FPMT Inc.
The International Office1632 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214-4702 USA
Telephone: (503) 808-1588
Fax: (503) 808-1589
Email Us
FPMT, Inc. is the legal entity of International Office. The terms FPMT, Inc. and International Office are interchangeable. In practical terms, this is Lama Zopa Rinpoche's office, therefore whenever FPMT, Inc. or International Office is mentioned, the guidance of our Spiritual Director is implicit.
International Office's purpose is to implement the vision, the resolutions, and strategic decisions laid out by the Spiritual Director and the Board of Directors.
FPMT, Inc. has its balance sheet and income statements certified by an independent auditor and this information is available upon request to center directors and center board members.
Responsibilities of and Services Provided by International Office
Communication within the FPMT
- Coordinates all activities of the Foundation.
- Distributes information via the website about the centers and the facilities they provide.
- Provides Foundation members, lay and Sangha, with information that may be of help to them, coming from such sources as:
- The Spiritual Director
- The FPMT Board of Directors
- The CPMT
- Centers
- Students
- Secretariat to the Spiritual Director: keeps the Spiritual Director informed of the status of all parts of the FPMT, enabling him to be involved in decision making.
General Services
- Promotes and diffuses FPMT culture throughout centers and projects, which is the way of life and practice originated by the two founders of the FPMT.
- Creates policy and guidelines in response to the needs of the organization.
- Tries to fulfill the administrative needs of the Foundation in order to leave the Spiritual Director free to devote his time to transmitting the Dharma.
Supports Centers and Projects
- Responds to the needs of the centers and students either directly or by referral.
- Works with the center directors, regional and national coordinators and others to try to solve center problems.
- Mediates in situations which require non-local help
- Produces texts, curricula and study materials for the different Dharma courses and teachings throughout the Foundation
- Creates training workshops for center staff such as center directors, spiritual program coordinators and others
Human Resources
The Center Services and Education departments of the FPMT International Office help centers find suitable candidates for teachers, directors and spiritual program coordinators and submit to the Spiritual Director the names of candidates for resident teacher or director for him to advise on.
Implementation of Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Projects
- Raises funds for and monitors all the charitable projects introduced by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- Manages Lama Zopa Rinpoche's personal donations directed to specific charitable projects
Fund Monitoring
The Finance Department of International Office monitors funds and trusts dedicated to activities within the Foundation.
As is customary for non-profit organizations, a percentage of all incoming donations is deducted and donated to offset a portion of the administrative expenses of FPMT, Inc. This percentage is decided by the Board and reviewed from time to time.
Pujas
On behalf of the centers, International Office arranges long life pujas annually for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tenzin Osel Rinpoche as well as any pujas or other activities that are necessary for the development and harmony of the Foundation.
In consultation with the needs of the centers and projects within the organization, the different departments in International Office create an annual plan and budget, which requires approval by the Board of Directors of FPMT, Inc.
The International Office is funded by:
- Private sponsors
- Charging for some services, tours, and documentation
- An administrative fee charged on donations to managed accounts
Fundraising is an activity that is shared among all members of International Office under the direction of the CEO.
