women's men's groups, women's groups, couples, groups, camps for youth camps for children, very family and very family oriented. It sounds like
Well, I think my brother's vision is very much a part of that. And well, that's all I have to say.
When I understand that you're saying is that Edwin's vision combines well, it's right up the same vision and a sense that what you have, and it'll be a great combination. Okay,
I feel heard. It's your turn.
Thank you.
Thank you, Charles. Francesca.
Good morning. Good morning. Yeah, I'm excited
to curious to learn. And and Edwin said something that kind of got some wheels turning around in how to flesh out a mission statement that for a nonprofit that would combine the mission for the retreat center, in addition to the mission for his
Center for Culture of empathy. Okay, I
understand that you're interested in Edward in developing the mission statement to flush out the project over
Yeah, I guess to along that those lines, what popped up into my head was, you know, maybe another empathy circle that focused in on having, you know, people help him slash shout outs, a mission statement that would combine those, those two foundational elements.
Right here your shining, that's a great idea to have another circle or meeting to help Edwin with with writing a mission statement, putting together an outline or something like that, that would be very helpful, I think, I hope.
It feels like he might get lots of input and viewpoints if we had, I don't know, let's just say three or four. And they could like board out different, you know, ideas and ways to create a mission that had great energy in the words and great inspiration in the feeling very
insightful, to the wonderful. I want to say,
I keep saying foundational direction of a center that promotes a culture of empathy.
I hear you and synopsize I think you're looking for help with some beautiful wordsmithing for a mission statement over
i Thank you, Francesca. I feel her.
Thank you. You're welcome. Okay, so I guess now it's my turn to pick someone
And, okay, Kent. Hi.
I hope you're really enjoying this this winter up there and that where you're living right now. And I was just wondering what you thought of would be, in addition to the empathy circles, what would help Charles and Edwin manage such a large property up there in addition to the empathy circles to maybe help them keep this place going and reasonably profitable, at least pay for itself
over So,
Francesca, those I'm up in snow in fact, it's snowing as we speak, which is why Edwin said my contact with you might get lost. And and you are asking how I and others could help with the structure of that organization have something to sighs did I get that? Francisca?
Yes, sir. Yes,
and it's back to you to share.
Continue. You still got three minutes. All right.
Do I continue? Yep. Okay, thank you. And it did I think that empathy what I was saying is that the empathy circles a great idea and a retreat center and if there's any other other ways that you thought the that huge property could be used to assess the family with making the place profitable armed with breakeven so that they can continue their intended mission on a mountain over
and you're asking questions, I think particularly of me, which I will address when it's my turn, but at this point, your, your, your can concerned and hopeful that there are ideas that will help support this vision and make it sustainable. Yes, sir. That's it
sustainability with the hope for the property it's it's suffered over the years it's a gorgeous place you know, very useful
the place has suffered over many years it's about 50 years old it's never been owned by a local individual. And you think it's a beautiful place
Yes, that's correct.
Is there more if your can dining is I feel fully heard or something like that, just to pass it on. So it's up to you.
Okay, I feel fully heard Thank you very much.
And that's it. And I
your braking, turn your video off might be having more bandwidth right okay, can't keep the streak just checking
not clear enough. Hang in there can't
can't when I come here is not much. Right? Nope.
Yeah.
Doing maybe not gonna get on the telephone. Maybe. Is that right?
I am here. If you can hear me it's snowing. Maybe, maybe I should just just listen, Edwin, that's
not hearing you now. It was getting better. It kind of comes in waves. So
yeah, go back off video and see if you can speak and I'm the last one. So I guess I'm the one to hear you.
Now, I just clicked on stop video, but I think you still see me. I'm new to the technology. Are you? Am I coming across or shall we just
it's working now. I just stopped your video from here. So if you want to speak in, give it a try.
All right. Well, first I'd like to say that Francisca. I'm very taken by the artwork behind you. It's quite fascinating. I'm and I'd like to mention that, like many I have been drawn to this facility for many years, and I used to think here is a place in search of a vision. And so I began to look into it, and I was Mike mightily struck by Edwin's vision. And I thought, well, here's a vision in search of a place. So this,
remember to pause if you want to give Lewis a chance to reflect back.
Oh, first day here, how chanted you are with Frankie's artwork? And I didn't hear you ask if she made it all. But I, of course, wondering if she'll say yes or no?
Yes, yes, great.
She's smiling so much. And then I felt and heard that you had almost the same passion for a potential vision for this wonderful facility. And therefore, when Charles and I bought it, and Edwin came up with it, it's just like your fires, you want to be part of it? Did I hear that correctly?
You did you have that? Exactly. And the theme that Edwin has sent for us today, I guess, is what's our vision. And honestly, my vision is to support his vision. I'm kind of taken with it. And I really feel charged to help if I can, and back to what Francisca raised some questions. So normally, in my life, I've been involved in many things like this. And I usually take the side saying, you guys and girls don't have enough vision, you're too busy talking about money and, and profitability, and what's in it for me. And so I, my standard position is to say, No, you need to refine the vision. In my experience, well, I'll stop there for a minute.
So what I hear is that you've always been a visionary. And therefore, in addition to the passion that Frankie and Shawn and and others show for it, it's not enough for you to just hear that we need more money, you really want to be involved in creating the vision that everyone has.
And that is correct, except what's a bit new, for me is what normally was a minor thing has become a major thing. I feel that Edwin does not need my assistance with a vision, but he might profit from, as Francisco put it, more of the structure and the organization, which normally I would not dwell on. But in this case, I think that can be a contribution I could make.
I see. Thank you for clarifying with me and all of us that in addition to Edwin having this wonderful vision that thanks to the questions of Frankie put up and others that you see that there has to be more than just division, that there has to be a structure that helps run it and organize it and keep it functional. And that you might even become a part of that if we're also lucky. How's that?
