Membership Mojo
By Holly Blain

I would like to welcome everyone to our brand spanking-new website and especially these blogs that each department will be working on. Having a way to communicate that is a little bit more personal than just statistics about Member Ownership really appeals to me. Since this is the first one, I’ll just start off by telling you a little bit about myself, and how I came to Sevananda and why I stay.
My name is Holly and I have been here since March 2001. I started off at the Customer Services desk and about nine months later was the supervisor there. I worked in that department for about six and a half years. Prior to coming to Sev I was working at a few different insurance companies. One that I worked at I was able to manipulate their system to actually pay on the claims and help people. When my whole department got sent to Scranton, quite a few of us went to Giant Insurance Company B to work. There I had more trouble with their systems put in place to keep from paying a claim at all costs (it seemed) and grew frustrated over the time I was there. I am a fairly “helpy” person and to not be able accomplish much on some days made me decide to leave.
I came into Sev looking for some incense and walked out with a job application. I was hired by Linda Cross, who was with Sevananda for many years and working with her has left quite an impression on me, even though she’s no longer around on this plane. I did not even know the starting pay when I was hired, finding out only during orientation. It was not what I expected, and to be honest, was not what I had formerly made at either insurance company. But I was going though some big life changes, including a separation and divorce and some family issues with a brother in California, so I decided since everything was so up in the air, that I might as well take a chance. I am truly glad that I did. In 2007 Ahzjah (Membership & marketing manager), who was also over the Customer Services desk, created the position I now have, Membership & Promotions. I went downstairs to the Admin office area to work on about a bazillion things in any given week.
I have met some wonderful people here in the ten years I’ve been here so far. I found roommates through the use of the community bulletin board here; I’ve gone to the symphony with one of our Working Member volunteers, to the movies with many of my fellow Sevanauts (as former Ed. Director Tom Strong once coined us) and just hung out over some good food with many others. At most of my other jobs, I’ve not done things like that with my co-workers. The urge to just go home and not worry about them or the job ‘til the next day was prevalent there, either in the culture of the place, or because of the people in it. Not so at Sevananda. Most weekends you’ll hear about someone in the Deli’s band playing out, or an art show that folks are going to. And the staff will support one another in these pursuits. Heck, they’ll even help you move to a new house or fix your brakes (thanks, King & Rahn!) sometimes.
Now, rightly, you might be thinking, but what does this have to do with Membership in the co-op? I’ll tell you. The very ideas that this store (we’re both a grocery store and a co-operative, did you realize that? — that’s a story for another blog post, I promise) were founded on, are some of the same things that make me just love working here. Gathering together to serve the greater good? — check. Having concern for community expressed daily in how we do our business? — check. Dancing down the aisles when you think nobody’s looking? — check. Well that last one may not have anything to do with Membership, but the fact that I see it happening all the time means that we’ve built a pretty groovy place both literally and figuratively that people are drawn to again and again.
Some join and become Member Owners in the place that is in business to serve them. Some just take their tofu and leave. Either way is okay by me. The first principal of any co-operative enterprise is Open and Voluntary Membership. We don’t want to high-pressure anyone to be a part of the co-op. I just think putting all the facts out to the world about how great being a part of a co-op is and how we really do work together to change the paradigm speaks for itself.
And now we’re speaking with a louder voice. A more focused one that is telling the world (okay, mostly just the metro Atlanta area) that we are here, we have a good product (the store itself) and that we’d love to have you stop on by to say hello. If you have come here for years and never joined the co-op or even read any of the brochures, that’s okay. Our new Taste of Sevananda program might help you decide that you too want to be an owner of a place you can believe in. It’s not just food you can believe in… it’s the people too. It’s all of us. It’s being open for 36 years with some ethics about how we do things every single day. It’s about finding new and different ways to make your day better each time you’re here, whether it is for a few sticks of incense or a cart full of food you’re taking home to prepare with love for your family.
Thank you for reading this far. I’d like to promise the next blog posting won’t be so long, but I am kind of chatty, so I make no promises I can’t keep. I will promise to show up each day with gratitude in my heart for such a wonderful place to work and the people in it. That I can do. That’s easy.

