How Volunteer Assignments Are Made

 

Volunteers in training complete the Volunteer Assignment Preference Form, return it to the Chapter which forwards it to the International Office, and the placement process begins.

 

When assigning volunteers to projects, the International Office must consider a variety of factors, most importantly any special medical considerations a volunteer might have.   Once the volunteers’ medical considerations are attended to the International office will place them based on the following factors, in no particular order, these factors are:

 

•  Volunteer preference for a project

 

                • Volunteer country and term length preferences

 

                • Requests by the Latin American sponsoring agency

 

                • Male-female distribution

 

                • Geographical distribution

 

                • Volunteer ability and skills needed for the project

 

               

 

Project assignments are made beginning February 6, 2008 for volunteers who have submitted a complete application.  Selections are announced at the Chapter "Assignment Fiesta ," which will be held March 2, 2008

 

In April, volunteers will receive the Volunteer Country Materials written by the Project Director after his/her initial survey of the work area in the spring.  This packet of information contains specifics of the project such as a packing list, mailing address, work plans and goals for the summer.  Aside from reviewing the country materials, volunteers should continue to educate themselves on country specifics, fine-tune their language skills and prepare mentally for the summer ahead.

 

There is the possibility that a volunteer's assignment will be changed to accommodate requests made by a sponsoring agency and/or at the discretion of the International Office.  Volunteers are expected to maintain a flexible attitude at every stage of the AMIGOS program.