Working Visit Application
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Kadampa Meditation Center New York Volunteer Working Visit Application A great way to experience life at Kadampa Meditation Center New York and to put your compassion into action is to volunteer for a working visit. In exchange for 35 hours of voluntary work, you will receive dormitory accommodation and 3 vegetarian meals a day, as well as the opportunity to attend community prayers and General Program classes. This application is intended to make sure that all volunteers have enjoyable experiences and make positive contributions to KMC NY. Please answer all questions and use additional paper if necessary. Name Street Address __________________________ City State_____________ Zip code_____________ E-mail Daytime phone (_____)_____-_____________ Evening phone (_____)_____- ____________ Date you would like to arrive____________________ Date you plan to leave ______________________ Have you ever been to KMC NY? If so, when and in what capacity? If not, how did you hear about us? If you regularly attend a Kadampa Center, please tell us the following: Center’s name & location How long have you attended and in what capacity? Teacher’s name Daytime phone(_____)_____-_____________ E-mail Manager’s name______________________________ Title (AD, EPC, etc) Daytime phone(_____)_____-_____________ E-mail If you don’t currently attend a Kadampa Center, please list two references (and to speed up the application process, please inform them that someone from KMC NY will be contacting them): Reference #1 Name_________________________ Relationship____________________ Known for_____ yrs Daytime phone(_____)_____-____________E-mail Reference #2 Name_________________________ Relationship________________ Known for_____ yrs Daytime phone(_____)_____-____________E-mail Have you been a working visitor at KMC NY or at any other NKT-IKBU Center? Yes___ No___ If yes, please tell us when, where, what you did, and who we can contact for a reference: Describe your skills that you think would be useful at KMC NY (e.g. cooking, gardening, office work, painting, light construction, sewing, cleaning, etc.):
description
Please fill out and email back to [email protected] or fax to (845)856-2110
Transcript of Working Visit Application
Kadampa Meditation Center New YorkVolunteer Working Visit Application
A great way to experience life at Kadampa Meditation Center New York and to put your compassion into action is to volunteer for a working visit. In exchange for 35 hours of voluntary work, you will receive dormitory accommodation and 3 vegetarian meals a day, as well as the opportunity to attend community prayers and General Program classes.
This application is intended to make sure that all volunteers have enjoyable experiences and make positive contributions to KMC NY. Please answer all questions and use additional paper if necessary.
Name Street Address __________________________ CityState_____________ Zip code_____________ E-mailDaytime phone (_____)_____-_____________ Evening phone (_____)_____-____________
Date you would like to arrive____________________ Date you plan to leave ______________________
Have you ever been to KMC NY? If so, when and in what capacity? If not, how did you hear about us?
If you regularly attend a Kadampa Center, please tell us the following:Center’s name & locationHow long have you attended and in what capacity?Teacher’s nameDaytime phone(_____)_____-_____________ E-mail Manager’s name______________________________ Title (AD, EPC, etc)Daytime phone(_____)_____-_____________ E-mail
If you don’t currently attend a Kadampa Center, please list two references (and to speed up the application process, please inform them that someone from KMC NY will be contacting them):Reference #1 Name_________________________ Relationship____________________ Known for_____ yrsDaytime phone(_____)_____-____________E-mailReference #2Name_________________________ Relationship________________ Known for_____ yrsDaytime phone(_____)_____-____________E-mailHave you been a working visitor at KMC NY or at any other NKT-IKBU Center? Yes___ No___ If yes, please tell us when, where, what you did, and who we can contact for a reference:
Describe your skills that you think would be useful at KMC NY (e.g. cooking, gardening, office work, painting, light construction, sewing, cleaning, etc.):
Why do you wish to volunteer at KMC NY and what are your expectations?
Briefly describe your current overall health, including any special needs.
Do you have any food allergies or are you on a restricted diet? Yes___ No___ (Please note that our community meals make it difficult to accommodate special diets). If yes, please explain.
Do you have any physical or mental conditions or limitations that could impact your ability to work and live harmoniously in a community? Yes___ No___ If yes, please explain.
Are you currently seeing a physician or mental health professional? Yes___ No___ If yes, for what conditions?
Are you currently taking any medications? Yes___ No___ If yes, which medications and for what conditions?
Have you used any recreational drugs in the past year? Yes___ No___If yes, please describe.
Do you consider, or has anyone ever told you, that you have an alcohol- or substance-abuse problem, or any other type of addiction? Yes___ No___ If yes, please explain in detail.
Have you been hospitalized within the last three years for medical or psychological care?Yes___ No___ If yes, please explain.
