Volunteering

How can I be of service?

IMS could not continue to function as it does without the generous support of the many volunteers who serve the organization in a variety of ways. If you have sat at least one retreat at IMS before, please consider joining us as a volunteer. There are many reasons to give your time and support:

• To make new friends among fellow meditators; to be part of a 'sangha,' or community
• To help support and sustain the IMS dharma community of teachers, lay practitioners and monastics, for the benefit of all
• To express generosity of spirit
• To explore the integration of work and practice in a supportive environment
• To share particular areas of expertise and knowledge
• To assist with a special retreat or project
• To have access to the IMS retreat environment
• To enjoy the quiet, restorative beauty of IMS and its surroundings
• To have fun!

Our volunteers bring an array of talents and skills to their IMS work that we deeply appreciate. The many retreatants who come to practice here all benefit directly or indirectly from any service you generously offer.

One volunteer has said, "Thank you all...for providing me with this opportunity to serve. I have felt deeply enriched by countless moments arising and passing over these two weeks. Each of you has offered, without knowing it, a unique inspiration for me."

Different from volunteering, another way to offer service at IMS is through our Retreat Center and Forest Refuge Work Retreat programs. Through both formal retreat practice and five hours of silent, simple work activities each day, this form of service supports the cultivation of mindfulness, wisdom and compassion. A work retreat is residential and is generally lasts the duration of a scheduled course. Our operations rely on work retreatants and we deeply value this form of service. No daily rate applies - all that is required is a non-refundable $35 application processing fee.

Current Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer help is needed to support our day-to-day operations, as well as for special projects or events. Current volunteering opportunities include:

Support for Day-to-Day Operations
Gardening
Assisting the Family Retreat
Assisting the Teen Retreat

Assisting the Staff Retreat

Support for Day-to-Day Operations

We welcome your assistance on an ongoing or occasional basis with kitchen or housekeeping activities, or in supporting various office functions.

Opening Day Support – Help is needed to greet participants arriving for each new Retreat Center course, as well as leading tours of the facility. A fun and friendly job!

Administrative Support – Assistance is frequently needed with mailings, data entry, simple office tasks and filing.

Operational Support – You don't have to be an experienced cook or housekeeper to volunteer in these departments. Come and help out, with friendly supervision provided by staff, on an ongoing basis or for one of our Family, Teen or Staff retreats.

Special Projects – From time to time, we need assistance with project work or special events. Currently, we have no such projects or events planned - please check back again.

Gardening

Share-A-Garden – Experienced gardeners are needed to take care of our Retreat Center flower gardens. You can choose a particular garden to look after and nurture for the growing season.

Gardening Days – Calling all green thumbs and enthusiastic helpers: Come and get your hands dirty! We need help caring for the beautiful IMS landscape!

Meet other sangha members while spending time in the great outdoors. Enjoy lunch, a short meditation period and working mindfully together while making a wonderful contribution for all to enjoy. 

Monthly work days in the main Retreat Center garden take place in the spring, summer and early fall and start at 9:00am. No gardening experience is necessary; there will be experienced gardeners available to guide you. Garden work dates for 2008 are: April 20, May 4, May 25, June 8, July 6, Aug 10, September 14, October 19.

For further information or to be put on a mailing list, contact gardening@dharma.org.

Assisting the Family Retreat

Group Leaders – IMS is seeking group leaders for next year's Family Retreat, July 11-16, 2009. (Please note that we already have a full complement of group leaders for the 2008 course.) If you have experience in working with children or teenagers, are an experienced meditator and would like to assist, please apply by completing the form below. Mail or email it to Eowyn Ahlstrom – she can be reached at (978) 355-4378 ext. 225 or at eowyna@dharma.org.

One volunteer group leader has said, "It's really nice to come offer service to IMS in this way. The joyful energy of the kids is infectious, and I feel like I get more than I give."

Children's Group Leader Application Form (PDF)

Operational Support – Extra support for our Kitchen and Housekeeping operations is needed during the Family Retreat. You don't have to be an experienced cook or housekeeper to volunteer for this unique course.

If interested, contact hr@dharma.org.

Assisting the Teen Retreat

Helpers – Each year, IMS endeavors to cultivate the mindfulness, compassion and wisdom of the next generation through its Teen Retreat for ages 14-19. We are seeking helpers for the 2008 Teen course, July 5-9. If you have experience in working with teenagers, are an experienced meditator and would like to assist, please apply. Contact Chas DiCapua at (978) 355-4378 ext. 410 or email chasd@dharma.org.

One Teen Retreat volunteer has said, "I am so grateful for getting to work at the Teen Retreat. It was a total gas. I would come back and do it in a second."

Operational Support – Extra support for our Kitchen and Housekeeping operations is needed during the Teen Retreat. You don't have to be an experienced cook or housekeeper to volunteer for this inspiring course.

If interested, contact hr@dharma.org.

Assisting the Staff Retreat

Operational Support – We're seeking many volunteers for our annual week-long Staff Retreat that takes place each January. Coverage is needed for both Retreat Center and Forest Refuge operations. Special skills are not required – please consider supporting the staff as they find renewal through formal practice together.

To Apply

If you would like to become part of our volunteer community and assist us in any of the above areas, please apply:

Volunteer Application (PDF)

Volunteer Application (Word)

Please return your completed form to:

Dennis Holmes

Volunteer Coordinator

IMS

1230 Pleasant Street

Barre MA 01005

Phone: (978) 355-4378 ext. 686

Email: volunteer@dharma.org

You will be contacted shortly after we receive your application. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!