Natural Dharma Fellowship would not exist without the ever-present support and kindness of volunteers. As national Volunteer month begins, NDF offers deep gratitude for every moment of service that our beautiful sangha offers to help spread the Dharma and nurture our mutual refuge.

There are countless ways to volunteer at Natural Dharma Fellowship—and each one can become a meaningful part of the path. In this interview, Jean Fazzino Lain reflects on her journey from public school educator to deeply engaged practitioner. Through roles like retreat manager, Zoom host, and Margha Mitra, Jean has discovered that offering service to the sangha not only supports others—it nourishes and deepens her own practice.

Shemaleiah: How did you first connect with Natural Dharma Fellowship?

Jean: I have a long and wonderful relationship with Kathe McKenna that started in the 1970s. Right after college, I lived and worked at Haley House, the Catholic Worker house she and her husband John founded. We were both in the space of Christian, service-oriented, anti-war, social justice work. I moved to New York, and she stayed in Boston but eventually we both ended up finding Buddhism.

Years later, I visited Harvard to see the Dalai Lama and Kathe was there. I met Lama Willa through her. During all those years we’d been apart, I had been really searching for Sangha. I had moved to a rural area and felt spiritually isolated. I was very busy focusing on raising my children, tending to my career, but lacked a Sangha. And Kathe was a wonderful connection to NDF.

Shemaleiah: What inspired you to take on so many volunteer roles within the organization?

Jean: When I became a part of NDF, I started with attending online programs and immediately felt a connection. 

At the time, I was still working full-time as a middle school principal—my career was crazy. I was at my desk from 6:00 in the morning to 5:30 at night most days. I joined the Margha Program, which meets once a month, and fit into my busy work life. Those meetings were a tether. I was with like-minded souls. We were walking the path together, and I soon knew my relationship to the community would be a long-term connection and that I’d want to do more when I had the capacity.

When I retired, someone wisely told me to pick just two focuses. For me, that was family—I have six grandchildren—and NDF. A few weeks after retiring, I got an email looking for a volunteer Margha co-coordinator. It felt like it was written just for me. With my background in education, I thought, “Oh, I can do this organizational piece. I can do it well.” That was the first volunteer thing I did.

Shemaleiah: You’re involved in so many parts of NDF—Zoom host, retreat manager, board member, Mitra, program coordinator, and member of the Spiritual Programming Committee. Are there roles that feel especially close to your heart?

Jean: There’s definitely a lot to do with NDF—plenty of service to go around. Margha will always be close to my heart. It has made such a big difference in my life—the connection with other people on the path.

I love serving as retreat manager, too. People often thank the retreat manager at the end of a retreat and say, “Oh my gosh, you take care of everything. This must be so hard.” But I’m thinking, “It’s not hard at all. You are not 400 kids running wild!” And I really feel so deeply that everybody there helps. As a retreat manager you’re keeping an eye on things, staying calm, creating a safe container. But you’re part of a team. We form little communities for those weekends or that week. Everyone supports each other, and it’s just very wonderful.

Shemaleiah: How do you balance the practical side of service with your own practice?

Jean: That’s a very important question for me because I tend to get lost in the doing. During my work life I got used to carrying the weight of everything on my own. When you’re in a leadership role in education (or many careers), the buck stops with you. You’re going to live or die on that hill. And those hills show up every day.

But being connected to the Sangha takes away the attachment to my work. When I was working, my work/job identified me. Now these jobs are simply part of my practice. And I’m learning to let go of the doing, the need to be perfect, the overwhelm—because I trust that I’m not alone here. 

For me, it’s been astonishing to recognize how different my other life was. That’s what’s so special about NDF. I can call Barbara, or Kathe, and say, “I’m really struggling with this,” or “I really messed up,” or “I didn’t…” And the response is: “No, I don’t see you as messing up. Here’s what we’ll do to fix it.” To have a community of trust like that is very new to me.

I think this is part of NDF’s beauty, how it provides space for all of us. From the very beginning of my time in this community, I was allowed to just be. And this isn’t only my experience—everybody is allowed to be open, and we listen to each other and see each other as people, not just as roles to fill. I love that. I feel like that’s the space NDF holds for us—as Buddhists, as practitioners. 

