Volunteer Opportunities

From time to time, we offer new volunteer opportunities for our membership and the general public who would like to help the Sonoma Shambhala Center grow and thrive. If you have questions about volunteering, contact Director Susie Cook at [email protected].

Our Center exists through the generosity of our community through their monthly financial contributions, and also, very importantly, through volunteer service. Following are opportunities to help in ways that are important to our community. Thank you for your consideration.

Hospitality Team

It is such a pleasure to meet after sitting and to enjoy tea and snacks together. Members of the team work together to ensure that coffee, tea and snacks are prepared in advance.  Please contact Susie Cook at [email protected]  if your willing to participate.

Membership, Publicity & Accounting

Are you interested in helping in any of these three areas? Please contact Susie Cook at [email protected].

FUNdraising

Help our Center, our Northern California Region and International raise money in order to have the resources for creating enlightened society. Diana Sanson, Fundraising Coordinator, has a way of bringing out the FUN in FUNdraising. Contact Diana at [email protected].

Shambhala Outreach Sonoma (SOS)

The Sonoma Shambhala Center is a long-time citizen of the Sonoma community and dedicated to the welfare of it’s population. An SOS is a signal used by ships and airplanes to call for help. We aspire to assist those who are in need at Shambhala Outreach Sonoma (SOS). To be a part of our SOS (Shambhala Outreach Sonoma) team, please contact Susie Cook at [email protected].

Audio / Visual Assistance
Many of our classes and talks require amplification and are often recorded. We also have need to project films and streaming media off the Internet. If working with Audio and Visual equipment is of interest to you, contact Peter Loy at [email protected] for more information.

Ikebana Assistants
The lovely Ikebana arrangements that grace our Center are the work of two senior SSMC members who have years of training in this ancient art.  If you have interest in Ikebana and are interested in helping at the Center with the Ikebana arrangements, contact Rachel Anderson at [email protected] for more information.

Staff for the Way of Shambhala Training Programs
If you have attended Shambhala training programs you may have noticed the support staff as they go about their tasks. Program staff help to create the protected environment (the “container”) in which the teachings are conveyed and received.  To staff a program in the Way of Shambhala series, you must have completed Level III.  Beyond that, you are eligible to staff any level you have attended.  Contact Susie at [email protected], if you are interested.

Hosting Visiting Teachers
Many of the teachers and participants in our programs are visitors from out of town. It is a Shambhala tradition to offer hospitality to visitors if we are able.  These acts of hospitality and generosity are greatly appreciated and help to make the experience of being at our Center memorable. If you would like to offer accommodation to visiting students or teachers, please contact Susie at [email protected].

Librarian

Maintain and administer the member library.  Actively seek donations of excellent and relevant used books and remove those that are less relevant or interesting. Communicate the benefits of the library to members and help to ensure that all members know the location and understand the self-service book sign-out and return process. Please contact Liz Burnham at [email protected] if interested.