Web Design, Writer, Graphic Design, Nonprofit: Monk

I am a monk under vows serving as a freelance monastic priest. As my letter and resume explain below, my background includes degrees in English and philosophy, and over 25 years experience in writing, graphic design, web design and nonprofit fundraising. I am looking for freelance, part-time, or independent contract positions.

My introduction is at least non-ordinary and may be of keen interest to you. I am a recently resigned monk/priest from a monastic order based on Kauai, Hawaii. I was a monk/priest for some 25 years, coming out of a monastic tradition that blends wide-ranging nonprofit, writing, teaching and publishing skills, the analytical prowess of the Jesuits, the scholastic and contemplative richness of philosophical pursuits and a professional depth in graphic design, writing/editing, nonprofit fundraising, retreat/seminar study programs and other educational expressions.

Much of my service in the nonprofits and public service institutions I was a part of was deeply engaged in writing, graphic design, news journal, magazine and book production—from conception to press. We had our own publishing houses: Himalayan Academy Publications and Comstock House—producing books, magazines, brochures, tracts, posters, educational courses. I have been serving as a senior writer for these institutions for 25 years. As well I served as a senior graphic designer for these publishing projects.

I have a total of 25 years experience in fundraising development—including direct mail, events, individual cultivation for small to major gifts and planned giving.

I am expertly fluent in Dreamweaver, Mac OSX, Quark, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator; know and use typography very well; work on a Powerbook G4 connected to DSL; and have extensive experience in email and web usage. I am versed in Flash, Javascript, HTML, DHTML, and the creation of ecommerce (i.e. shopping cart) websites. I design both fast-loading and dynamic web presentations. I have written and designed dozens of ads, brochures, catalogs, flyers and worked on 1,000-page book projects, childrens’ educational courses and created many point-of-sale packages. As my resume details, for many years I was the writer and designer for almost all of our direct marketing materials-from books to travel programs. And I served as the lead writer or co-writer on many projects or as a journalist for over 25 years on our newsletters and magazines.

Within the sphere of teaching/counseling, I have built and managed a large variety of community outreach programs. For twenty years I have produced and led youth and adult camps and retreats—covering philosophy, lifestyle direction, ethics, diet, yoga/meditation and metaphysics. Much of my teaching career has been focused on creating innovative youth programs and writing a wide range of publications for youth. I have lived in Sri Lanka and Mauritius and traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe. My sense of intercultural relationships is highly developed.

February—May 2005

Publicist, designer, marketing manager with Artisan Builders, part-time, Sebastopol, CA.

December 2004—March 2005

Part-time graphic designer with Mt. Shasta Herald, Mt. Shasta, CA.

August—November 2004

Director of Development/Communication for startup nonprofit American Institute for Arts and Communities at the California Theatre, Dunsmuir, CA.
Writer/designer of the first version of the AIAC web site and all AIAC presentation materials.
Established donation, pledge, membership, earned income and ebay fundraising channels. Strategized special fund-raising events. Set up cash-raising systems.
Wrote all media press releases and articles for media outlets: newspaper, radio, TV and internet. Held press conferences and attended TV interviews for the project.
Identified and cultivated small, moderate and major donors.
Identified and wrote grant proposals and corporate sponsorship appeals.

January 2003—July 2004

Primary developer of a $13.6 million major gift capital/endowment campaign for a 20-acre spiritual/environmental sanctuary on Kauai, HI-part of Himalayan Academy and Saiva Siddhanta Church. Writer for special book features, magazine articles.
Writer/designer/art director of 32-page capital campaign brochure.
Developed strategy and presentation tools for chief fundraiser and team of eight. Wrote scripts and presentation materials, press releases, media articles.
Trained fundraising team in events, personal meetings, the ask, follow-up.
Part of team to develop planned-giving program. On team to establish fundraising budgets and annual goals.

2002—2003

Member of team that fund raised $6 million in small gifts over 10-year period for San Marga Sanctuary, HI. Writer/editor on book chapters for Himalayan Academy.
Developed new ideas for small and moderate gift donations. On writing/design team that created brochures, posters, advertising, web pages for campaign.
Created youth retreat manuals for community outreach in US and Asia.
Developed marketing plan/tools for Himalayan Academy book sales.
Wrote grant applications for Kauai Aloha Endowment, Innersearch Project.

2000—2002

Publicist for main author of Himalayan Academy Publications, publishing house of Himalayan Academy—non-profit spiritual education institution. Feature article writer.
Oversaw international book tours.
Crafted, wrote and designed new marketing campaign in magazines, web sites.
Interfaced with media for smooth, effective promotion.
Successfully shepherded new titles into review process (Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal, etc.)
Wrote and designed new marketing catalogs for HAP. Contributed promotional articles to magazines and newsletters.
Sales of books increased 30%.

April 1995—March 2000

Co-managed the most successful and expedited fundraising drive in Mauritius (resort island near Madagascar) history:
Raising 4,000,000 in 2 years for a 7-acre public non-profit spiritual/environmental park.
Designer and project manager for the architecture of the park, and co-designer/manager for the park’s highly regarded landscaping. Spiritual Park is noted as one of top places for visitors to Mauritius.
Co-leader for very innovative and successful youth retreats (ages 15-25) for Himalayan Academy in Mauritius.
Retreats considered among best in world.
Senior writer for Hinduism Today international monthly magazine.
Wrote 200,000-word teachers guide for children’s course.
Public speaker on integrating spirituality into life pragmatics and interests.

1992—1995

Researched and crafted new cooperative-learning methods for teaching program at Himalayan Academy in Concord, CA.
Lead teacher/minister for the Academy’s children, youth and adult programs.
Created innovative youth retreat models to enhance young adults’ positive perceptions, values and life skills.
Senior writer/journalist and designer for Hinduism Today. Specialized in in-depth reporting, biographical retrospectives, environmental news, science/spirit common ground articles.
Oversaw fund raising drive for renovations of $1 million property—$50,000-100,000 annually in small gifts. Property manager for 3-building complex.

1985—1991

Writer/designer for Hinduism Today newspaper. Editor for recurring sections of the newspaper, including book editor, special features editor, science editor.
On team to craft new look and feel for publications.
Ghost authored for several Himalayan Academy Publication books.
Wrote and recorded a 9-tape course on Asian meditation/spirituality.
Public speaking on spirituality and philosophical principles personally applied.
Master beekeeper: Co-managed and part of team that worked the monastery's 3,000 hive apiary honey operation.

1980—1984

Assistant minister priest at San Francisco branch of the Church.
Co-fundraiser for $100,000 temple-building campaign on Kauai, HI.
Assistant tour leader of travel/study program to 6 countries with 60 people.

Education

MA Divinity Wailua University Theological Seminary 1980
MA Philosophy Wailua University Theological Seminary 1982
BA English Wailua University Theological Seminary 1979
BA Journalism University of Nebraska, Lincoln incomplete (travel)