How to Volunteer
Purpose: Your entry point to contributing. Find where you fit, understand the rhythm, and know how to step in — or step back — gracefully.
Quick Start
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Show up Sunday at Noon → Knowledge in Action session after Long Kriya |
| 2 | Meet people, see what's happening — no commitment needed |
| 3 | Pick something small — one task, one event, one role |
| 4 | Tell the Volunteer Coordinator — "I can help with X for Y hours/week" |
Other ways to connect: - Join a Mahakriya or Satsang gathering - Browse this documentation online (use the search bar!) to see what's happening - Query the docs using natural language (coming soon) - Jump into any active campaign — pitch in and reenter where you left off
That's it. Everything below is reference.
The Impact You’re Creating
You might wonder why we have these systems and playbooks. It’s not to turn volunteering into a job. It’s to do the opposite: to create a supportive structure that frees you up to do what you do best—share your warmth, build genuine connections, and create a sense of community.
Young professionals in our neighborhood are looking for connection and a sense of belonging, things that organic, heartfelt volunteering creates beautifully. Our approach isn't to change our yoga roots, but to create a reliable container so that your natural, authentic efforts have the greatest possible impact.
- When you use a checklist for an event, you’re not just being professional; you’re creating a smooth, welcoming experience that allows a skeptical guest to relax and be open to the meditation.
- When you follow up with a new contact, you’re not just a salesperson; you’re being the crucial human touchpoint that makes someone feel seen and cared for.
- When you add a note to our shared documents, you’re not just doing admin; you’re building a foundation of knowledge that prevents the next volunteer from burning out.
Our systems handle the logistics so you can provide the heart. They ensure that your valuable energy is spent on connection, not on reinventing the wheel.
What's Happening Right Now — Active campaigns, ongoing foundations, where energy is needed
What's Happening Right Now
Active Campaigns
| Campaign | Dates | What's Needed | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Meditation Day | Dec 21, 2025 | Venue hosts, greeters, follow-up callers | 2-4 hours one-time |
| Mega Course (January) | Jan 23-25, 2026 | Outreach, registration support, logistics | Flexible ongoing |
Ongoing Foundations
| Area | What's Needed | Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Presence | Building outreach, library partnerships | 2-3 hours/week |
| Communication | Social media, email drafts, WhatsApp coordination | 1-2 hours/week |
| Center Operations | Setup, greeting, materials | Show up when available |
→ See Priorities for the full breakdown
Where Do I Fit? — Match by time, skills, or energy level
Where Do I Fit?
By Time Available
| You Have | Good Fit |
|---|---|
| 2 hours once | Event greeter, setup/cleanup, single outreach task |
| 2-3 hours/week | Ongoing role (outreach, communications, coordination) |
| 4+ hours/week | Lead role (campaign lead, volunteer coordinator) |
By Skill / Interest
| You Enjoy | Consider |
|---|---|
| Talking to people | Outreach (buildings, libraries, events), Greeting |
| Writing / Design | Communications (social media, flyers, emails) |
| Organizing / Planning | Campaign coordination, Event logistics |
| Tech / Systems | IT support, Automation, Registration tracking |
| Showing up reliably | Center operations, Setup, Facilitation |
By Energy Level
| Right Now You Feel | Start With |
|---|---|
| High energy, ready to lead | Take a role lead position, mentor others |
| Steady, want to contribute | Pick an ongoing role, show up weekly |
| Variable, not sure of capacity | Event-based tasks, Knowledge in Action sessions |
| Low energy, need to recharge | Step back — see "How to Step Back" below |
The Roles — 7 lead roles, Mega Course model, supporting roles
The Roles
Core Team Leads
These roles own specific domains. Each has a weekly rhythm and decision rights.
| Role | Owns | Weekly Rhythm |
|---|---|---|
| Center Coordinator | Room bookings, center schedule, facilities | Daily check-ins, weekly calendar review |
| Campaign Lead | End-to-end campaign execution | Daily standups during active campaigns |
| Volunteer Coordinator | Activating and supporting volunteers | Weekly check-ins with active volunteers |
| Outreach Lead | Building, library, embassy relationships | 3-5 outreach touches per week |
| Communications Lead | Social media, email, messaging | 2-3 posts/week, email drafts as needed |
| IT Lead | Automation, tools, tech support | On-call, weekly system check |
| Facilities Lead | Garden, signage, physical space | Weekly walkthrough, project-based |
→ See Role Playbooks for detailed weekly rhythms
Mega Course Leadership Model
Part 1 Course Lead: Constant across all courses — provides continuity, owns the playbook.
