Community Volunteer

Get involved.

Meet like-minded people.

Serve the community.

Live the dharma.

Participate in a variety of events and tasks from helping out at classes and retreats, to coordinating community picnics or serving on committees. IMCW is an almost entirely volunteer-driven organization. Join IMCW’s enthusiastic volunteers in serving the IMCW community and spreading the dharma.

To Apply

Please log in and fill out the IMCW volunteer information form and submit it to the appropriate contact. Feel free to let us know any questions you may have. We look forward to working with you!

Current Volunteer Opportunities

  • Audio Volunteer

    Location:
    Washington metro area
    Status:
    Active
    Contact:
    Interested? Apply here.
    Description:

    Tape and produce audio dharma for the IMCW website. Looking for volunteers for Tara's, Jonathan's and Hugh's classes.

    • Tape the meditation and dharma talk at class or retreat

    • Edit the audio for sound quality, etc.

    • Upload it onto the IMCW website

    Volunteers can share the responsibilities of producing the audio dharma, with one volunteer taping the talk and another editing and uploading it.

    Time commitment: 2-4 hours per talk

  • Care Committee

    Location:
    Washington metro area
    Status:
    Active
    Contact:
    Interested? Apply here.
    Description:

    The IMCW Care Committee provides assistance for those in our community who are in need of support and vital services during a difficult life occurrence. The Care Committee receives requests of those requiring assistance such as transportation to doctor's appointments or the hospital, grocery shopping, meals, and other practical needs. Requests will be matched, when possible, with offers of service from those in the IMCW sangha.

    In need of support? For those who might benefit from such services, please contact the Care Committee. A Care Committee member will contact you confidentially to talk about your needs.

    How can you help? Assisting sangha members in times of need offers an opportunity to serve and connect to others with an open heart. To volunteer to assist, please complete the volunteer information form.

  • Class Volunteer

    Location:
    Your regular weekly class
    Status:
    Active
    Contact:
    Interested? Apply here.
    Description:

    Each meditation class needs for volunteers to help set up, welcome, and clean up. This volunteer will help the teacher offer a warm, comfortable place for yogis to meditate and learn the dharma:

    • Set up class chairs, tables, etc., before class

    • Greet 
yogis

    • Staff book table

    • Staff tea table

    • Put away tables, chairs, etc., after class

    Time Commitment: 1-2 hours once each month (or more, if interested)

  • Coordinator, Sangha Picnic

    Location:
    Washington metro area
    Status:
    Inactive
    Contact:
    Interested? Apply here.
    Description:
    Purpose: To encourage the creation of a larger sangha at IMCW outside of weekly classes and retreats. This volunteer will organize a weekend picnic for the greater IMCW sangha.

    • Identify venue

    • Work with volunteer program manager to recruit and coordinate volunteer help

    • Plan menu, activities, etc.

    • Advertise

    • Coordinate necessary purchases

    • Coordinate set up and breakdown of picnic

    • Support volunteers and offer assistance to sangha as needed during event

    Time Commitment: Part-time for 2 months.

  • Daylong Retreat Volunteer

    Location:
    Washington metro area
    Status:
    Active
    Contact:
    Interested? Apply here.
    Description:

    Zen Rocks by Lawrence McCarthyDo you love how IMCW retreats and daylongs have helped bring peace to your life and deepen your dharma practice? Help us provide the same opportunities for others in our community. This volunteer will help create a warm, peaceful place for our yogis to meditate.

    • Arrive about an hour early to help set up chairs, tables, snacks and registration.

    • Help register yogis.

    • Answer questions and assistance as needed.

    • Stay after the retreat to put away chairs, tables, etc.

    Time commitment: One day or 1/2 day

    Requirements: Applicants are expected to have attended at least 2-3 IMCW daylong retreats.

  • Residential Retreat Manager

    Location:
    D.C., Baltimore, Virginia
    Status:
    Active
    Contact:
    Interested? Apply here.
    Description:

    Do you love how IMCW retreats and daylongs have helped bring peace to your life and helped deepen your dharma practice? Help us provide the same opportunities for others in our community--apply to be a retreat manager.

    This volunteer will manage weekend and/or weeklong retreats. 

    • Identify venue

    • Advertise retreat

    • Register yogis

    • Set up retreat

    • Provide support during the retreat

    • Coordinate volunteers

    • Create and submit reports post-retreat

    Time Commitment: daylongs approximately 100 hours; weekend retreats approximately 140 hours; weeklong retreats approximately 275 hours. (Note: Retreat Managers receive dana from the yogis at the end of the retreats.)

    Requirements: Applicants are expected to have completed at least 2-3 IMCW residential retreats, and will need a recommendation by an IMCW retreat manager.