The Community of Interbeing UK is a registered charity and company, whose aims are to promote the teaching and practice of Thich Nhat Hanh and to assist local groups with this aim. The trustees, acting collectively, have the legal responsibility for seeing that all resources held by the national organisation are used effectively for these purposes, and that the COI UK complies with laws, including charity regulations, pays its taxes etc. Within such legal responsibilities, the trustees serve the Community by responding to, and facilitating, the ideas and activity coming from local groups and individual members.
Trustees are members who have taken the '5 mindfulness trainings' in this spiritual tradition, who are willing to serve, and are supported by the members at the Annual Assembly. New trustees can be co-opted to make up the team, or be proposed at the Assembly.
The Trustees meet several times a year in London . Meetings deal with finances, projects and communications issues. Meetings are minuted and the trustees report to the members at the Assembly, also to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
Any member can put their ideas and suggestions to the trustees. They are welcome to attend a meeting of the trustees (if they are willing to read past minutes to familiarise themselves with our work) and can contribute if asked - but only the trustees take part in decisions. (Since 2001, 20 members have served as trustees)
The trustees act collectively, so please make contact via Gill Bleaden, co facilitator
Current Trustees 2008
Trustees at a recent meeting in London
Gil Bleaden ( Ipswich )
01206 298599
Renata Collaco ( London )
Martin Pitt ( Devon )
John Newson ( Birmingham )
Anna McIvor ( Cambridge )
Katherine Bodley ( Sheffield )
Nigel Pearce ( London )
Gill Bleadon
Gill Bleadon
I became a Trustee in March 2006 and one of the co-facilitators in April 2007. I have been practising buddhist meditation since 1994 and started to practise in Thay's tradition in 2001. I am a member of the Ipswich sangha.
I am semi-retired (took early retirement in 2000). Before I retired I was an IT Strategy Consultant. For a few years I ran a small business designing and selling jewellery but am now winding this down. My favourite activities are hanging out with family and friends, gardening, garden design, craft work and home improvements.