Yours ‘til next time,
~Holly B.

Hey everybody

We thought it might be a good idea to create a blog in addition to the Member forum for us to be more interactive. This is my first time, and a virgin moment, so here goes…

I’m Ahzjah, the marketing manager for Sevananda Natural Foods Market. I’ve been on board with the co-op for about seven years now. What a ride! During my time here, I’ve seen lots of changes, ups and downs and more. I must say, this is a very exciting time as Sevananda pretty much rebirths itself. New Board, new GM, new initiatives, new Member drive, new marketing plan, new focus, and new training is underway for staff. I just want to say a quick thanks to all of you who have supported Sevananda from its original birth ‘til now. That means the Ananda Marga Members, charter Member and anyone else who served their time here or spent your dollars here, and helped us get to where we are now.

Thank you for having the vision, passion, and courage to create and support something like this in a time when it may not have been well-received, but was very necessary. I think the cycle is completing itself as we seem to once again be coming into a time when we have to step up, be courageous and not just set the stage for the next level of food integrity and food safety, but to actually play a role and be the change-agents to see us through this very interesting time of corporate, governmental, and cosmic control. It’s the time of CHANGE. Changing of the guards, change of mindsets, change from old to new regimes, and change from old ways of doing things to the new. Lots of kicking and screaming during the transition, but if we can stay focused on our goal with strategic plan, we’ll get there.

Co-ops provide the perfect vehicle for social change. They’re not just brick and mortar. They truly are the movement of people. The co-op is just the tool the people can use. The idea is to be unified and cohesive. So Sevananda is stepping into their higher level expanded place to lead the charge and provide not just quality food, but quality resources and information so that we can be an educated, cohesive force to be reckoned with. Four thousand Members strong is this year’s goal. Armed and ready with a triple-bottom-line focus, to bring about environmental, social, and financial change, there’s nothing we can’t do. Send us your ideas, thoughts and concerns. Check out our new introductory Member sampler program, Taste of Sevananda. It’s pretty cool. We’ll have gifts, freebies, discounts, and of course great products and services. Join us! I’ll see you at the co-op!

In Joy,
Ahzjah

At Sevananda we are very proud to have had Member Workers in one form or another since we opened in 1974, and we rely on our working Members to accomplish many of the tasks that are very important to the running of the store. If you’re not already a Member Owner, please get a brochure on how to join from the Customer Services staff or at a register.

Sevananda is a consumer-owned co-operative. We are a business owned and operated (in the form of the Board of Directors and the GM) by the people who shop here. One of our Member Owner benefits is the opportunity to apply for a position in the Working Members Program volunteering your time in exchange for a discount every time you shop.

Why should I do this?
There are many reasons to become a volunteer here. Some Member Owners like being able to become more involved in the co-op and its day-to-day workings. Some people want to learn more about natural foods in general. Some people want to be able to just meet new friends and try their hand at something different. Many find that their work at Sevananda adds variety to their life and gives them a chance to walk their cooperative talk a bit more.

How does it work?
Working Members give time to the co-op in the form of a 3-hour shift each week in exchange for a discount on purchases. Just like your regular job, you get paid (in discount) the week after you work; it does not automatically happen after your shift is over. After you’ve worked your shift you receive a 20% discount at the register the following week. This discount is good anytime that you shop at Sevananda during that week. All discounts are activated on Mondays. The discount runs Monday-Sunday.

How do I apply?
All Sevananda Member Owners are eligible to apply to be part of the program. Orientation for the program is the first Monday of each month at 7 pm in the Education room. Simply pick up an application at the Customer Services Desk. Please keep in mind that application to the program is open to all Members but does not necessarily mean that all applicants will be hired for a position, or that you will be placed immediately after orientation. Placement and starting a shift is dependent on departmental needs at that time.

