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08/19/2026, Caroline Carr-Starr
Circle of Mindful Connection
In light of Rhonda’s recent passing, it occurs to some of us that an HoA Sangha Phone Circle might be a simple, mutual way of staying connected and caring for one another. A Sangha Phone Circle could enable members to stay connected with one another without placing the responsibility and duty for regular contact on just one or two members.
I’d like to encourage anyone who may be willing, to contact our Member Well-Being Committee to help fine tune the details in order to implement this idea. The basic idea is simple: Each person has someone to call, and each person has someone who calls them. The Member Well-Being Committee would organize and support the system, but the Sangha members themselves would provide the caring connection. We could provide two levels of member participation: (1) A “Checking-In” Phone Circle and (2) A “Checking-Up” Circle (chiefly for members living alone).
1. The “Checking-In” Phone Circle
Members who would like regular contact can be paired with another Sangha member, for example: Mary><Tom. Each pair decides together how often they would like to connect—perhaps weekly, every two weeks, or monthly. The call doesn’t need to be long or formal. It might simply be, “Hi, I was thinking about you and wanted to see how you’re doing.” The purpose is friendship, connection, and awareness of one another’s lives. If someone is going through a difficult time, the phone partner can ask, “Is there anything the Sangha could do that would be helpful?” If additional support is needed, the member can contact one of the two Member Well-Being Committee members.
2. The “Checking-Up” Circle, principally for someone living alone
Some of our members who are alone or elderly may prefer something different, something more frequent and focused — contact simply to know that someone will notice if they don’t answer. This would be completely voluntary. The member might choose: a daily call, a call every other day, several calls per week or whatever frequency feels appropriate. For additional reliability, elders who choose this option could be placed in three-person circles rather than pairs. For example: Mary → John → Susan (and back to) → Mary. Each person has one person they normally call, with the third person providing back-up.
The group agrees beforehand on what to do if someone doesn’t answer. For example:
1. The regular caller tries again later.
2. If there is still no response, the backup person tries.
3. If the person has requested it, a designated family member, friend, or Member Well-Being Committee member is contacted.
4. Any further action is based on the individual’s previously stated wishes.
The purpose is not to monitor or supervise participants. It is simply an additional layer of connection and reassurance for those who want it.
The Role of the Member Well-Being Committee
The Member Well-Being Committee does not become responsible for making all the calls. Instead, the committee members serve as organizers and a safety net. Their responsibilities could include: inviting members to participate; creating and maintaining the Phone Circle list, matching people thoughtfully, making sure everyone who wants a partner has one; helping find a new partner when circumstances change; checking periodically to see whether the circles are working; responding when a member or phone partner brings a concern to them and helping to coordinate additional Sangha support when appropriate. This keeps the workload manageable while allowing the whole Sangha to participate in caring for one another.
Consent and Privacy
Participation should always be voluntary. Each participant can decide: whether to participate, who may have their phone number, how frequently they want contact, whether they want the “Checking-In” circle or the more frequent and focused “Checking-Up” circle, whom to contact if they cannot be reached, and what, if anything, they want shared with the Member Well-Being Committee. The Phone Circle is based on compassion, trust, and consent — not surveillance. A phone partner is not expected to be a caregiver, counselor, or emergency responder. The Sangha Phone Circle is ultimately about a very simple Sangha-wide (community supported) loving kindness practice. No one needs to feel forgotten — no one is beyond our attention and compassion. Some members may need only an occasional friendly call while other, particularly someone living alone, may find great comfort in knowing that someone will.
In appreciation & love,
Caroline
1(828) 788-0140 ccarrstarr@gmail.com