Amigos de las Américas is a private, not-for-profit volunteer organization. Preparation for the field program requires fundraising activities, technical project training, and the development of cultural understanding and leadership skills. Technical training includes activities such as teaching the principles behind environmental issues, nutrition, water purification and dental hygiene. Methods for teaching classes and other general technical skills contribute to the volunteers’ preparation for in-country projects. Volunteers receive more specific training for their project when they arrive in country. Our goal is to provide the volunteers with training that will enhance their confidence, safety and coping skills in Latin America.

Certain minimum standards and requirements are necessary to assure safety, adequate training and generation of sufficient funds to cover the cost of travel, supplies and program operation.

Age: Must be sixteen by September 1, 2008 and have completed sophomore year of high school.

Language: Must have completed two (2) years of high school Spanish or Portuguese (for the Brazil project) by date of departure or be a native speaker.

Training: Must have completed Chapter training and have the endorsement of the Training Director.

Training sessions are mandatory. This includes two overnight Training Sessions (Orientation – Nov. 9-10, 2007; Training January 25-26, 2008) and a Camp-Out at the end of the training year in May 2008. Training includes two meetings a month, usually on Sunday afternoon, and several weekend activities.

Attendance: It is expected that volunteers will attend every meeting and that they will be there on time. If a volunteer is going to miss or be late to a meeting, he/she must call the Training Director in advance and make up the training time at the direction of the Training Director. Absence or tardiness which has not been pre-approved will put the volunteer at risk for disqualification from the program, at any time up to the departure date. Volunteers must turn off their cell phones while at training meetings.

Official papers: Each volunteer must have a valid passport and any required visas, all required immunizations and field materials, and three (3) photos for applications and identification. There are additional forms to be completed throughout the year, including an official application due on Sunday, December 2, 2007 and a Medical Update Form due on April 6, 2008. It is expected that all documents will be turned in complete and on time. If the applicant has a pre-existing medical or psychological challenge, this must be disclosed on the initial Confidential Health Form. Acceptance into the program is provisional until the health screening is done by the AMIGOS medical team, in coordination with the family and the applicant’s physician.

Rules of Conduct: The following eight rules apply during training when volunteers are gathered at any AMIGOS function or meeting; during the entire time the volunteer is traveling to or from their country assignment; and during their in-country assignment.

NO use of alcoholic beverages

NO smoking

NO use or possession of drugs

NO amorous conduct

NO use or possession of firearms or other weapons

NO leaving of assigned work area without the knowledge and express permission of the Project Supervisor. (While in training, this includes leaving the training area without notification to the Training Staff.)

NO driving of a motor vehicle or riding on a motorcycle while in country

ALL illnesses and USE OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION while in Latin America must be reported to the AMIGOS Project Supervisor.

• At least one parent must attend the mandatory monthly Parent Meetings. Parents will receive important information about AMIGOS training, safety and fundraising at these meetings.
• Fundraising is a GROUP effort. Parents must commit to helping their AMIGO with the fundraising goals of the Chapter.
• Parents must contribute time to working on one or more Chapter activities. Parents will be given the opportunity to choose an activity that uses their talents and skills to contribute to the success of the Chapter.
• One or more parents must have an e-mail address that they check frequently for mail, since this is the primary form of communication from the Training Staff and Board. Any change in e-mail address must be reported promptly to a member of the Chapter Board.
• Volunteers are not permitted to take cell phones with them to Latin America. Volunteers may be given an opportunity to call home half way through their summer (referred to as mid-term break), provided the location and time permit, and the volunteer chooses to do so. Parents will be notified as soon as possible of any medical or other emergency relevant to their teen, but are otherwise discouraged from communicating with their teen while in country except by letter. Frequent communication with home is a distraction from the volunteer’s participation in his/her host community, limits his/her growth and independence, and is culturally insensitive. At the parent meetings, Chapter Board members will review the AMIGOS protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of the volunteers.