Volunteering

If you are someone who values our Meditation Centre and would like to help us sustain it, we have a place for you!

Our Meditation Centre is a non-profit all-volunteer organization that relies on the efforts of many people who share our wish to make meditation available to others. Volunteering provides a powerful opportunity to deepen your own practice of mindful awareness and compassion, practice leadership, support fellow meditators, and deepen one’s connection to the Shambhala community.

We understand that there might be many demands on your time and if you can only do part of a role, or your time is limited, we understand and are grateful for whatever time you can offer, large or small!

If you feel inspired to help out, contact Centre Director Ann-Jean Lennox [email protected]

VOLUNTEERS CURRENTLY NEEDED

Practice & Education volunteers

There are a few roles in P&E that are available and you can choose to help with one, or several. We’ll train you!

  • print and post bulletin board updates (and if you’re creative you can help to design posters – but it’s not necessary to the role)
  • maintain supplies of handouts at the Centre
  • keep our electronic calendar up to date by entering new courses, events and meetings using Google Calendar
  • you can help at Courses and Retreats by being a staff member to Check-in participants, or set up meals, the Program Coordinator will always be there to guide you
  • you can be the Program Coordinator or Program Assistant for all Shambhala Courses and Retreat Levels that you have previously attended – a great way to revisit the teachings and get to know the teachers

Time commitment: from 1 hour a month to several hours, depending on your interest

Padma (Welcome meditators at our Open Group Sitting and set up for Meditation, Tea, and Talks)

This role is a natural extension of meditation practice. Learn how to mindfully create a welcoming space for our meditators. Training is provided. Assist with cushion set up before group meditation sitting, welcome meditators, and prepare tea.

Time commitment:  2 and a half hours once a month on Sunday from 9:00am to 11:30am or Wednesday from 6:00pm to 8:30pm

Umdze (Open Group Sitting Meditation time-keeper and Meditation Hall set up)

This is a role for Shambhala meditators who would like an opportunity to deepen their practice and learn more about Shambhala culture. If you have an established meditation practice and are part of the Shambhala community we will train you for this role.

Time commitment:  1 and a half hours once a month on Sunday from 9:45am – 11:15am or Wednesday 6:45pm – 8:15pm during group meditation.

Centre Events Coordinator

If you are organized and like to plan events, this role will suit you well. We have two small, casual community events per year at the Centre: Shambhala Day and Harvest of Peace. We need someone to organize a team of volunteers, and lend a hand if necessary.

Time commitment:  6 hours per event.