The Board needs your help! We have a person willing to be our Volunteer Coordinator, and are still seeking a Property & Maintenance Coordinator (description below). We've penciled out the expected time demands, and resources that would be available to facilitate the job. Please let us know if you might be interested -- we can tell you more to help with a decision. Talk to a Board member, or you could email info@nalandaolywa.org, or Board President (vleckjan) or Treasurer (quita.suydam) -- both are @gmail.com
Property & Maintenance Coordinator (Volunteer)
Help care for the buildings that support both the dharma center and its rental housing. This volunteer helps develop a routine maintenance plan, documents important property information in a handbook, and organizes volunteers for small maintenance projects. The role also involves bringing ideas for larger improvements to the board and coordinating with professionals when needed. Contact Board Treasurer Quita
Volunteer Coordinator (Volunteer)
For Lori Capra to do this job, she needs volunteers to coordinate, who could be you! I expect Lori will undertake her own recruitment methods, so please heed her requests. And give some thought to your skill set - we currently have volunteers doing repairs, yard work, and staffing special events (like the recent TNI birthday party for HH the Dalai Lama). If you'd like to see something happening at Nalanda that we're not currently doing, maybe you are the person we need to make it happen.
Publicity
Create and distribut posters around town for our Center. Drop a note to Nalanda if you can help!
Recording & Posting Teachings
Sound recording and adding recordings to our website. Currently we have a backlog of recordings of teachings and such, and could use help from a technically skilled volunteer to take this on long-term.
If you are skilled with computer graphics, and would like to donate some assistance to Nalanda, please drop a line to Jan at Nalanda.
Washington Corrections Center Shelton Prison Dharma Outreach
The Buddhist Meditation group at Washington Corrections Center in Shelton is asking for community meditators to attend their meditation and dharma study group. The men of the group lead the practice which includes meditation and discussion of dharma books and videos. To learn more about visiting the group please email Kathy at: chaimyung2@gmail.com.
Kathy also sends PDFs of Buddhist teachings to WCC Chaplain Carnahan. He is able to print them and share with the prisoners, who do not themselves have internet access. The men have been without volunteer-led meditation groups since Bob and Zach were there in early 2020, and for much the past year without family visits. Many have been infected with C-19.
Do you have any Dharma texts that you would consider donating to this outreach? Or can you suggest resources or links for printed material that might be helpful? Get in touch with Kathy (email is above) to make arrangements.
Hospice Without Borders
Hospice Without Borders is located at 1713 State Ave NE, 98506.
Contact David Slack, 360-556-4974, regarding the following volunteer opportunities:
END OF LIFE CARE TRAINING
PRESENT TO DYING: A community based contemplative care program for beginners. This 4 week annual program is held in the tradition of council practice and aims to improve our capacity to and be present to and care for people in our lives facing death, including ourselves.
PALLIATIVE CARE AS PEACEBUILDING IN RWANDA
An international hospice experience We offer those committed to deepening their practice an international volunteer opportunity to bear witness to suffering and work directly with patients in the African country of Rwanda.
SHELTER MEALS IN OLYMPIA
We do accept volunteers for preparing our Sunday shelter meals for homeless at Unity Commons
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
For members of the community. We want to inform you that we do have a limited amount of medical supplies available for people living with incurable illness. Please inquire with Dr. David Slack at 360-556-4974.
Dog Park Stewards Needed
Olympia Parks seeks volunteer stewards willing to commit to 4 hours a month for at least 6 months at three new dog parks (Ward Lake, Evergreen, and McLane). Flex your Bodhisattva muscles and contact Amy Stull of the Park Stewardship Program at 360-753-8258.
Volunteers in Parks
Olympia Parks is reopening volunteer work parties! Registration is required, to facilitate appropriate pandemic precautions. It's a great way to spend time outdoors, doing something to benefit the environment and park users for generations to come. There may be an opportunity near your home. Check the schedule here.
Crisis Clinic
Volunteer training for "Crisis Advocates" is now an in-home experience. To volunteer, complete an application and they will contact you to figure out how best to use your time. Their recent mailing says, "You can't pour from an empty cup". Volunteering is one way to fill your own cup while filling the cups of others in need.
Dispute Resolution Center Mediation Trainings
The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County offers a series of beginning and advanced trainings in mediation for people interested in learning the philosophy, process, and practice of community mediation. Scholarships are available for this year's 40-hour professional mediation trainings.
See Dispute Resolution.
No One Dies Alone Volunteer Companion Program
Three Nalanda members currently volunteer for this program through Providence, providing vigils or reassuring bedside companionship to those who might otherwise die alone. To learn more, talk to Claire or call Providence Spiritual Care at 360-493-7240. A training is required.
Hospice Volunteer Training
Providence Hospice Volunteers must attend training sessions. The training covers hospice philosophy and end of life education. Volunteers interact with patients and families in many creative ways to enhance their lives. You can work close to where you live.
Interfaith Works -- of which Nalanda is a member -- has several activities that could use volunteer help, such as the annual homeless census. Check their "Selections! IW Community Calendar. One additional click is necessary to download the calendar.
Community Care Center
SideWalk aims to end homelessness, and partners with Interfaith Works and other organizations at the Providence Community Care Center. Volunteers are needed in many capacities, and training is provided. Contact Sidewalk
Thurston County Food Bank
From packing groceries to picking produce, and more! Volunteer daytime shifts are available nearly every day of the week, with two evenings per month and limited seasonal opportunities on weekends.
The best way for individuals to start is to attend a Volunteer Orientation and Tour, which are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month from 3 - 4 PM (so Dec. 19, Jan. 2 and 16, etc.).
Volunteer coordinator is Jen Butti.
Call (360) 352-8597 ext. 107
or email: Food Bank Volunteers
Website:VOLUNTEER
220 Thurston Av NE (downtown Oly)
Olympia Parks
The Volunteer in Parks program is a great way to learn about Olympia's parks and help them stay healthy and beautiful. A good entry point is to join a work party--all abilities welcome. For exapmple in December, work parties occured at Ellis Cove in Priest Point Park, Yashiro Japanese Garden, the Springwood Parcel (formerly Zabel's rhododendron garden), and West Bay Park. Tools, gloves and some refreshments are provided. For work parties, dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. This could be a good family activity because all ages are welcome, but there are special requirements for those under age 18.
Check the Parks webpage. That website also has a link to Upcoming Work Parties. Email Jan Vleck about his experience.
