about our organization

WHAT IS RECOVERY DHARMA?

Recovery Dharma is a peer-led movement and community that is unified by our trust in the potential of each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. We believe that the traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma, offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom.

We believe that recovery means empowerment, and we support each other as partners walking the path together. We believe that recovery is rooted in finding our own inner wisdom and individual journeys.

Recovery Dharma is founded on, and inspired by, Buddhism that originated in India and later on flourished in other regions of Asia (e.g., South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia). We deeply appreciate the Buddhist heritage that was protected and freely offered by the ancestors of these cultures.

WHAT IS RECOVERY DHARMA GLOBAL?

The non-profit organization, Recovery Dharma Global, is committed to taking tangible and concrete actions to support the inclusion of all members of the Global Sangha. This sangha elects board members who serve as volunteers for the organization. In addition to the legal duties of a nonprofit board, and the organization’s core intentions, the board’s responsibilities include the following four tasks:

- Develop, publish, and distribute recovery-oriented material
- Maintain a listing of Recovery Dharma meetings and communities
- Provide support for social media communication, websites, and other online collaboration.
- Coordinate and support regional and global conferences, and training opportunities

Recovery Dharma Global Board of Directors

The Recovery Dharma Global (RDG) Board of Directors is a sangha of volunteers who work to ensure the safe, effective, and compassionate operation of the nonprofit and manage the assets of the organization.

Board Committees

Job Description

Jeannette Castañeda

Board Member

I want to make sure folks who come to RD seeking freedom from eating disorders and disordered eating find the help they need to truly recover

Lauren Ero

Board Member

I want to make help local meetings reach out to their local recovery community and introduce people to Recovery Dharma. Additionally, with my expertise in nonprofit governance, I can focus on the growth of the organizational structure.

Natalya Fearnley

Board Member

I would like to foster more connections between different local sanghas. I am particularly interested in offering my services as a writer and editor for Recovery Dharma publications, social media posts, and the website.

Shad Graham

Board Member

I want to outreach to LGBTQIA+ and/or LGBTQIA+ ally organizations to share our RD offerings and ways that we might be able to offer community and support.

Cherri Hendricks Hostetler

Board Member

While serving I would like to understand the needs of the Global community. I want to learn ways that I can facilitate and support members to serve at all levels and in every capacity.

Scott Jaworski

Board Member

Recovery Dharma introduced me to a supportive community and the practice guided me through a transformative healing process. I hope that everyone who can benefit from RD will have the opportunity to do so.

Eunsung Kim

Board Member

I am committed to giving back to the larger Recovery Dharma community and my local Sangha. I want to be a welcoming presence to other people of color, and that Buddhist Recovery is possible for everyone.

Josh Rychert

Board Member

I’d like to collaborate on an archive of Recovery Dharma personal stories. Video/Audio/Text. I’d like to work with others to establish a research branch that partners with academic institutions to ethically gather data that provides evidence of Recovery Dharma’s efficacy.

Tracie Story

Board member

I would like to help make RD Global, truly Global … I am also very interested in expanding the Mentor and Wise Friends resources, research, and being on the Events Committee.

Thomas Tran

Board Member

I’m Transgender, BIPOC, and a Love & Lust Dependent—each underrepresented at the decision table. I’ll amplify marginalized voices. I’ll empower sanghas & affinities by creating customizable templates (for pamphlets/flyers) and launching a global system for Inquiry Circle Matches.

Darling Valentine

Board Member

I’d love to create an official workbook or handouts that help members map out their holistic recovery. I’d like to create this by merging Buddhist Wisdom and modern holistic recovery knowledge.

Vanessa Wang

Board Member

Recovery Dharma has been such a refuge for me. It is where I cultivated a community and designed a life that I can be proud of. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be of service for this wonderful sangha.

The Recovery Dharma Board of Directors, who serve at the behest of the Recovery Dharma global sangha, is gathered to ensure the ongoing existence of Recovery Dharma meetings and service throughout the world by functioning as a unified support to its members.

RDG Mission Statement

Documents and Resources

This page provides resources related to Board minutes, bylaws, financial statements, and other documents pertaining to governance of the non-profit organization.