BBT Krishna.com Volunteer Engagement Form

Revision: 02-13-08

Thank you for volunteering to offer some of your time and skills in
helping with BBT Krishna.com, the website all about Krishna.

In order to help us engage you to the best of your skills, talents and
abilities, please take some time to tell us more about yourself. Use
the below questions as guidelines, and feel free to elaborate in
detail. The more you tell us, the easier it will be for us to engage
you.

1) Please tell us your age and a little about your work, background,
and life experiences so far. What is your devotional or spiritual
background? (if applicable)

2) Why would you like to volunteer with BBT Krishna.com?

3) What kind of work do you generally perform? (At work, at home, leisure)

4) What specific tasks and responsibilities do you have in your day-to-day life?

5) What specific talents, skills, and abilities do you have?

6) Inventory your skills and abilities. This next question will take
some time to answer (about 15 minutes.) We hope you will take the time
to do so. Our ability to engage you according to your nature, talents
and abilities depends on how carefully you respond to the below
questions.

 a) Please delete any skills and abilities from the below list that
you do not feel competent in.

 b) Please place an "X" in the space before each skill or ability
that you DO feel somewhat competent in.

Keep in mind that this volunteer engagement survey is a work in
progress. We're constantly improving. If you notice an area of skills
that should be included, or sections that could be worded better,
please let us know.


Transcribe - Help us transcribe audio material, lectures,
instructional material, from audio or video to written form.
__  type (ten fingers)
__  type (ten fingers), at a reasonable speed, with minimal errors
__  listen to English language audio files and able to comprehend what
is being said
__  transcribe the spoken word to the written word on a computer,
using Microsoft Word

Basic Research Skills - Help us find relevant material for articles
all about Krishna, His incarnations, His devotees, for future
publication on Krishna.com. Help us update the worldwide listings of
ISKCON / Hare Krishna temples, centers, farm communities, restaurants.
Other relevant research projects.
__  read
__  comprehend
__  research
__  find relevant information
__  compile information
__  synthesize information
__  create a report on your findings

Program - Help us program functionality on Krishna.com. Make the
website more user friendly. Develop and implement useful tools and
applications.
__  learn new languages easily
__  logical / systematic thinking
__  code computer language(s), such as: ________
__  find errors in logical code structures
__  write "clean" code
__  code simple programs
__  code intermediate programs
__  code advanced programs

Test Modules - Help us add functionality to Krishna.com via
third-party add-on modules. Once you overcome the technicalities of
installing Drupal on your computer, you can have a lot of fun testing
new features you'd like to see implemented on Krishna.com.
__  able to follow technical "how-to" instructions to do the below
__  install WAMP web server on your computer
__  install Drupal content management system on your computer
__ install a copy of Krishna.com on your computer
__ search through Drupal add-on modules on Drupal.org that would enhance
    Krishna.com functionality.
__ install relevant modules in your test environment on your computer
__ test the modules to see if they are compatible and work well with
the rest of
    Krishna.com's custom Drupal modules.

Author Flash content - Help us create interactive Flash content all
about Krishna for Krishna.com. The sky is the limit. Hundreds of
creative ideas, from children's games to interactive guided meditation
slide shows...
__  working knowledge of Adobe Flash authoring platform
__  create simple Flash animations
__  create intermediate Flash animations
__  create advanced Flash animations

Proofread / Edit / Fix -  Help us improve our communication on
Krishna.com by reducing errors and awkward sentence structures.
__  solid grasp of the English language, spelling, grammar, comprehension
__  spot and fix mistakes
__  recognize and reword awkward sentences
__  summarize long paragraphs into concise statements
__  follow established manuals of style
__  formal training in journalism or writing, please elaborate: ____________
__  achieved good grades in English writing classes in school /
college / university