Shemaleiah: What’s it like being a Mitra in the Margha Program and supporting others on the path?

Jean: Being a Mitra has been very profound for me. This year my intention has been diligence in teaching the practice. I need to feel confident in what I’m teaching, so I really immerse myself in the teachings. Luckily, we have so many resources from our dear Lamas and Mitras. I always find the anchors I need to move it forward, connect it with my life, and use that as an example in teaching. 

And I’ve had plenty of opportunities for practice as the program coordinator too. Sometimes people miss emails, or don’t read through them all the way, and I feel my judgmental, annoyed parts coming up. Then my practice kicks in and invites me to calm down, to answer the question (again). And I love noticing that back and forth because it makes me laugh at myself and helps me let go into the present. 

Shemaleiah: In addition to Margha and retreat managing, you also Zoom host—what’s your relationship with technology these days?

Jean: Funny story—a long time ago I used to teach fifth grade, and when the school started putting computers in classrooms, I was concerned; the fifth graders definitely knew more about them than I did. 

So—this is my insanity—I went back to school and earned a master’s in instructional technology. Afterwards I taught teachers how to utilize technology in their classes. Eventually, as a principal, I had to oversee all the technology in the building.

When I retired, I would have been happy to never see a computer again, so at first I didn’t volunteer for Zoom hosting or anything tech-related. But eventually, I couldn’t ignore the request for volunteers. “Okay, Jean, you’ve got to do this. People need help.”

And yes, tech things sometimes go wrong—slides don’t show up, the sound glitches—but I’ve learned to just laugh and roll with it. Even when our technology is not perfect, our participants are so grateful for what we provide and how it helps them access the dharma. And the camaraderie between hosts, studio pilots, teachers is so loving and supportive and understanding. We just laugh when a glitch happens and move one.

I’m going to put you on the spot, Shemaleiah. I remember when I was training to be a Zoom host—how much I admired your way of greeting people, introducing them to the space—just being open, kind and generous, and smiling. It was so different from my time in public education, where I tended to be serious and provide a strict structure. You opened my eyes to the reality that this is different—this is a space of loving joy. And I smiled more because of you.

Shemaleiah: Thank you—that means so much to me! One thing I’ve learned at NDF, which I didn’t always feel in other professional settings, is trust. Trusting others, trusting the sangha. Trusting that, like you said, if a ball is dropped, someone else will pick it up—with no penalties, no blame. Just a loving, supportive community where we can show up as we are, clumsy hands and all.

Jean: It’s the same with being a retreat manager—when you feel that trust, you can let go of the need to control everything. There’s a gentleness that arises from the sincere wish to help, and a deep gratitude for being surrounded by such generous sangha mates.

Shemaleiah: What do you think makes volunteer engagement so strong in this community?

Jean: Because there’s no other way it’s going to work! It’s really important for people to know how heavily we depend on volunteers. People are often surprised to learn how much is volunteer-run, how many of us are quietly holding big responsibilities. Once people realize that, they’re often inspired to pitch in. And they’re not alone—we all help each other.

I think it’s Dianne (NDF Tech Wizard) who always says, “America may run on Dunkin, but NDF runs on volunteers.” And it’s true. Knowing this strengthens the sense of community because we’re all necessary. This amazing organization works because all of us are here! It’s a very strong ideal. It’s so important

Shemaleiah: Any words of encouragement for someone considering volunteering?

Jean: Just try it. Whatever draws your attention—start there. We need people. Show us your skills or stretch your limits! All volunteers are so appreciated. Whatever you do, you’ll be supported; you’re going to have this sangha surrounding you to help. And if it turns out you don’t like it, then you can try something else. There’s a lot to do around NDF.

Shemaleiah: Yes indeed! And many ways to get involved, too. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our community—about your journey with Natural Dharma Fellowship, what it means to serve, or in general?

Jean: I just want to give great thanks to our teachers. I’m always amazed and thankful for their brilliance—as women, as women on the path, as Tibetan teachers—holding both the outside world and the lineage. That’s a precious, precious balance. And it manifests itself in how beautifully NDF is held by all who serve. The Lamas, the Teachers Council, the staff, the board, and of course the practitioners-all serving the Dharma…for the benefit of all.