UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

Interested? Know someone who might be a good fit for these unique opportunities?

Unless otherwise indicated, please contact the Dharma Centre at info@dharmacentre.org for all inquiries.

Treasurer – Dharma Center of Canada (DCC) - Volunteer Board Member

We are seeking a Treasurer to join our volunteer Board. The DCC board meets monthly, and the volunteer Treasurer usually sits on two subcommittees (Maintenance and Renewal). Maintenance committee meets by-weekly and Renewal committee meets every couple of months. This role requires a commitment of approximately 10 to 15 hours per month. Additional time is required during the 1st quarter to assist with finalizing the financial statements and working with the auditor and the 4th quarter to develop the budget for the upcoming year.

The DCC is one of the oldest meditation centres in North America. Founded in 1966 by Namgyal Rinpoche, it is a non-sectarian charitable organization dedicated to the study, contemplation, and practice of meditation. 

The DCC host qualified teachers from different traditions and paths of awakening. This includes meditation masters, innovative scientists, artists, and healers. The Centre’s 400-acre forested property provides a peaceful environment for group and solo retreats and courses of varying lengths of time. https://www.dharmacentre.org

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Management: All aspects of the DCC’s finances, including budgeting, financial planning, and ensuring that it operates within its budgetary, statutory, and other fiscal constraints.

2. Strategic Financial Planning: Work with the Board and other stakeholders to articulate clear long-term and short-term goals an develop associated budgets and cash flow forecasts and

financial strategies that align with the organization’s mission and goals.

3. Internal Controls: Work with the bookkeeper and external accountants to establish proper internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets and prevent fraud or misuse of funds.

4. Financial Reporting: Ensure the preparation and presentation of clear and timely financial reports to the board of directors and other stakeholders on the DCC’s income and expenses,

assets and liabilities, cash flow, and other financial performance.

5. Compliance: Ensure that the DCC is compliant with all relevant financial and accounting regulations, legal requirements, and reporting obligations, both provincially and federally as

well as with respect to any specific undertakings pursuant to grants received.

6. Banking and Investments: Manage the DCC’s bank accounts and cash flow and ensure surplus funds are managed in accordance with the organization’s investment policy.

7. Auditing and Review: Liaise with the DCC’s professional accountants with respect to annual audits or financial reviews to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the organization’s financial statements.

Qualifications:

 Experience in finance or accounting required

 Non-profit experience with a CPA designation preferred

 Strong understanding of financial statements and budgeting processes

 Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

 Passion for meditations and similar practices

 Strong organizational and critical thinking skills

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to contribute to a meaningful cause while applying their financial expertise. If you are dedicated to making a positive impact and ensuring the financial sustainability of a non-profit organization, we would love to hear from you!

Apply Today!

If you are interested in this position, please let us know why you think you are the right person to work with us.

Please reply to: adminoffice@dharmacentre.org

Retreat Cooks - Contract Position

The Dharma Centre of Canada is looking for contract cooks to oversee the kitchen, prepare and serve meals during group retreats.   Retreats can vary in length from 2 to 7 days and occasionally longer.   The kitchen is the heart of any retreat.  The taste of the food, as well as the overall kitchen environment is integral to retreatants’ experience at the Dharma Centre. As such, we expect our cooks to be well-organized, service-oriented individuals who can work well under pressure and maintain a stable and quiet presence in the kitchen to support a positive retreat environment.  The cook should be flexible, have a good knowledge of how to prepare food for special diets such as gluten free or dairy free, and can work well within a budget.

Principal Responsibilities

  • Prepare and serve three meals a day on time as set out by our Practitioner in Residence Operations Co-Ordinator’s menu plan

  • acquire and store food for the retreat timely;

  • Maintain an orderly, efficient and clean kitchen;

  • Ensure work environment meets or surpasses hygiene and safety standards set by regulations, including the Food Handling protocols during the COVID 19 pandemic

  • Oversee retreatants who are assigned kitchen duty in consultation with the Retreat Co-Ordinator

Qualifications/Experience

  • Good organizational skills with the ability to multitask in a kitchen environment

  • Has a valid Food Handler Certificate (Ontario province)

  • A solid work ethic with a capacity to self-direct

  • Must be able to create efficient and creative meals for a variety of diets such as gluten free, vegan, dairy free, vegetarian and non-vegetarian

  • Ability and commitment to work as part of a team

  • Must be able to work within a budget

  • A customer service orientation with good communication skills

  • Professional experience cooking for groups of varying sizes is strongly preferred

  • A sincere interest in meditation practice and a commitment to integrate ethical principles into daily life

  • Valid Driver’s License, with own vehicle is preferred

Physical Demands

The position involves standing for long periods and requires physical labour, including lifting heavy items


Finance Manager (Volunteer Part-time)

As the Finance Manager at the DCC you will be leveraging your exceptional management and communication skills to guide and support financial management.

Some activities that you could be engaged in include:

 Prepare monthly financial reports to the Treasurer for presentation to the board including meaningful financial insights and organizational performance

 Lead and complete the budget process for the Treasurer and the board

 Prepare financial reports for the auditor’s review including all supporting documentations needed

 Account analysis, reconciliation, and identification of any monthly reporting deficiencies, leading corrective action as needed.

 Contribute to discussions surrounding technical accounting to determine practical methods that capture transactions accurately in financial statements.

 Review monthly general ledger and related transactions posted by the administrator

 Look for continuous improvement opportunities in the recording of transactions

What you bring to the role:

 Accounting designation – Chartered Professional Accountant 

 Passion for and experience working with a not-for-profit organization, charity or foundation.

 3+ years of experience Senior Accountant or Accounting Manager would be a strong asset.

 Strong experience with account analysis and reconciliation

 Technically versed in cloud-based accounting software systems (such as QuickBooks Online) or a commitment to training.

 Exceptional communication and listening abilities to identify and meet needs of the DCC