Committees

Your talents and energy are needed and wanted, and you are invited to volunteer on any of the committees listed. Involvement leads to a deeper connection with other people, and it’s through working together that friendships are often formed. Volunteering can also add to your resume, be a place where you can learn a skill, or where you can simply be a part of the community.

If you wish to get involved or have a comment please contact the committee leader. Click on a highlighted name to send an email.

Sangha Treasure – Membership

Doug Onkatsu Kagel
This is a regular ZCO committee whose mission is to help strengthen, support, and grow membership, and ensure ZCO is a welcoming place.

Sangha Harmony

Allen Ryotetsu Whitaker-Emrich

The mission of this committee is to facilitate effective communication within the sangha to inspire a harmonious and vital sangha life.

ZCO Finance Committee

Darah Shonin Ashton
The Finance Committee prepares prudent budgets for operating Great Vow Zen Monastery, and decides what sort of programs, attendance, and growth are necessary to sustain Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple.

Fundraising Work Group

Bea Myo-on Stevens, Chair
This work group develops short-term and long-term fundraising plans. Contact

Programming Group

Patrick Bansho Green, Contact
Develops and organizes monastery and temple programs.

Communications Team

This group handles promotion of ZCO’s events and programs through social media, press announcements, flyers, posters, and other materials. It is responsible for the website. Contact here.

Heart of Wisdom Temple Manager

Nancy Kodo Conover
The temple manager handles the day-to-day operations of the temple.

Heart of Wisdom Head of Zendo


Each head of zendo is to be an example of wholehearted Zen practice. Each is responsible for all the activities in the zendo, or meditation hall, including instructions, the schedule, service positions, and talks.

Engaged Buddhism

Stepping forward with the bodhisattva heart to acting in the wider world; especially focused on dismantling systems of oppression, responding to the climate crisis and working to support environmental sustainability. Contact