Get Involved Work Exchange Program
The Work Exchange Program allows volunteers to exchange volunteer hours for a stay at our on-site accommodations or for attendance at a paid class series or retreat.
This is a wonderful program for those who would like to learn and practice dharma and reflect on their lives but have financial limitations.
The ultimate goal of our practice is to lead all sentient beings to liberation from suffering, which is the Mahayana ideal, and the bodhisattva’s aspiration. By volunteering at the Won Dharma Center, one can not only serve others, but also consolidate one’s aspiration, and deepen one’s practice, refreshing one’s life.
In the Work Exchange Program, your volunteer hours are recorded and “banked” so that you can use them to attend any of our various programs, such as retreats or classes, or simply exchange them for room and meal accommodations.
For instance, your service of six hours of simple work (e.g. housekeeping or kitchen help) allows you to stay for free at our on-campus, very comfortable twin bed accommodation. This includes three wholesome and nutritious meals. If you want to work three hours a day, you can pay $30 for that night’s stay and meals.
Volunteer work can be as simple as food preparation, clean-up, gardening or simple office tasks, or it can be more skilled or experienced work, such as website designing/building, or video production and editing. More benefits will accrue in exchange for skilled work requiring more experience and for the service of the Dedicated Volunteers (see Volunteering page for details).
In a serene, spiritual environment with beautiful natural surroundings, working with like-minded dharma friends is a wonderful experience for learning and practicing the dharma. All volunteers can participate in all of the on-going regular programs: the daily morning meditation and the evening chanting or sitting/moving meditation, regular dharma services, and, if desired, receive personal guidance from our resident dharma teachers.
Through this bodhisattva volunteering activity, you can deepen your practice, empower your mind, create merit and revitalize your life.
Types of Work Exchange:
I. ' Day Of Event ' Work Exchange
By volunteering X hours, you can join that day’s event/retreat for free. To participate in a ‘Day of Event’ Work Exchange you must arrive at least one or two hours early to help with kitchen work and setting up and/or stay a couple of hours after the event to help with other things such as clean-up. You must also be available to help during part of the lunch break or rest period if needed.
II. Retreat Work Exchange
Volunteering X hours during a retreat will allow you to receive a full or partial discount for that retreat. Simple work in the kitchen, housekeeping, or meditation hall cleaning will be credited at the rate of $10 per hour. To participate in Retreat Work Exchange, you can arrive a couple of days early to provide help and then work less during the actual retreat. During rest periods or part of the mealtime, you must also be available to help.
III. Prior Work Exchange
When you volunteer prior to the date of the class or retreat that you wish to attend, the number of hours is “banked” and exchanged later to cover the fee for that retreat or class.
Volunteers need to inform the Coordinator of Volunteers of all hours served by recording the number of service hours in the Volunteer Work Hours Binder, so that they can be “banked” (entered into our database) for later redemption.
Each day of every week, without the volunteers’ generous giving of their time and skills, the Won Dharma Center cannot function smoothly. Your willingness to serve is greatly appreciated.
To realize its vision of purifying people’s minds and helping to heal society, the Won Dharma Center needs much help in a number of areas. The staff and teachers at the Won Dharma Center greatly appreciate all the service of the hidden bodhisattvas.
If you are interested in or have questions about the Work Exchange Program, please feel free to contact the Coordinator of Volunteers at (518) 851-2581 or e-mail
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You will be contacted shortly.
To Apply:
Volunteer Application (PDF)
Volunteer Application (Word)
Please return your completed form to:
Coordinator of Volunteers
P.O. Box 400
Claverack, NY, 12513
or by fax at (518) 851-2582