Governance — Origin Temple & Origin Institute
Origin / Foundations / Governance
§ IFOUNDATIONS — LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL

Governance.

治 理

Origin Temple and Origin Institute are governed with transparency, institutional integrity, and a clear structure designed to preserve the lineage and serve the mission for generations.

§ IIHOW THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE GOVERNED

A shared structure.
An aligned mission.

同 治

Origin Temple and Origin Institute share a founding governance structure — three Founding Trustees who hold authority over both entities in their respective roles. This shared governance is intentional.

It reflects the integrated nature of the two organizations and ensures that the ministerial mission of Origin Temple and the educational mission of Origin Institute remain aligned — across decisions, finances, doctrine, and lineage.

§ IIITHE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Three Founding Trustees
across two entities.

Each Trustee carries a distinct sphere of authority within the shared governance structure. Their roles, alignment, and division of responsibility are formally established in the governing documents of both organizations.

I
主

David Andrew Drimmel

Director & Founding Trustee
Origin Institute
Founding Director
Origin Temple
Director
Authority
Casting vote · Final authority

Founding Director of Origin Institute and Director of Origin Temple. David holds executive authority over all organizational, strategic, operational, and administrative decisions of both entities.

He conceived, built, and developed both organizations and holds casting vote and final authority in all governing matters.

David also holds the right to designate his successor as Founding Director of Origin Institute and Director of Origin Temple — a provision that ensures continuity of vision regardless of any change in individual leadership.

II
師

Master Roberto Baptista

Head Master & Founding Trustee
Origin Institute
Head Master
Origin Temple
Master Instructor & Founding Trustee
Authority
Internal Arts curriculum & lineage integrity

Master Roberto holds domain authority over the authenticity, accuracy, and integrity of all Internal Arts curriculum — the lineage he carries traceable to the original Shàolín monks and the Central Guoshu Institute, Nanjing, established in 1928.

His governance role is domain-specific: it is the lineage that authorizes him here, and the lineage is what he protects. No curriculum may pass into Origin Institute as authentic Internal Arts content without his approval.

III
財

Sandy Sommer

Treasurer & Founding Trustee
Origin Temple
Treasurer
Origin Institute
Trustee
Authority
Financial oversight & reporting

Treasurer of Origin Temple and Trustee of Origin Institute. Sandy holds financial oversight responsibility for both entities, including stewardship of donations, monitoring of expenditures, and assurance that the financial conduct of both organizations remains aligned with their stated missions.

This role is subject to the executive authority of the Director.

§ IVDIVISION OF AUTHORITY

What each entity holds.
What each entity decides.

The Temple holds ultimate authority over the shared mission. The Institute conducts day-to-day educational operations, with quarterly accountability to the Temple's Board.

Origin Temple
508(c)(1)(a) · The Church
Holds ultimate authority over shared mission and operations.

Authorities

  • i.Establishing and amending governing documents.
  • ii.Oversight of Origin Institute as its integrated auxiliary.
  • iii.Approval of significant decisions across both organizations.
  • iv.Receipt and stewardship of donations.
  • v.Long-term vision and direction of the physical living monastery.

As the church, Origin Temple holds the ecclesiastical and ministerial mandate that defines what the Institute exists to serve.

Origin Institute
501(c)(3) · Educational Arm
Conducts day-to-day educational operations.

Operations

  • i.Curriculum development and delivery.
  • ii.Student enrollment and membership administration.
  • iii.Instructor certification.
  • iv.Financial management — subject to quarterly reporting to Origin Temple.

The complete division of authority is set forth in the Shared Governance Resolution, available for download below.

§ VINSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY & PRESERVATION

The curriculum is held
in perpetual preservation.

All curriculum materials developed by or for Origin Institute — including lesson sheets, course videos, instructional materials, assessments, and certification programs — are held as institutional property of Origin Temple in perpetual preservation.

This ensures the lineage and curriculum continue beyond any individual, in perpetuity.

The specific terms governing Head Master Roberto Baptista's contribution of Internal Arts curriculum are set forth in the Intellectual Property Agreement between Master Roberto Baptista, David Drimmel, and Origin Institute.

§ VIFINANCIAL GOVERNANCE

Separate accounts.
Coordinated oversight.

