The overall running of Gaia House is in the hands of a body of Trustees, together making up the Gaia House Trust, who are in turn accountable to the Charity Commission. Gaia House is both a Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. The Trustees are the people who are ultimately responsible for the running of Gaia House in accordance with the constitution of the charity – its ‘Articles of Association’. The Trust’s Articles of Association state that we can have up to 18 Trustees, with a quorum of four people required to make decisions. Only Trustees of Gaia House have a right to vote on any matter, although in practice matters are normally settled by consensus and a vote is rarely taken.
The Trust meets every three months to review the activities of the House, with an Executive Committee meeting every six weeks. All the significant decisions affecting Gaia House are taken at Trust meetings; recommendations from its committees (the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee) must gain approval from the full Trust.
More information about: Being a Gaia House Trustee.
If you would like to join our Board of Trustees please email ku.oc.esuohaiagnull@nimda for an application pack and further information.
Current Board of Gaia House Trustees
The Board of Trustees is made up of the following members:
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Chair of Trustees: Michael Jeffries. “I have been involved with Gaia House in various capacities since its establishment in Devon, in Denbury – the next village, in 1984. I have been on the Board of Trustees since 1998. I live in Totnes with my family and work in Exeter at the University.” |
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Trevor Dunkley Now retired after a career as a senior manager in the criminal justice system, Trevor works with Angulimala as a part-time chaplain teaching meditation at the prison just up the lane from Gaia House. As a Trustee he has a particular interest in the management and human resources aspects of the organisation. He sees the opportunity to serve at Gaia House as a valued element of his practice, and is keen to make what is offered more accessible to a wider public. |
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Sarah Hamilton Sarah is based in Reading, and has been a Trustee since 2009. She has a background in marketing and communications, and works as a consultant in the Tourism sector. She is also a practising psychotherapist.
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Peter Gingold
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Diana Parratt “I’ve lived within 5 miles of Gaia House for over 20 years. My interest in meditation, mindfulness and the Dharma developed whilst I was training to be a counsellor in the late 1990s. Regularly attending retreats at Gaia House supports me in my personal and professional life and I became a Trustee in December 2010.”
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Sean Williams ”I’ve been coming to Gaia House since 2003. It has made such a big difference to my life. I started coming to trustee meetings in 2010. I live in the middle of London, near Victoria Station, but I love coming down here when I can. I work at the BT, where I am responsible for the company’s strategy, regulation, public policy and product portfolio.” |
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Peter Mallard After previously experimenting with various forms of meditation Peter has followed a Buddhist path since 1997. He has been coming to Gaia House on retreat since 2003 and became a trustee in 2011. He lives in Totnes and manages the Barn Retreat for the Sharpham Trust. Peter currently sits on the Gaia House Programme Advisory Group, Retreat Support Fund Committee and Finance Committee. |
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Justin Andrews Justin has lived and worked at Gaia House as a work, personal and group retreatant, as a Reception Coordinator, and as the finance assistant to our venerable finance manager. It is a pleasure to now serve as a trustee of Gaia House. He now serves as a Chaplain in Dartmoor Prison teaching Meditation and Buddhism, as well as Counselling both in Prison and in private practice in Ashburton and Plymouth. Justin lives locally and enjoys all the pastimes this wonderful part of the world offers with his partner and young son. |
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