Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

SPECIAL SKILLS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

How do I become a Special Skills Volunteer?
Submit an application, cover letter, and resume to Roy Remer (roy@zenhospice.org). Be sure to indicate which type of work you are interested in.

Where do Special Skills volunteers work? 
We currently have two sites where we place Special Skills volunteers:

• Our administrative office
• Our Guest House residential care facility

What skills are needed?

• At our administrative office, we need help with data entry, fundraising mailings, filing, editing, IT support, and the like.
• At the Guest House, we primarily need help with kitchen support for food production and meal service and maintenance/repairs. Occasionally we need help with massage, grocery shopping, and flower arranging.
• Even if you do not feel you have a particular skill to offer, please contact us. It is quite likely we can assign you to a weekly project. Your intention and availability to serve is the primary prerequisite.

What is the Special Skill Volunteer commitment?
We ask for a commitment of 2-4 hours per week for a minimum of 3-6 months.  Actual scheduling varies by project.

Is there any training required? 
Prior to volunteering with us, you will need to participate in an orientation specific to the site where you will serve. Depending on the type of project you take on, we may require you to enroll in our Providing End-of-Life Care 2-day workshop. All Special Skills Volunteers will be encouraged to participate in our public education programs to learn more about our particular approach to service and end-of-life care.

Will I need any health screening or clearance from my physician? 
Depending on where you serve, we may require that you provide proof of a recent TB test result. For instance, a Special Skills Volunteer at our Gough Street office would not be required to have a TB test, whereas someone serving at our Guest House facility would.

Is the Special Skills Volunteer Program a way for me to become a Volunteer Caregiver? 
It is not. If you serve with us as a Special Skills Volunteer, you will still be required to apply to the Caregiver Volunteer program as anyone else would. Please click here for more information on the Volunteer Caregiver application process. 

If you have any remaining questions about the Special Skills Volunteer program, please contact Roy Remer, Volunteer Manager.

VOLUNTEER CAREGIVER PROGRAM

What is the Volunteer Caregiver commitment?
Our Volunteer Caregivers commit to one year of service. This includes one weekly shift of five hours (morning, afternoon or evening), one day per week (weekdays and weekends). Shifts are the same week to week. In addition, Volunteer Caregivers commit to participating in monthly Community Meetings held on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:45pm to 9:00pm. All volunteers are invited to twice-yearly meditation retreats with a teacher from one of many spiritual traditions. Volunteers in their first year must also attend all additional training sessions, as listed on the training schedule.

What if I'm not a Zen Buddhist?
We welcome all spiritual traditions and wish to encourage a pluralistic community. As Buddhist practice forms the basis of our approach, we nurture a community where contemplative practice is a core value.

Do I need to have medical experience to be a Volunteer Caregiver ?
No. Volunteers work with a team of skilled professionals, who provide the specific medical and clinical services of hospice care. The volunteer contribution to the hospice caregiving community is not medical but rather psychosocial, providing compassionate companionship, and a listening heart.

I volunteered in the past and want to come back. How can I start up again? 
Any former Volunteer Caregiver is welcome to find a place in our current community. Because changes are always happening in the care environments where we work, you will be asked to participate in a workshop-style training to give you the latest information you need to serve effectively. To begin volunteering again, you will need to complete a Volunteer Caregiver application and have an interview with Roy Remer, Guest House Volunteer Manager.

Are there other ways to volunteer besides as Volunteer Caregiver?
Yes, through our Special Skills Volunteer Program individuals offer general services that provide invaluable support to Zen Hospice Project. Special Skills Program Volunteers have access to structured learning opportunities and gain insight into our unique model of end-of-life care.

Can I be a Volunteer Caregiver to fulfill a degree program's clinical hours requirement? 
No. We welcome persons currently enrolled in educational programs, however neither the Volunteer Caregiver or Special Skills Volunteer program can be used to meet clinical hours requirements. 

How do I apply for the next Volunteer Caregiver training?
Simply download an application (PDF). Or request a hard copy application by contacting Zen Hospice Project at 415-913-7682 X104. The application invites you to take the time for reflection on what hospice volunteering means to you. Heartfelt and considered responses are desired. Complete the application and email, mail, or fax it to us. 

When do I apply for the Volunteer Caregiver training?
We accept applications on an on-going basis and review them all approximately two months before the next scheduled training.  Early application is recommended, as the number of participants in each training is limited.  Applications that we receive after our review period has begun will be held for the following training. 

Where does the Volunteer Caregiver training take place?
The training usually occurs at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco. Check the training schedule for more details.

How much does the Volunteer Caregiver training cost?
There is a $250 fee, which covers a portion of the costs for our comprehensive training. Fees are payable after acceptance. Payment plans can be arranged.

What happens after I apply? 
Your application will be reviewed by our Director of Volunteer Services. For selected applicants we then schedule in-person interviews in advance of the next training. Acceptance into the program is based on your application and interview. An important aspect of a candidate’s application is the reasonability of keeping the commitment we ask. Upon review of your application you will be contacted for one of the following reasons:

1. To schedule an interview to determine if you will be joining the next training.
2. To indicate that the training cohort is already full and your application will be forwarded to a future training.
3. To indicate that your application is being declined.

If you have any remaining questions about the Volunteer Caregiver program, please contact Roy Remer, Guest House Volunteer Manager.

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