It takes a community to run a place as big as Aryaloka! Aryaloka has always been a grassroots situation, funded and facilitated locally by the sangha (spiritual community). In the spirit of sangha, we practice generosity in relation to each other and the world around us. Generosity can be practiced in many ways, including the helping of our friends. Volunteering at Aryaloka can be a great way to build community and friendship with others. Volunteers learn that their participation really has an impact on the overall life of the community, and a visible difference to the quality of our beloved facility.
There is currently a great need for volunteers at Aryaloka. We have a dedicated handful of people that work very hard and we would love to see more folks getting involved! Ideally we’d like to create a culture of volunteerism that goes beyond Aryaloka’s needs. There are many ways to participate. Please have a look at the list below, grab a friend, and get involved! Contact Singhasuri at singhasuri@aryaloka.org to learn more.
Kitchen/cooking
Cleaning/Laundry
Gardening/Forestry
Shrine craft*
Arts events
Festivals
Social media/publicity
Fundraising
Retreat organization**
Tech: CiviCRM and database management***
Interior painting/repair/construction
Zoom hosting/AV Tech
Bookshop
Sangha care
Community outreach
*Our shrine team is in need of some new members. This is a great way to care for the centerpiece of our practice space! Team members take turns dressing the shrine and displaying flowers ahead of our weekly Tuesday gathering. Training is available.
**Being a retreat organizer involves liaising with the facilitation team, kitchen and participants on a retreat to maintain comfort and assist in troubleshooting any unexpected issues. The organizer makes relevant announcements at the beginning of a retreat, and organizes clean-up and center closing at the end of a retreat. Training available. Retreat organizers attend the retreat at no cost.
***Satyada and Suddhayu could really use some help with the data management that supports our website. We use CiviCRM and can work alongside a volunteer, provide training or point the way to training resources.
Volunteering can be a great way to give, and we recognize the value of that giving. For those who find it difficult to find the resources to get on retreat, or for those who would like to gift their credits to Aryaloka’s Retreat Scholarship, we offer a credit program.
Presently the credit program applies to working in the kitchen, cleaning/laundry, and gardening. These are the most labor-intensive and regular areas of engagement at the center. Other areas of volunteering may also be included under special circumstances in communication with the Volunteer Coordinator and Center Manager.
Every 2.5 hours of volunteer work = ½ day retreat credit*
Credits can be saved to be used for longer retreats; for instance, 2 half-day credits = a full day of retreat, 4 half-day credits = a weekend retreat and so on.
Aryaloka may need to limit credit-based participation on some retreats where there are extra expenses (such as airfare for visiting teachers). To use or donate your credits, or to learn about tracking your credits, contact the Aryaloka team at info@aryaloka.org.
*A half-day retreat/workshop is 4 hours or less; A full day retreat/workshop is 5 hours or more.