Pacific Cascades Area
AFS Intercultural Programs
AFS is the leading high school foreign exchange program, with opportunities to live and study in over 50 countries worldwide.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
for Pacific Cascades Area and Local Chapters
(from Volunteer For AFS newsletter 2005)
Depending on your interest, you may volunteer for the HOSTING or SENDING
programs. Volunteers are needed for both Local (L) and Area (A)
assignments.
Sending Opportunities
• Interview Americans Abroad candidates (L)Hosting Opportunities
• Collect, proof, and process paperwork (L)
• Give presentations in local schools (L/A)
• Be an AFS contact in your local school (L)
• Contact potential families. (L)Organizational Opportunities
• Interview host family applicants. (L)
• Collect and process paperwork (L)
• Review available students weekly and provide student information to host families. (L)
• Assist with orientation of host families (L/A)
• Support AFS programs as a “liaison” for foreign student and their host family (L)
• Be an Aunt & Uncle family for a foreign student (L)
• Plan an activity for foreign students (L/A)
• Assist with orientation of foreign students (A)
• Serve as Chapter Chair, Treasurer, Sending or Hosting Coordinators. (L)VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES—Linked to Specific Events organized for the Pacific Cascades Area
• Organize a special task force, focus group, or committee (L/A).
• Raise funds for your local AFS group (L)
• Train AFS volunteers as mentors or at structured training events. (L/A)
• Represent AFS at a community information booth or event. (L/A)
Hosted Students & Families Orientations: Adjustment Phases
(To volunteer contact Evelyn Moore (503) 749-2526)
Phase 1 Arrival: At U of O, Eugene, August (second weekend, Wednesday Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
Arrival Director: Send pick-up instruction letters to families and follow up, make site arrangement, recruit session leaders, conduct short orientation for families, record passport information, be on call 24 hrs in case of delayed arrivals. (55-60 participants)
Bus Chaperones: Travel to Seattle during the day, chaperone ‘just arrived’ students to U of O, late at night. Usually arrive in Eugene about 2:00 AM. Help check in the students, settle them into rooms, can depart or stay to help until students are picked up by families the following day.
Session Leaders: Present Arrival orientation material to a small group of students, who may have very limited understanding of spoken English. Assist with some recreational activities, walk with students to meals, etc.
Phase 2 Post Arrival: North: September (last weekend) or South: October (first weekend)
Post Arrival Directors: Arrange for overnight facility, send letters to families, recruit session leaders, plan curriculum, prepare leader’s guides and mail to session leaders, arrange for recreational activities (games) and evening entertainment, prepare schedule, get kitchen help/cook, prepare schedule (hardcopy), assign students to groups, prepare
nametags, organize and direct the event. Answer questions. (25-30 participants)
Hosted Student Session Leaders: Study material and use your experience as background for discussions. Present material to students, make note of any problems and relay this to Orientation Director, participate in recreational activities and art projects.
Sibling Session Leaders: Same as hosted students but focus on the needs and interest of siblings.
An overnight event for hosted students and sibs with 1:00 AM curfew. Night chaperones needed.
Young Host Sibling Session Leader: Entertain and conduct a discussion about their role in the experience.
Host Parent Session Leaders: Present material and issues to parents as assigned by director. Lead discussions and answer questions. Not an overnight for parents and young sibs.
Phase 3 Mid-Year: Sky Camp, March (first weekend)
Director: Plan and delegate if possible, arrange for facilities (camp, school and bus), plan and create curriculum, create leader's guide, recruit staff (send letters and leaders guides), plan for backups, prepare and send mailings, prepare programs for each group, prepare handouts, prepare signs, arrange for entertainment, keep track of registrations, follow-up with students and families not registered, assign groups and cabins, make name tags including assignments, answer questions, train staff, manage event, follow up with camp caretakers, see that bills are paid, and more. (160-200 participants)
Camp Logistic Coordinator: Work with camp caretaker, camp facilities, supplies, help kitchen staff, manage cleanup at end of camp and throughout weekend.
