Serving
the Larger Community
Retail
businesses
Ananda's
first business was its Meditation Retreat, which was started in
1968 and attracted the people who would eventually become the
nucleus of the future community. A number of other businesses
followed, both privately and community owned.
Ananda's
most enduring businesses have been its two guest retreats and
its two markets. In addition to the Meditation Retreat, these
include The Expanding Light Guest Retreat at Ananda Village; Master's
Market, a natural food store and cafe that serves Ananda Village
and neighbors; and Earth Song Health Food Store and Cafe in Nevada
City, which Ananda owned for more than 20 years before selling
it in 2002.
The
temptation to put personal advantage ahead of principle is possibly
greatest in business transactions, which makes them an important
testing ground. In these settings, Ananda's commitment to its
ideals is expressed in relationships characterized by integrity,
respect, and friendship. Here's what two food industry sales reps
have said:
I
interacted with the manager of Earth Song once a week by phone
for about three years. I also visited both Ananda Village and
Earth Song to try to arrange for speakers connected with our
products. On such occasions, a lot of people I do business with
will try to get something out of me-a dinner, perhaps drinks,
something for themselves. There was never any of that with Ananda.
I never had the sense that Ananda was trying to "use" me in
any way.
I
was impressed by the integrity with which Ananda operated. Once,
when Earth Song was going through a difficult period, the manager
was very upfront about it and asked if short-term payment terms
could be arranged. This is something my company never does,
but I agreed because I knew Earth Song would pay. And they did.
They made every payment, even before it was due.
Ananda
people treated me as a friend. My salespeople loved visiting
Ananda Village and Earth Song and always had positive things
to say.
-Jack Burke, National Sales Manager for a national
health food distribution company.
When
I talked with people from Earth Song, it was different from
any other health food store. They treated me as a friend. I
felt from them a warmth and a caring that I've never experienced
with any other client. They really seemed to enjoy serving others
and were always very positive and upbeat.
It
was wonderful to deal with people who seemed genuinely interested
in learning about the products I was selling and getting them
out to the local community
- Janet Planet, former sales representative
for a national company that marketed new products to health
food stores.
Community
health services
In
1982, in a run-down trailer two miles down the road from Ananda
Village, Peter Van Houten, a medical doctor and Ananda Village
resident, started a rural clinic (Sierra Family Medical Clinic)
for an area totally lacking in medical services. Staffed initially
by Ananda members only, the clinic served not just Ananda Village
but the entire local area. Twelve years later, when the clinic
was self-sustaining, Dr. Van Houten donated it to a local non-profit
corporation. He continues to serve as medical director and CEO.
Today
the clinic staff and governing board are made up of both Ananda
members and area residents. Housed in a new, up-to-date facility
and offering dental and behavioral therapy services along with
medical, the clinic is considered one of the best of its type
in California. It is one of the few clinics that accepts patients
regardless of ability to pay. Asked what they most appreciated
about the clinic, most patients commented on the loving, caring
attitude of the staff:
At
the Sierra Family Medical Clinic my son and I receive loving
care from Peter Van Houten and the staff. When I am receiving
care, I feel like my concerns and medical condition are of the
utmost concern to my doctor. I don't feel like I'm being rushed
in and rushed out. Dr. Van Houten takes the time to explain
in detail what is going on and what I should expect. The receptionist
makes me feel like she is glad I am a patient here. R.C.,
Downieville, CA
Sierra
Family Medical Clinic has never refused medical attention to
anyone I know. I myself have done plenty of walk-ins with my
kids, and I've always felt welcome. They're more than just
doctors, they're friends and they really care about their patients.
K.M., North San Juan, CA
I
love that the clinic is always clean and uplifting and that
everyone is kind and serviceful. I especially appreciate that
my two practitioners, Lennie Martin and Dr. Van Houten, are
extremely bright, perceptive, and up-to-date on the best ways
of treatment with the least side effects. M.C.,
Nevada City, CA.
If
it weren't for the clinic and the sliding fee scale, who knows
what shape I'd be in with my medical problems. I couldn't afford
ANY medical attention. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. C.C.,
Camptonville, CA.
Fire
prevention
Fire
prevention is a key concern in the Sierra Nevada foothills where
forest fires are a normal occurrence during the long, dry summers.
For many years Ananda members have been actively involved with
the local volunteer fire department. They have served as fire
fighters, on the fire department board, and, occasionally, as
fire department staff. The head of the department comments:
There's
been a lot of support for the volunteer fire department from
Ananda. The Ananda community really got behind the workdays
for finishing the new fire station, which was a big project
for our district. Of the fifteen people who showed up for the
workdays, ten were from Ananda. We worked two very long weekends
and it was great fun.
In
the area of fire safety, Ananda is doing all the things that
should be done-installing fire hydrants, creating an incredible
water system, storing water, clearing the brush, and getting
rid of buildings that are potential fire hazards. From time
to time, the department holds training sessions for volunteer
fire fighters at the Village.
The
people I've met and gotten to know from Ananda Village are wonderful
people. Bruce Boyd, Chairman, North
San Juan Volunteer Fire Department.
Local
hospital
An
interest in serving the larger Nevada County community has prompted
some Ananda members to seek service opportunities at Sierra Nevada
Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley-35 minutes away by car.
While working as manager of Earth Song, Ananda member Eric Glazzard
ran the hospital's annual Health and Safety Fair and expanded
its offerings to include yoga, meditation, vegetarian cooking,
and sports.
Other
Ananda members teach yoga and meditation to patient groups, and
some have participated in the hospital's interdenominational chaplaincy
program. Their hospital contact person comments:
The
Ananda people I've worked with were very friendly, helpful,
and cooperative. They have a community spirit and aren't parochial
in their outlook. They realize we're all connected and see the
larger community as their community. Eric Glazzard loved to
showcase Nevada County and its many health offerings at the
hospital's annual fair.
Whenever
Ananda people have taught meditation or yoga at the hospital,
they've always abided by our requirement that their presentation
be non-denominational- they've never tried to push their religious
orientation. Debbie Wagner, Director of Occupational
Health and Wellness, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital.
Next:
Relations with Neighbors