Do you smoke cigarettes? Yes___ No___ If yes, please keep in mind that smoking is not allowed on KMC NY property.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Yes___ No___If yes, please explain.
Emergency contact:Name_____________________________________ RelationshipDaytime phone (_____)_____-_________________Evening phone (_____)_____-__________________ Address
If there’s anything else that you want to let us know, please do so here.
Please Note: * To preserve a tranquil meditative and retreat environment, and in accordance with our internal rules, the following are not permitted at KMC NY: illegal drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. Also, only vegetarian food is served at KMC NY. * Health insurance is not provided for volunteers. You will be responsible for your own health-care needs, including doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospitalization.* If you are accepted as a volunteer, please be prepared to provide a photo I.D. (e.g. driver’s license or passport) upon arrival.* The working visit can be ended early by KMC NY if volunteers engage in behavior that disrupts the tranquil meditative and retreat environment.
My signature indicates that I understand the conditions of this volunteer working visit, and the information in my application is true and complete.
Signature__________________________________________________Date_____________
Please submit your completed application to the Administrative Directorby fax 845-856-2110, email to [email protected], or snail mail:
Kadampa Meditation Center NY 47 Sweeney RoadGlen Spey NY 12737
Frequently Asked Questions
What is KMC NY?KMC NY is an international Kadampa Buddhist community dedicated wholeheartedly to bringing about inner and outer peace. Visitors from all backgrounds come to find rest and refuge from the stresses of busy modern life, and draw inspiration from spiritual friends that include Buddhist monks and nuns. We have about 20 year-round residents, and most weekends we have an additional 40 – 100 guests staying onsite for classes and retreats.
What work is needed? KMC NY includes the US World Peace Temple, plus 5 other buildings on 82 acres with 100s of guests each week. Daily chores include cooking community lunches and dinners, preparing guest rooms, and cleaning. Ongoing maintenance work includes repairs, painting, and snow shoveling or yard work. Please indicate your skills and interests on your Working Visit Application.
How can spiritual values pervade “mundane” work?By maintaining positive states of mind (such as love, compassion, faith… all of the 21 Lamrim minds!) throughout our day we are transforming the mundane into the spiritual. A working visit at KMC NY is a great opportunity to train in these positive minds both in and out of formal meditation. When we are able to maintain positive minds all the time, we will be happy and able to benefit others.
What hours will I work?Working visits are generally one week from Sunday – Sunday, and you will be required to work Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm with an hour break for lunch. Then you’ll have the weekend free to attend Center events (see below) or relax.
Can I attend meditation classes and Temple prayers?Outside work hours you are welcome to attend classes and meditations, such as our regular class on Wednesday night, Prayers for World Peace on Sunday mornings, and daily chanted prayers which include time for meditation and reflection. (Note that some chanted prayers, such as Quick Path, require a prior Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment, and certain classes such as Teacher Training Program and Foundation Program are not open to drop-in visitors). Many weekends we have day or weekend courses that you can attend if they fall in the week you choose to stay.
What is a typical day like?Take a look at our Calendar of Events http://www.kadampanewyork.org/courses/calendar/. How long can I stay?Working visits are usually a week. If you would like to stay longer, that can be discussed with the Administrative Director after the successful completion of the first week. Please indicate how long you would like to stay on your Application.
Can I stay for less than one week?If you are only available to stay less than one week, please contact the Administrative Director to discuss options.
When should I arrive?Working visits are usually from Sunday to Sunday. You are requested to arrive before 8pm on Sunday. You’re welcome to join us for dinner on Sunday (either 5pm or 6:30pm - please check the schedule online).
What about meals?All meals are vegetarian and may include dairy. Community lunches are served at 1pm, and dinners at 6:30pm (FYI, some Sunday dinners are at 5pm to accommodate weekend classes). Breakfast is self-serve and includes toast, cereal, etc.
What should I bring?Pack and dress for the job you’ll be doing and the weather. For example, work clothes are helpful for messy jobs such as painting. Winters bring a lot of snow, summers can be hot (the dorms have fans, but no air conditioning). Good walking shoes are necessary in all seasons. Also bring a sleeping bag, towel, and toiletries.
Is there anything I shouldn’t bring?To maintain a peaceful retreat environment: no drugs or alcohol, no cigarette smoking, no meat, no music (unless you use earphones, e.g. with an iPod), and no pets.
Is there internet access and cell phone reception?
There is wireless internet in all the residential buildings. Cell phone reception is poor, but there are some outdoor “hot spots” on the property with good reception.
How do I get there?Directions are available on our website: http://www.kadampanewyork.org/information/directions-to-kmc-ny/
