"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive."
― Dalai Lama XIV

Volunteer Information

All volunteers will be required to attend a mandatory session on Wednesday, Oct 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom on our Westside campus. Your participation in this session is critical to your success as a volunteer. If there are extenuating circumstances that will prevent you from attending one of these training sessions, please send a note to thevisit@wcsu.edu for case-by-case review.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering during His Holiness’s 2012 visit to WCSU.  Volunteers play an integral role in the success of the visit. Your support is greatly appreciated.

The October visit by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama will feature two days of events for the university community as well as for visitors from around the world. These events will provide many opportunities for individuals interested in volunteering.  If you have time and want to take advantage of the opportunity to join us in organizing such beneficial events, please register through our contact form below - we will get in touch with you soon!

There is a need for two types of volunteers:

  • Long-term volunteers: Volunteers who wish to join our team starting September 2012 or earlier if available, in order to assist with preparations in the lead-up to the visit in October. The skills we need on our team include computer efficiency (MS Outlook, Word, Excel), preferably some experience in office environment, good communication skills, etc.  Tasks would include checking and distributing e-mails, correspondence, answering the office phone, assistance with online registration, and managing data.
  • Short-term volunteers: Volunteers who would join the team during the visit in order to assist at the Oct. 18 & 19 events. You will need to attend volunteer training prior to the visit. The skills we need for those wishing to assist at the events include assistance with entry of attendees, ushering, assistance with staging requirements, Sangha & VIP care, security and information desk officer.

Most volunteers will be needed for the events on Oct. 18 & 19 at the WCSU Westside campus, Danbury, Conn.

 (Please note, there will be limited seating available at the public talks for volunteers so please do not assume that because you are volunteering that you will have a seat or automatically gain entry to the events).

It is important to note that the volunteer opportunities will span a wide variety of assignments. Many of the assignments will be inside the event venues (ticket taking, ushering, etc.). There is a need, however, for volunteers assisting outside the event venue (box office, way-finding, etc.), and even at satellite parking lots. Your assignment may change depending on needs, and you may be rotated through multiple assignments during your shift.

All volunteers may be asked to assist with set-up/clean-up before and after the events during your shift time. As a volunteer, we request that you are flexible and willing to help.

As a token of our appreciation, all volunteers who complete the minimum of a full five-hour shift will receive an exclusive “The Visit 2012” volunteer shirt. Additionally, depending on the time of your shift, beverages and light breakfast or lunch will be provided.

All volunteers will be required to attend a mandatory training session (either Friday, Sept. 28, or Saturday, Sept. 29) on our Westside campus. Your participation in this informative training session is critical to your success as a volunteer. If there are extenuating circumstances that will prevent you from attending one of these training sessions, please send a note with your form for case-by-case review.

Please complete the volunteer form and submit it online. Email you questions to thevisit@wcsu.edu.

We thank you very much for your interest in volunteering for The Visit 2012, and we hope that you find the experience personally rewarding. By donating your time, you will not only be helping your community, but you will be helping to further the work that the Dalai Lama is here to support.