Current Opportunities
What is needed now?
Finding a place that is a good fit for you to make a contribution to the sangha and to IMCW's aspiration to make the Dharma accessible for the benefit of all beings is a rich experience of practice off the cushion.
Be a part of IMCW's Next Incarnation.
Cut and paste the volunteer form into your email, complete the form and mail to: meditate@imcw.org
or
print out the form and mail to:
Neile Whitney
IMCW
P.O. Box 212
Garrett Park, MD 20896
What is needed now?
Volunteer opportunities:
As IMCW continues to grow in numbers and aspiration, we are finding that it serves us as individuals and the needs of IMCW more skillfully to begin to put together volunteer teams to support areas that may have previously been taken on by indivuduals.
A NEW APPROACH: “A LITTLE BIT OF WORK BY A LOT OF PEOPLE”,
(A suitable Washington acronym “AL-BOW-BAL-OP”)
A new leadership body is forming. You are invited to find your place, including the dana of service as part of your practice.
So when you look through the list of the volunteer roles that keep IMCW thriving, think in terms of taking on a piece of the task, volunteering with a friend or making new friends by joining a team.
Thank you for your interest in the dana of service.
Please scroll down through the current opportunities on this page and contact:
Neile Whitney at meditate at imcw.org, or Assistant Administrator, Rose Monsell at monsellr at juno.com, to explore an area or to volunteer.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEDITATION CLASS AT RRUC
This is our largest gathering and involves the skills and willingness of many.
Here's your chance to to support our community and your practice by volunteering to join one of the Wednesday night teams that are forming to keep the offerings you enjoy thriving.
Rose and Caroline are ready, willing and able to help you find a role that is right for you.
The dana of service is a rich opportunity to practice mindfulness in a context where the kindness, compassion and connection we discover along the way is valued just as much as what we may accomplish.
Rose Monsell, Admin Assistant, is always available on Wednesday night to talk about any of the following opportunities or you may contact her at monsellr at juno.com or 301.270.4710 or Neile Whitney at meditate at imcw.org.
Many long time volunteers who have been supporting Wednesday night class and our sangha for years are "retiring" with much merit. Explore our team approach to taking on these roles
The following volunteer roles are central to our Wednesday night gathering.
1. ALTAR SET-UP:
Sue Salmons has been setting up the sound and recording system, as well as setting up Tara's sitting area and altar, for many years. Sue is seeking at least two people who will train to assist and be available when she is unable to be at class.
Join this elite team of”Dharma- Roadies" to help keep the Dharma flowing! Please talk to Sue or Rose to find out what is involved.
2. BOOK AND AUDIO TABLE:
This hub of Dharma Audio and books has evolved into the team of volunteers. Having these materials available with a smile has become very much part of Wednesday night. Join the Book and audio team.
“Dharma-Dispensers”
Volunteers are needed to join the once-a-month (or more often, if you like) growing team of “Dharma-Dispensers.”. Help sell book and CD's at the Wednesday night class. Volunteers are also needed to assist behind the scenes with processing book orders, maintaining inventory, and helping with other table management needs.
This is the best retail gig in town!
“Set-up/clean-up Brigade”
If you like to come early or linger after class, please join the team of “Helpers” that brings our books down from the attic at 6:15 or packs 'em up at 9:30 to return to storage. Jobs of much merit!
8. REFRESHMENT TABLE:
George Williams provided a tempting and comforting menu of tea, juice and goodies on Wednesday night as dana. He continues to invite your contribution of nibbles for this table and is looking for 3 or 4 regular partners to assist on a rotating basis to set up and put it all away when the party's over.
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More Wednesday night opportunities:
1. GREETERS:
This is a beautiful practice and one that provides a welcoming, helpful, and friendly presence just inside our door. Each gesture, no matter how small—a smile, a “hello”, showing a newcomer where the orientation circle meets, answering some question—is extended in order to help create an atmosphere of unconditional friendliness, loving-kindness, safety and peace.
