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The AV team provides sound and visual aids if necessary for all regular services, Special Services, meditation in addition to providing sound/video for Special Events.

Treasurer

The Treasurer oversees all temple financial matters under the direction of the minister or assistant minister and in full accordance with SRF Mother Center Accounting policies. This role ensures that all financial practices remain accurate, transparent, and compliant with organizational guidelines.

Counting Committee

The Counting Committee is composed of approximately ten trained volunteers who serve on a rotating schedule. They assist with the secure and accurate counting of temple donations, following established SRF procedures to maintain integrity and confidentiality.

Communications functions to support all aspects of temple-wide messaging, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with SRF standards.

Announcements

Announcements for Sunday Services are drafted by various teams and submitted to the Communications Lead for review and approval. Once finalized, they are sent to the scheduled announcer for that Sunday.

Website

A designated webmaster maintains the temple website on an ongoing basis, ensuring accuracy, timely updates, and alignment with SRF guidelines.

Bulletin Boards

A volunteer maintains the temple bulletin boards, updating content regularly to keep information current and relevant.

Newsletter & Social Media

This role oversees the temple’s digital presence, including the newsletter, Facebook page, Google listing, Yelp page, and Instagram account, ensuring consistent messaging across platforms.

Phone Communications

Incoming phone messages are monitored and directed to the appropriate individuals or teams for follow‑up.

Flyers

The designer prepares both digital and hard‑copy reminders for Special Events. They are notified four weeks before the event and receive all necessary details—date, time, wording, and the agreed‑upon completion deadline. The flier is created by the finish date and reviewed by the requesting party for any edits or adjustments.

Once approved, the digital version is distributed to other temples and meditation groups, posted to appropriate social media channels, and sent to the Glendale database and volunteer list. Printed copies are then produced and placed in the temple lobbies for devotees to see.

Life Ministries supports temple members during significant life events and pastoral needs.

Caring Friends

This team connects with members who are ill, recovering, or otherwise in need of compassionate support, serving as a bridge between the temple community and those who may be homebound or infirm.

Weddings

The team lead coordinates with the minister regarding all wedding‑related matters. They also work with the family’s wedding coordinator to manage scheduling, expected attendance, flowers, photography, AV needs, speakers, music, and ushers.

Christenings

This role collaborates with the family’s coordinator to manage scheduling and logistics—including attendance, flowers, photography, AV, speakers, music, and ushers—and coordinates closely with the minister.

Memorials

The memorials lead works with the family or their chosen representative to coordinate scheduling and all logistical elements such as attendance, flowers, photography, AV, speakers, music, and ushers, while maintaining communication with the minister.

Greeting Cards

This volunteer prepares greeting cards or small gifts for temple members to sign for the monastics serving at Glendale, especially during holidays.

Charitable Giving

This role manages the temple’s charitable outreach, including delivering food and checks from the Thanksgiving Food Drive to the Northwest Mental Health Center, and coordinating the procurement and delivery of a Christmas donation to a local homeless center.

The core function of an event coordinator is less than an executer of tasks and more a connector of people and teams, serving as a central hub connecting these teams so that everyone is aligned and informed. Primary tasks include:

Planning

• Schedules and organizes events on the temple calendar

• Books spaces, vendors, and supplies

• Manages event budgets

Communication

• Notifies congregants of upcoming events

• Manages invitations and RSVPs

• Serves as main point of contact for all event questions

Interfacing with Teams

• Acts as the central hub connecting all teams

• Coordinates with facilities, kitchen, clergy, A/V, and volunteers

• Liaises with outside vendors on timing and logistics

• Keeps temple leadership informed

Day-Of Management

• Oversees setup, timeline, and guest flow

• Troubleshoots issues as they arise

• Manages and directs volunteers

Post-Event

• Oversees cleanup and breakdown

• Reconciles budget

• Documents lessons learned for future events

Decorations Team

The Decorations Team is responsible for creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere throughout the temple, Social Hall, and grounds for holidays and special events. They plan decoration themes in advance, ensuring that colors, symbols, and materials reflect the significance of each occasion, and work closely with leadership to ensure everything is appropriate.

The team handles all aspects of sourcing and purchasing supplies, maintaining a budget, and keeping an inventory of reusable items stored between events. Before each event, they recruit and lead volunteers to set up decorations safely and on time, making sure nothing obstructs walkways or exits.

They coordinate closely with the Event Coordinator on scheduling and themes, and with the facilities team on access to spaces and storage. After each event, they oversee takedown, clean and organize reusable items, and replenish anything that needs replacing for future use.

Set up Team

The Setup Team provides hands-on support to the Special Events Coordinator and Lead Decorator, ensuring all spaces are properly prepared and ready for Special Events and Sunday Fellowships.