MC, General Session, Evening and Sunday (can be 3 different people) Introduce sessions, speakers, rules and entertainment, make announcements as needed, help direct student groups and enforce camp rules.
Hosted Student Session Leaders and Sibling Session Leaders: Learn curriculum, use experience as background for discussions, direct students (particularly your group), games and activities. Be a role model, help facilitate all activities. (8-12 in group)
Young Host Sibling Session Leader: Entertain and have some discussion about their role in the experience.
Host Parent Workshops: Present material and issues to parents as assigned by director. Lead discussions and answer questions.
Americans Abroad Workshop: Prepare and present fundraising workshop for students and parents, answer questions about scholarships, the experience, preparations, etc
Returnee Re-entry Workshop: (5-15 participants): Invite recent returnees by phone or email. Conduct reentry workshop, share experiences and encourage future volunteering.
Panel Moderator: Create a list of questions to be asked of college exchange students, preside over the panel for AA session and adult session.
Cook, Kitchen Helpers, and Shopper; Shop for groceries and supplies, prepare breakfast Saturday (30-35 participants) & lunch (30-35 participants), dinner Saturday (160), breakfast Sunday (130), and snacks at lodge. Wash dishes using commercial equipment and clean kitchen at end of conference.
All Night Chaperones: Supervise students in lodge, from end of dance till morning, Prior to 12:00 curfew, check cabins, bathhouse, camp grounds, and walking paths for any students not in lodge or quiet in cabins; set out designated snacks, supervise keeping facilities clean and ensure students stay in lodge and remain there after 12:00 midnight. Night chaperones could partner for half-night duties.
Phase 4 Pre-return: Various dates, 2-3 trainers needed.
Teach curriculum as assigned by AFS leader’s guide. May be asked to arrange facility and provide snacks. Approximately 3 hours. Might be included with an enrichment activity, (20-30 participants at each session).
Phase 5 End of Stay: June (Usually last Sunday)
Departure Coordinator: Arrange for facility, recruit bus chaperones, buy groceries and supplies for barbeque, (Potluck for salads and desserts), barbeque and prepare for picnic, conduct short orientation for host parents, have a cell phone for on-call contact in case buses are delayed.
Bus chaperones: Send departure instruction letters to families and follow up if confirmation is not received, conduct orientation for students, assemble name tags and travel instruction prior to students arriving at site. Weigh luggage and require adjustments as needed, chaperone students to Seattle late at night for arrival by 6:00 AM. In Seattle: help check in the students, and/or assist with meals, and/or organize shower assignments, and/or chaperone bus to airport.
Americans Abroad Orientations
Winter Departure November
Usually done by the Sending Coordinator(s): Arrange for facility, recruit group leaders to teach curriculum as assigned by AFS leader’s guide, and provide snacks and lunch. This is a one-day session and includes a 2-3 hour session for applicant’s parents. (10 -15 participants).
Summer Departure April
Usually done by the Sending Coordinator(s) and 2-3 group leaders. Arrange for facility, recruit group leaders to teach curriculum as assigned by AFS leaders guide and provide snacks and lunch. This is a one-day session or could be an overnight. Includes a 2-3 hour session for applicant’s parents.
Panel Moderator and six panel members. (25-35 participants).
Special Workshops at Sky Camp: See Mid-Year at Sky Camp Page 3
Returnee Retreat for Summer Returnees (Done at Sky Camp, see Mid Year at Sky Camp page 3)
Usually done by the Area Returnee Coordinator. Arrange for facility and food. Conduct re-entry workshop or recruit group leaders sharing experiences and encourage future volunteering. This is usually an overnight but could be done in a day session in small groups around the area.
You can also email the AFS Pacific Cascades Area team at info@afscascades.org to find out more information.
Last revision March 8, 2007