Volunteering

We are in the middle of a trilogy of topics that form a story. Our current series is around the theme of human flourishing. Last month we discussed beauty. This month we will look at how the role ‘home’ plays in our well-being. Then in June we will ask what roles do nature and nurture play in our lives? **What about a sense of ‘belonging’?** “Ah, it’s good to be home,” we say after a time of travel or business. We move to a new city or country and feel a disorientation or rootlessness. We lack a familiarity sense of place and relationships. The modern world is not a village where you know your grocer by their first name. Some may call it ‘home.’ But what is home: A building? A geographical location? A feeling in the heart and soul? A place populated by people we love or are perhaps related to? How about those who live in a country other than their country of origin: what might they think about the whole matter of home? You are welcome to come along to discuss "Longing to belong" on Tuesday, 12.May at Third Space Smithfield. NOTE: we ask for a 3 Euro donation to cover costs. Payable on the night by coin or Revolut. Thanks Socrates Cafe: a space where ideas and dialogue can flourish

***Unfortunately due to circumstances outside our control we are currently unable to run this class until further notice. People interested in coming along are welcome to join our Sangha Nights in the meantime: https://dublinbuddhistcentre.org/sangha-nights/*** Our meditation drop-in class is designed for those new to meditation or returning to practice. The 1 hour 15 minute session includes input on meditation and the Dharma, a led meditation, and time for questions and discussion. A welcoming space to learn, practice, and connect with others. **Practical details** The night will start at 7pm sharp so arrive a little early to ensure a punctual start. **7 pm** – Welcome & introduction to the meditation practice **7.15 pm** – Led meditation followed by space for questions **7.55 pm** – Short talk on aspect of meditation or Buddhism **8.15 pm** – Finish This event is for: * Those totally new to meditation or Buddhism * Meditators or Buddhists with some experience who want to visit the Dublin Buddhist Centre for the first time. All our Drop-in Meditation Nights are led by experienced members of the Triratna Buddhist Community. No need to book in advance, just show up a few minutes before we start at 7pm. On a donation basis. **Why meditate with others?** Meditation can help you pause, notice what’s happening in your mind and body, and build greater calm, clarity, and self-awareness - particularly important in a busy, demanding world. Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind or getting it “right,” but about paying attention to your own experience, just as it is. Learning and practicing meditation with other people can deepen this experience. Practicing together creates a sense of connection and shared understanding, reminding you that everyone’s experience is different and that there’s no single right way to meditate. Being part of a group can offer encouragement, structure, and a feeling of support, making the practice more sustainable and meaningful over time.

Do you often think you should journal more and struggle to find a time that feels "right"? Does journaling improve your understanding of yourself and others? Do you feel that sharing can make this understanding even clearer and help you connect with others? Join us for our 1.5 hours impro journaling event. We will have some exercises prepared that will help you to be present to your emotions and thoughts as well as connect with others. Please, notice that everything that is shared during the events is confidential, and that you can share as much as you feel comfortable sharing. LOCATION: Starbucks Stillorgan, Unit 44/45 Stillorgan Village Centre, Lower Kilmacud Rd, Stillorgan, Dublin, A94 C840 FEE: 5 € to cover costs (Revolut/Cash). Please pay the fee after the event, and please buy yourself a drink before or after the event to support the venue. NOTE 1: No writing experience is required to attend this event. Only a curiosity in ourselves and others. NOTE 2: Please provide your own notebook/paper and pen. NOTE 3 (OPTIONAL): Bring your earphones.

**This tuesday it's free before 6:15pm** [Participate to win Discounts or Free entry](https://forms.gle/wKXom67Aq9aK55UGA) The best way to connect, meet people, play, sing, dance, and have fun while learning. Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ First, relaxed conversations, no music, for real talk and connection. 2️⃣ Then the energy rises! games & karaoke like a party with friends. 🤔 Coming alone? Don’t worry we’ll introduce you to people and break the ice for you! 🤔 Not confident in your language level? Relax — everyone’s learning too. 🤔 Afraid of awkward silences? We’ve got icebreakers and games to keep the vibe flowing. ### 💶 Price 🎟️ **€5 entry** 🍺 **€10 entry including a pint** *(If you don’t win free entry or a discount.)*

Meeting at Weston Airport, parking outside along the cul de sac. 10am approx 20k. Tracks and trails. Coffee at Castletown Hiouse

TOG will be open on Tuesday evenings from 19:00 to 21:30 for a general Open House event. Expect to find members and visitors in the space up to all sorts of activities. It's a great time to drop in and see what the space is about. If you're an artist, tinkerer, maker or just plain curious, come in and see what the space is about. Maybe you already have something to work on (or want to), have something to fix, create, design, bodge or tinker... drop in. We're also open for just for plain old social chat and hang out, with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits. We have lots of free parking right outside our door.

