Tim Boyd

Tim Boyd

Tim Boyd is an American who has been the President of the Theosophical Society in America from 2011 to present. On April 28, 2014, it was announced that he has been elected President of the international Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India.

Early years

Tim Boyd

Mr. Boyd was born on October 22, 1953 in New York City. He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Chicago. Afterward, he joined a spiritual community in Chicago headed by Theosophist Bill Lawrence, of whom he often speaks and writes as "the Old Man." The community was active for over 25 years. He and his coworkers taught meditation and healing methods to troubled urban youth. They established organic food gardens on vacant lots, renovated housing in the inner city.. Eventually he became a Partner in Royal Associates, a real estate development firm.

Theosophical work

In 1974, Mr. Boyd joined the Theosophical Society. He has participated in lodge work in Chicago, and was active in the Illinois-Wisconsin Federation. He was a member of the board of the Theosophical Society in America and served as Vice President. He has also been on the board of the Theosophical Book Gift Institute that ships books to libraries and prisons. For many years he has been much in demand as a lecturer and workshop leader in the United States, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, and he has written articles published in theosophical journals around the world.

Tim Boyd with children from Chushul Orphanage in Tibet.

Mr. Boyd has been engaged with the Theosophical Order of Service (TOS) for many years, serving on the board of directors and as president of the American branch. During a trip to Tibet, he began working with the Chushul Orphanage, in partnership with the Tibet Fund of New York and the Tibet Development Fund. The TOS provided shoes for the children, and raised funds to build a much-needed bathroom with several showers, toilets and sinks, and a septic tank. Unfortunately, the Chinese closed the Chushul home in 2013, but the children were allowed to stay together. Mr. Boyd's involvement with the TOS and the Chushul orphanage in Tibet led to an audience with the Dalai Lama in Iowa, 2010, accompanied by his wife Lily and Betty and David Bland.

Presidency of TSA

HH Dalai Lama and Tim Boyd, 2011.

In 2011 Mr. Boyd was nominated for the Presidency of the Theosophical Society in America, running unopposed. Even before his installation in the office in July, 2011, he was heavily engaged in the planning for a visit of the Dalai Lama to Chicago. His Holiness gave a public lecture on July 17 at the UIC Pavilion; a public panel discussion with interfaith leaders at the Harris Theater on the morning of July 18, and a private members' talk later that day. The events were attended by ten thousand people, and raised over $400,000 for educational projects aiding Tibetan communities worldwide.

Currently serves as President of the Theosophical Society in America and Editor in Chief for Quest magazine TSA.

International election of 2014

After international President Radha Burnier passed away on October 31, 2013, a special election was scheduled to fill the vacancy. During the annual convention at Adyar in December, Mr. Boyd was urged to accept nomination, which he was not seeking. After long discussions, he was persuaded to become a candidate. He and Indian member C. V. K. Maithreya received enough nominations to be on the ballot. The candidates and the electoral process were not embroiled in the controversy found in some previous elections, and both candidates were widely viewed as competent and forward-looking. The announcement of the results was made April 28, 2014.

Personal life

Tim Boyd is married to Lily, who is from Singapore and speaks several languages, including Tamil. Angelique, their accomplished daughter, is attending college. From 1996 to 2000 he worked in hospice services as a volunteer in a team that involved doctors, social workers, and nurses. Tim plays the flute, and is an excellent cook and gardener.

Writings

The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists articles by and about Tim Boyd. Some of them are available online:

• "The Science of Wonder" Quest 102. 2 (Spring, 2014): pg. 48-49. Available at TSA website.
• "The True Power of Love" The Quest 95.4 (July-August, 2007): 141-143. Available at TSA website.