Volunteering

Day-to-Day Operations
Gardening
Family Retreat
Teen Retreat

Staff Retreat

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 and meet fellow meditators
• To be part of a 'sangha,' or community
• To express generosity
• To help support and sustain IMS's teachers and retreatants
• To explore the integration of work and dharma practice
• To share 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!

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.

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 and simple office tasks.

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.

To Apply

If you would like to assist us in any of the above areas, please apply:

Volunteer Application (PDF)

Volunteer Application (Word)

Please return your completed form to:

Eowyn Ahlstrom

HR Department

IMS

1230 Pleasant Street

Barre MA 01005

Phone: (978) 355-4378 ext. 225

Email: volunteer@dharma.org

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

Gardening

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. Garden work dates for 2010 are the following Sundays: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug 15, Sept 19 and Oct 17.

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

Family Retreat

Group Leaders – IMS is seeking group leaders for next year's Family Retreat, July 11-16, 2009. 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 volunteer@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 (PDF)
Children's Group Leader Application (Word)

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.

Family Retreat Working Guest Application (PDF)
Family Retreat Working Guest Application (Word)

If interested, email Eowyn Ahlstrom at volunteer@dharma.org.

Teen Retreat

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 volunteers for the 2009 Teen course, July 5-9. If you have experience in working with teenagers, are an experienced meditator and would like to assist, please apply using the form below. Email trvolunteer@dharma.org or call Chas DiCapua at (978) 355-4378 ext. 410.

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."

Teen Retreat Volunteer Application (PDF)
Teen Retreat Volunteer Application (Word)

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.

Teen Retreat Working Guest Application (PDF)
Teen Retreat Working Guest Application (Word)

If interested, email Eowyn Ahlstrom at volunteer@dharma.org.

Note that parents of teenagers attending the Teen Retreat will not be accepted as volunteers for the retreat.

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.

If interested, email Eowyn Ahlstrom at volunteer@dharma.org.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!