Monthly Archives: August 2011

IVPA Welcomes new member, AYUDA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IVPA Welcomes AYUDA as Newest Association Member
NEW YORK, New York (August 26, 2011) 

 

The International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) is pleased to welcome American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad (AYUDA) as the newest IVPA member.

AYUDA’s mission aims to “empower youth to serve as agents of change in diabetes communities around the world.” Since 1997, non-profit organization has been sending volunteers to work in partnership within communities to develop and implement diabetes programs.

AYUDA empowers youth by providing hands-on experiences that inspires volunteers to serve as agents of social change, not only at the local level in diabetes communities abroad but in other areas of their lives as well. AYUDA volunteers go through a rigorous application and training process before partnering in-country with local diabetes organizations. Past projects included hosting camps for kids with diabetes, providing training for families affected by diabetes and outreach to communities on how to live happier, healthy lives. AYUDA volunteers serve during the summer month and applications for 2012 will be available soon.

“AYUDA is a unique volunteer organization in that it is very mission driven. They offer quality volunteer experiences, focused on youth empowerment and helping those affected by diabetes” says IVPA Executive Director Genevieve Brown. “We are excited to welcome them as a member of IVPA.”

“We are pleased be a part of the IVPA and to be joining other likeminded organizations that share our commitment to empowering volunteers and promoting local sustainability abroad,” Nicolass Cuttriss, Co-Founder of AYUDA added.

IVPA stands for quality and responsibility in the field of international volunteering. Organizations in the US are eligible for membership in IVPA if they meet IVPA’s Practices and Principles and have at least two years of incorporation.

About IVPA

The International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) is an association of non-governmental organizations involved in international volunteer work and internship exchanges. IVPA is an association of volunteer sending organizations but does not organize or run its own volunteer programs. IVPA stands for quality and responsibility in the field of international volunteer abroad programs. Members uphold the IVPA’s Principles and Practices as guidelines for good programming as well as meet stringent membership criteria

 

Can Being an International Volunteer Land You a Job?

By | Genevieve Brown, IVPA Executive Director, Research, Tips for Volunteering Abroad | No Comments

Can becoming an international volunteer help you get a job? According to The University of California San Diego Extension’s Center for Global Volunteer Service (CGVS) the answer is maybe. By spending time abroad volunteering you may be developing important skills that translate to the workplace back home.  CGVS recently completed a survey studying global volunteer service and the workplace.

The survey was completed by 1010 adults from across the country. They found that respondents thought that those participating in international volunteering also developed leadership skills, creativity and resourcefulness  Other benefits may be developing compassion and a willingness to give to others and intercultural awareness.

Voluntourism continues to grow in popularity. CGVS reported the highest ever exposure and participation in global service.

“Over half (52 percent) of respondents said they had joined in a discussion within the past year about participating in a volunteer service project or trip to regions outside their own community or country — a 7 percent increase over the previous UC San Diego Extension survey in 2009 and the first time that figure has risen above 50 percent.”

The younger populations also report very high interest and exposure to international volunteering. Out of college students surveyed 91 percent said they knew someone personally who had been a global service volunteer and 87 percent of high school students gave the same response.

So how can you leverage an international voluneer trip when applying for jobs? Make sure to highlight the experience on your resume. Remember to quantify your service by giving numbers that tell a story. For example, you could say that you taught English classes to 30 kids or gave 80 hours of service in building a home. You can also use stories of lessons you learned or skills you developed when in an interview. Prepare with practice questions beforehand so you narratives flow.

Registration Now Open for IVPA Global Volunteering Fairs

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IVPA is excited to announce that registration is now open for organizations interested in having space at our 2011 Global Volunteering Fairs. Each fair will be a three-hour event where prospective volunteers can chat with representatives of international volunteer organizations as well as attend free workshops on international service topics.

 

Dates and Locations

Two IVPA Global Volunteering Fairs will be held this October in Washington DC and New York City:

Washington, DC (5:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, October 25)           

5:00-8:00pm @ St Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church

1525 Newton Street NW, Washington, DC  20010

 

New York, NY (5:00-8:00pm on Thursday, October 27) ­­

5:00-8:00pm @ John Jay College of Criminal Justice*

899 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY  10019

* Tentative location

Registration

Participating organizations will receive:

  • A 2×6-foot table in the main fair space
  • Meals for two representatives
  • Links to their organization, both on the fairs’ registration website (to be launched in September 2011) as well as in promotional outreach to thousands of potential international volunteers
  • The opportunity to network with fellow volunteer-sending organizations

To register please contact IVPA or Erin Barnhart (erin(at)effectivealtruism.com)