Vacancy - volunteer
We are looking for enthusiastic people to help in the Meditation Centre. The Meditation Centre at Schiphol is opened 24 hours a day. The task of the volunteers is to ensure that the Meditation Centre is a pleasant place for passengers to spend time in peace. This means that, as a volunteer, you will be reachable for the people who visit the centre during your shift.
You will often let the visitors do their own thing. Sometimes you can offer a cup of tea or coffee. An important task is to pay attention to the passengers of different faiths and thereby ensure the correct use of the Meditation Centre. Sometimes a visitor wants to tell his or her story and you can lend him or her an ear. On average, there are 120 visitors per day. However, there may also be times when it is quiet.
Volunteers are present during office hours on weekdays. On weekends or on public holidays, a volunteer is present between 10:00 and 14:00. Every volunteer is expected to participate fully in the schedule that is filled seven days a week and is scheduled to be present for one half-day every two weeks. The volunteers are reimbursed for their travel expenses up to a maximum of €13.50 per shift. It is therefore also important that you live near Schiphol.
We ask from you an open and ecumenical attitude towards church and spirituality, a good command of modern languages, and strong social skills.
The airport chaplains train new volunteers and guide them as a group and individually. The training period takes time and energy, both for you and for us. That is why we ask you to be able to contribute as a volunteer for at least two years.
If you are attracted to this challenging task, you can express your interest by filling in the form on our website. We will then contact you. As a rule, joining the group of volunteers takes place after a number of interviews and after working shifts under supervision for a few times. The procedure also includes a check by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Royal Military Police, because you will be working in the protected area (air side). For more information you can also contact us at luchthavenpastoraat@schiphol.nl.
Kind regards,
on behalf of the Airport Chaplaincy,
Marieke Meiring-Snijder, Gerard Timmermans, and Mark Hafkenscheid