One of the most fundamental practices in building sangha/community is through service, both within/for the sangha and for the larger communities. Below are three opportunities that will not only provide service, but will also build sangha for those who participate.

Supporting Sangha

Have you arrived “early” for a Thursday sitting and/or a Saturday one day retreat? Have you seen the dharma hall empty, or is it fully set up, ready for the activities of the day? Do you know how it transforms from a generic space to SIM? (hint–not through devas or magic) To “become SIM,” volunteers are needed.

Set-Up Volunteers

John and Carol Meininger have retired from set-up crew after 10 years.  We are very grateful for all that they did — and we also now need to fill the gap.
Many thanks to Ian McLeod and Alan Gottlieb for volunteering for events in May and early June.  It was very much appreciated!

Now: Regular or Occasional Set-up

If you are able to  become a “regular ” set-up volunteer, that would be great. We need “regular” volunteers for the first Thursdays and fourth Thursdays of the month. If you aren’t able to commit to a “regular” schedule, but are able and willing to help on a one-time basis, on one (or more) of the dates below, that help will  be gratefully accepted. No experience necessary; training will be provided.  Note that set-up starts an hour before a meeting or daylong, and that the set-up crew also handles closing up at the end.  Please contact Margaret Buss at bussmlou@gmail.com if you are interested in helping.

Below are dates and times in June and July when volunteers are needed:

  • Thursday June 22 at 5 pm (before the monthly meditation instruction) — need one
  • Saturday  June 24 at 9 am — Daylong Retreat with Heather Sundberg  —  need two or three (note retreat ends at 5pm)
  • Thursday July 6 at 6 pm — need two
  • Thursday July 27 at 5 pm — need one

Click here if you’re interested in volunteering in any way.

SIM Community Mentor Diane Wilde and Woody Garcia are giving a talk at Insight Central Valley in Modesto, CA on June 27th and Diane would love to have SIM sangha members attend.

Talk topic – Freedom: Inside and Out

Diane Wilde and recently released former inmate “Woody” Garcia, will talk about Buddhist practice in California prisons and the impact it is making on inmates and volunteers alike. Diane will read a few stories from her book, “Unlikely Lessons; Practicing Virtuous Conduct in California Prisons”. Woody will speak of his own Buddhist practice and what his life was like “inside”and his new life as a free man on the “outside.”