Volunteer opportunities are abundant in the Austin Odia community. The following practices make volunteering easier for all members:
- Any community member may join any volunteer committee at any time.
- Volunteers commit to well-defined tasks for a certain period.
- All meeting schedules and other relevant information are posted in internal community platforms accessible to all members.
- Any member, may attend any committee meeting for information, without being a part of that committee.
- New ideas and incentives are welcomed.
Volunteer Teams
Currently most (but not all as new opportunities are created from time to time) activities are carried out by the following teams of volunteers.
Austin Odia Religious Committee (AORC): AORC attempts to understand the religious requirements of the community, interacts with the Austin Hindu Temple and Community Center, and facilitates monthly and annual events, mostly related to Sri Jagannatha, the beloved deity of most Odias. All these events, and especially the annual Ratha Yatra events, need many volunteers.
Austin Odia Communication Committee (AOCC): AOCC researches, selects, creates, and maintains various platforms and tools needed for the flow of communication within the community. It manages the contents on this website and other community platforms. This committee also welcomes newcomers and helps them get connected with the community by connecting them with the internal community platforms and groups.
Austin Odia Events Committee (AOEC): AOEC plans and organizes various non-religious, fun-filled, social events several times a year, such as picnics, New Year celebrations, and music/drama events, online or in person as appropriate, using creativity and experimentation.
Austin Odia Financial Committee (AOFC): AOFC collects money donated by members towards various activities of the community, keeps track of income and expenses, makes payments towards expenses as needed, and issues periodic reports to the community.
Monthly Meetings: Monthly community meetings provide an open platform to function together and exchange information, report committee progress, share ideas as well as concerns, cooperate, coordinate, and collaborate with one another. Volunteers take turns to facilitate these meetings.