"Do your utmost, regardless of who stands to gain or lose."
Join us as a volunteer at DDM. Together, we learn from the Bodhisattvas and their vows to serve others and contribute ourselves. In embarking on a learning journey to develop our wisdom and compassion, we help spread Buddhadharma far and wide. In helping others, we also benefit ourselves.
Volunteers in DDM
Dharma Drum Mountain is a Buddhist society advocating the protection of spiritual environment. In this society, every volunteer is a Bodhisattva of Myriad Practices. Master Sheng Yen once said, “Myriad practices do not mean omnipotent, it is serving others as needed regardless of position high or low. We do whatever is necessary when no one else is doing it. We yield the way when others have been on it.” Let’s give rise to great compassion and make vows to dedicate ourselves to the service of others, so that we’ll be cultivating the fields of merits and blessings, benefit ourselves and others as well.
We welcome everyone join us on the Bodhisattva Path and practice the Boddhisattva Way.
Volunteer groups
DDM Toronto operations are supported by volunteers in two areas; 1) Administrative Operations, 2) Practice and Course Activities
There are seven functional teams in Administrative Operations: Reception, Facility Management, Food Preparation, Multimedia Promotion, Translation, IT, Accounting / Treasurer. The Practice and Course Activities Team include Meditation and Dharma Services
1. Reception
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Greet and welcome visitors
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Provide activity and event information
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Receive donation and issue receipts
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Manage library and bookstore inventory
2. Facility Management
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Purchase supplies, clean and maintain the Centre
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Conduct maintenance routines for utilities and air conditioning system
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Repair tools and equipment
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Support event setup and takedown
3. Food Preparation
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Prepare food and meals for events
4. Multimedia Promotion
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Promote events on websites, Facebook and other platforms
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Create and edit promotional contents
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Create and design flyers and posters
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Take videos during events and provide video editing support
5. Translation
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Provide Chinese-English Interpretation during events
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Provide Chinese-English translation of promotional material
6. IT
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Manage video/audio equipment and network systems
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Provide IT support to maintain video, audio, and internet connection for both onsite and online activities
7. Accounting / Treasurer
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Perform monthly updates to QuickBooks
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Prepare and send out year-end donation tax receipts
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File tax returns and submit reports for auditing
8. Meditation
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Organize and lead regular meditation activities
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Provide Chan Hall related supervision and support during retreats and meditation-related events
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Assist Sangha or Chan Teacher during retreats and meditation-related events
9. Dharma Service
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Organize Dharma assemblies and related actives for Buddhist services and celebrations
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Conduct Dharma instruments and chanting during Dharma assemblies and services
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Set up and take down venue decorations and required arrangements for Dharma assemblies and services
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Provide chanting and caring support for the families of the deceased