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Volunteer Activation Strategy - Knowledge in Action Sessions

Sangha-Powered Productivity: Get Things Done Together

Concept: In-person sessions where volunteers gather to work on their own tasks/resolutions while being supported by collective wisdom and group energy.

Purpose: - Activate volunteers who want to get things done but lack motivation - Use group energy (sangha) to power through tasks - Finish pre-New Year resolutions with peer support - Create volunteer community while being productive

What is "Knowledge in Action"?

Format: - Knowledge Component: Watch wisdom/knowledge content together (15-20 min) - Action Component: Power hour where everyone works on their own tasks (60-90 min) - Support Component: Check-ins, accountability, mutual encouragement

Not: Another meeting to attend Is: Productive work time with motivational boost and community support

Session Structure

Total Duration: 2 hours

9:00-9:20 AM: Knowledge & Intention Setting (20 min)

  • Arrive, settle in, tea/coffee
  • Watch short wisdom video (10 min)
  • Topics: Motivation, finishing what you start, power of commitment, overcoming procrastination
  • Could be: Gurudev talk, TED talk, wisdom excerpt
  • Each person shares: "What I'm working on today" (1 min each)
  • Set intention: "By end of session, I will accomplish [specific thing]"

9:20-10:50 AM: Power Hour for Action (90 min)

  • Everyone works on their own tasks
  • Tasks can be:
  • Campaign work (emails to property managers, designing flyers, making calls)
  • Personal resolution (project they've been putting off)
  • Volunteer preparation (learning new skill, organizing materials)
  • Work/life task (finishing report, organizing, planning)
  • Collective energy: Working in same space with others = motivation multiplier
  • Support available: If stuck, can ask group for input
  • Check-in at 45 min: Quick stand-up, share progress, re-energize

10:50-11:00 AM: Closing & Accountability (10 min)

  • Each person shares: "What I accomplished"
  • Celebrate wins (even small ones)
  • Next commitment: "By next session, I will [next goal]"
  • Schedule next session

Why This Works

For Volunteers:

  • Gets things done: Actually finish tasks instead of procrastinating
  • Motivation boost: Group energy powers through resistance
  • Accountability: Said it out loud, more likely to do it
  • Community: Connect with other volunteers, not just transactional
  • Wisdom input: Knowledge component frames work as purposeful, not just busy

For Campaign:

  • Activates dormant volunteers: "Come get your stuff done, oh and help campaign too"
  • Builds volunteer community: People come back because they like the vibe
  • Multi-purpose: Not just campaign work - attracts broader group
  • Low pressure: Not asking for volunteer time, offering productive space

Target Participants

Primary:

  • 20 online volunteers who haven't been activated yet
  • Graduate Ambassadors who need help crafting emails/posts
  • Course graduates who want to work on personal goals but need accountability

Secondary:

  • General community members interested in productivity/wisdom
  • People with New Year resolutions they want to finish before Jan 1
  • Anyone wanting to be part of sangha while being productive

What People Can Work On

  • Email outreach to property managers
  • Design flyers in Canva
  • Research apartment buildings
  • Write social media posts
  • Call libraries
  • Organize volunteer spreadsheet
  • Plan WMD logistics

Personal Tasks (Totally Fine):

  • Finish work project they've been avoiding
  • Plan their 2025 goals
  • Organize finances/taxes
  • Write that email they've been putting off
  • Learn new skill online
  • Complete certification course
  • Any productive task with a deadline

The point: Show up, get motivated, get it done. What you work on is flexible.

When to Host These

Pre-Campaign (Now - Dec 15):

Every Saturday 9:00-11:00 AM

  • Nov 23, Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14

Purpose: Build momentum, activate volunteers, get campaign tasks done

Benefit:

  • By Dec 15, you'll have:
  • 20-30 activated volunteers (regulars)
  • Campaign emails sent (people worked on them during session)
  • Flyers designed
  • Volunteer roles assigned
  • Strong community feeling

Post-WMD (Dec 22 - Jan 10):

Weekly sessions continue

  • Focus shifts to: "Finish 2024 strong, start 2025 right"
  • Natural segue to: "Come to intro talk, start your year with full SKY practice"

Promotion - How to Invite People

Email to Graduate Ambassadors & Online Volunteers:

Subject: Get Things Done Together - Knowledge in Action Sessions

Hi [Name],

Ever have a task you've been meaning to do but can't find the motivation?

We're starting "Knowledge in Action" sessions - come work on YOUR tasks in a
supportive group environment.

WHAT: Bring your laptop/work. We watch a short wisdom video for inspiration,
      then everyone works on their own tasks for 90 minutes.

WHEN: Saturdays, 9:00-11:00 AM (starting Nov 23)

WHERE: Art of Living Center, 2401 15th St NW

WHY: Because everything's easier with sangha. Group energy gets things done.

You can work on:
- Campaign tasks (if you're helping with outreach)
- Personal projects (that thing you've been putting off)
- New Year resolutions (finish before 2025!)
- Work tasks (need focused time? We got you)

No agenda. No pressure. Just show up, set an intention, get it done.

Coffee/tea provided. Good vibes guaranteed.

Reply if you're coming Saturday - want to get a headcount!

[Your Name]

Social Media Post:

📅 Knowledge in Action - Saturdays 9-11 AM

Procrastinating on something? Come work on it with us.

✓ Watch wisdom content (10 min)
✓ Work on YOUR task (90 min)
✓ Supportive group energy
✓ Actually finish things

Bring: Your work, your laptop, your half-finished project
We provide: Space, motivation, community, coffee

All welcome. Free.

