A free resource for nonprofit
organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations,
charities, schools, public sector agencies & other mission-based
agencies
by Jayne Cravens
via coyotecommunications.com
& coyoteboard.com (same
web site)
International Volunteer Engagement Resources:
For Both Agencies Involving Volunteers & Those That Want to
Volunteer
International volunteering, where a person from one
country goes to another country to volunteer, or volunteers while
traveling in another country, is the most dreamed-of kind of
volunteering by people that want to help others. It is highly
romanticized and misunderstood, both by those that want to volunteer
abroad and those NGOs and charities that want to involve such
volunteers.
Having experience in both working in development and
humanitarian aid initiatives abroad AND in all aspects of volunteerism,
particularly regarding appropriate support of volunteers and the ethics
around volunteerism, puts me in a unique position to talk about
international volunteering. And I do talk about it - probably more than
anything else, even more than virtual
volunteering.
These are all of my resources regarding international volunteering. Most
of it is for those that want to volunteer abroad, but some of it is for
NGOs that want to involve foreign volunteers.
- Hosting
International Volunteers
More and more local organizations in developing countries are turning to
local expertise, rather than international volunteers, to support their
efforts. However, the need for international volunteers remains, and
will for many, many years to come. This resource provides tips for local
organization in a developing countries interested in gaining access to
international volunteers.
- Reality Check: Volunteering Abroad
(especially for citizens of the USA)
Times have changed drastically in the last 30 years regarding Americans
and other "westerners" volunteering in other countries. The emphasis in
local relief and development efforts is to empower local people, and to
hire local people, whenever possible, to address their own issues, build
their own capacities, and give them employment. This strategy is much
more beneficial to local communities than to bring in an outside
volunteer. That said -- the days of international volunteers are NOT
numbered: there will always be a need for international volunteers,
either to fill gaps in knowledge and service in a local situation, or
because a more neutral observer/contributor is required. This new page
provides tips on gaining the skills and experience that are critically
needed to volunteer overseas.
- 14 Reasons Not to Volunteer
Abroad
These are the most common reasons people say they want to volunteer
abroad. And they are not good reasons. In fact, they often hurt people
and animals in other countries, rather than helping. This list also
provides the good reasons to volunteer abroad, how you can help right in
your own community to help regarding a disaster far away, and more.
- Vetting
Organizations in Other Countries
One of the frequently asked questions I receive is: "how do I know if a
mission-based organization in another country is 'for real'? I want to
volunteer/donate to such, but first, I want to make sure it's a credible
organization, that it's not some sort of scam, or an 'organization' of
just one person." This list of suggestions is my answer.
- Ideas for Funding Your Volunteering
Abroad Trip & How to Engage in RESPECTFUL
"Voluntourism." This resource includes suggestions of ethical programs
and questions to ask any program that wants your money to give you your
feel-good short-term volunteering experience in another country.
- Volunteering to help after major
disasters - if you have ever wanted to help people affected
by a sudden event like an earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, fire or
human-caused event, this resource details what you need to do NOW.
- Packing advice for first-time
humanitarians & aid workers
What you should pack before you head out on your first mission trip.
Return to this web
site's index of volunteer engagement-related
resources
And also time to have a look at:
The Last Virtual Volunteering Guidebook:
Fully Integrating Online Service Into Volunteer Involvement.
A comprehensive guide to using online tools for supporting
& engaging ALL volunteers, & for creating online roles &
online tasks for volunteers.
The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Virtual Volunteering At Any Organization.
Here's how to order
(includes table of contents and reviews).
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web page, or comment on it, here.
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