Write - Help us write content all about Krishna, for Krishna.com. We
have an unlimited need for good writers.
__  write articles on subjects I'm interested in
__  write articles on subjects that others are interested in
__  write journals
__  write news stories
__  write fiction
__  write biographical stories
__  write poetry
__  write scripts for plays
__  write scripts for audio, video, movie productions
__  write sales / promotional material (advertising)
__  write technical training materials
__  write product descriptions for the Krishna.com store

Film Video - Help us create video shows and productions all about
Krishna for Krishna.com. Short or long. Simple or complex. From "What
role does Krishna play in my life / family" to mini documentaries
about visits to Krishna temples, visits to holy places, and a million
creative ideas to glorify and help others appreciate Krishna.
__  conceive of video shows
__  film video with a consumer video camera
__  film video with a professional video camera
__  film with an "editor's eye"  for catching just the right shot
__  frame video scenes in the best possible way to convey intended meaning
__  edit video on consumer programs, example: ________
__  edit video on professional programs, example: _______
__  save and archive video footage
__  create DVDs that play in DVD players from edited video
__  compress video for Internet playback
__  convert video to formats suitable for Internet playback
__  interview others
__  host a show

Record Audio - Help us create audio material all about Krishna, for
Krishna.com. Audio books. Music recordings. Audio blogs. Audio
"how-to" guides. Audio travelogues to holy places. Unlimited
possibilities.
__  conceive of audio shows
__  travel to places of interest to record audio shows
__  record audio / musical performances
__  record audio on consumer equipment, for example: _______
__  record audio on the computer, for example: ________
__  record audio on professional equipment, for example: ______
__  use computer software to record and manipulate audio, for example: ______
__  use computer software to clean up bad audio
__  save and archive digital audio
__  compress and export audio for playback on the Internet

Photograph - Help us author photo stories for Krishna.com about
Krishna, holy places, temples, events, "Krishna in your life /
community," etc.
__  take photos with consumer cameras
__  take photos with intermediate cameras
__  take photos with professional cameras
__  frame photos just right to achieve a certain look or effect
__  take evocative photographs that tell stories
__  photograph action, events, people
__  photograph scenery, landscapes, temples, Deities
__  tell stories through photographs

Manage - Help us manage the volunteers and people who work with and
around Krishna.com (remotely, through the Internet, all over the
world.)
__  work well with people
__  work cooperatively within a team
__  achieve and maintain cooperation within a team
__  lead a team
__  deal with disagreements amongst team members
__  mediate disagreements between team members
__  set goals for a team, including other team members in the
goal-setting process
__  inspire a team to work together and achieve set goals
__  work efficiently and get team projects done under deadlines
__  empathize with and help team members who are having difficulties

Teach - Help us train and engage new volunteers in Krishna's service,
on Krishna.com and beyond.
__  train new team members to perform at expected levels
__  show people by my example
__  encourage people who perform below my expectations
__  draw out information from people, rather than tell them what to do
__  share knowledge with others in a fun and enthusiastic way
__  share realizations with sensitivity to others
__  ability to acknowledge my shortcomings
__  give credit and respect to my teachers and superiors
__  present myself as a lifelong student
__  present the Absolute Truth, Krishna, in a pleasing way to others
__  familiarity with Krishna conscious scriptures
__  experience of living as a devotee of Krishna
__  chant a fixed number of rounds of Hare Krishna maha-mantra japa
__  follow the four regulative principles
__  initiated by a bona fide guru (spiritual master)

Webmaster - Help us maintain Krishna.com.
__  register and maintain domain names
__  worki with ISPs to set up and maintain web hosting accounts
__  use FTP
__  use website authoring tools, such as: _______
__  author HTML pages
__  author PHP pages
__  author CSS style sheets
__  implementi ready-to-go Javascript code on a web page
__  author Javascript
__  understand web server environments and platforms, such as: _______
__  fix common issues with web servers, such as: _______
__  configure mail on a web server, such as: ________
__  optimize performance of web servers, such as: ________