DM to RSVP → [Location]

#ProductivityDC #GetThingsDone #CommunityDC

Session Facilitation

Host/Facilitator Role:

  • Arrive 15 min early, set up space
  • Greet people as they arrive
  • Lead knowledge video + intention setting
  • Keep time (start, 45-min check-in, closing)
  • Hold space (keep it quiet during work time)
  • Celebrate accomplishments at end

Space Setup:

  • Tables/desks with power outlets
  • WiFi password visible
  • Coffee/tea station
  • Quiet atmosphere (library vibe, not party)
  • Timer visible for check-ins

Materials Needed:

  • Laptop + projector (for knowledge video)
  • Coffee/tea supplies
  • Extension cords (people need to charge devices)
  • Sign-in sheet (track attendance)
  • Notebook for people to write intentions

Connection to Campaign

Natural Integration:

Week 1 (Nov 23): - Knowledge video: "Power of commitment" - Many work on: Crafting property manager emails - Accomplishment: 10 people send emails during session = 10 buildings contacted

Week 2 (Nov 30): - Knowledge video: "Overcoming resistance" - Many work on: Designing Canva flyers - Accomplishment: Beautiful flyers ready for printing

Week 3 (Dec 7): - Knowledge video: "Community and connection" - Many work on: Planning intro talk invitations to friends - Accomplishment: Graduate Ambassadors prep their outreach

Week 4 (Dec 14): - Knowledge video: "Finishing strong" - Many work on: Final WMD prep tasks - Accomplishment: Everything ready for Dec 16-21

Metrics to Track

Attendance:

  • Target: 10-15 people per session
  • Track: Who comes back (repeat attendance = community building)

Tasks Completed:

  • Each session: Count number of tasks people accomplished
  • Campaign benefit: How many campaign tasks got done?

Volunteer Activation:

  • How many become active campaign volunteers?
  • How many sign up for WMD volunteer shifts?

Community Building:

  • Are friendships forming?
  • Do people stay after to chat?
  • Are they asking "when's the next one?"

Cost

Total: ~$50 per session - Coffee/tea: $30 - Snacks (optional): $20

ROI: If 10 people each complete 1 campaign task = 10 tasks done in 90 minutes. That's work that would take you days to do alone.

Volunteer Coordinator Role

Assign 1 person as "Knowledge in Action" Coordinator:

Responsibilities: - Send weekly reminder emails (Thursdays) - Set up space Saturday mornings - Facilitate sessions - Track attendance - Celebrate accomplishments in follow-up email

Time Commitment: 3 hours/week (1 hr prep + 2 hr session)

Benefit: Builds deep volunteer community, high impact

After Campaign (January Forward)

Continue These Sessions: - Become regular offering: Every Saturday morning - Attracts people to Art of Living center - Some participants take intro talks → course - Becomes mini-community within larger sangha - Self-sustaining (people come for productivity + wisdom + community)

Possible Evolution: - Theme months: "January = Goal Setting", "February = Love Your Work" - Guest speakers occasionally - Accountability partnerships between regulars - Alumni group of "finishers" who support each other

Sample Knowledge Videos (10 min each)

Topics: 1. "The Power of Commitment" - Gurudev talk 2. "Overcoming Procrastination" - Short wisdom excerpt 3. "Why Community Matters" - Sangha power 4. "Finishing What You Start" - Momentum and discipline 5. "Working with Purpose" - Karma yoga perspective

Sources: - Gurudev talks (YouTube) - Art of Living wisdom library - TED talks (productivity, habit formation) - Short documentaries on focus/flow state

Key: Keep it 10 minutes max. More inspiration than lecture.

Launch Plan

Week of Nov 18-22:

  • [ ] Email all graduates + online volunteers about first session (Nov 23)
  • [ ] Post on social media
  • [ ] Set up space logistics (coffee, WiFi, seating)
  • [ ] Select first knowledge video
  • [ ] Create sign-in sheet

Nov 23 - First Session:

  • [ ] Over-deliver on experience (make it awesome)
  • [ ] Get feedback: "What would make this even better?"
  • [ ] Take photo (with permission) for social media
  • [ ] Send follow-up email Monday: "Here's what we accomplished!"

Following Weeks:

  • [ ] Send reminder email every Thursday
  • [ ] Track who returns (build community)
  • [ ] Adjust format based on feedback
  • [ ] Celebrate wins publicly (social media)

Integration with Sprint Plan

Bob's Updated Sprint 0 (Nov 20-26):

Add: - [ ] Plan first Knowledge in Action session (Nov 23) - [ ] Email graduates/volunteers with invitation - [ ] Set up space and materials - [ ] Select knowledge video for Week 1

Benefit: By Nov 26, you'll have: - 10-15 activated volunteers - Campaign emails drafted/sent during session - Volunteer community forming - Low-pressure way to engage people

Success Story (Projected)

Sarah comes to first session Nov 23: - Watches video on commitment - Works on: Email to her building's property manager (she lives at The Hepburn) - Accomplishes: Sends email, feels good about contributing - Returns Nov 30: Works on inviting 3 friends to December meditation - Becomes: Active Ambassador, brings 2 friends to intro talk - Result: 1 of those friends registers for January course

One activated volunteer = ripple effect.

This is how you turn "I want to help but don't have time" into "I came to get my stuff done and ended up helping the campaign too."

Wisdom + Work + Community = Winning formula.