Although there are not always specific skills we look for, we need responsible people who will be able to make and keep a 3-hour-a-week commitment to Sevananda for at least six months. Hiring will also depend on whether or not an applicant’s time schedule is compatible with the needs of the store.

What happens next?
Once accepted into the program and after completing the required orientation, you will be assigned a department, an apron that you can keep while a WM (and if lost, replace for $10) and a name badge, and shown how to clock-in and out in order for your time to be tracked. The department you’re assigned to will show you how to do the work required and you will report to them weekly.

What if I want to work but can’t commit to a regular shift?
If you want to work but know you cannot make the commitment, please wait and apply at a time when you can.

What are the departments and general duties?
Produce Department
Stocking, packaging produce for reduction/donation/composting
Wellness Department
Cleaning, stocking bulk herb jars, and fronting shelves
General Merchandise Department
Stocking incense & books, cleaning and straightening
Deli/Bakery
doing dishes, assisting with food prep, packaging, working at the hot bar
Front End
Welcoming folks, getting carts/baskets, helping find product, bringing in carts from parking lot
Admin Department
Filing and data entry, organizing, cleaning, health fairs assistance

Other positions may occasionally be available for general store maintenance, administrative tasks or other needs the Co-op may have at a given time. To apply for the Working Members program pick up an application at the Customer Services desk or download it here 2011 Working Member Application

Hey Good People,
Our 2011 Member Drive begins September 1st and ends October 31st. Our goal is 4,000 Members by the end of the year. We’re excited to spread the word about all the great things Sevananda has to offer and our new Taste of Sevananda Member sampler is just the thing to get the Drive off to a great start!
As staff at Sevananda, one of our goals is to support the growth of our co-op. Co-op principle number two states that we offer open and voluntary Membership, so we’re careful not to pressure anyone into joining. We just educate about what Sevananda represents and offers to both shoppers and Members, and continue to share our own personal stories while working here. We’re pretty proud of the triple bottom line focus which is one of the ways we’re unique and different from our competition. Our focus is not just profitability, but an equally tiered approach of business practices that holds us accountable financially, environmentally, and socially. Learn more about us on the About page or just come on down and sample your own personal Taste of Sevananda.
If you are a current Member Owner, we urge you to tell a friend about Sevananda. If you get someone to enter our free introductory Member sampler card (see details on Member sampler by clicking on Member sampler icon), you’ll get a gift. And if they join, you’ll get an additional $10 gift certificate. So join us in the 2011 Member Drive and let’s grow together!

Kelley Colihan

Kelley started shopping at Sevananda almost 10 years ago. “What do I like best? Hmmm. I love the Hot Bar. There’s a good selection of local, organic foods here. I like that the store is small and there aren’t long lines. The prices are better than other places, too.” Kelley enjoys trying new things – like black quinoa, which she tried recently for the first time. She would love if Sevananda could provide a wider variety of unusual international foods.. “It would be nice if Sevananda would offer naturally caught game and fish, as well.”

Sevananda has long had a Courtesy Card Program for shoppers who might not be financially able to afford a Member Ownership in the store, but want to be able to shop here. With this card a 5% discount is given at the register each shopping trip. Member Owner benefits are not included. Monthly 10% coupons, patronage rebate checks and voting rights are not available for someone in the courtesy card program.
To qualify for this discount you must present WIC, SSI, AFDC, Fuel Assistance, Welfare or EBT/SNAP benefits information showing both income level and number of people in your family. A copy of this documentation must be attached to an application with your contact information. This will be compared to the US Government’s national poverty standards to see if you qualify.
Sevananda actually allows a person or family to make up to 10% more than the national poverty standards since Atlanta is an expensive place to live. If qualified, you will be contacted and a card made for you. Cards expire December 31st of the current year, and to continue this program you must reapply in January of the next year. The application is available at the Customer Services desk for your convenience.
For any questions or concerns, please contact Holly in Member Services at Holly@Sevananda.coop or 404.681.2831 ext.113