Volunteer Guidelines

• Living and Learning: Our Volunteer Program involves a living and learning experience here in the ashram. Due to the importance of our projects, we encourage volunteers to stay for a minimum of 3 months. We may accept those who wish to stay for a shorter period on a case-by-case basis. For full-time volunteers (at least 6 hours for at least 6 days of the week), the program offers full room and three meals a day.
• Work Hours: While we do encourage a healthy balance between working and enjoying ashram life, we do on occasion, work on deadlines, which may require late hours. In general, our volunteers work between 6-8 hours depending mainly on need. Albeit, we hope and strive our best to make the volunteer experience such that the volunteer forgets tracking hours and becomes joyfully immersed in the seva (volunteering experience).
• Quality: It is assumed that all volunteers will work to produce the highest quality work they are able to as a responsible member of any one of the multiple teams in our office. Also, all of the work presented to the office is the property of the office and it will be assumed that the entire work is original and any material taken from other sources is cited.
• Culture: Volunteers are first members of the ashram and then volunteers so they are expected to adhere to all of the ashram rules and regulations and remain conscious of the cultural context of the ashram in the dress code, behavior, and persona (see next page for details)
• Early Leave Notice: Volunteers who apply for a specific period and have to leave earlier than planned must provide two-week’s notice.
• Confidentiality: Any and all research, materials, reports, and contacts made during and after the duration of the volunteer shall remain the property of Parmarth Niketan and shall not be shared without express consent from management.
• Sadhana & Seva: Seva (volunteering) is selfless service and the fruit of true selflessness and loving benevolence springs naturally from the roots of Sadhana (spiritual practice). Engaging in any form of Sadhana, like meditation, yoga or satsang (spiritual discourses), is not mandatory, albeit it is the key to ensuring your seva here is focused and meaningful. The synergy of our sevak’s (volunteer’s) positive outlook and energy helps us excel in our mission to serve Mother Earth, Mother Nature and Mother Ganga.
• Application Process: Although, we are a family of dedicated volunteers and staff, our office is structured with various roles and responsibilities that have been designed to maintain the structure and progress of work while ensuring project goals are met. Typically, applicants are reviewed in a two-step process. First, we review the resume/CV and application and then, we follow up with an in person or Skype interview.

Ashram Protocol

• Kindly observe and adhere to truth, non-violence, self-discipline, and polite etiquette.
• All (both men and women) are required to dress modestly and soberly, in a way that shows respect for the tradition of ashram life. We request that no shorts, sleeveless shirts, or other revealing clothing is worn.
• No strangers or persons who are not mentioned on the admission form are allowed to be invited or entertained in the rooms.
• It is the resident’s responsibility to keep his/her room clean and tidy. Rooms should always remain in the same condition as when they were assigned.
• Please refrain from picking flowers and littering.
• If you are eating your meals at the ashram, please be punctual. Meals will only be served during the posted times.
• No pets are allowed.
• The following are strictly prohibited: smoking, drinking intoxicants, using illicit drugs, eating egg or other non-vegetarian foods, playing cards, radios, or TVs.
• Please do not oblige anyone by directly providing money, clothes or tips of any kind. Whatever help you want to give, please donate it to the office, and it will be distributed where it is most needed.

Emergency Contact Information

References

Please give 2 references we can contact, one personal and one professional. [Not family members]

Cover Letter

• Why do you wish to volunteer at Parmarth Niketan Ashram?
• What appeals to you about our volunteer / seva program?
• Share your past experiences which are relevant to volunteering at Parmarth Niketan.
• What do you wish to experience here?
• What do you think may be the challenges and opportunities?
• How do you feel about living in an ashram/spiritual community?
• What does service / being a volunteer mean to you?