The brand-new outreach team began out of our WHS internal workshop looking at ways to move forward for another thirty-five years. High on the list was, outreach and community building. The team is still forming! We are welcoming new members. We will soon be a committee, but team sounds so nice! Perhaps you are inspired to join in. Many hands make light work. Please read and consider where you might like to contribute. We welcome you.
We start with our own mission statement: White Heron Sangha is a Buddhist community dedicated to fostering an open-hearted refuge for all to explore the transformational practice of meditation and teachings of the Buddha in San Luis Obispo County and beyond. Nurture Calm, Deepen Connection, Awaken Compassion. White Heron Sangha is a place where you can cultivate a wiser, kinder, less stressed and more compassionate life.
The Outreach Team’s mission is to share the good news of our welcoming community far and wide. There is so much good news to share about White Heron Sangha and our thirty-five year history. Although we are a Buddhist meditation community, not many of us considered ourselves to be Buddhist when we somehow found ourselves at White Heron. And I think some who come are long practitioners. Our desire is to welcome all right where they are. Each person who finds their way to us is already on the path, exploring, learning, and practicing.
Mindfulness is mainstream. Mindfulness is for everyone. Did you know Rosemary Donnell taught “Core Buddhism” for years and years and years, and now Nisa King is teaching it? Laura Liss is offering a class that is an introduction to meditation. Our beginning book study welcomes all people new to Buddhism. Let’s do more of what we’ve always done.
We like to think our community is just one of the infinite number of dharma gates. Let’s welcome all people to be curious and open. Perhaps they will find a home here as so many of us have. May White Heron Sangha continue for the next thirty-five years.
The community group had its first event, Movie Night! “Into the Heart of the Mountain” The 2024 documentary about Roshi Joan Halifax and the medical pilgrimage in the Tibetan Himalayas. Planned by Mary Malotte and Charlene West with Ron Diamond supporting a high-quality sound experience. It was fantastic, although it was not widely publicized beyond our website. We are now ready to get the word out next time. We hope to have more events like this one where we can invite friends and invite the public to come and learn with us. The popcorn was great! If you are interested in helping with community building and other social events, please reach out.
Outreach that is more externally focused is exploring ways to connect in the community. We joined the Chamber of Commerce and already we are meeting people in community who are so interested in hearing about White Heron, and we are interested in hearing about their mission. Let’s reach out! This was fun. We will have ambassador training to help us all get comfortable.
We have been examining our social media presence, or lack of, and gearing up to share more widely on Facebook and Instagram. We are seeking someone specifically to help in this area. Please reach out if you are interested.
Tabling is something we all want to do! There is a real opportunity to be out there with our Engaged Buddhism group. Think of all the important community events like Earth Day, and Pride, and maybe Farmers Market. If you are interested in helping with tabling or participating in community to represent White Heron Sangha, please get in touch.
And finally, the Outreach Team has the idea of creating a wonderful open house maybe in the Fall or Spring, where we can invite the public to give them a taste of Sangha the White Heron Sangha way. This aspiration will require a big brainstorm, and it will take many hands and hearts to create something that can begin to communicate what this special place really is for all of us.
We will soon plan our next meeting and welcome new members.
In the meantime, to tell us of your interest, you can email Outreach using connect@whiteheronsangha.org
The team, KarenAnn Broe, Kate Christensen, Cindy Cleveland, Shelley Doyle, Mary Malotte, Kristy Mooney, Charlene West, and Mickey Malotte, our tech consultant.