Participate
Have a bit of spare time and enthusiasm? You may be exactly what we're looking for!
Look at what's available and pick your choice, or just let us know of your skills and go on record so we know you're out there, and fill in the
participation form to get in touch with us.
I - Archival Tasks
Locating and archiving materials.
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II - Art Production
Producing paintings and line-art.
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III - Editing and Proofreading
Refining our diverse publications.
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IV - Financial Support
Donating to support our work.
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V - Graphic Design
Book covers, DVD labels, websites.
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VI - Independent Projects
Projects supported by Gaudiya Kutir.
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VII - Media Production
Audio and video recording and mastering.
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VIII - Software Development
Coding varieties of desktop and web applications.
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IX - Transcribing
Typing in classes and narrations.
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X - Translation
From Sanskrit or Bengali to English, or from English to your language.
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XI - Transliteration
Typing in Sanskrit and Bengali text in Roman transliteration.
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XII - Websites
Updates to both managed and supported websites.
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I - Archival Tasks
Archival tasks include everything from scanning or photographing manuscripts to uncovering and categorizing public domain or royalty free images and other media that may be of use in future Gaudiya Kutir publications. The latter can be done either from various online archives or from printed materials; the collector should look at possible copyright issues while engaged in the task. You are, of course, also welcome to share your own photo archives! Read more on the need for
archiving images.
Requirements: Access to potentially useful materials in print or in a digital format.
Bonus: Facility to digitize the materials (scanner / camera).
II - Art Production
Production of paintings and drawings, both on-demand and for archiving. Oil, water colors, ink, digital – whichever medium is your choice. Terms of use for your art on a per-case basis – we naturally prefer material that can be freely used. Read more on the need for
line art.
Requirements: Ability to produce publishing quality art in the medium of your choice.
Bonus: Skills in using vector graphic and/or image processing software.
III - Editing and Proofreading
We aren't running out of materials to publish, whether online or in printed media. The broader a base of editors and proofreaders we have, the quicker the production and the fewer the mistakes. Most current work revolves around SKCSM publications and the gkWiki encyclopedia project.
Requirements: Fluent English. Working knowledge of using a word processor. For proofreading, a keen eye for mistakes. For editing, a sound grasp of Gaudiya theology. For checking against original texts, knowledge of the source language, generally Bengali or Sanskrit.
Preferred: Facility for rapid communication during the active production phase of a publication.
IV - Financial Support
While no personal profit is sought for, resources are a necessity – a necessity that calls for funding. Donations may be directed towards an individual project, towards a specific need, or for the organization in general. Funds will be employed to:
- Cover the varieties of material expenses acquired in the course of the ongoing projects.
- Issue grants for projects to aid volunteers in committing the necessary time and focus for the work.
One-time donations and recurring, monthly donations are both possible. We also welcome material donations – if you have access to equipment or facilities you believe might be useful for us, please don't hesitate to contact us and make a suggestion.
Requirements: A generous nature and a desire to help our worthy endeavor.
V - Graphic Design
We are constantly producing and revising books, DVDs and websites. Fresh visual ideas and inspirations are always welcome.
Requirements: A good aesthetic sense, working knowledge of common graphics applications.
Preferred: An internet connection suitable for transfering high-resolution images up to hundreds of megabytes.
VI - Independent Projects
Whether you have a budding idea or are amidst a project in full speed, you might benefit from a relationship with Gaudiya Kutir. Gaudiya Kutir supports a number of independent projects, offering assistance and consultation in diverse forms:
- Free hosting space
- Prepress work in producing literature
- Processing and publishing audiovisual content
- Website development
In return for our assistance, offered as far as time and resources permit, all we ask is that you:
- Give credit to Gaudiya Kutir in assisting your project.
- Allow us to feature you as a Gaudiya Kutir supported, independent project.
Requirements: Continuity. Don't drop your project after a month after we've invested our time and resources in helping you develop it.
VII - Media Production
The bulk of our media production falls under the heading of Lake of Flowers Productions, see the
website to get a better idea of what's been produced and what kinds of materials we generally work with. We are also looking at producing introductory videos and documentaries, both strictly from our own materials as well as mixed with diverse Creative Commons licensed or Public Domain footage.
Requirements for audio recording: Ability to properly position the microphone and use the recording equipment (of your choice, or our Edirol R1) .
Requirements for video recording: Skills in using a video camera, a good sense of what to shoot, filming in a manner that doesn't disturb the event.
Requirements for audio mastering: Working knowledge of programs such as Audition or SoundForge, a good ear for fine-tuning the sound. Proper headphones!
Requirements for video mastering: Working knowledge of programs such as Vegas, Premier or other suitable applications. An eye for spotting sections that could use filtering.
Requirements for original works: A sound sense of Gaudiya theology, ability to examine the target audience and write scripts that work and drive in the message.
Bonus: Ability to compose and master original works yourself. Fast internet connection.
VIII - Software Development
While the bulk of our current software solutions has to do with web applications, we have concepts for desktop applications as well – but lack the extensive know-how and time doing it would call for. Especially interested in developers with experience on Windows API in a language of your choice.
Requirements: For web applications, sound knowledge of PHP, MySQL and other relevant platforms. For desktop applications, sound knowledge of C++, Java, Python, VB or any language of choice.
Bonus: Ability to produce cross-platform.
Beta-testers are also welcome, no special qualifications required!
IX - Transcribing
Transcribing classes and speeches, both English and Bengali. Classes of Sri Ananta Das Babaji, translations thereof, classes by other speakers.
Requirements: Must be able to type proper English! In case of Bengali, knowledge of an appropriate transliteration scheme.
Helpful: Familiarity with Indian accents on English.
X - Translation
Translating Sanskrit and Bengali works to English. Translating literature of choice to your language, producing localized versions of Gaudiya Kutir managed websites.
Requirements: Sound knowledge of English and the second language.
Preferred: With local translations, available editor(s) who can work in your language.
XI - Transliteration
There's no end to text to be transliterated. Some texts need to be transliterated for our publications, some for quick reference in editing and verifying translations, and some for research purposes. Much of what's transliterated will also become openly available.
Requirements: Familiarity with Sanskrit or Bengali script, knowledge of a transliteration scheme of choice.
Bonus: A degree of familiarity with the languages that allows you to spot and correct mistakes in the original text.
XII - Websites
As the number of Gaudiya Kutir managed and supported websites grows, the need to manage updates grows. Our update tasks are fairly streamlined, learning how to update each site is easy enough.
Requirements: Basic knowledge of HTML and the use of an FTP client. Online availability, punctuality.
Preferred: Skills using an image processing program of choice, optimizing images for web use.
