The Evolving Governance Structure
Scroll down to meet our new Board of Directors!
We are pleased to announce several changes that we believe will help our organization thrive and grow. A major step forward is that Sufi Center East is now established as a separate, non-profit religious organization under Pennsylvania law in accordance with our strategic plan. Prior to that we were a branch of the SSC in California. We also received approval from the IRS as a non-profit religious organization.
As part of setting up the new non-profit structure for Sufi Center East , we formed a new Board of Directors. The Circle of Trusted Servants (CoTS) has served as an interim board until the new Board could be seated. We are excited to announce the formation of that Board and some accompanying changes in our governance and decision making structure.
Our Current Structure
As has been described in previous newsletters, for many years we have operated with a structure based in part on the Sociocratic method (aka Dynamic Governance) that consisted of a system of circles (composed of community members) representing the significant functional areas of the Farm of Peace/Sufi Center East.

Circles were open to any community members who were interested and willing to volunteer their efforts to support the functioning and growth of the Farm. Each main circle elected 2 representatives to the overall circle responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Farm of Peace/Sufi Center East, the Circle of Trusted Servants (CoTS for short). Some circles had sub-circles under them, as well. CoTS was charged with representing all members and interests of the whole community, and has been meeting regularly for many years.
Several years ago we realized that we needed managers for the major areas and key functions of the organization. Individuals who were willing to take on this level of responsibility also became the managers of those circles. With these volunteer managers in place, the membership of CoTS then became the managers from each of these circles, plus one additional elected member from each circle.
The managers represented on CoTS at the present time include President and Spiritual Director (Salima Adelstein), Sufi Ministry Manager (Maryam Whalen), Farm Operations Manager (Halima Willett), Programs Manager (Belqis Lynne), and Residential Life Manager (Abd al-Qadir Davies). Other current members of CoTS not designated as managers (and the circles they represent) include Jamil Bastress (Owners Circle), Jamila Davies (Residential Life Circle), Amin Whalen (Gratitude Circle), and Nuh Ross (Finance Circle).
Reasons for the Change
Recently we realized that our current structure was not working as well as we would like in terms of supporting clear and timely decisions.
The other significant factor was the establishment of Sufi Center East as an independent non-profit. With a new, permanent Board, the role of the Circle of Trusted Servants will be changing somewhat.
The New Circle of Trusted Servants
Although details still need to be worked out, after extensive deliberation, CoTS has decided to change the membership criteria and focus for this group. The new Circle of Trusted Servants will continue to meet monthly and focus on longer-term operational policies and issues, while the weekly managers meetings focus on day-to-day operational concerns.
The newly formed Board of Directors will take over strategic issues and the overall direction of the organization, while carrying out their role as the legal Board defined in the SCE by-laws.
One change in the CoTS structure was adding our Office Manager and Kitchen Manager to the group. The membership of the new CoTS will therefore include all of the current managers of the organization. They will have a different, longer-term focus in CoTS than they have during their weekly operational meetings.
Also, to ensure that a broad perspective from the entire community, we are seeking nominations for three additional members from the community (
see sidebar). It is hoped that these members will bring experience and expertise to the group in the areas of
fundraising, marketing and organizational development.
The following are the current managers (many of whom are volunteers) of Sufi Center East who will be members of the new Circle of Trusted Servants:
President / Spiritual Director - Salima Adelstein
Sufi Ministry Manager - Maryam Whalen
Farm Operations Manager - Halima Willett
Programs Manager - Belqis Lynne
Residential Life Manager - Abd al-Qadir Davies
Office Manager - Raja Kropff
Kitchen Manager - Rifqa Parrino
Community Involvement and Participation
In the new structure, community volunteer participation will be coordinated by the managers in each area. While "circles" will not be formed in the same way as before in our organizational structure, the survival and success of our farm and our spiritual community still depends on the participation and contributions of all members of the community. The managers simply cannot do everything by themselves! They need volunteers from the community to work with them and contribute their talents and ideas in areas where they have interest. There are many areas and ways for anyone to get involved and have a meaningful role. All managers are committed to having an open and inclusive leadership style that values and encourages the input from all who participate, and strives for collaborative decision making consistent with the shura (consultation) process of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). To find out about current opportunities, call (717) 573-4722.
Introducing New Board of Directors
Salima Maxine Adelstein, M.Ed., D.D.,
Chair
Hajja Salima is the founder and Spiritual Director of the Farm of Peace and the Co-President, Dean of Education and a faculty member of the University of Spiritual Healing & Sufism. She is a master healer and teacher who helps people to discover and embody the deep truth of their beauty and essence. She has helped hundreds of clients heal from illness and lifelong emotional pain. She has a private healing practice in Pennsylvania and teaches spiritual healing seminars nationally and internationally. Her heart is filled with the joy and compassion that result from living in the heart of God.
Saida Cynthia Alexander, MBA, J.D., Ph.D.
Saida is a former trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice who now lives in Seattle, Washington. She is currently a Research Psychologist/Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Center for Telehealth & Technology, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury. She has been involved in research on the utilization of technology to improve psychological health and access to care for military and Veteran populations. Her education includes a Ph.D. (with distinction) in Clinical Psychology from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC; a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, Nashville, Tennessee; and an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
Jamil Robert Bastress II, Liv. Ac., Dipl. Ac.,
Treasurer Jamil is the owner of the Integrative Medicine Center, LLC and a National Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist. He is also the Imam, shepherd and a co-founder at the Farm of Peace. He earned a Masters degree at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland in 1999, and is a graduate of the Jaffe Institute of Spiritual and Medical Healing with a specialty in Spiritual Ministry.

Mahabba Elaine Bullington, M.A.
Mahabba is a business consultant and personal coach based in Silver Spring, Maryland. She provides comprehensive organizational development and management consulting services to government and private sector organizations as well as individuals, specializing in strategic alignment, planning, program development, managerial/leadership assessment, and effective communication. She also serves as an Executive and Ministerial Coach, helping individuals and teams discover their talents and passions, and helping them move towards fulfilling their personal and professional goals. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Management from Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tennessee.
Hassan Sultan, MBA, CPA
Hassan Sultan is a Certified Public Accountant who lives and works in Northern Virginia. He has extensive experience in finance and accounting including financial planning and analysis (FP&A), operational finance, budgeting, forecasting, controllership, auditing and taxation. He worked for and with non-profit entities, manufacturing companies, utilities, consumer products firms, and healthcare organizations. He holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business.
Amin John Whalen, M.Div.
Amin lives with his wife Maryam and daughter Kate at the Farm of Peace in their newly completed home. He has 25 years of business experience, mostly in business strategy, organizational development, and environmental sustainability. He is currently working as part of the Environmental Sustainability group at Nike, Inc. He has a deep commitment to bringing the light of the Prophets to the world of business to create an economy that cares for the hearts of the people and stewards the creation. He is a graduate of the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism and as a member of the USHS board.
Maryam Mary Ellen WhalenSecretaryMaryam Whalen is our Sufi Ministry Manager and the director of our zawiyah program. She lives with her husband, Amin, in their new home at the Farm of Peace. She spent many years as a successful business consultant and personal development trainer before attending the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism, where she received an advanced certificate in Sufi Ministry.
Farm of Peace / Sufi Center East
1212 Haven Lane
Warfordsburg, PA 17267
717-573-4722 (International Peace Center)
717-573-2956 (Farm Operations)