Promote - Help us generate enthusiasm for serving others through
Krishna.com. Help us promote Krishna.com on the Internet and to the
world at large.
__  get people excited to do something
__  motivate people for a cause
__  be outgoing, extroverted
__  speak in front of a group with enthusiasm
__  make photocopies of promotional material
__  distribute promotional material to others for a cause I believe in
__  send out emails to everyone I know and encouraging them in a cause
I believe in
__  call people on the phone and let them know about and encourage
them to participate in a cause I believe in
__  contact website owners and encourage them to work with / link to Krishna.com

Survey - Help us assess Krishna.com visitor's needs, interests and concerns.
__  send out emails asking people's opinions on a topic
__  read through existing chat transcripts and compile frequently
asked questions
__  make phone calls to people asking their opinion on a topic
__  organize and compile survey responses
__  enter survey response data onto the computer
__  analyze and synthesize survey response data
__  compile executive reports on survey results

Organize - Help us organize the many systems and structures that make
up Krishna.com
__  create systems to solve problems
__  think outside the box
__  make lists of things that need to get done
__  prioritize lists of to-dos
__  communicate to-dos to people
__  follow up with people to review progress
__  see what needs to get done and figure out a way to get it done
__  organize messes
__  organize schedules
__  make sense of information
__  categorize information
__  file and archive information

Lead  - Help us inspire others in Krishna consciousness
__  inspire others
__  lead others
__  see the big picture, the long-term vision of a project
__  think outside of the box to solve problems
__  be a visionary
__  be creative
__  see possibilities
__  see opportunities
__  seize opportunities
__  adapt to change
__  re-evaluate systems based on whether they work or not
__  adjust to time, place and circumstance
__  do what everyone thought was impossible
__  go places nobody thought of going
__  find solutions others didn't think existed
__  challenge norms
__  am ambitious in my personal goals
__  am ambitious for Krishna
__  have high expectations for myself
__  show compassion for myself when I fall short of my own expectations
__  have high expectations for others on my team
__  show mercy and compassion when others do not meet my expectations
__  focus on eternal, spiritual values and principles
__  am resilient to set-backs, to failures
__  see failure as a chance to get it right the next time
__  am fearless in my dealings with others
__  protect others, especially those under my charge
__  look out for the best interest of those under my charge
__  comfort others when they need my comfort
__  praise others' good qualities
__  avoid overly focusing on others' bad qualities
__  see potential in every person
__  set a good example for others to follow
__  am true to my word (when I say that I'll do something, I do it)

Friend / Caretaker  - Help us care for people who visit Krishna.com
__  care for others
__  serve others
__  accommodate others
__  am kind and compassionate towards others
__  befriend others
__  maintain friendships
__  am a friend in need

Assist  -  Help us do "the needful" all around Krishna.com
__  follow instructions
__  take notes
__  study
__  prepare for tests
__  am true to my word (when I say I'll do something, I'll do it)
__ *learn new things
__  read books on a subject and being a quick learner

Enforce Laws - Help us enforce copyright laws for BBT books, images,
Krishna.com, on the Internet and in the world at large.
__  uphold rules and regulations
__  understand the importance of, and need for, rules and regulations
__  create rules and regulations
__  communicate the importance of, and need for, rules and regulations to others
__  communicate with people who are not following rules
__  attempt to encourage rule-violators to follow the law
__  will use and enforce the law against those who break laws
__  will be the agent who holds others accountable for breaking laws
__  lay down the law and enforcing it in a group / team / family
__  create an atmosphere that is conducive to following laws
__  help to remind people when they break laws
__  help people become better citizens and follow the law, by
educating them about the benefits of following the law, and the
consequences of not following.