Wonderful eye. And Edwin, I feel I could keep going, but I feel fully heard i. So that's it for me.
All right. And since I'm last I just want to thank Edwin for proving to all of us,
firstly to your listener. Oh, you're my listener. Oh, okay. So okay
with you. So I just want to thank you for proving to all of us. And it doesn't surprise me but pleases me that you even remember from three years ago when we met and I had this living room conversation like that was enhanced by using your method of empathy. I'm so touched by that, and equally touched by your memory that I'm a lucky survivor in 2020. Not only is stage three cancer, but of 10 days under the ventilator where my wife was told twice. They think they've lost me and couldn't bring me back. And so I'm very grateful to be here. And I'm very touched by just being part of empathy circle again,
you're grateful to be here. You're also touched, I remembered guide our empathy circle that we did as well as for your what you went through with the with COVID Yep. And just I think maybe just glad to be alive to
your proof that empathy circles work. Thank you
and say English, I'm proof that empathy circles. Three minutes,
I'm finished you, take us where you want to take us next.
Okay. I'll speak to Francesca then. Yeah, we've been doing a lot of the circles. We've been doing these on Monday with the Santa Barbara Community. And then we're just starting now on Fridays, doing them with the empathy communities, we have a large community who've been working on the, you know, creating the more empathic society. So we're doing two of these a week. If we just reflect that back,
yeah, so I understand that you're, you're doing a lot of empathy circles, twice a week, and with a local community, and then broader reaching.
And it was just like, Charlie's just purchased this place, you know, a couple of months ago, and is like, just, you know, called that, hey, guess what, I bought a monastery? Do you want to run it? You know, and I thought, Whoa, I don't know, this is you know, it's just like, there's just so many unknowns. But by having these dialogues, talking to people, and just connecting with, you know, so many of the community connecting with cancer has been great. So I'm really starting to warm up to the whole, you know, kind of working my way into it. So yeah, it's, it's been good.
So Charles, told you, you bought a monastery, and he's kind of putting you in charge of work and things over with this, this huge, beautiful property, and you're wrapping your head around it, you're both wrapping your head around this case? Oh, yeah.
There's so much to do. I mean, it's just like, you know, so much on the property needs doing, there's so much of what the vision is, you know, what the mission of the space is, you know, how did the neighbors feel about it, including the neighbors, you know, it's just, there's just so much so it's, it's a bit overwhelming.
So there's a lot to wrap your head around, there's the neighbors, there's the space itself, that the infrastructure, all the assets there, and it's a lot to wrap your head around. And I agree with you 100%.
So we're slowly you know, slowly working my way into it. And I just found the connection with Santa Barbara committee has been just like really wonderful that connect with the neighbors. And it's been very positive. I think we had you up for the, you know, when we were there came up for a visit, you know, everybody's very supportive. So, you know, starting to feel better and better about everything.
So, yeah, you
you invited the neighbors up, and that was a very positive experience, it was wonderful meeting you and your brother with my daughter and my grandbaby. And it's, it's a positive thing, I have a really good feeling about what it is that you're developing and planning. I have a really good feeling over.
Yeah, and what's next.
So there's just
I think it's sort of it's sort of an emergence like through these dialogues, you know, different ideas are coming up. So, you know, we're here to if you have any ideas of sort of projects, or anything you'd like to do, like, you know, Louis is talking about workshops, I definitely, you know, this is a space when we get the facility set up to hold, you know, any kind of, you know, diversity workshops or anything like that. So, really want to a space for an eclectic mix, even though empathy is sort of the center, and we're actually doing it like we want to build the culture of empathy, we're actually doing it that sort of the means are the end. So this is actually the means is also the end we're working towards. And but we want you know, just a real variety of different ideas and projects and to implement there.
I'm hearing that you're interested and
I'm sorry.
The places that eclectic and could have different uses and you're interested in soliciting ideas about about potential uses for that place, as it has residential potential. It has a huge gym. It's
got so many different aspects to it. Yeah.
The most gorgeous chapel. I can't even believe the energy in that place. Over
Okay, yeah. So that I feel heard. That's my time too. So you can say like your listener, and you're turning in four minutes.
Okay. Hi, Sean. Back to you.
You sound like you have a lot of experience I'm with running the show for these types of things and
are highly, highly successful at that. And I hope that
you can provide your Sage knowledge to assist Edwin and Charles with that mission statement.
Okay. Thank you, Francesco.
You're saying that you since I have some that experience around running and retreat centers and that you followed by can contribute to Edwin and Charles, as they move along the process?
Which I can thank you.
That's all I'm not really sure what else to
say next.
I could ask you a question. If you thought that it was a good idea to maybe mix temporary use, like retreat centers where people go and have their empathy circles, along with maybe, you know, renting part of it out for somebody that would give you income to live there, if that makes any sense on it on a sit in a situation like that, or is that a conflict?
And that, you know, or, or
urine asking me if there's options in your first year, we're finished, but then you have a question. I feel that thank you that it's directed to me, but candidly, I'm not so sure. In any event, do I think that there'd be a conflict of interest in starting certain kinds of groups that could provide some income? And in addition, if I understood you correctly, is it possible to have a residence on the properties as I think that's what I understood you to say?
Yes, I understand it. Is that outlandish? Is that an outlandish idea? or
inappropriate?
I mean, you're asking me, yeah, outlandish idea. It's,
it's sewn for residential. So
as well.
If you're asking me, I want to reflect back to you, because I'm learning how to do these empathy schools. If I'm not answering your questions, because I'm attempting to reflect
that that's exactly accurate. As you just reflect back though, once you're feeling heard Francesco, you can say you're fully heard and then Shawn can
if you're there. If you in your planning, I'm curious to learn if you have a sense of timing, in terms of
being able to open.