They work closely with the Lead Decorator to position decorations as planned. Before each event they attend briefings to understand their assignments and communicate any issues back to leadership.

Their physical work includes arranging tables, chairs, linens, tableware, signage, and decorative elements throughout the temple, Social Hall, and grounds. After each event they break down and clear all spaces, return items to storage, reset the space for regular use, and report any damaged or missing items to the coordinator.

Food Services

Food Services encompasses all volunteers who support the preparation, service, and stewardship of food for temple events. This group ensures that meals and refreshments are offered in a way that reflects SRF’s ideals of cleanliness, harmony, and thoughtful service. Volunteers work together to maintain a safe, organized kitchen environment and to provide nourishing, uplifting food experiences for the devotee community.

Purpose

Food Services functions to:

• Support temple fellowship by preparing and serving simple, wholesome meals.

• Maintain a clean, safe, and well‑organized kitchen in accordance with SRF standards.

• Ensure that all food‑related activities run smoothly, respectfully, and in harmony with the spiritual atmosphere of the temple.

• Provide a welcoming environment for volunteers to serve joyfully and cooperatively.

Volunteer Roles

Food Services offers a range of volunteer responsibilities, such as:

• Assisting with meal preparation for Sunday Fellowship, special events, and temple programs.

• Setting up and breaking down food service areas.

• Maintaining cleanliness of kitchen surfaces, appliances, and utensils.

• Supporting head chefs or event leads with food prep, cooking, and plating.

• Managing dishwashing, sanitizing, and proper storage of equipment.

• Helping with stockroom organization and returning items to their designated places.

• Ensuring safe food‑handling practices and adherence to health guidelines.

Collaboration

Food Services volunteers work closely with:

• The Kitchen Coordinator, who provides training, safety guidance, and orientation.

• The Kitchen Lead, who oversees kitchen organization, equipment readiness, and volunteer support.

• Event leads or head chefs, who guide the menu and workflow for specific events.

• Other temple teams who involved in hospitality, Sunday Fellowship, or special programs.

Spirit of Service

Volunteers in Food Services serve with the intention of uplifting others through thoughtful, well‑prepared food and a harmonious kitchen environment. Their work supports community connection, reduces administrative burden on monastics, and contributes to the smooth functioning of temple life.

Kitchen Coordinator

The Kitchen Coordinator oversees the safe, orderly, and efficient use of the temple kitchen and supports volunteers in preparing food for temple events.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and reinforces health and safety practices for all kitchen users.

• Identifies the location and proper operation of large appliances (stove, Hobart dishwasher, coffee maker, refrigerator/freezer).

• Identifies the location and proper use of small appliances.

• Shows volunteers where utensils, pots and pans, and cleaning supplies are stored.

• Distributes the cutting and cooking manual (to be developed).

• Conducts a tour of the stock room and instructs volunteers on proper storage and return of items.

• Trains volunteers in the proper cleaning of kitchen surfaces and closing procedures.

Kitchen Lead

The Kitchen Lead ensures the kitchen remains functional, organized, and well‑supported for all temple cooking activities.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the upkeep of the physical kitchen space and consults with Maintenance as needed.

• Ensures all essential cooking equipment (cutting boards, knives, tools) is available and in good condition.

• Maintains the organization and cleanliness of the kitchen.

• Conducts kitchen orientations for volunteers who wish to cook.

• Recruits, trains, and supports kitchen volunteers.

• Monitors stock levels and orders supplies for the stockroom; this task may be delegated to an assistant monthly.

• Assists and communicates with head chefs for each event to ensure smooth preparation and service.

Sunday Fellowship

Sunday Fellowship is held on the 4th Sunday of each month immediately after Sunday Service. Volunteers offer a simple, healthy selection of salads, light meals, tea, and cookies to create opportunities for devotees to connect in fellowship.

Pertains to tasks and activities related to services, Special services, meditations at the temple.

Ushers and Greeters

Opening ushers are specifically tasked with overseeing the opening and closing of the temple

Ushers and greeters trains and oversees ushers, head ushers, announcers, and teams staffing  the Welcome Table on Sunday.

 Welcome Table

 The Welcome Team offers a warm, informed presence for those who are new to the Temple, helping them feel at ease and answering general questions about Self‑Realization Fellowship, the Lessons, volunteer opportunities, and temple activities and schedules. The Welcome Table is located on the east side of the West Lobby, where newcomers can easily approach a greeter for guidance or connection.

