Welcome to Partners Corner where Volunteers for Prosperity partner organizations, U.S.-based nonprofits and companies, can exchange useful information based on topics related to international voluntary service. This forum provides VfP partners periodic opportunities to share with others in the VfP partner network insights and perspectives on managing volunteer programs.
This month VfP partner, CHF International, shares its insights on the topics listed below. CHF International is a nonprofit organization located in Silver Spring, Maryland that focuses on local capacity building and community-led development projects in approximately 30 countries worldwide each year. CHF recruits skilled American volunteers for short-term assignments overseas and is especially interested in applicants with experience in specialties such as: marketing, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, database design, and local governance.
- Importance of volunteers to your organization’s mission
Through its Visiting International Professionals (VIP) Program, CHF International utilizes the skills of volunteers willing to donate their time and energy around the world. The mission of CHF International is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low-and moderate-income communities around the world and VIP volunteers embody that effort. In the past year alone, VIPs have designed databases for HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya, trained craft entrepreneurs in the former Soviet state of Georgia, and developed tools for cooperative business initiatives in the Philippines. By sharing their extensive technical expertise, VIPs initiate innovative programming for our beneficiaries in developing countries around the globe.
- Primary challenges facing your organization’s volunteer program
A primary challenge is identifying prospective volunteers with the level of experience and skill required and who are also available to take time out of their busy lives for an international volunteer assignment. Generally our VIP assignments are at least 3 weeks in duration to allow the volunteer enough time to complete the assignment and justify the expense of international travel. This is a significant time commitment for professionals still active in their work careers or who have families to take care of in the United States.
- Steps taken by your organization to meet those challenges
CHF is developing strategic partnerships with various organizations and professional associations to help identify skilled individuals as prospective volunteers. We have had a good deal of success working through such organizations to publicize opportunities to our target candidates.
- Tips for creating and managing effective volunteer programs
It is imperative to always remember that your volunteers are skilled individuals who are donating their time and talents to your organizations. They are not employees who receive financial compensation for their work. It is profoundly important and also rewarding to take the time to get to know your volunteers on a personal level. Ask about their families, interests and home towns. The most effective way to manage and recognize volunteers is to make them feel like they matter to your organization. There is no better or simpler way to do that then to just take a couple of minutes to ask about their lives. Volunteers have amazing life stories. Take a minute to listen.
Note: Partners Corner is not intended to serve as a vehicle for making recommendations to the VfP Office, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or the U.S. Government. Views on the topics are completely voluntary and help to facilitate a useful exchange of ideas among VfP partners on best practices, challenges, and lessons learned relating to international voluntary service.
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