So you're wondering what the timing would be when we could start an open? Correct.
Thank you. And I guess along the addition, I'm curious to learn then, if you and when. And I'm kind of thinking Qantas, while I don't know who the rest of your players are, if you've been able to start creating maybe, you know, a structure slash, step one, step two, step three, and so forth.
So you're wondering, what steps would we need to take to get up and running?
Yes, and I guess I'm curious if you
in about planning those steps. I didn't.
You kind of broke up. I didn't hear you.
And he was answering. That's correct. And if you and Edwin and like I said, can't beg guests and anyone else that you've got on your core team. If you started to create that list of goals Some steps.
And so you're wondering if we've created the goals
Thank you. I heard Thank you, Charles.
Okay, I'll speak to Edwin
listening. Okay.
So Edwin's kind of taken care of setting up the nonprofit you can reflect,
yeah, the in front terms of the steps I'm doing creating the nonprofits setting up the nonprofit now.
So half of the property, the sisters, residents and the faculty residents were renovated by the previous owners.
So you're giving an overview of the property that half and half of it has been renovated to the buildings, the sisters, residents and the staff area.
Yes, those rooms are empty, they just need furniture. But they're pretty much ready to go. We've been talking to the architect who did the previous renovation. And she just gave us a proposal for her work in renovating the dormitories and classroom buildings.
Now in terms of the steps, that there's two buildings that have been renovated, they're ready to go just the furniture, there's about 14 rooms there. And then we're you're talking with the architect about renovating the dormitory building.
So we're going to set up a zoom call with the architect and discuss her proposal. And then she would do the design work. And then we would get bids, renovating the dormitory and classroom buildings. And sounds like that whole process until all the construction is done would take at least nine works nine months to a year. But then we also want to do some renovation of below the chapel. It needs new floors and paint and some kind of more attractive design down there.
So it takes about nine months to a year to renovate the dormitories. And there's other projects too, like the under the chapel that that area putting new floors in and sort of a redesign of that area.
Yeah, that's all I have to say I feel
okay, then I can't Are you there? I am. Can you hear me? Yes, I do. Yeah, so there's a whole list, we have a project website, you know, it just sort of a hidden private website, we're putting together our to do list. So it's kind of like we have to move on so many different fronts to nonprofit, all the renovations is a huge amount. There were some leaks, you know, we might need a new roof. So stuff like that. And all it needs to be sort of laid out and prioritized.
So you're you're responding to some of the earlier questions and you've created a project list. Basically a to do list. Your I'm not sure you use the word overwhelmed. Nope. But there's many forms. What's your point? And you gave an example. There's some leaks. So there's just a lot to be done. But you are making list.
Yeah, and there are were some leaks in the roof hasn't you know is over 60 years old and that seems about the time where it needs like a new undercoat. So it may take you know reroofing of everything so that's quite a big project. So we're kind of it really evaluating the project to see the property, see all the things that need to be done and then sort of prioritizing those things.
So you're realizing there's a lot to be done or at the moment high on your list is the reality that you have. Okay, we're gonna and you may have to reroof which would be a considerable task.
And then there are about 14 or 15 rooms that are usable as bedrooms that have been renovated. So that's already and there's plenty of space for holding some kind of a workshops. So, small workshops could already be held. I think Francesco is asking about the residential, maybe that's, you know, some people could be living there in those 14 rooms. So we're kind of looking at the, you know, the possibilities there. So a workshop could be held and you know, people could stay, or they could just come and use the space. So, yeah, I think I'm looking at instead of like, hey, in one year, we have this grand opening that it could be used incrementally and developed incrementally.
So, even though you're well aware, there's considerable work to be done. On the other hand, you're making the point, as did your brother, that there's 14, or I think he mentioned more rooms, which really are basically ready to go. So in the near future, if you wanted to, you could have some smallish events there on that side of the property.
Yeah, and we're looking for ideas, if you have ideas, you know, it's like, you know, we're lay out what the other resources are, you're having all the different rooms, how big the rooms are, how big the meeting rooms are. So, you know, people will be able to start doing things, I think, you know, once the things have been furnished, that those rooms have been furnished.
So you're just kind of straddling a fence, or, whereas on half of it. There's jobs to be done and roofs to be fixed and leaks to be patched up. But on the other hand, you're already very open looking, actually, for folks to say, well, you know, I have an idea, and I'm ready to bring my idea to you and let's do it in while you're fixing the roof on the one side, I'll be doing my art or whatever, on the other side.
I feel fully heard Now is my time.
All right. Shawn, can I come back to you? Yes. I get there. Yeah. Because Thank you. You mentioned Cassidy, Maria, which I had much experience with I used to have many people go there. And
no year
you're breaking up there can't. One thing we can do is turn off our video real quick.
When it's your turn. You could I'd love an update on Casa de Maria. I think it's non functioning. At this time after the floods
you were
very Edwin, if you're there, everybody seems gone.
We turned off the video. So you have more bandwidth.
And Shawn Did Did you hear my question? Yes,
I think I got most of your question can't you were asking me as a result of my years and experience with la casa de Maria retreat center in Amman has
any knowledge of an update on
on the property or in intentions of it coming back and so forth?
Yes. And if I'm coming through, Shawn, the reason I asked that, I believe that Edwin and Charles would enjoy and would profit by knowing a bit more about Casa de Maria.
When I'm understanding you say Ken, is that you believe that Charles and Edwin learning more about Casa de Maria and its function, its template, the model it was while it contributed to the community. And then of course, perhaps our underlying structure on how we operated and the kinds of groups and so forth we served would be helpful.
I feel very heard. Thank you.
You're welcome. Oh, my turn I guess again. Gosh, there's so many wonderful thoughts here.
In my desire to really learn more and become better at the process of your empathy circles.
I could ask a ton of Korean speaking to the first step.
