Volunteer with Us
Become a volunteer and gain experience in copywriting, editing, proofreading, production, distribution, public relations, promotions, event planning, graphic design, marketing, website development, film production, and more. Liven up your resume and benefit your own career development. Meet other dedicated people with the same interests as yourself; not to mention supporting and nourishing the worldwide Buddhist Theravadin bhikkhuni and fourfold sanghas.
You will be asked to commit five to ten hours per week, depending on where your skills and interests lie and on our current production deadlines. Online planning meetings are generally held once per month in the evening. Volunteers receive a free subscription to Present magazine, the opportunity to interact with bhikkhunis who are making history, as well as some great karma every now and then, too!
"Our true wealth is our growing volunteer staff that is dedicated to helping Theravadan bhikkhunis worldwide. Please join us - welcome!" - AfB Founder & President Susan Pembroke
Current Volunteer Opportunity - Volunteer Managing Editor
Position: Managing Editor, Present
Location: Work from home
Context: Present is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer with strong writing, editing, proofreading, critical-thinking and management skills to join our production team. Present is a California-based publication that publishes bi-annual issues of essays, non-fiction, scholarly articles, news, and reviews about - and relevant to - Buddhist Theravadin bhikkhunis and lay women. Applicants who are Theravada meditation practitioners, or who have knowledge about Theravada Buddhism including Suttas and Vinaya, are preferred.
Position Abstract: The Managing Editor work closely with the Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor to oversee the day-to-day operations of the publication. The position requires someone who has an interest in magazine publishing and developing leadership skills. Education in English, communications, or journalism, and experience with HTML and using Adobe Dreamweaver are preferred. Experience with Photoshop and InDesign is an asset.
The Managing Editor:
- Facilitates all areas of the publication’s production including writing articles, content acquisition, editing, proofreading, and posting the content online and via e-newsletter.
- Acts as a liaison to contributors.
- Manages and responds to emails with monsatics, academics, lay people, and AfB board members.
- Manages the "Present" website.
- Represents the publication at events as required.
- Attends editorial board planning meetings (via tele-conferencing).
Skills:
- Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills
- Excellent people and communication skills
- Knowledge of writing techniques and forms
- Project management and event planning
- Ability to coordinate and direct people
- Ability to work independently from home but interact as part of a team
- Excellent time management skills
- Experience managing volunteers and developing volunteerism
- Flexibility and ability to repsond effectively in time-pressured situations
To Apply: Mail your cover letter and resume (and a link to your portfolio or other website, if applicable) to Jobs at the Afb.
Current Volunteer Opportunity - Junior to Intermediate Web Developer
Position: Intermediate Web Developer
Location: Work from home
Context: The AfB is entering into an exciting period of change. Positive development and increased volunteer involvement is helping us to move towards growth and expansion. But we need the help and expertise of a willing volunteer web developer to assist us in the critical area of our improving out website. This will enable us to reach out and keep the fourfold sangha up to date, attract new interest, and continue to develop our overall brand.
Position Abstract: The Alliance or Bhikkhunis is a non-profit agency that serves the worldwide Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha and aims to educate the worldwide Fourfold Sangha. We are seeking a volunteer that can assist us in the development and maintenance of a new website for the AfB and for "Present", our bi-annual publication.
The Web Developer:
- Design and develop web pages and web sites. You don't need a large portfolio (we know a lot of you are looking to build your portfilio), but basic familiarity and experience with web development is expected. We can support and mentor you as you learn, but we cannot train you from scratch.
- Develop innovative solutions to improve the organization and delivery of online information to our readers, members, and partners.
- Have knowledge of creating online forms and accessibility issues, or a willingness to learn (quickly...it's not that hard).
- Must be able to work with non-tech individuals and monastics to understand their needs and requirements and translate them to the online world.
- Spell-check, grammar-check, and consitency-check the website.
- Represent the publication at events as required.
- Have access to their own design and coding tools. As long as you have access to your preerred set of tools, we're flexible on how you get the job done (we use Dreamweaver CS4 for basic site management).
Skills:
- HTML/XHTML, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, databases (min. 2 yrs)
- Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop (min. 2 yrs)
- Knowledge of graphic design
- Excellent people and communication skills
- Project management experience
- Ability to work independently from home but interact as part of a team
- Excellent time management skills
- Flexibility and ability to repsond effectively in time-pressured situations
- ASP/VB Script, ASP.NET/VB.NET, and C# (nice to have)
- Winform, Reddot, and XML/XSLT (nice to have)
To Apply: Mail your cover letter and resume (and a link to your portfolio or other website, if applicable) to Jobs at the Afb.
Current Volunteer Opportunity - Film Editor
Position: Film Editor
Location: Work from home
Context: We are seeking the assistance of a seasoned film editor to edit interviews of Thai and Sri Lankan bhikkhunis for our upcoming documentary about the Theravadin Bhikkhuni Sangha. We are also seeking field (shooting) and editing assistance with a documentary on the changing monastic landscape in Thailand.
Position Abstract: Help with producing and editing video to be used on DVD and in various online multimedia formats. This will mainly involve editing but there will also be opportunities to shoot material in the field.
The Film Editor:
- Edits film to create short video clips.
- Exports productions for web use.
- Writes and updates user manual for editing.
- Shoots quality video.
- Logs footage.
Skills:
- Experience with Final Cut, Premiere Pro, Avid, or other film editing software
- Experience with shooting video
- Excellent people and communication skills
- Ability to coordinate and direct people
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent time management skills
- Commitment to occupational health and safety
- Experience managing volunteers and developing volunteerism
- Flexibility and ability to repsond effectively in time-pressured situations
To Apply: Mail your cover letter and resume (and a link to your portfolio or other website, if applicable) to Jobs at the Afb.
Current Volunteer Opportunity - Grant Writer
Position: Grant Writer
Location: Work from home
Context: We are looking for a grant writer to help us fund our Bhikkhuni Vihara development initiatives, educational and support programs, healthcare initiatives, and lay outreach initiatives through grants and donations.
Position Abstract: Volunteer grant writer to help the AfB identify sources of funding and develop grant proposals in a timely manner and in proper format.
The Grant Writer:
- Researches foundations, non-profits and corporations to identiy possible grant opportunities.
- Contacts funders to deterkmine our eligibility for grants.
- Reviews materials provided by the funder to properly submit grant proposals based on their policies and guidelines.
- Writes and submits grant applications and follow up with funders and potential funders.
Skills:
- Knowledge of basic fundraising techniques and strategies
- Experience in grant writing
- Excellent research skills
- Proficient in MS Office and familiar with databases such as Excel and Access, and other web-beased research software
- Excellent people and communication skills
- Flexibility and ability to repsond effectively in time-pressured situations
- Ability to work independently from home but interact as part of a team
- Serious commitment to the mission
- Willingness to put forth the effort and donate the time needed for success
- Non-profit and/or NGO experience preferred
To Apply: Mail your cover letter and resume (and a link to your portfolio or other website, if applicable) to Jobs at the Afb.
Other ways to be involved:
- Link to our website so that others can find us.
- Exchange relevant links.
- Volunteer to assist with fund-raising and other projects and efforts.
- Forward our mailings to fellow practitioners.
- Include articles about us in your newsletters, webs, and publications.
- Once a year offer the dana collected at your organization’s Dhamma talks or retreats to the Alliance For Bhikkhunis.
- Remember AFB in your trust or will.
- Visit our links and become knowledgeable about the challenges facing bhikkhunis. As you learn more, you’ll discover where you can be of service.
- Let us know how we can improve. We welcome suggestions and feedback