Hi :) 🐝 Finish-a-thon – let’s get the things we’ve been putting off done ✅ 📌 Rathmines Library (upstairs) Saturday, 16 May 2026 🕰️ 11AM-3PM We all have that project we have been putting off for a bit or that one to do we just can’t seem to cross off our to do list. Whether it is a craft project stuck in your drawer for too long, a book you’ve been meaning to get to or some course work you need to catch up on – getting things done is much easier in community. So come along and beat the procrastination impulse. We will provide tea, coffee and light snacks.

Free. Easy. No experience needed. We meet at 12:00 in Dublin city centre for a little hike - the kind that clears your head after a full week and reminds you why you started. This is community time. No agenda, no pitches, just good conversation with fellow solopreneurs, founders and professionals who get it. After the walk, we head to a nearby restaurant (costs not included in this meetup) No pressure to join, always welcome if you do. This is a free event hosted by the Accountability Circle. Want more? Join us online at [Accountability Circle](https://www.skool.com/bebeyond-now-momentum-makers-2352#) 📍 Exact meeting point in Dublin city centre, details shared before the event. 🚶 Beginner-friendly, flat route, all paces welcome.

Volunteer day at Back into Daylight Sanctuary and Vegan Pot Luck. Please bring something vegan to share with the other volunteers if you can. Please do not bring any animal products including honey, shellac etc. It's very important for insurance purposes that all volunteers read and understand the code of conduct. If you haven't already, please fill out this volunteer form before coming: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1LWp6k5tFD1p900-2U6Xh8XAlb-0US7vlQPIRZylmy2CX4A/viewform Wear clothing you don't mind mucking around in. Plenty to help out with for all levels of ability and experience. Sanctuary is Located just outside of Navan town, here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ETCC7NBpv9qvaFAp8 There'll be seats available from Bray and possibly elsewhere. If you're driving yourself and can offer a lift to others from your area, please share! For anyone getting a lift, please contribute to expenses. I can collect and return to Red Cow Luas Stop (red line) here at 10:30: https://maps.app.goo.gl/d1TZQVuqe6BbHuv5A I'll be staying until the evening. I can drop passengers back to where I got you or anywhere on route to Bray if it's only a minute or two of a detour. If you can't make it yourself until later, just come when you can, we'll be there all day 🤗

Newly started IG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgetsocialdublin/ Every event is **5 euros** to the host, you can pay by using Revolut or Cash. This helps me maintains the group as this takes a lot of time and effort. Get ready to reach new heights and forge lasting connections doing Indoor Bouldering Adventure this Sunday **at 14:30!** Whether you're a seasoned climber or brand new to the sport, this event is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, have fun, and meet fellow enthusiasts in a supportive and social setting. Located at the Bloc Climbing Gym in Ballymount, indoor bouldering social event is suitable for climbers of all levels. No climbing experience? No problem! Our friendly group will provide guidance, tips, and encouragement every step of the way. Whether you're learning or honing your skills, you'll find plenty of support and encouragement from your fellow climbers. After our exhilarating climb, we'll gather for some well-deserved refreshments and socializing, where you can swap climbing stories, share tips, and make new friends with fellow adventure-seekers. So lace up your climbing shoes, chalk up your hands, and get ready for an afternoon of adrenaline-pumping fun and friendship at our Indoor Bouldering Adventure this Sunday! Let's climb, connect, and conquer together. See you there! 🧗‍♀️🤝🧗‍♂️

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be another good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan

Community Backyards Workshop Join us at the Ohio Herb Center in Gahanna to learn about sustainable home gardening. We can make small changes in our yards to make a BIG impact for a better environment and healthier waterways while saving money. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek and hosted by Ohio Herb Center. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but NOT required. Click here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/65f65aw (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) * Location: Ohio Herb Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 * Date and time: Sat, May 23, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM * Organizer: The Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

Community Backyards Workshop .Community Backyards Workshop - Westerville Join us for the Westerville Community Backyards workshop! This is a FREE class on how you can protect our waterways and environment with small changes in your gardening habits. We will discuss rain barrels, rain gardens, composting, and native plants. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but not required. * Location: Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082 * Date and time: Sat, May 30, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM * Organizer: Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/h2w5ms8 **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.