Origin Temple and Origin Institute maintain separate bank accounts and financial records.

Origin Institute reports its finances to Origin Temple's Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis. All significant financial commitments are subject to the executive authority of the Founding Director.

Membership fees collected by Origin Institute are recorded as educational program revenue and are not tax-deductible. Donations to Origin Temple and Origin Institute may be tax-deductible where applicable. Separate receipts are issued to distinguish these contributions.

Both entities adhere to a formal Conflict of Interest Policy requiring annual disclosure from all Trustees, officers, and key employees.

§ VIISUCCESSION

A continuity provision —
so the work outlives
any one of us.

繼 承

The Founding Director holds the right to designate his successor as Director of Origin Temple and Founding Director of Origin Institute by written instrument maintained in the permanent records of both organizations.

In the absence of a designated successor, the Board of Trustees convenes within 30 days to appoint an Interim Director pending a permanent appointment.

This succession provision ensures that Origin Temple and Origin Institute continue without interruption — and that the lineage transmission and educational mission carry forward regardless of any change in individual leadership.

I
Designation
Founding Director designates a successor by written instrument, maintained in the permanent records of both organizations.
II
Absence of a Successor
The Board of Trustees convenes within 30 days of vacancy.
III
Interim Appointment
An Interim Director is appointed pending a permanent appointment, ensuring continuity of leadership.
IV
Continuity of Mission
Lineage transmission and educational mission carry forward without interruption.
§ VIIIGOVERNING DOCUMENTS

Every authority
has a written instrument.

The governance of Origin Temple and Origin Institute is established by formal documents — all available for public inspection and download.

Origin Temple

508(c)(1)(a) · The Church
  • IArticles of AssociationThe founding instrument of the ministerial association.
  • IIDeclaration of Charter and BylawsOperating rules & ecclesiastical authority.
  • IIIStatement of FaithThe spiritual identity of Origin Temple.
  • IVOfficial Code of EthicsConduct asked of every member.
  • VFormal Code of Doctrine and DisciplineInternal governance & discipline.
  • VIStatement of PurposeWhy this ministry exists.

Origin Institute

501(c)(3) · Educational Arm
  • IArticles of IncorporationColorado · filed March 10, 2026.
  • IIEducational Purpose StatementThe defined educational purpose.
  • IIIIRS 501(c)(3) Determination LetterFederal recognition of tax-exempt status.

Shared Documents

Both Entities
  • IAffiliation AgreementDefines the auxiliary relationship.
  • IIShared Governance ResolutionAdopted April 23, 2025.
  • IIIIntellectual Property License AgreementCurriculum & lineage materials.
  • IVConflict of Interest PolicyAnnual disclosure requirement.
  • VOrdination ProcessThree pathways of recognition.
§ IXORDINATION & CERTIFICATION

Three formal pathways
of recognition.

Origin Temple maintains a formal Ordination Process establishing three pathways of recognition within the community. All pathways require demonstrated alignment with the Code of Ethics, completion of foundational curriculum beginning with Dé, and approval by the Founding Director.

PATHWAY · I
牧

Minister of
Origin Temple

Ordained ministerial recognition within the church — those called to the ministerial functions of the Temple itself.

PATHWAY · II
師

Certified Teacher
of Origin Institute

Recognition as an authorized teacher of the Institute's educational curriculum to a verified standard of practice.

PATHWAY · III
傳

Certified Lineage
Instructor

The deepest pathway — formal recognition as a carrier of the Internal Arts lineage, authorized to transmit it.

Common requirements: demonstrated alignment with the Code of Ethics · completion of foundational curriculum beginning with Dé · approval by the Founding Director.
Request Ordination Process
§ XCONTACT FOR GOVERNANCE INQUIRIES

For the public,
grant-makers & partners.

Members of the public, grant-makers, regulatory bodies, and institutional partners may direct governance inquiries to the contact below.

Email
Send a Governance Inquiry →
Phone
+1 888 902 0210
Mailing Address
Origin Institute
460 Flatiron Blvd, Unit 2049
Broomfield, CO 80021
§ XIBUILT TO LAST

A structure designed to carry
this forward for generations.

治 理 永 續
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