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Entrepreneurship: We did it! Opening a center and store! |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 11:54:14 AM
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Can't say "I" did it, because this is totally funded so far by our local community of dharma students, but I found a storefront and signed a 2 year lease for a community dharma center and shop (books and gifts). We have enough money for basic expenses through summer and we had one couple sponsor a nice wood floor for yoga.
We'll be teaching classes in Buddhism but I also really want to have lots of family services. I called La Leche League to offer them free meeting space and they really want to be in that part of town (funky, near the university) so it's very exciting. If anyone has any suggestions for services we could offer for free or a fee, let me know. I'm open to all suggestions. We just want to serve.
Anyway, I think it will the first buddhist center in America that has a country flavor! Our teacher doesn't think we should look all Tibetan or like we're hippies just back from India. American buddhists are American, and I'm all over doing the kids' room in a cowboy/farmgirl theme!
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com |
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Lavender Cottage
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Ellen
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 12:15:12 PM
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Allison, this is so cool. I can't think of any additional services off hand, but want to wish you all the best and want to hear more as it evolves. It sounds like a very wonderful place-ah, if I were closer and could check it out! Congrats! :) Ellen in MI |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 12:43:07 PM
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HOW ABOUT TEACHING CRAFTS OR SEWING FOR YOUNGER GIRLS? MUSIC LESSONS, IF SOMEONE HAS THAT TALENT TO OFFER. SOMETIMES GIRL SCOUT OR BROWIE TROOPS ARE LOOKING FOR MEETING PLACES. KNITTING CLASSES? NANCY JO |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 2:53:32 PM
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Allison,
Congrats! I like the fact that your teacher doesn't want to go all eastern in the looks. You're right - American Buddhists are American.
I think Nancy has some good ideas. Organic cooking classes, vegetarian cooking classes, living "simple" classes. You can offer all sorts of things to the community.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life." Virginia Woolfe |
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celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 4:03:33 PM
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How about classes for women- like safety training since you are near a university. Or peotry classes, or readings. Congratulations!
blessings beth
Dreaming of Friday Night Lights http://bethsblissnblossomfarm.blogspot.com
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ChicChick
True Blue Farmgirl
64 Posts
Joy
64 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 5:14:22 PM
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Wow~how exciting! What about offering classes in organic gardening, aromatherapy, massage (for couples or individuals), tea rituals, creative writing/journaling, art (altered/mixed media, art journals, etc.). I love the other ideas folks mentioned, especially organic/natural cooking and simple living groups. Good luck and keep us posted! -Joy
Vist my shop at: http://chicchickbiz.etsy.com and my blog at www.chicchickbiz.blogspot.com |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 5:54:52 PM
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Oh my gosh, those are all the best ideas! Thank you. I really want this to be a community place where only good things are happening. I want folks to love coming there and we're small enough that we can probably keep it busy all the time.
Thank you for those ideas. Keep 'em coming!
BTW, the Dalai Lama used to say churches and Christian groups he saw did such wonderful things for their communities and we Buddhists could learn alot from them. I'm very inspired by church programs I've seen for kids so that's alot of my inspiration for Buddhist children's programs. But the area the place is in is very funky and fun and alternative and lots of families are there, so I also just want it to be a fun place to go and gather and do things. I had also caught onto a women's tea thread elsewhere on the board and I really liked it.
More!More! I'm so jazzed, my tail is wagging!
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com |
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knittingmomma
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Tonya
Vermont
106 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2006 : 04:47:09 AM
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Congratulations and how wonderful....
Warm wishes, Tonya - Simple Living Mom of 5
Natural Earth Farm - A Village Homestead making handcrafted goods of natural fibers - http://www.naturalearthfarm.com |
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RosieRiveter
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Rosie
White Creek
NY
45 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2006 : 07:43:55 AM
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That is wonderful news, Allison! I will send this info to a few of my friends in Tucson. The best of luck! Rosie |
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frontierlady
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
KY
57 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2006 : 06:39:12 AM
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I'm so happy for you!
Keep us posted!
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Entrepreneurship: We did it! Opening a center and store! |
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