Greeters serving at the Welcome Table are Kriyabans, whose Guru‑Disciple commitment provides the depth of understanding and devotional grounding needed to represent the SRF path with clarity and sincerity. Each new volunteer receives a brief orientation from the Welcome Table Lead to ensure a consistent, harmonious approach to welcoming and supporting visitors.

Scheduling

This service requires some computer skills with Volunteer Scheduler Pro. The Team lead schedules the Ushers, Head Ushers, Greeters, Announcers, and attendees of the Welcome table .

Announcers

Announcers read the announcements made to the general temple at a Sunday Service and ask attendees to say a prayer prior to the baskets being passed for donations.

Organ

Organ music is scheduled for Sunday Services, Commemoration Services, Master's Birthday, and Kriyaban Ceremonies.

Free Literature

The Literature Volunteer is responsible for maintaining and presenting the Temple's free literature display in a welcoming and organized manner. This includes keeping materials neatly stocked, arranged, and replenished, and removing outdated or damaged materials.

 Vision & Purpose

Our greatest gift to the next generation is the living light of the Guru's teachings. The primary goal of our Youth Program is to introduce the timeless wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda to young devotees — meeting each child where they are and nurturing the seeds of spiritual understanding at every stage of their growth.

Through age-appropriate lessons, activities, and experiences, we seek to awaken in young hearts a genuine love for God, a deepening sense of inner peace, and a joyful connection to the path of Self-realization.

Sunday School

Sunday School teachers at Glendale Temple provide weekly classes and activities based on SRF teachings to children aged 3 to 12. Teachers and assistants are required to be at least lesson students and undergo rigorous training to qualify for working with children.

Young Adults

The Young Adult group provides a transition from teens into more advanced group study of the SRF teachings and/or to the main congregation at Temple.

Teen Group

Teachers conduct interactive classes that focus on spiritual topics pertinent to the lives of teenagers.

Sells Master's books and pamphlets, incense, and a small assortment of gifts. Maintains inventory.

The Flower Committee is a devoted team of volunteers whose loving service brings natural beauty and sacred reverence to the spaces where our Temple community gathers to seek God. These dedicated arranging teams create floral arrangements for our main altar, the small chapel, gathering halls, and Sunday School.

In addition to their regular service, the Flower Committee prepares garlands and special arrangements for commemorative occasions, certain Special Events and Christmas.

Members are asked to serve on a rotating schedule, contributing their time and talents in coordination with the Committee's lead volunteer and Temple staff.

Commemorative Services

Flower group sets up, altar candles, dias, and other items for commemorative services.  These take place about nine times a year during the Guru's birthdays and Mahasamadhi's. Part of the service requires dismantling and cleaning of candleholders and putting things away as well as processing offered flowers after services. 

Kriyaban Ceremonies

Flower committee teams set up for Kriyaban ceremonies. Tasks include floral arrangements,  preparing offering flowers and rose petals, and contacting devotees for making and serving Prashad.

The Committees under Temple Beautiful are comprised of devoted teams of volunteers who lovingly care for the physical spaces of our Temple — ensuring that every corner of our sacred home is clean, well-maintained, and welcoming to all who enter seeking God.

The work of this committee encompasses the regular cleaning, maintenance, and upkeep of our Temple buildings and surrounding grounds. From the main altar and chapel to the fellowship halls, classrooms, walkways, and gardens, these volunteers tend to the physical environment of Glendale Temple.

Maintenance

Operational and functional checks, servicing, repair and replacement in temple buildings etc. 

Housekeeping

The Housekeeping Committee is a dedicated team of volunteers responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the Temple's interior spaces. Their quiet, devoted service ensures that every room — from the sanctity of the main altar and chapel to the fellowship halls, classrooms, offices, and restrooms — is kept clean, orderly, and welcoming for all who enter.

Beyond regular cleaning, the committee manages the inventory and procurement of housekeeping supplies. It also oversees the coordination of contracted services for specialized maintenance needs that fall outside the scope of volunteer work.

In preparation for each monthly Day of Service, the Housekeeping Committee identifies and organizes interior projects — making the most of the collective energy and enthusiasm that volunteers bring on that day.

Garden

The Garden Committee is a team of volunteers responsible for the care and beauty of our Temple's outdoor grounds. Their hands-on service ensures that the gardens, pathways, and surrounding landscape remain clean, vibrant, and welcoming.

The committee's regular work includes mowing, trimming, weeding, planting, and general upkeep of all outdoor areas. Volunteers work together to keep the grounds healthy and well-tended throughout the changing seasons, ensuring that our Temple property always makes a peaceful and uplifting first impression on all who visit.

In preparation for each monthly Day of Service, the Garden Committee identifies and organizes outdoor projects. On that day, all are welcome to join, regardless of gardening experience. A love for the outdoors and a willing spirit are all that are needed.

