We invite you to apply to volunteer at BCBS. We have two different programs from which to choose from. We offer a Monthly Working Guest program, which entails a month's commitment, or daily volunteering which can work around your availability.
Monthly Working Guest Program
Our working guest program is an opportunity to practice and study the dharma, while living and working at our center. We seek people who have a solid meditation practice, retreat experience, and a sincere desire to be of service. Working guest positions are arranged through a mutual discernment process, with potential to expand the commitment.
Guests are expected to work approximately 25 hours a week, with at least two days off each week. Work is scheduled around the study center’s needs. Generally, Guests will work alongside BCBS staff members in exchange for room and partial board, and will have access to the library and the meditation hall, as well as to occasional talks by visiting teachers. The housing offered is an individual unit that includes a kitchen for cooking.
Month-long Working Guest tasks are varied and include working in the garden, maintaining the grounds, housekeeping, and helping with the center on opening and closing days. An eye for keeping the inside spaces neat and clean, and the grounds in order is a helpful attribute, as is gardening experience.
Duties may include:
- Cleaning kitchen areas, washing pots or pans, or filling in for a yogi job
- Doing laundry as well as stocking paper products and cleaning supplies
- Assisting with cleaning yogi rooms at the end of a course, and preparing for a new course
- Working in the garden, weeding, planting, harvesting
- Lawn care, mowing, raking, tending flower gardens, snow removal
- Window washing, indoor painting, cleaning common areas or taking on special projects
Month-long Working Guest tasks are at times strenuous and physically demanding, so it is essential that applicants be fit and in good health.
If you are interested in being considered for our Monthly Working Guest program, please fill out the application form below and we will be in touch.
Daily Volunteering
For those who enjoy working outdoors, we often need help tending the garden or maintaining the grounds. If you get satisfaction from keeping inside spaces neat and clean, we can always use help there, too. Or perhaps you have computer skills, love folding laundry, vacuuming zabutons, or have some other special skill you would like to offer. Friends of BCBS often come for a few hours or occasionally a few days when there is a project, and if we have housing available.
We especially appreciate those who are able to come regularly or semi-regularly.
Please fill out the form below, and we will contact you soon.
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Volunteer Coordinator
Jen Zehler
jenz@buddhistinquiry.org
