Volunteering & Work-Exchange
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Volunteering at the Zuni Mountain Stupa is a meritorious offering to the Precious Three Jewels, beneficial to retreat participants and to the community.. Volunteers are welcome during events & retreats as well as throughout the retreat season from May until September as needed. Work done at the stupa land is vital for the operation of the retreats and is done by and large by volunteers, including: cooking, staffing, landscaping, and the maintenance of our buildings and infrastructure. We encourage students and retreat participants to offer their unique talents and trades when possible.
Please contact us for more information about how you can help.
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We encourage retreat participants, both long-time members of the community and those who are attending a retreat for the first time, who would like a reduced retreat fee to join VFNM's Work-Exchange program. Work-exchange is a valuable way to contribute to the overall activity at the Zuni Mountain Stupa and to fulfill many necessary
duties throughout the retreat season while also offsetting one's retreat costs. Members of
the VFNM Board of Directors have pledged their commitment to making retreats at Zuni Mountain Stupa affordable for all who wish to participate in this way. While we never turn anyone away who cannot afford the costs associated with the retreats, the work-exchange program allows people to attend while guaranteeing that the
crucial aspects of the work needed at the stupa can continue to be shared within the
community.
Doing work-exchange while participating in a retreat:
While
providing very important aspects of our events & retreats, such as meal service for the
Lamas and the Sangha, shrine-room service, and kitchen help, students typically receive a reduced retreat fee of up to 50%. Work-Exchange
is a commitment of time and energy for the entirety of each retreat
weekend between meditation sessions, and are on a first come
first serve basis. There are additional discounts beyond 50% for work done before and after each retreat, see below.
Doing work-exchange at other times:
There is other work much needed at the Zuni Mountain Stupa retreat land, which includes preparation and set-up before a
retreat starts, as well as various yearly maintenance tasks or also the clean-up after the retreats end. This work requires personal scheduling beyond the time frame of the retreats, normally a few days before and up to two days after. The rate for work-exchange is $10/hr and can be added to work-exchange during a retreat for greater discount. You may work to offset your retreat costs up to a point, you must pay for food for each retreat: $3 for breakfast, $5 lunch and $5 for dinner.
We also encourage people to schedule and arrange to do work-exchange throughout the retreat season of May through September, between the retreats when possible. These work-exchange
jobs are also for students who may need additional discounts beyond the 50%. By keeping a
VFNM Work-Log, Work-Exchange that does not take place during the retreat can be logged for a reduction in future retreat fees, due upon registration.
Please contact us for more information and to apply for Work-Exchange.
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