Day of Service

 Third Saturday of Each Month The monthly Day of Service is a cherished tradition in our Temple community — a day set aside for devotees to come together in service, offering their time, energy, and talents in caring for our Temple.

 Volunteers work together on housekeeping and gardening tasks throughout our Temple buildings and grounds. Projects are coordinated so that every willing pair of hands is put to good use. A delicious lunch is provided for all attendees, making it a day of fellowship as well as service.

The Day of Service is open to all members and friends of the Temple. No special skills are required. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow devotees, contribute meaningfully to our Temple, and experience firsthand the joy of karma yoga — selfless action offered in the name of God and Guru.

Water

Services delivered water and cleans all dispensers.

Design Consultant

 The Design Consultant is a uniquely skilled individual who brings specialized training and expertise in spatial design and architecture to the service of our Temple community. This role is entrusted to someone with a formal background in design principles, space planning, and architectural aesthetics — ensuring that any improvements, renovations, or new developments to our Temple buildings and grounds are guided by a thoughtful and professional vision.

 "Group meditation is a castle that protects the new spiritual aspirants as well as the veteran meditators. Meditating together increases the degree of Self-realization of each member of the group by the law of invisible vibratory exchange of group magnetism.” PY

 The Team Lead oversees the scheduling of Meditation Leaders, ensuring that qualified volunteers are assigned to guide weekly group meditations, longer meditation sessions, and special Commemorative Services throughout the year.

Kirtan

Paramahansa Yogananda said “Chanting is half the battle.”

Kirtan is the ancient devotional practice of chanting the names and qualities of God — a powerful form of worship that stills the mind, opens the heart, and lifts the spirit into a deeper awareness of the Divine.

The Kirtan Committee is comprised of musicians and vocalists who lead our Temple community in this sacred practice during services, special events, and Commemorative services. Through the offering of sacred chants and devotional song, the members of this committee help create an atmosphere of worship and inner receptivity that prepares devotees for meditation and communion with God.

This team examines security issues that may impact the safety of attendees or the Temple property and grounds. Focus is on

· Assessing risks – walking the property to find vulnerabilities

· Controlling access – monitoring who enters and exits

· Event coverage – maintaining a discreet security presence during services

· Emergency planning – developing response plans for threats or incidents

· Training members – preparing the congregation for emergencies

· Liaising with police – building a relationship with local law enforcement

The Minister’s Assistant at SRF Glendale Temple helps ensure that temple operations run smoothly and in harmony with SRF’s spiritual ideals. The role requires strong organization, clear communication, empathy, and the ability to manage many responsibilities with respect and devotion.

 A solid understanding of SRF teachings, familiarity with temple life, and a sincere commitment to Paramahansa Yogananda’s mission are essential. Because each minister works differently, the position is flexible and adapts to the minister’s needs.

Core Responsibilities

• Spiritual alignment — Demonstrates a deep understanding of SRF principles and embodies them in daily conduct.

• Administrative support — Manages the minister’s schedule, correspondence, records, and documents; assists team leads with materials; and serves as the automatic Coordinator of the Steering Committee, whose members are appointed by the minister.

• Communication — Acts as a central point of contact between the minister, temple teams, Mother Center, and other SRF locations; maintains a clear overview of temple activities; and helps prioritize and direct incoming communications.

• Event coordination — Works with team leads to support temple events, ceremonies, classes, and commemorations, including preparing needed materials when requested.

• Support for spiritual programs — Assists with organizing study groups, youth programs, and other activities that encourage spiritual growth.

• Community engagement — Helps coordinate meetings, outreach efforts, and interactions between the minister and temple groups.

• Confidentiality — Handles sensitive information with discretion and upholds SRF’s ethical standards.

• Volunteer coordination — Supports the Volunteer Coordinator in managing volunteers, schedules, communication tools, and resolving concerns, ensuring volunteers feel valued and supported.

• Policy support — Assists in developing and implementing temple policies that reflect SRF’s values.

• Financial assistance — Helps with donation handling, budgeting tasks, and tracking expenditures as needed.

• Personal assistance — Provides direct support to the minister in carrying out their spiritual and administrative responsibilities.

Chosen by the Minister‑in‑Charge, this committee supports the minister in shaping and implementing policies that guide the temple’s overall functioning. Serving as a harmonious administrative bridge between the Mother Center, the minister, and the congregation, the committee offers steady organizational stewardship that helps relieve monastics of administrative responsibilities so they can focus on their spiritual duties. In this spirit of guru‑seva, the committee actively supports temple volunteers, team leads, coordinators, and the wider membership to ensure the temple operates smoothly, collaboratively, and in alignment with SRF’s ideals.