Summer Volunteer Program at Karmê Chöling

The Summer Volunteer Program (SVP) is the perfect way to spend all or part of your summer! The program is open to any individual who has a strong connection to or interest in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Join the core staff of Karmê Chöling and other volunteers for the precious opportunity to practice and study in this rich tradition, at one of the oldest Buddhist land centers in the United States. The program runs from May through September of 2010.

How to apply to the Summer Volunteer Program:

  1. If you are new to Shambhala Buddhism, first learn about it on our website and at www.shambhala.org. Explore this tradition to see if it is of interest to you. A few great books to check out are: Turning the Mind into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham; Ruling Your World by Sakyong Mipham; Shambhala: Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa.
  2. Read through the Department Overviews below to see where you might like to volunteer.
  3. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, then you must pre-clear your immigration status with our Personnel Department to verify that you may enter the US to volunteer. Please call our Head of Personnel at (802) 633-2384 ext. 140.
  4. Fill out an application below and be sure to list references. If you prefer, you may print out an application form and a Reference Request Form and mail them to us directly.
  5. Interview with the Summer Volunteer Program Staff via telephone or in person. Staff will be available for interviews beginning the week of March 3.
  6. If accepted as a Summer Volunteer, confirm your arrival date with the SVP staff.
  7. Arrive at Karmê Chöling on one of the predetermined arrival dates (see below).

Work and Benefits:

For committing to:

  • -One month or more of volunteering
  • -Working 30 hours per week with 3-5 hours of additional community work

You receive:

  • -Room and Board (shared tents from June-September)
  • -Free classes within the Shambhala Buddhist tradition
  • -Several hours each day for practice and study
  • -Contact with a Meditation Instructor to discuss your practice
  • -Program Credit, which may be used to attend Karmê Chöling programs, accrued at a rate of $150/month
  • -The opportunity to apply for Core Staff Positions as they become available

Department Overviews:

Operations Help to uplift and maintain the buildings, shrine rooms, tents and grounds of Karmê Chöling. Experience with: painting, carpentry, construction, trail maintenance, landscaping, or plumbing is a plus!

Kitchen Spend your summer working with our Executive Chef to prepare meals for our staff and guests. Experience in an industrial kitchen and/or a background in culinary arts is ideal.

Garden Volunteer under our Master Gardener, Jan Enthoven, and assist with all aspects of tending our one-acre organic garden and flowerbeds! Garden experience preferred.

Aloka Children's Program Spend the days caring for children, spending time outdoors, and facilitating programming and activities that are based on Shambhala principles. Experience working with children is necessary.

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Arrival Dates for the 2010 Summer Volunteer Program

  • May 1/2
  • May 22/23
  • June 19/20
  • July 17/18
  • Sept 4/5

All arrival and orientation dates fall on a Saturday. This will allow you time to settle in on the weekend before beginning work on Monday.
These are the only entry dates for the SVP.

If you have any questions, please contact the Head of Personnel: personnel@karmecholing.org

To apply, complete the online application below, or download an application and mail, fax or email it to us.

Our address is:
369 Patneaude Lane
Barnet,Vt. 05821
Phone: (802) 633-2384 ext 140; fax (802) 633-3012

First Name:
Last Name:
Gender (for housing purposes): Female Male
Address:
Address (continued):
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Cell or Second Phone:
Email Address:
Preferred Method of Contact:
Date of Birth:
Are you a US Citizen or authorized to work in the US? Yes
Have you ever been to Karmê Chöling? Yes

If yes, when?
What position(s) are you applying for?
When would you like to come to Karmê Chöling?
How long do you wish to stay?
Have you ever worked or volunteered for any Shambhala Organization?

If yes, please provide details:


The following questions are not to determine if you are eligible for employment, but rather to give us information about your practice and training background as you enter our residential community. New and experienced Shambhala Buddhist practitioners are equally encouraged to apply.

Do you have a meditation practice?

Have you completed any Shambhala Training levels?

Have you taken any Shambhala Buddhist Classes?


What Shambhala Center are you affiliated with?

Please describe your center activities or other dharma work, including if you are an MI, AD, SG or a member of the Kasung:


The following questions pertain to your education and training, work history and experience (including volunteer positions), and interests, hobbies and special skills.

You are welcome to email your résumé to personnel.

Most Recent Employer

Address:

May we contact this employer?

Employer 2

Address:

May we contact this employer?


Employer 3

Name:

Address:

May we contact this employer?



The following questions pertain to issues which may have an impact on our residential community:

Do you have any physical limitations we should be aware of?
Yes – Please describe:

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or placed on probation?
Yes – Please describe:

No

Do you have or have you had a substance abuse problem (including alcohol)?
Yes – Please describe:

No

Please answer the following questions:

We ask for a minimum of three references, with at least one in each of the following categories:

  • Meditation Instructor or Spiritual Friend
  • Employer
  • Personal

Please list references that we may contact below. (If you prefer, you may download a Reference Request Form and ask your references to complete it and return it to us directly.)


Thank you for your interest in working with us!
Someone in personnel will be contacting you shortly.

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