Yes, of course. Thank you, Edwin. I'm.
So I'm hearing you're curious about the empathy circle and kind of learning learning about it.
Yeah, and and my desire to
get good at the process like you.
Yeah, you have a desire to get better at this process and just sharing that?
I do after what Charles and you were saying, I'm curious to learn if you need some kind of.
Bill,
sign off.
I don't know if it's the Santa Barbara
County Building county renovation and you know, all those arts and incidents Allah in order to be able to have small workshops. Yeah,
you're wondering if the there's some kind of a sign off needed from the county to hold any kind of a workshop there. So you're just
curious, are rare. And along similar lines, which
I personally feel that in terms of programming, you're going to have no crumb lemma at all. However, at the moment, I'm curious to know if the meeting room that might be available, if you've had an opportunity to look into how that they might get, you know, new audio visual technology, which is critical in case
you're wondering about the meeting rooms, if it has current audio video, just kind of what are the resources for the meeting room? And holding workshops you think with see the city that Scott could be a problem? I think so you're
saying, Yeah,
you're programming. People come run by field? And then do you with the potential of having workshops and people there soon, to mean that your kitchen and dining facility will at least have a rudimentary capacity for serving everyone?
Yeah. So in terms of workshops, you know, it's the state of the kitchen and dining facilities. So it's kind of wondering about the facilities the capacity. Yeah,
I just want to say that, you know, I'm over the moon for, for the whole thing. Thank you big time, grateful to be part of your process. And
to learn that you're, you're going to be building this.
Yeah, you're over the moon for that this center is gonna be developed and grateful for the process that
we're doing.
Yeah. And thank you also, for being so incredibly transparent. That's,
that's really appreciating the transparency that we have. And it's a big, big aspect of it.
And heard, Edwin Thank you.
Okay. Great. Louis, can I speak to you?
Yeah, you're muted. Yes,
I'm present and visible and now even muted.
So, yeah, it there's a, you know, there's the facilities. There is, like I said, like, 14, it could be more, you know, spaces for overnight. I think the kitchen needs a lot of work. You know, it's not, it's not, it hasn't been used in, you know, a long time. So, I think that's going to take a lot of work to you know, get it up to whatever, code or whatever I would imagine.
Yeah, yeah, so I hear that the Kittson is one of the first things that needs to be updated and pretty fully because aids doesn't go well. And
it is all stainless steel. So
yeah, you want to update it out. from stainless steel to whatever is better now
and yeah, I think stainless steel is pretty good.
Good, then then we'll update it to stainless steel.
It is already stainless steel. Yeah. I also hear that
there's places for people to sleep in that those those will be easier to update. But at least there's the gift of all that space.
Yeah, I lived a year it esslyn. So one of the things that Eagles work in the kitchen, I wash dishes, and they have the same Hobart that I used the dishwasher that I use. I know how to use a dishwasher.
I've done an excellent often over all my years here inside, I've seen that kitchen that you remember that you even worked in. And you even know how it's set up. And you could manage setting up this one just as well.
It's not the whole kitchen. It's the whole bar, which the whole part is a dishwasher, you know? Yeah,
I had to be educated there because I couldn't remember that about the whole bar because it is about the whole bar. But yeah, least the dishwasher you know how to manage, put in and manage.
Yeah, so right now Charles and I were up there. You know, several weeks ago, we started clearing out the area under the the chapel, there's a big recreation room storage room, sort of a nice workshop room that all needs renovation, but it was like a storage space just full of all kinds of, you know, old beds and furniture. So we moved everything out, cleaned all that out. And we're kind of in the process of, of sorting it and getting one of those big dumpsters to haul off the stuff that we don't need and maybe hold a garage sale or something for some of the others parts. He would help with that, too. Yeah.
Yeah, I hear and can relate to all of that, that the by emptying the huge storage unit, there are things that can be given away, dumped, maybe even sold, and some of them even utilized throughout the process throughout the whole territory.
Yeah, the other thing is, we've been holding these circles, and I'm kind of looking at like a process for, you know, ideas, like I think Shawn has great, you know, I you know, experience with retreat centers would like to follow up. So I'm kind of looking at our process for how do we kind of do follow up or idea sort of development? How do we, you know, we have these circles, but you know, kind of what are some next steps that we could possibly do to you know, continue the relationship, you know, kind of maybe work together. So,
I'm fascinated by this, the process of, of having these circles alone is bringing in people with lots of wonderful ideas. And now you're wondering, how do we now take all those great ideas and some of these individuals like Sean, who seems like she's ready to start helping to run the place tomorrow? As does can't mean? You've got a great team here, and we can be filled with Frank Frank, he's art Charles, Charles, you gotta wise brother here,
go. And so with can't we just started emailing having a discussion now we've formed sort of an advisory council. We meet weekly, you know, for the advisory council. So maybe that's something you know, with Shawn would like to join to kind of give her advice. So I'm looking at, you know, how do we go from the discussions to kind of little baby steps next steps.
You're wisely using these circles, not only to get ideas, but to help and find people who can contribute, but to go ahead and begin that process. So I didn't know but I'm glad to hear you already have these weekly meetings. And Kent is already part of that. And so I hear you think wow, maybe even Sean sounds like a perfect person to become part of that. It sounds like a great idea.
Yeah, I feel fully heard. Great. Wow.
Well,
Sean, why don't I speak to you?
If you can get visible. Yeah. There I am.
I love it. I love that this has happened. i i One of the things I've learned through one of my three near death experiences, I won't go into the details. That's not what this conversation is about. But when doors start to open, that we ourselves had nothing to do with knocking on and making happen. Wonderful things can evolve. And therefore, in these circles alone that Edwin has braided because his brothers bought this place. We're having ideas of how any of us and maybe each of us in different ways. Is can contribute to the success of this property?
