Center Committees
Life should be chiefly service…Every good action that you perform digs like a pickax into the soil of consciousness and brings forth a little spray from the fountain of God’s joy. - Paramahansa Yogananda
The Atlanta Center of Self-Realization is solely supported by members and friends. The members volunteer at the Center and serve in various capacities, supporting the events and activities which are held and sponsored by the Atlanta Center. We sincerely Thank You for your interest in committee services.
If you would like to join the volunteers in helping support Guruji’s work here at the Atlanta Center, we invite you to fill out a Volunteer Application Form. Share in the fellowship and joy that springs from volunteering at Guruji’s Atlanta Center.
Committee | Responsibilities | Time | Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
Archives | Digital cataloging all Atlanta material (photos, event programs); transfer of photos to digital storage; working with Photography Committee to ensure all events are documented & to store photos for future retrieval. | On-going | Lesson Student |
Arts and Crafts | Serving by creating a range of handmade items- devotional, practical and decorative- which are offered for sale at the Atlanta Center fundraising events. | Independent work at home | None |
Advertising Coordinator | Arranges for the publication of ads for the Atlanta Center. Works with Mother Center to produce ads, and the outreach coordinator for special event needs | On-going, as needed | Lesson Student |
Book Room | Knowledge of Masters writings and publications, IT and computer knowledge helpful. | Once a month | Lesson student or Kriyaban |
Building and Maintenance | Work with the Committee chair to perform small building repairs and maintenance, report issues. | On-going | Maintenance/ electrical/ plumbing experience |
Christmas Holiday Charity Outreach | Join the Atlanta Center by providing Christmas cheer to those in need. Help coordinate gifts and member participation, working with the chosen charity. | Annually in November | Christmas spirit! |
Cleaning Committee | Help the Atlanta Center keep a beautiful environment by joining our cleaning committee. | Once a month Friday afternoons and any time Saturday | Lesson Student preferred |
Family Room | Providing a spiritual environment whereby parents can participate in the Sunday meditation service by providing care for small children on Sundays | One Sunday a month from 10 to 11am during meditation service | Parent coordinated |
Flower Committee | Create beautiful altar arrangements for the sanctuary and other areas, as needed. Training in flower arranging is provided by members of the committee, long-term commitment desired. Must be physically able to maneuver large arrangements. Willing to purchase flowers and be reimbursed | Once every 4-6 weeks: 4 hours arranging | Lesson student or Kriyaban, no experience necessary. 3 months apprenticeship |
Gardening | Seasonal needs: Spring and Fall, works with the gardening committee chair | As needed | Enjoy working outdoors |
Handy Man | Electrical, plumbing, carpenter skills needed and utilized | When needed On-going | Anyone |
Head Service reader and assistant coordinator | Coordinate and schedule service readers for Thursday, Sunday, extended meditation services and special events. Post schedule and send reminders to readers. Head annual meeting for readers, or additional meetings as requested. | On-going | Kriyaban and needs to be highly organized |
Kirtan Meditation | Playing devotional Kirtan during monthly Center services. Includes lay members who have monastic approval to lead meditations. New members 1st observe Kirtan at Sunday service | Once a month, special services and events | Lesson Student or Kriyaban with musical ability |
Managing Council | Supervise and coordinate the different functions of the Atlanta Center. | On-going. Monthly meetings | Monastic approved, Responsible, organized Kriyaban |
Monastic Quarters Committee | Cleaning the quarters and preparing for visiting monastics. Putting food in the quarters. | Approx. 4 - 5 times a year, depending on amount of visits | Kriyaban preferred |
New-Comer Packet Coordinator | Coordinates the assembly of our Newcomer packets. Prints materials, orders covers, and orders materials from Mother Center for Packet assembly. Coordinates packet assembly and replenishes supplies, arranges or supervises packet assembly. | Flexible schedule. Can do off-site or on-site. 1x a month | Lesson Student, must be organized and responsible |
Photography | Contributing to the welcoming environment at the Atlanta Center with documentary & inspirational photos; conveying the joy of participating as attendees/ volunteers at Atlanta Center; documenting events for future reference/ archives. | Flexible; Atlanta Center Special Events | Familiarity with use of cameras and taking photos |
Service Readers | First and Second: Read Master's teachings at Sunday Meditation and reading services. Must be able to arrive early and set up AV equipment, and to ensure proper closing of the center, as well as assign someone to help - | As scheduled, approximately once every month. 9am to1pm | Kriyaban, Monastic approval required. Harmonium ability helpful. |
Set-up/ Take-down | Helping to make various Center events look & feel special; having fun together as a “hands on” committee-- doing set-up and take-down of chairs, tables, props for “Special Events”. Examples: Monastic visits, outreach events, Kriya reviews, concerts and special celebrations. | Flexible; During Special events | Enthusiasm! (a strong back helps, but not required for moving chairs) |
Special Event Monastic Visitation Meal Coordinator | Arranging for special meals for the entire congregation during events and monastic visits. May arrange meals from congregates or catering. Coordinates through the Hospitality Committee Chair. | During Special Events, Approximately 4 to 6 times a year | Kriyaban Preferred |
Sunday Refreshment Prep | Setting up juice, water, tea and light refreshments and cleaning up after the Sunday refreshment service. Making note of supplies needed (you may still attend some service). | Sunday 1x/ every two months from 9:20 till 12:40 | Lesson Student |
Sunday School | Helping children gain a greater understanding of our Guru’s teachings - which gives them a glimpse of their own potential - is a major goal of the Sunday School program. Motivating the students to develop a personal relationship with God is achieved through discussion, prayer, meditation. | Once a month 11:00 am. to 12:00 pm | Kriyaban: teacher: Monastic approval. Lesson Student: Assistant. |
Sunshine Committee | Committee members form a network to coordinate short term, non-professional aid to other Center members facing crisis situations. | Flexible; as necessary | Kriyaban |
Telephone Message Response | Conveying Master’s hospitality by answering messages and call questions about the Atlanta Center, events and services, hours, directions, schedule of events. | 2 people, alternate every 2 weeks. Pick up messages 3 times a week. | Lesson Student; brief training answering service system |
Thanksgiving Food Drive | Be Master’s smile millionaire: help to coordinate food collection with calendar announcements and donation baskets before and up to the holiday. Benefits the Atlanta food bank. | Annually 3 to 4 weeks prior to Thanksgiving holiday | None |
Usher Coordinator and Assistant | Schedule and coordinate all ushers. Apprise of duties and dress code. Conduct annual meetings. Assistant works with coordinator to make sure ushers are scheduled and trained. | On-going | Kriyaban Preferred |
Ushers | Join Master’s smile millionaires and serve as an Atlanta Center Ambassador. We are a dynamic team of men & women serving at all services and special events sharing helpfulness and friendship with all of our guests. Ushering is an excellent way to stay connected with the Gurus, make friends, and become part of the Atlanta Center family. | Usually once a month | Lesson Student men & women |