Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

The Albany Shambhala Center is entirely run by volunteers. Volunteering is an act of generosity and without the efforts of people like you, the Albany Shambhala Center would not be able to offer all of the wonderful classes, programs, and events that enhance our practice and our lives.

Volunteering is a great way to get more involved and to feel more connected to your community. Offering our energy and talents through selfless service is a meaningful way to deepen our spiritual path and is part of how we create “enlightened society.” Through service, we develop and sustain the health of our Center and the greater community, while enhancing our personal growth and sense of responsibility.

How can I get involved?

There are many ways you can volunteer and participate in the life and activities of the Center while also deepening your path. Listed below are some current opportunities. Find the area you would like to help and then email me, Damian Ubriaco, at [email protected] or fill out one of the yellow cards next to the Director’s office and put in the wooden box next to door.

Help the Finance Team

Assistance is needed in the finance department, so if you have an eye for details and good analytical skills, please join us.

Help Programming and Education

Are you interested in having a voice in what courses and events are planned at the center? Become part of the Programing and Education team. You can help create the calendar!

Volunteer to Staff or Coordinate a Weekend Program

If you have completed Level 3, you can help staff a weekend program at the center. Staff help to make sure the weekend goes smoothly for attendees. Tasks include food preparation, shrine set up, keeping time, assisting the teacher, etc.

Help with Administrative Tasks

Ongoing assistance is needed with a variety of essential administrative tasks including mail pickup and distribution, responding to voicemail/email inquiries about the Shambhala Center, etc.

Help with On-line Presence

Help us stay present and up to date on our website, facebook, instgram, etc.

Become an Umdze

The umdze leads group meditations and sets the tone of the practice environment. The umdze opens and closes the shrine, times the sitting and walking sessions, sounds the gong and gives the dharma reading of the day. Because umdzes set an example for others, umdzes should have an established meditation practice and be a current member of the Albany Shambhala Center. Umdze trainings are held periodically throughout the year, so if you are interested, please check the monthly calendar for upcoming dates.

Volunteer to Host Guests from Out of Town

Have a guest room you’re willing to share with someone who is teaching or participating in a program at the Albany Shambhala Center? If so, please sign up for the hospitality committee.

Join Warriors in the World

Participants engage in monthly volunteer projects in Albany and the surrounding area. Past efforts have included serving meals at a local soup kitchen and helping distribute coats and toys to families in need.

Help the Facilities Team

Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis to assist with painting, cleaning, and other facilities related projects at the Center.

Help in Smaller Ways

Take out the trash, bring snacks, wash dishes, set up meditation cushions, greet newcomers, etc. Every act of service is significant and contributes to the Center as a whole.

Offer Your Skills and Talents

Do you have a specialized skill or talent that you think could benefit the community? Remember, everyone benefits when you share your unique gifts. For more information about volunteering opportunities at the Albany Shambhala Center, please fill out our Volunteer form.

Thank you for your generosity!

“The Shambhala tradition provides the basis for a powerful transformation of the motivation that seeks the welfare of the world and asks its citizens to step in and find a tangible, enduring way to help. Some Shambhala warriors have become activists; many have become leaders and visionaries in their fields. Most have been inspired by the dignity and beauty of everyday human life and have found ways to contribute to the long-term goal of enlightened society.”
From “Creating Enlightened Society” by Judith Simmer Brown