Yeah, thank you, Louis.
What I'm hearing you say is?
Well, you know, kind of the, the process that
Edwin is utilizing to gather ideas and to formulate his vision is is super cool. And bringing together all kinds of individuals how or professional word hoped to participate and contribute and share ideas. And
yeah, I said before it's okay.
If I heard correctly, I heard earlier, not only that you have not only huge experience in doing exactly the tasks, the being in the doing that might help this place run, but that you're interested in doing that. And then I even heard Edwin, think that he also hears that and that you might be interested in becoming a part of this and and at least part of the weekly advisory committee that he can't another setup. Did I hear that correctly?
Well, I'm reflecting back to you, what you that you heard correctly.
And that's that.
Perhaps, you know, would I be interested, they would be interested in perhaps including me in more of their meetings based on my experience, and what I could potentially share with, you know, just not just ideas, but my expertise in that core business or industry.
You heard me perfectly. And in addition to that, I had no idea when before this meeting that wow, I might really enjoy being part of creating some workshops there on on diversity, and in fact, empathy using empathy circles as part of the diversity workshops, because to have a straight white guy like me sit and talk to a black woman or a trans man or, or any diverse any of our human diversity and listen to who they are and what they're feeling and thinking and to and to mirror it back is an amazing learning opportunity for diversity, consciousness, human consciousness, and I'd love to be a part of it.
What I'm hearing you say, Louis, is that you know, the circle today has opened up this whole new vision for yourself on being a wonderful place for you to host workshops on diversity and that the empathy circle process might not be expressing it properly is phenomenal process and exercise that would be awesome to use for diversity workshops. Yeah,
absolutely. I feel not only really heard but really excited and then closed
and you get to
say how how wonderfully I just said that
last year
then yeah, you get the truth night
I guess they over spoken over. Sell.
I guess I expressed now to
can't.
I'm here if you can hear me.
I can hear you can thank you.
In fact, you sound good now.
Well, from what Edwin shared before getting choked up, I would love to contribute and I would love to participate. A retreat centers are my passion. And when I feel deeply in,
well, get lab this
means that you know, you're like Grace is
shining on me. So I wanted to share that.
And I'm truckling Because instead of me breaking up now it's you breaking up but in a different way. And
your
words and your your whole expression is clear that this is close to your heart, this whole idea of retreats has been for many years, my guess is decades. You really feel it strongly. And and that and you've made that clear?
Yeah, thank you can't feel that.
You know, it's, it's, it's going to be enormously successful
times.
Yeah, times need retreat centers, our world needs retreat centers and especially after COVID, when everybody and everything went into lockdown retreat centers around the world had to learn how to do the Zoom online thing and how to do workshops online and, and, and yet, and trends are shown most of them.
So you're sharing the but with both your words and your passion, how strongly you feel about this, you do not seem to have any serious doubts that this is needed. In fact, quite the contrary. And and you seem very confident that this is going to succeed that there is a need. You didn't use the word market? But that's the other is that if he builds it, the people will come who's kind of Yeah.
Yeah, I am Thank you can and then turns to indicate that you know, people want to go back to on site and call them you know, and several on site, they will get, you know, workshops, retreats and gatherings because there's a human touch human interaction, that's, you know, Zoom has been a really great tool, but people still want to interact with each other. And people really want to come back to on site gatherings.
And you're pointing out, they're probably always people that wanted to interact, but with the virus that really went south. And now you feel like even more than say, normal. There's a need for this and that desire to forget, like face to face contact versus zoom contact.
Yeah, I'm hurt for now. Thank you very much.
Thank you and France seska. Your pictures not up? Are you there? I'm there. I
was just trying to reduce bandwidth you so I turned my picture. Okay,
well, if I want that much to say, but I'd like to speak to you. And so I'm, I'm happy to now find out that we all know what Edwin's role is. And he can be the dishwasher. So that's great. And I might mention to Lewis, that, although you mentioned that near death experiences are not the topic, you might like to know that in Santa Barbara, every week, there's a meeting at the Unity Church that focuses on that subject, and it's a very alive subject.
Okay, I'm hearing you that you're pleased to find out more about what Edwin is planning, and that he knows how to use a dishwasher. I do too. I worked at Alexander house. And then I'm so sorry that I kind of missed the last half of that.
The other half of that was that he even heard when I had near death experiences that in Santa Barbara, there already is a weekly session on that. And I want you to know that. Yes. I've been a keynote speaker there. And you're right. We can even have sessions like that up in this new location. Yes, exactly. All right. That's what he that's what you couldn't remember Frankie, so.
Okay, thank you. I hear you now. Okay.
And is it Frankie, would you prefer Frankie's or Francesca? Man,
please? Yes. All right. Thank
you. While it's my turn, I would like to very much echo what others have said that. I find this whole situation to be remarkably transparent. Frankly, I find Edwin to be remarkably transparent and I just think that's a good building block as a good foundation
and reflect that. Francesca, you're still listener? Oh.
I
have to admit, I was looking at my dog who wants to be taken outside. So I'm sorry.
You weren't properly heard
you say it again. Ken
Franti, I was just mentioning that I'm struck in a positive way about the transparency of this method and of the gentleman leading it, and I find it to be a wonderful building block. Okay,
and I'm hearing that you're struck by Edwin's transparency. And it's, it's a great foundation for this
building block. Is that correct?
You have it you have it. I feel very heard. Thank you. And then I'm also a dog lover, by the way I have to hear so I'm sympathetic to your challenge. But
yeah, she's she's she's staring at me right now to let her out. So anyway, so it's my turn. And I just wanted to say to you, Charles, are you on mute?
Are you available? Are you there Charles?
He was at a car dealer. Other he is. Great.
Here. I just got back. Yeah, male and one tire needed to get that fix.