Art - Help us beautify Krishna.com in every way. Help us create
Krishna conscious artwork.
__  draw
__  sketch
__  paint
__  illustrate
__  cartoon
__  decorate
__  make things more beautiful
__  polish a raw statement, draft, expression, attempt, concept, and
making it more appealing
__  clean up around my house
__  thoughtfully arrange the plants in my garden
__  pick up trash others have thrown in a beautiful place
__  improve an existing experience or situation
__  improve the lives of others
__  help others improve their lives
__  re-arrange rooms until I'm happy with them
__  re-decorate rooms in my house

Needlework - Help us make beautiful clothing for Deities of Krishna,
Krishna dolls, Krishna bead bags, Krishna conscious clothing and
accessories.
__  embroider
__  weave
__  sew
__  knit
__  crochet
__  bead
__  stitch

Music - Help us record music for Krishna, about Krishna, to inspire
people in Krishna consciousness
__  play a musical instrument, such as: ________
__  play traditional Krishna bhajans / kirtans
__  sing traditional Krishna bhajans / kirtans
__  play modern / contemporary music, such as: _____
__  sing contemporary songs, such as: ______
__  play traditional music, such as: _________
__  sing in a choir, or group of people, explain: _______
__  sing as a soloist, band leader, singer, explain: ______

Voice Artist  - Help us make Krishna conscious audio productions in
your native language(s)
__  speak my native language fluently, which is: _________
__  speak English fluently without a heavy accent
__  speak clearly and enunciating words properly
__  record myself reading something that other people will be able to
understand and follow along with
__ *pleasant speaking / reading voice
__  good grasp on the pronunciation of commonly used Sanskrit and
devotional terms, words, phrases

Act or Dance - Help us perform pastimes of Krishna in theatrical or
dance form, for the Krishna.com audience and beyond.
__  dramatic expression
__  act in plays, such as: ___________
__  perform on stage, for example: _________
__  dance on stage, in the style(s) of: ___________
__  act pantomime
__  act in comedies
__  act in serious roles
__  act in supporting roles
__  act in leading roles
__  *puppeteer (working with puppets)

Cook - Help us with the Krishna.com Food Channel
__  cook, such as: _______
__  bake, such as: _______
__  cook traditional cuisine, such as: ___________
__  prepare my (or my family's) favorite food(s), such as: _______
__  prepare salads, such as: ___________
__  prepare drinks, such as: ___________
__  prepare desserts, such as: ___________
__  prepare sweets, such as: ___________

Travel - Help us compile travel documentaries on temples, holy places,
pilgrimage sites.
__  travel to other places by myself
__  visit holy places, such as temples
__  compile information about holy places, temples, pilgrimage sites

Customer Service Representative - Help us answer questions from people
who wish to order books or other items about Krishna, to enhance their
spiritual life.
__  ability to deal with customers on the phone (through Skype or
other internet telephony option)
__  ability to deal with customers over live chat / instant messaging
__  ability to deal with customers over email
__  ability to learn and retain product knowledge about a large number
of products in the Krishna.com store
__  ability to look up and find information about any product in the
Krishna.com store quickly, and efficiently, to serve live customers
who have questions about a product.
__ ability to assist customers with the mechanics of checking out of
our online web store (walking them through the steps over the phone,
or live chat)


7) What three areas of the BBT Krishna.com site do you like the most, and why?

8) Please make three suggestions for improving BBT Krishna.com, the
website all about Krishna.

9) Given the large scope of the BBT Krishna.com website, to spread the
glories of Lord Krishna on the Internet, what are you most inspired to
help with? What kind of specific volunteer service would you be
comfortable and happy to do for Krishna.com? (You can think outside
the box. It doesn't even have to be computer or Internet-related.)

10) If your best friend called us tomorrow, what would he / she tell
us to engage you in, so that you are happy in your volunteer service?

11) What would be the ideal service you would like to do for Krishna?
(Be as general and ambitious as you want here - the sky is the limit.)

12) What is your first language? (If English is your second.)

13) What other languages do you speak and write fluently?

Thank you for taking the time to reply to the above questions.

Please email your completed form with your replies to:

volunteer@krishna.com

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to try and assist you you in
serving Lord Krishna.

Sincerely,

Your volunteer coordination team
BBT Krishna.com