Home › Volunteering/Overview & Part-time

Volunteering Overview

Volunteering at the Nyingma Institute

Nyingma Institute staff, faculty, and residents are volunteers. Many of them have been full-time volunteers for many years, devoting their time and talents to making the vision of the Nyingma Institute a reality.

The Institute welcomes members of its student body or other interested people to help maintain its grounds and buildings and to help promote its activities and participate in sacred art or other projects that the Institute sponsors.

If you wish to volunteer full-time and are able to make at least a six-month commitment, you may qualify for our Resident Volunteer Program. If you just have a few hours a week or month that you would like to offer, contact our part-time volunteer coordinator, Lynn Olechnowicz at (510) 809-1000 or Nyingma-Institute@Nyingma.org

 PART-TIME VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Create and Preserve the Nyingma Institute’s Beauty and Functionality

 Part-time volunteers are needed for a variety of projects, including:

  • Gardening: Our gardens require planting, watering, pruning, and grooming. We can use those with gardening skills and those who are willing to learn how to care for the lush grounds.
  • Maintenance and Machine Repair: Those skilled in machine repair or construction trades (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, masons) can help maintain our equipment and keep our buildings in good repair to keep our students and residents safe and comfortable.
  • Cleaning: Beautifying and cleaning the buildings and grounds is an ongoing task. Cleaning tasks include light work such as sweeping and dusting as well as heavier work like shampooing carpets.
  • Sewing: Curtains and door hangings regularly need remaking or repair.
  • Office Work: Data entry, mailing, and other office tasks help keep the Institute running smoothly.
  • IT work: Institute computers and software need regular attention.
  • Sacred Art, Prayer Wheels, and Prayer Flags: Join with other Institute students and friends in helping to preserve the artistic, textual, and ritual traditions of Tibet.

RESIDENTAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Live, Work and Study at the Nyingma Instititue

Resident volunteers immerse themselves in a life of service, personal development, and learning that integrates work with study. Volunteers live at the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley in shared rooms and receive vegetarian meals, a small living expense stipend, and a full scholarship for Institute classes and workshops. For more information visit the Resident Program page

.