So I hear you, you got a nail in your tire, and you got to get it fixed. And I just wanted to say congratulations on your purchase your fine purchase of a what a great deal you got. And that's our Yeah. Well, thank
you. Yeah, I'm very encouraged that, that everybody in the community is so very positive. And so far, I haven't heard a single negative word from the community, everybody has been very positive about it.
I'm hearing that you haven't heard a single negative word from this community. I just think that's amazing. Wonderful. And that's all I have right now. Thank you. Well, we could
open it to any general discussion now, you know, without using the active listening process like to get started with that. So maybe we'll take any, any general comments, or anything, or Charleston? So is your turn? Do you have any?
Now I don't have anything to add.
I do I just want to thank you both Charles for the purchase, and Edwin for doing this process. Because not only as I already said, Is this the process even though you know very well, and I've told you, it does. The only downside is it takes extra time to repeat things that you've already heard. And I don't mean but and you keep proving to me that it's worth it. Because what we get in exchange for that is really feeling heard. And what we get in exchange for feeling heard. We open further Yeah, to share more. It's just I just love the process. So I just thank you. And I also just love the feeling that I said that the the unexpected reality that we now feel and experience among one another. And you're obviously feeling this, I hope with every single session that you are developing the ideas and even the groups of people who could help make it all happen. And just to have Shawn sit in here and can sit in here, you know, who just love this idea? Wow. You've got part of your team being developed right in front of us.
Yeah, publicly to since it's Yeah.
And once it's all ready, I even maybe get to enjoy being a part of, you know, one of the programs there, but that's in the future right now. I just love that it exists and that you're renovating it and that you're finding the people to help you proceed further. Such a gift to be part of this process. Thank you.
Well, the division is building that culture of empathy through education and, you know, other initiatives. So the empathy circle is just a starting point. It's a first step it's not you know, the The end is the beginning and can go in any directions, it's very effective for just learning to be a listener, you know, therapy is pretty much based on, you know, listening, it's good for just well being, you know, and people come together and hear each other, it just increases your well being, as well as the healing, if you're dealing with emotional issues is one of the be the process for that healing, as well as heading off conflicts before they happen. And if they happen, you know, one of the practices in the center is to bring any issue into an empathy circle to discuss it. So we have the forum for any type of conflict resolution. And if you're familiar with human centered design, the whole design process is pretty much based on the first step being empathy, that anything that you design, you need to empathize with the needs of the people you're designing for. And that's really like the first step into creativity and innovation. So yeah, I just, I guess I just reiterating the benefits and why this is the sort of the first step process.
Thank you. You sure? Sure added words even better than I could have. Because all of that is true. And and in addition to that liquids in urine, Sean goes to tears feeling like she's being called to something that can be part of her future, and it feels just as good to you. And it can't, it's like God, I'm so touched, to be present with such a transition. Thanks.
And just jumping in here today, I fully agree with all it's been said, I'm touched by it, and but actually to take for a minute, the other side of what Shawn said. So I'm an I'm a junkie for information, and I want to check things out. So here, I come across this empathy thing. And this Edwin guy, and I really want to, I want to read everything, and I'm going to go on the internet. And if he says, Check these five things, I will and, and at one point, he says that he believes this could impact the world. And my first thought is, this guy's an idealist. I mean, you know, let's just get Santa Barbara squared away, and you're already talking about the world. But within five minutes, I thought, no, he's onto it. And the reason I'm going on about this is to connect this idea to the world. That's my point right now. And so I hope that and I, I know it'll happen, because look, just look at the style. He's got the all of us on a screen and and this will all be on the internet in 12 hours. And this is global. And I hope one thing that happens in another group, somebody mentioned, Zoom will, and so there'd be this place that is reaching out to the world. And although I'd like all of us, in some ways, would rather be face to face. I think this thing could emanate out from Santa Barbara, to the world, through through this kind of approach.
And I want to add to that, what you already know, all of us already know and that is that. Unlike most wonderful retreat, places, which are ours, one to three hours away from an airport, yeah. And understandably, because they get you to a wonderful place away from everything. We all know that actually, Santa Barbara is about the only place I can think of that has an airport right there that happens to have almost always perfect weather, wonderful geography, incredible human spirit. And, and, and consciousness. And what a great location for retreat. You know, I've been to one before, there were academics were flown there. I excuse me, executives were flown there. And I spoke to them and they just it, it happened to be at that location right on the water next to the four seasons. I can't remember the name of it. But anyway, the location of Santa Barbara, up on the hill even where this obviously is, is a wonderful, wonderful source for such a consciousness raising activity. And please, thanks.
I do want to piggyback on what you said to us because
you know, I was living in LA and
mid 80s And my husband and I would go take little day trips, and we ended up going to Santa Barbara one weakened and I just was like, oh my god, I hear God's God speaking to me. move here, move here and my husband's like, yeah, alright, Sean Toria knew it. By 9090 90 I was living there and raised my sons they are want to see them and so forth. So I have to tell you, you are so right on. Not only is there a world class university, the Funch way, the energy you drive to Santa Barbara, you get past Oh, say Ventura to the coast there, up from LA and like a curtain drops in the energy field.
You're right about the pride of conscious people is enormous.
And of course, all the things that we talked about in terms of that it's got a great location and the weather's good. And there's an enormous beauty it's, there's a very distinct and I mean, look at how many Catholic back in the money. You know, they were putting up, you know, no vitiates for girls to be nuns and seminaries for guys to be priests, and so on and so on. And yeah, but there's also a wonderful inner spiritual community immunity at La casa, we would have these frequent, and we even made gardens, we had an Islamic garden, we had a Buddhist garden Leanna English garden, and we would have the local rabbi and eemaan and Dawa, that you met Edwin, and then there's the Vedanta temple, there is one of the few that onto temples, then there's only a handful, and one of them is in Montecito with optic temple up there anyway, I could go on and on. But it's perfect. It's a it's very, it's a little pricey there. You know, yes, we know that. But in terms of what you said earlier, and I think Tao was said this in an earlier meeting to the light beaming down
for from your property is going to be so really, such a contribution to people.