Mega Course Co-Leads: Rotate among teachers for each Mega Course — shares leadership energy, gives everyone chances to lead, prevents burnout.
This rotation means: - Fresh energy for each major course - Multiple teachers invested in success - Natural succession without single points of failure
Supporting Roles
| Role | What You Do | Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Event Greeter | Welcome attendees, answer questions, direct flow | 2 hours per event |
| Setup Volunteer | Arrange space, materials, signage | 1-2 hours before events |
| Follow-up Caller | Call new contacts within 48 hours | 1-2 hours post-event |
| Outreach Volunteer | Send emails, make calls to buildings/venues | 2-3 hours/week |
| Social Media Helper | Draft posts, respond to comments | 1-2 hours/week |
| Knowledge in Action Regular | Attend Saturday sessions, support others | 2 hours/week |
How to Show Up — 4 steps from first session to finding your rhythm
How to Show Up
Step 1: Join a Knowledge in Action Session
Best first step. Come to a Saturday session (9-11 AM) at the center.
- Work on your own tasks alongside others
- Meet active volunteers naturally
- See what's happening without committing
- Discover where you might fit
→ See Knowledge in Action for details
Step 2: Pick Your Fit
After attending 1-2 sessions, you'll have a sense of: - What's actively needed - Who's doing what - Where your energy aligns
Tell the Volunteer Coordinator: "I'd like to help with [area]. I have [X hours/week]."
Step 3: Get Oriented
For your chosen role: 1. Read the relevant docs (linked from Priorities) 2. Shadow the current lead for one cycle 3. Take on a small task independently 4. Debrief: What worked? What questions came up?
Step 4: Find Your Rhythm
- Weekly: Check in with your lead or team
- Before events: Confirm your role and timing
- After events: Quick debrief — what worked, what to improve
How to Step Back — Signs, graceful exit, what to say
How to Step Back
This is just as important as showing up.
Energy ebbs. Life happens. Stepping back gracefully keeps the community healthy.
Signs It's Time
- The juice isn't there anymore — tasks feel heavy instead of energizing
- You're dropping commitments or showing up late
- Other life areas need your attention
- You're running low and need to recharge
How to Do It Well
- Give notice — Tell your lead 1-2 weeks ahead if possible
- Hand off clearly — Document what's in progress, introduce your replacement
- Stay connected — Keep coming to GuruTattva Abhyasa sessions for the sangha boost, even without a role
- Come back anytime — The door is always open; reenter where you left off
Staying in the Loop
Even when stepping back from active roles, you can: - Attend Sunday Knowledge in Action sessions for sangha boost and productivity - Browse this documentation online (use the search bar!) to see what others are doing - Query the docs using natural language (coming soon) - Join Mahakriya or Satsang — automatically stay in the know
What to Say
"I need to step back from [role] for a while. My last day in the role will be [date]. Here's what's in progress: [brief list]. Happy to help transition to whoever takes over."
That's it. No guilt. No drama. Just clarity.
Communication Norms — Which channel for what, response times
Communication Norms
| Channel | Use For | Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp (group) | Quick coordination, event-day updates | Same day |
| WhatsApp (DM) | Urgent, time-sensitive | Within hours |
| Formal outreach, documentation, non-urgent | 1-2 days | |
| Slack | IT team, longer discussions, file sharing | 1 day |
| In-person | Relationship building, sensitive topics | As scheduled |
→ See Ways of Working for full communication guide
Questions?
- General: Ask in the volunteer WhatsApp group
- Role-specific: Ask your lead
- This doc unclear: Suggest an edit — this is a living document
Quick Links
This guide exists so you can show up with confidence — and step back without guilt. Both are acts of service.
Related Documents
- Index — Documentation home
Last updated: 2025-12-23