Do not postpone the cultivation of devotion to God. Start serving God through service to your fellow-beings. Every act of service, however small, is service to the Divine.— Sathya Sai Sai Speaks vol16 page 18, 1983

GUIDELINES

MOST SERVICE ACTIVITES REQUIRE 1 TO 3 HOURS COMMITMENT

Altar Team
Wednesday/Thursday

This group goes up to the campsite a few days before the retreat to set up the altar. Support is needed at the campsite on Wednesday/Thursday before the retreat. Please sign up for this service by selecting to come and help on Wednesday/Thursday during registration.

Audio/Visual Support
All Days

This group takes care of the Audio/Visual system requirements during the retreat. They help transport, set up and monitor sound systems for SSE programs, Young Adults meeting room and workshop venues.

Camp Setup
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

Committed volunteers are needed to transform the campsite into an ashram, where all can enjoy an uplifting, spiritual experience. This is done on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Setup needs to be completed prior to our first bhajan session on Friday evening. A large number of volunteers are needed in the devotion hall to help with setting up of the altar, decorations, placing signs and banners throughout the campsite, and setting up devotion and dining halls.

Camp Cleanup
Monday Afternoon

We all want to beat the traffic and head home as soon as possible, but our goal is to leave the camp in a better condition than when we arrived. If you can stay back and help with the camp cleanup, it would be greatly appreciated. Please note that this is a much needed service. We are very grateful to those who assist in our retreat’s closing activities.

Cabin Cleanup
Monday Afternoon

This service involves going to each cabin and ensuring that the cabin and the restrooms therein are returned clean and report any "lost and found" to the service desk. Please note that this is a much needed service. We are very grateful to those who assist in our retreat’s closing activities.

Devotion Hall Cleanup
Monday Afternoon

This service involves taking down of props and cleaning up of Devotion Hall on Sunday afternoon after all the programs. This also includes getting all items into the storage room and organizing. Please note that this is a much-needed service. We are very grateful to those who assist in our retreat’s closing activities.

Devotion Hall Maintenance
All days

Maintenance of the devotion hall, including ushering of devotees, preparing for programs/workshops, etc.

Dining Hall (Excludes Kitchen/Cooking)
6-8am, 11am-2pm and 5-8pm

This service involves setting up the dining area, keeping it clean, and lovingly serving all devotees. Please note that this seva does not involve cooking. Do not check off this service for the period that you are participating in cooking a meal with your center.

Kitchen
All Days

Support staff for service opportunities in the kitchen - including chopping, prepping, cooking meals and clean-up.

Kitchen Cleanup
Monday Afternoon

This service involves cleaning up the kitchen and the dining area after the early lunch on Sunday. Please note that this is a much needed service. We are very grateful to those who assist in our retreat’s closing activities.

Luggage Support
All days

This group will assist in transporting devotees' luggage to/from the parking lots, registration area and the cabins.

Medical Service
All Days

Doctors and support staff will be available on call to deal with medical emergencies. Please contact the Service Leads mentioned under the "Guidelines" section if you are an Allopathic/Osteopathic Physician licensed to practice in the State of Pennsylvania and interested in providing Medical / Emergency Support during the Retreat.

Parking Lot/Main Gate
6am-11am, 11am-5pm, 5pm-10pm

This is the first impression that devotees will get of the retreat. After a long journey, seeing a friendly, helpful parking attendant will go a long way in making the devotee feel welcome.

Recycling
All Days

Working with camp authorities to separate recyclable materials for easy disposal.

Photography
All Days

Capturing campsite events for posterity.

Sanitation
7:30am-8:30am, 12pm-1:30pm, 5:30pm-7pm

These volunteers keep an eye on the rest rooms and other areas. Supplies and other resources will be provided.

Service Desk
Two hour slots from 7am to 10pm

These volunteers will be at the service desk which forms the central point of contact for devotees for all their needs. Service desk functions include matching attendees to the service activities they have committed to, serving as lost and found, disseminating messages, managing emergencies, dispatching golf carts, etc. They will ensure that problems with cabins are dealt with appropriately. They will have directions and information about nearest hospitals, hotels, bus stations, super markets, and other facilities

Shoe Service
Two hour slots from 8am to 10pm

In the devotion hall, help is needed in arranging and maintaining the shoes in an orderly fashion.

SSE Activity Support
Saturday, Sunday

This involves working with SSE children. Please note that you will miss some of the main program and/or bhajans.We need SSE Parents and SSE Teachers to volunteer as Helping Hand.

For additional information, please contact:

Viji Ramanan, Region 1 SSE Coordinator (vramanan@sathyasai.us)

Chetan Bhatt, Region 2 SSE Coordinator (cbhatt@optonline.net)

SSE Refreshments
Saturday, Sunday Morning & Afternoon, Monday Morning

This involves supplying SSE students with snacks and water during breaks in the morning and afternoon and during SSE Games.

SSE Games
Saturday/Sunday Afternoon

This involves helping the SSE children in their outdoor games and activities.

For additional information, please contact:

Viji Ramanan, Region 1 SSE Coordinator (vramanan@sathyasai.us)

Chetan Bhatt, Region 2 SSE Coordinator (cbhatt@optonline.net)

Swami's Room
Two hour slots from 6am to 10pm

Volunteers are needed to maintain the tranquility around Swami's room in two-hour slots from early morning till late evening.

Transportation (External)
All Days

This group takes care of rides to/from the nearest bus station, airport etc.

Videography
All days - during programs

This is an aspect where memories created are kept for many years after the event. This will be a major service to all the devotees who are unable to attend the retreat or who were providing valuable seva in the areas identified in this section. Retreat videos are posted on the regional website. If you have camcorders/video equipment and are good at using them, then please consider signing up for this seva.

Wake up Bell
Saturday, Sunday, Monday - Morning 5am

This service involves "arousing" the devotees from their slumber and alerting them to the start of a day filled with spiritual activities. Please check the timings involved.

Recycling - Take a Bag home
Sunday & Monday

Please help us reduce the Retreat's carbon footprint by bringing back one or two bags of recyclable items (to recycle along with your usual household curbside recycling pick-up service) in your vehicle when returning from the retreat site (As there is no locally available or feasible option to recycle the recyclable items we collect at the retreat).

God will not ask you, when and where you rendered service? He will ask with what motive you did it. You may boast about the quantity, but God seeks quality, the quality of the heart, the purity of the mind, the nobility of the motive. The Lord is pleased only when you do the things He desires. How else can you win His grace, but by nursing and nourishing His children.— March 19, 2008 Thought for the Day

GETTING THERE