You know, thank you, John, for all you said, and you're one of the things you said, opens the door for another thing I would like to say and that is not only is it a wonderful location, in spite of its cost to get, let's say white male executives there and have a consciousness raising session for them. But in this case about conscious leadership that definitely can't be experienced without diversity being more fully included as part of their leadership and their own self interest. So that's, that's the white male workshop. And what a great location to bring diverse people who typically can't afford as much and not charge them as much in this nonprofit up on this hill, to have an ability to attract human diversity to place to a place they hardly ever get to. And to experience the the the empathy, of being seen and being heard. I'm really touched.
And one of the things that we did frequently and I could name up different groups, but we have we listen to me, like constantly Maria, if you're familiar with Homeboy Industries, and Father Boyle in LA, where he took, he created this organization and group, any members. So we would have we have these things where, where every year, this organization out of Los Angeles brought gang kids. That's just one example of serving
under served people. And these kids should know that this was an enormous gift. Yeah. Anyway. Yeah.
I think there was an earlier. I mean, I know there was one of the earlier circles where I think Charlson Edwin talked about the having the capacity for being able to
being able to
probe I free complimentary whenever there's certain groups, scholarships and things of that nature.
And I thought of another thing I love this process, that somebody where the two of you can't. And Shawn, we're talking about residential potential, because it's currently zoned that way. I don't know if actual residents there would conflict energetically with all the rest that's going on there. I don't know. However, what I do know and you all know better is that it can be if there's enough space up there. Some of it can be the location, other nonprofit entities that that work with complimented really well. We've had that example up in San Francisco, where I've been here for the last 46 years on the what was once and military base, the Presidio is now mostly a home not for private residences, but for other nonprofits have various constructive wonderful serving energies. And so that kind of space, if there's enough of it might be a wise way to have regular income from them paying to be there.
Another idea and
going back to Santa Barbara, here I am 1000 miles from Santa Barbara. I am within 50 miles of five Native American reservations. My neighbors are Tibetans. My next three neighbors are all called llamas, and there is a five storey high stupa next to me, but I as you can all tell I love Santa Barbara, I'd like to tell you a little story. Years ago, I Lakota Sioux named Archie fire lane dear one of the his grandfather's great famous su teacher was in Santa Barbara. And I met him and we had spent time together and as politely as I could, I said, Why are you not up in in the Dakotas? You know, honestly, helping your people. Instead of being in lovely, beautiful Santa Barbara. Of course, I was as careful as I could be and I was sincere. And he answered he said that in the Lakota Sioux tradition, Savitt Santa Barbara is very special. And he said it. We call it you call it God. We call it the great spirit. But the great spirit does not make mistakes and all the major mountain roads SRE mountain chains in North America go east, sorry, north and south, the Appalachians, the Rockies, the CRS. But in Santa Barbara, the mountains that this Seminary is on called the Santa Ynez mountains, run east and west, right. And at the end of that mountain range is what the local Indians called the western gate. And this is where one leaves this dimension and enters another dimension. For children that you dive off the point called Point conception, you know, and when you dive into the larger sea, you've entered a larger world. And he said, our prophecies say that, that there will be a what I would call a sage. I don't know what word he used. Who would be there. And it would be talked about for centuries from now that a new movement started on the west coast of North America. I can tell you that the Tibetans and His Holiness, the 14th DALAI LAMA have essentially the same vision. And the question has been is that actually San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. But some would say Santa Barbara. So these are just I love myths and stories. And are they right or are they wrong?
You choose?
This is fun. Can
we just please all have lunch together? And
so we're doing
these circles ongoing. You're welcome to join more of them to Shawn's joining us in two weeks, right. We're doing circle and I'll send you an email about the advisory counts counsel and we can talk about that and kind of just keep the conversation going. If you know others that would like to take part I think We don't even we don't have people signed up for next week yet. So if you if you want to do some circle next week, bring some other people in the Mondays ones as the ones that Charles is attending and on Fridays, I'm sort of opening it up to our empathy communities, we have, you know, a large community that sort of organized around empathy, empathy circles, the empathy movement, so kind of getting their feedback on on for their vision for the space. And so it's an ongoing discussion that we're going to kind of have to develop the space just kind of keep the dialogue going. So yeah. I don't know. Francesca, any thoughts? So he's still there. He had, did you have to take your dog out for a walk? Or?
No, no, I didn't take my dog out. I stayed here, I just took myself off video, I was just thinking that maybe that was a good way to create bandwidth. My thoughts are, you know, let me know, when you want to do a garage sale, we can maybe advertise, take some pictures, advertise it on Facebook marketplace, or wherever. And I'll go up there and help you with a garage sale. I don't know if we have to put prices on things. And just, although I don't have the I'm, I work as an environmental sciences. So I don't have the business acumen that a lot of you do for this, this field. But all I can say is I'm very supportive of it. And I'd like to help if I can, and what limited way I have my resources. So and I'm here in the neighborhood. I'm close by.
Great, yeah, well, we're have all the sorting to do, I'll be going up in a couple of weeks. And kind of starting to address some of that trying to work through the nonprofit, kind of get the ball rolling on that and, and then next top aspect, once that's kind of set up, we'll be dealing with all that furniture, you were up there, you saw that we have the dining room and the recreation room are just like full of furniture. At least half of that needs to be tossed out. And there's a lot of other rooms that are full of mattresses and all kinds of stuff that we're going to be getting a bin to kind of hall you know, just really kind of clean everything up sort of everything. Yeah. Sorry.
