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10/24/2008 12:43 9196820444 SENIOR PHARMASSIST PAGE 20 dialogue, and teamwork. The "Studio" is also used to carry out Stone Circles' core programming activities and provides an additional space for training and meditation. Additionally, there are six "Cabins" on the property. Three of these cabins are used to house the primary staff members of Stone Circles. The remaining three cabins are used to provide sleeping spaces for Stone Circles' program and retreat participants. The two "Hetxnifages" provide additional sEace for rtrcdrtatiozr; particularly- for thoso- retread participants that seek a more solitary. and secluded environment. The final three buildings on the property labeled as "~orkshops'T are used for storage, general tnaintenance, an~.upkgep of the Stone House property and facilities. In addition to the buildings described above, the remaining Card on the Stone House property isalso-used=to-fact-litate Stone Circles' rettcats; workshops, and traini-rrg- programs. As mentioned above, Stone Circles' core programming activities are fundamentally based-orrm~editativrr arzd- cozttempladvc practice:- The-land-comprisingtl~. Stone House property. not only ensures the seclusion, peace, and tranquility necessary for meditation which is practicod within the buildings, .but tt aCso allows for outdoor meditation. In other..~rords,_the.lactd._itself.is..used.for. meditation and. contemplative practice, two activities which make up the foundatiozt of Stone Circles' retr-eat programs. The land is also usecl~far athcr outdoor retreat activities, ineluding~larg~ group workshops and training programs. Additionally, the land is used for sustainable agriculture and farming, activities-wltiefr-arc-itncgrated=v~itiiirrtlie-StenrCiteles-pragFazzrs. The retrea+ progams emphasize living in harmony with the land and each other, core values which can be learned a~=FefleeEe~tl~aug~s~ssileagriettl€~e-practise., TII. Coacluslpo Based orr the-activities-dzseri~bed-abm-~ an>fas-indicstecl-itr Quest{ons 6 and 7 on the Application for Property Tax Exemption, Stone Circles' claim for exemption is based on section 105 ~-'7~~ of ~tT~- ".~-z:~r Earali~~ al-=Stat#ttes. 'F1~ wer~sltQps, retreats, and training program activities should be considered "educational," as defu-ed under subsection 105=~7-~7{~-fr As desert-bed-- abav~ tlie--Stone- Cireies programs involve training activists and leaders on methods and strategies of sustainable activism, spirituality, and seeia~eliat~gr Tl~pragrarrrparEieipaCtt~ar-e-a~lso-tfaiited tt3 develop skills in community building and organizational development. As such, these activities involve the "transmissiotro€"iif€dtorr-an~tht-training-or-de~relbpment-of the- kzxawledge or skills of individual persons" and should therefore be considered "educational." N.C. 4'ie{r; Slat:- §- I-EI-S=~~=?{f~~)=~ Furthermore; t-he--activities earri~=eui- on-ttse-Stone-House- Property should be considered "charitable" within the meaning of section 105-278.7(f)(4) because these programs-have-"hun~ratte-arrd-piiilanfliropie-obj-cctives" I~F:C: heir.. Staf §-kE}5-278.7(f}(4) (2007). Specifically, all of the activists and leaders who participate in the Stone Circles programs are imFa#ved= yr vrg~- eemmuni-fies- that address-suffering and injustice in our world. The skills developed through Stone Circles' programs thus not only serve- the- ~a~ pmgrarrr ~, but- also- the- organizations and communities whom these participants in turn serve. As such, the activities being carried ' Stone Circles Propert;t Ta]c E]CEr7lption, pg.. 3