Volunteer
Ways to Volunteer at SIMS
Volunteering is the Heart of SIMS SIMS thrives as a sangha because of the participation of our members. Our programs are possible only through the dedication, commitment and generosity of our volunteers.
We need your help to continue to offer sits, talks, classes, and retreats. Volunteering facilitates deeper connections and is an easier way to make new friends in the sangha. If you have special skills, talents and/or a willingness to learn, consider volunteering. We welcome both in-person and online volunteers who may be living outside of Seattle or are unable to travel easily.
We especially need Greeters and AV volunteers. You are the Dhamma angels who make our gatherings possible for everyone! Please consider practicing generosity in this way. It’s fun!
Some additional benefits of volunteering at SIMS:
- Attend the events you volunteer at for free.
- Enjoy special volunteer-only daylong retreats and events taught by a Guiding Teacher.
- Develop friendship and connection with like-minded people.
- Find a deepened sense of belonging and ownership in our community.
We invite you to review the volunteer roles currently open arranged by the type of role with an estimated time commitment. If one sparks your interest, reach out to us for a conversation and more information.
Volunteer Coordinator
Recruits, manages and supports SIMS volunteers for all sangha work and activities. Recruits and supports lead volunteers who are assigned to key areas of work. In collaboration with Program manager, designs and supports routine training of volunteer teams to plan and execute events. Develops appropriate and timely training materials. Liaison between Board and leads. Plans and organizes volunteer appreciation events.
Current/past relationship with SIMS is required for this position, please.
Contact Cubba Reese
Description
Greeters and Managers for Monday Nights:
Volunteer as a Greeter or Manager for Monday nights (non AV role) – this is probably the easiest volunteer job. Volunteers gather about 20-30 minutes early to prepare the meditation hall and stay after the evening’s event for an additional 15-20 minutes to wish good night to attendees, count and record the dana, and return the Worship Hall to its original state.
Contact Cubba Reese: Cubba
Description
You will be helping to provide our hybrid in-person & zoom to our Monday night sits.
Set up & break down AV equipment at UFM. The only requirement is the ability to lift and carry about 40 lbs up one flight of stairs. You will always have help breaking down the equipment and getting it back downstairs. We are getting closer to having our own space again in the basement of University Friends, so volunteers will NO LONGER be required to set up and break down every time. This may be summer/fall 2023 timeframe.
All training and documentation is provided. For training you would need to come in at about 5:30Pm on a Monday night and we’d do it together. After that you could arrive between 6 and 6:20, depending on your level of proficiency. It gets fast with experience. Breakdown takes about 15 minutes, we’re all out of there by 9:15PM on Monday nights.
It’s a fun and rewarding job and you will not be asked to do this on your own until you are confident that you can. Normally this is a 2-person crew.
Times & Frequency
Monday nights for about 3 hours. Current volunteers are choosing a particular night of the week to do monthly. We all work out our shifts together using a spreadsheet and email.
Description
This role is entirely remote (not in person), providing Zoom support during sangha meetings. You will be part of a team on a rotating schedule, supporting Monday evening meetings and online weekend retreats, which usually go from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday. If you have experience hosting Zoom meetings, we’d love to hear from you. Training will be provided on security procedures, managing breakouts, etc., depending on the kinds of events you are willing to support.
Frequency
Flexible, but about twice a month, 2 hours each.
Registrar Duties
The registrar team (3-4 people) meets and volunteers remotely from home, supporting SIMS classes and retreats. Team members collaborate with each other, other volunteers, teachers, and attendees, to smooth out the road to liberation. (Or to laugh at the un-smooth!) Humor, flexibility, affection, and cooperation are hallmarks of this team. Overall commitment: 5-8 hours/month, with more hours before an event and almost none when no event is scheduled.
Please contact lead registrar Martha for more information: registrar@seattleinsight.org
Description
Most often the day-long retreats and evening Dharma talks are held at SIMS Meditation Center.
For day-long retreats: One day assignment; volunteers are requested to arrive 45–60 minutes early to do room set up and/or take down, to set up tea supplies, and get the hot water going. You will also staff the greeter table, register attendants, and answer questions.
For evening Dharma talks: helpers are needed to do room set up and/or take down, and to staff the greeter table. For the day-long and evening opportunities, a manager will be on site to give guidance; no prior experience necessary.
Frequency
Periodic and ongoing. This in-person opportunity is currently suspended while we are meeting virtually.
Website Co-Administrator Job Summary:
SIMS is seeking a website co-administrator with a background in tech or website design, WordPress and relevant expertise. The job includes website maintenance tasks, responding to emails directed to the webmaster, helping to troubleshoot issues that arise, and responding to emergency web down situations (rare) when the lead website administrator is away.
Website Co-Administrator Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- Managing the website infrastructure, updating plugins, etc.
- Offering technical help, responds to the webmaster emails.
- Follow up with support tickets.
- Tracking, compiling and analyzing website usage data with Google Analytics (one volunteer could be dedicated to this task).
- Developing or documenting website content style standards and keeping the current website manual updated.
Website Administrator Skills and Qualification:
- Willingness to read documentation and learn.
- Some proficiency with WordPress and Elementor, or a background to learn both.
- Good understanding of site design, web design, and SEO
- An ongoing dharma practice and relationship with SIMS is preferred.
- All training will be provided to the right person or people.
Frequency
Minimum desired commitment of 2-3 hours per week, timing flexible.
Contact: Cheryl
Description
Six week assignment for SIMS members who have already completed the SIMS introductory meditation class. One or two volunteers will work together to staff the greeter table during a six week introductory series. Includes setting out chairs, registering participants and giving information and assistance.
Need to arrive 20-30 minutes early and stay after to clean up. In addition to bringing the Dharma to others, benefits include attending for free.
Frequency
Up to 2 times per year in each location. See the home page under classes for the next series start date. This in-person opportunity is currently suspended while we are meeting virtually.
Description
Help edit and process our audio and/or video recordings for sharing on our website. General comfort with computing is required, but experience with audio/video editing is optional, and all needed training will be provided. Other SIMS volunteers take the recordings, so this role is only for editing and processing and can be done on a flexible schedule. We record at least two events per week, including all non-residential retreats.
Frequency
Minimum desired commitment of 1–2 hours per month, timing flexible.
Description
The group meets to explore the topic of death and dying together in order to make ourselves more comfortable and less fearful about being with dying. In so doing, we prepare ourselves to provide dharma practice, companionship, meals, transportation, errands, and other support to SIMS sangha members who are terminally ill. We also investigate how our current lives are informed and illuminated by this practice.
Links to Resources and Documents
Mission Statement
Guidelines for SIMS Death & Dying Support Volunteers
List of Things we Offer
Book & Audio List
Resource List
Topics We Have Covered
Teachings for Being With Dying
Description
The Design Task Force for the new SIMS space at UFM is looking for volunteers to help build and/or put together furnishings in the entryway of our new space. We have needs for coat and shoe storage systems, a reception desk and cushioned benches. We are starting to envision what these elements will look like and want them to be as warm and welcoming as possible. We may be constructing some of the simpler items and/or putting together off-the-shelf components to fit the space. If you have skills building small wood construction projects like this and are willing to help us envision the possibilities and construct the final result, please let us know. This will be a great way to contribute to the sangha by helping to create our new home. And we all know how any small construction project is meditation in action! If you’re interested in helping with this please contact Iris.
Thanks,
Design Task Force
Barbara E., Deb S., Kalid A., Peter H., Iris A.