Mine's more trivial. And then we'll come back to you. It's more important everyone instead of going up I can't remember you in LA San Diego somewhere south.
I'm located in Berkeley s3 though right next to you.
Oh, you're here. Yeah. Then you mean you're going down there?
I'm gonna go down. Yeah, yes. I'll go down. Yeah.
He's gonna choose me. I knew you'd been here. Yeah.
Back down to Berkeley. Are you still in Berkeley? Or?
I'm in Berkeley? Yep.
Okay. All right.
Sorry,
Mikey.
Okay. Okay, I had this, I had this idea I was in that, you know, the big that were the were the nuns had their quarters. It looked like it looked like you already had a setup for a kitchen in there where all you could need is like a cooktop and a microwave and a refrigerator. And before you even renovated that great big, huge stainless steel kitchen, you could have a little situation there where people could cook without taking that huge kitchen on the update it, you know, it could be really quick. And if you wanted to stay overnight and reside there while you were doing your work there wouldn't probably take too much, you know, to get a little kitchen going in there that's completely functional for whether someone wants to live there or stay there temporarily.
Yeah, exactly. That could be for like a workshop. People could not have used a big kitchen. He's just going to be an issue. So that areas, yeah, pretty. That's an extra act. There's a meeting room, a really nice patio there. And then a little kitchenette type area that could be set up pretty quick. There is also the staff quarters called Building to is so those that also has a room like that. And there's the groundskeeper is actually living there with his family. And there's another room in the back that's very similar and they actually have a little kitchen there with, you know, refrigerator, hot plate and so forth. So there's two places to two buildings that can kind of be used that way already.
So as keen still the caretaker can
know it's Christian and Jose. Okay. and that the other person that was there left. Somebody said he was getting I don't know what really happened but said one thing there were one of the projects was there was a turn into a homeless sort of reentry center. The neighbors really didn't like that. It was a lot of protests. Yeah, supposedly it kind of freaked him out that he, he just got he got kind of paranoid living up there by himself, and just all that kind of stuff and left. So we haven't heard from him. Oh,
well, you know, I met King because I used to ride horses all over that neighborhood. And when he started being a caretaker up there, he really missed his family in Mexico. He was stuck up there in that hill all by himself. So, you know, that's good that there's a different family up there now. And he's kind of available the studio up there on that hill alone.
Yeah, they've been there a long time. Christian. He's, he was he's been there for 15 years, you know, been involved in that space. So he knows that pretty well. Okay. He took part in empathy circle, too. I think he was an empathy circle, the last one or the one before to? Really?
Yeah, and your beautiful library? I know that they used to have, I don't know if a pays for their meeting space or not. But every weekend he would meet in that library. I remember that, too.
Do you know how long ago that was?
You know, would have been no more than two years ago. Okay. I don't know how long the time but they were still having what it must have been the most glamorous place to have a meeting in the world during that beautiful library. But yeah, it was every weekend. And I would say it'd be no more than two years ago.
Oh, that's good, because we talked to the person who did the property report there. And he mentioned that for keeping the conditional use permit active, you have to every at least every six months have some kind of a workshop use the space, and that he had advise the owners to have something going on. So I imagined they probably did that to keep one because they want to do a treatment center to keep it the conditional use permit active.
Interesting. Good.
Is there any other questions about the space or anything that we can answer? Yes, John,
I was just curious, I'm wondering if there aren't a number of organizations in I'm going to say greater, greater, greater Santa Barbara area that could use some of those pieces of furniture, you know, there's shelters, there's homes for, you know, women with children, you know, they need to be secret because they're from, you know, in a US partner. You know, there, I wonder if you couldn't give a lot of it away, which I don't know, if you care about a, you know, a tax write off as a donation, but at the same time, I think it would be a super Win win in terms of, you know, key, our, whether that's something you want out there soon, or if you'd want to hold on and then you know, have it be announced later that it would be like a real win, win if you could give that away and, and if you needed help, I might be able to come up with a list, Oregon area that might be like really honored and delighted to be able to have some of those pieces for the people they serve.
It'd be good to have a list my partner Joe, and actually, she was thinking about that too. So she checked out like the Catholic Charities and some others too. So having you know, a full list would be good to have is
happy to collaborate with her if
she'd like.
Okay, any other questions or comments or before we close?
My comment is thank you so much, everyone. Lovely to meet you all, and super grateful to be here. This is Louis and
Dylan and one of our board calls and yeah, God bless you all.
Thank you so much.
Comments, Louis?
Yeah, I also not I did think you already you and Charles did but and Sean and Kenton frankly too, for being here. But Shawn, I want to thank you personally for your own. Intuitive scholar spiritual sense. It wasn't just left brain thinking this might be a good idea you've felt the energy the potential energy of this place. and how it might fit with your own passion. And I just love feeling that grow out of you. And then here and then God knows where you know, it's like, we can go make your
day Francesca and a closing comments.
Just blessings to everyone and looking forward to the future for this project, and this organization, and just hopefully it's getting all your ducks in a row, piece by piece measured by measure. That's all.
Thanks can't.
Most of my life I've followed hunches. And I have a hunch that this is a really good thing about to be born.
Thanks, Charles. Final comments.
I just want to thank everyone for your participation and your passion and your desire to see this project be a success.
Yeah, and I'm grateful for everyone taking part. Like I said, this is an ongoing discussion, join us, you know, next week or the following weeks, invite your friends and keep the conversation and going and the empathy flowing. So okay with that, though, say goodbye. We got a jazz hands. We'd like to cancel you there. I am here. Can we get your video real quick? One of the things you do in the empathy circle? Yeah.
See, if they've been
asked to start video.
It says the host is asking. Okay, let's do it again.
There you go.
Okay. Well, yeah, we just get our jazz hands it makes a good picture for the for the screenshot for that. So okay, well, bye, everybody. See you soon.