Join Greeter Paula Stone by making a regularly scheduled commitment to arriving between 6:30-7:00 pm on Wednesday night to “post” yourselves in the front lobby to welcome newcomers and regulars alike. Or - you may also just show up, pin on a "Welcome" badge and join other Greeters.
If you are new to the sangha, this is a wonderful way to make yourself known and get to know people in the sangha. Paula will be happy to talk to you about their experience and answer your questions. It’s that easy! Sangha members of all ages are invited to become regular members of our welcoming team.
2. SET UP PLATFORM AND ALTAR:
Arrive at 6:30 to help create the sacred space of meditation. All the components are stored in the balcony attic - platform, lectern, the Buddha, candles & hangings and flower vase. The pedestals will be in the sanctuary. Make bringing all the parts and pieces together a mindful practice and gift to all who sit.
3. LENDING LIBRARY:
The lending library is available on the first Wednesday of the month. Stop by the library to find out how you can help.
4. SETUP:
Come early and become part of the "Set-up Brigade" led by Rose to bring items from the upstairs storage area to the Fellowship Room. You can also assist in laying out of materials on various tables or setting up all those chairs. Lawrence can tell you all about the chairs!
5. CLEANUP:
Just before the lights go out and the doors get locked - EVERYTHING has got to be put away!
If you linger around between 9:30 and 10:00, notice that Rose begins the process of packing up items and carry things to the storage area upstairs. PLEASE HELP and join the late night "Clean-up Brigade".
6. COMMUNITY RESOURCE TABLE COORDINATOR:
This table allows us to let you know about interesting events and opportunities that are not sponsored by IMCW. Work to keep this table updated.
7. BUDDHIST INFORMATION TABLE COORDINATOR:
You may have noticed that this table has reappeared. This is the place where we like to feature events and materials for the wider Buddhist community. Volunteers assist with laying out the materials before class, packing things up after class and keeping an eye open for items of interest.
8. SUB:
Volunteer to take over for a regular volunteers when they are unable to attend. Let us know which area you might be interested in.
9. SIGN UP TO BRING FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR:
Your offering need not be elaborate or expensive - just heart-felt and lovely. A large vase is available or you may use your own. Bring the Buddha a bouquet and a gift of beauty to all
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More Ways to Volunteer:
TECHNICAL SUPPORT "DHARMA-TECHS".
There is a whole world of volunteers working behind the scenes supporting the technology that is an increasingly important tool in keeping our community connected and reaching out to the world beyond our sangha.
Let us introduce the "Dharma-Techs" - the ones who allow the Dharma to flow freely:
Nick Chang took over from the original "Dharma-Tech", website developer and our first webmaster, John Erskine, to do all the coding and posting to our old site.
Dharma-Techs are needed to assist with our website. Contact Rose Monsell, monsellr@juno.com if you would like to help.
Suresh Balakrishnan heads up the "Dharma-Data Team" to keep our database current for mailings.
The "Dharma-Data Team":
Janet Powers
Jon Waterman, was single handedly managing the editing and archiving of ALL of Tara's recorded Dharma talks from the beginning. A huge and time consuming task! Jon has been joined by Dave Broadhurst in editing, and archiving Tara's talks.
Wednesday night "Dharma-Techs":
Sue Salmons and Dave Broadhurst are the core of IMCW's sound set-up on Wednesday nights. They can be found hauling and setting up and breaking down sound and recording equipment and all manner of gear for Wednesday night class and countless other retreat and class venues.
If you have technical skills and would like to volunteer with the "Dharma-Techs" contact IMCW at meditate at imcw.org
SILENT AUCTION COMMITTEE: There are lots of ways to participate. "Re-up" or bring your new energy to this sangha wide celebration and IMCW's major fundraiser. Note: IMCW is currently not having a silent auction. Please contact us if you would be interested in working on one in the future.
Contact Neile Whitney at meditate at imcw.org, or 202.986.2922 to get more information about the auction.
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