1. Why Pay to Volunteer Abroad?
W EBINARS
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
3:30-4:30 p.m. EST
www.crossculturalsolutions.org

2. Agenda
• Introductions
• About CCS
• The Value of CCS
• What Our Volunteers Can Expect
• Invaluable Staff Experience
• The Value of the Program Fee
• How To Enroll in a Program
• Ways To Fund Your Program
• Fundraising Tips
• Volunteer Voices
• Questions?
• Next Steps

3. Introductions
Ansley Easterlin
Program Advisor
Alumna of CCS Tanzania
Pete Bryan
Program Advisor (Team Leader)
Alumnus of CCS Brazil, China, Costa Rica,
Ghana, Guatemala, India, and Morocco

4. About CCS
• Types of Programs
• Volunteer Abroad (2-12 weeks)
• Intern Abroad (3-12 weeks)
• Insight Abroad (1-week)
• Teen Volunteer Abroad (1-3 weeks)
• 12 Countries
• Program Fee (Starts at $1,700)
• China, Russia, Guatemala at a
discounted rate!
• The CCS Experience
• Volunteer Work, Cultural & Learning
Activities, Free-Time & Home-Base Our Vision is of a world where people
value cultures different from their own,
are aware of global issues, and are
empowered to effect positive change.

5. The Value of CCS
Our Approach & Why it Works
Safety and support is our #1 priority
• CCS’ Vision, Mission & Values
• Pre-Departure Staff
• CCS In-Country Staff
• Our In-Country Partner Programs
• The Volunteer Placement Process
• Sustainability for the Local Community
Our Mission is to operate volunteer
programs around the world in
• Evaluation and Feedback
partnership with sustainable community
initiatives, bringing people together to
work side-by-side while sharing
perspectives and fostering cultural
understanding. We are an international
not-for-profit organization with no
political or religious affiliations.

6. What Our Volunteers Can Expect
Support From Start to Finish
• CCS HQ staff were all volunteers before they were staff
• We work closely with local organizations to match
volunteer skills with the needs of the community
Program Advisors In-Country Support
Our Program Advisors are here All our in-country staff members are
to help you decide which country, from the communities where we work,
date & duration is best for you. living and working there year-round.
Program Site Specialists Alumni Action Network
Program Site Specialists will prepare Become a life-long learner
you for your CCS experience & about international issues.
answer your questions along the way.

7. What Our Volunteers Can Expect
Before Enrolling
Choosing the right country, program, & length of stay
Getting All The Facts
• Program Advisors are ready to answer your
questions via phone and email
• All Program Advisors are former CCS
volunteers
• Alumni References available
• Info Sheets, Guidance, and Fundraising
Resources
• CCS Community – Connect with current
and former volunteers

8. What Our Volunteers Can Expect
Volunteer Preparation
Getting the most out of your experience
Before going in-country
• One-on-one support
• Dedicated Program Site Specialist acts as a
liaison between volunteer & in-country staff
• Volunteer Placement Process
• Skills & Interests survey
• Based on community needs
• Fully informed on cultural taboos, customs,
appropriate clothing, packing suggestions,
etc.
• Resources for travel, visa, and
immunization information
• Connecting with fellow volunteers

9. What Our Volunteers Can Expect
The In-Country Experience
Getting the most out of your experience
Supporting Your Volunteer Work
• All hired staff members are from the local
area and are knowledgeable experts,
authentic meals, etc.
• Partner Program relationships and
community assessments
• The Home-Base
• Three full meals a day
• Clean towels and linens
• Comfortable environment
• 24-hour staff support
• Transportation
• To/From airport, volunteer placement,
and CCS activities

10. Invaluable Staff Experience
Team of Experts
Upon arrival, the CCS driver greets you at the
airport and brings you to the CCS Home-Base.
The Program Director walks you through an in-
depth orientation. All of our in-country staff
members are warm, loving people who want
you to feel right at home and will make sure you
are well cared for.
Each Program Site includes:
• Country/Program Director
Averaging over 10 years of
• Program Site Manager
experience, our Country
• Program Officers Directors are recognized and
• Program Administrators respected leaders in
• Cooks international development,
• Housekeepers education, social services, and
• Drivers more.
• Security

11. The Value of the Program Fee
What Your Program Fee Covers
Food, Lodging, Transportation, & Staff Support
• Volunteer placement & coordination
• 24-hour in-country staff support
• Orientation, placement, and regular
feedback sessions
• Safe & comfortable Home-Base
• Three full meals a day prepared by CCS
staff cook
• Transportation by trained CCS drivers
• Cultural & Learning Activities
• Comprehensive travel medical insurance
• Local phone calls, incoming international
phone service, and a 24-hour emergency
hotline in the U.S.
Learn more:
crossculturalsolutions.org/program-fee

12. The Value of the Program Fee
What It Doesn’t Cover
• International and domestic airfare and
corresponding airport departure taxes
• Costs associated with obtaining a visa
or immunizations (when needed)
• Long distance phone calls and internet
(in some sites)
• Laundry service
Overall Benefits
• Peace of mind knowing you’re in good
hands
• Everything is taken care of once you
step off the place
Learn more:
crossculturalsolutions.org/program-fee

13. How To Enroll in a Program
The Basics About Enrolling
• Choose a program, location, start date, and
length of stay
• Enroll online or over the phone
• Enrolling requires a US$275, CAN$300, or
£UK150 deposit which will be applied
toward your overall program fee “Some of the children in public
• Program Advisors are available to assist! schools will now visit us to interact
with the orphans and learn songs,
• Methods of payments and due dates rhymes, poems, and games that
they've learned from the
Additional Information: volunteers. To us, this is a huge
• Peak and off-peak rates impact – other children now realize
• Lower program fees for Russia, that orphans have something to
Guatemala, China share, too... Also, people in the
• Discounts available for volunteering as a community have begun
volunteering to help at the
group, family, or CCS alum!
orphanage.”
• Fundraising and fundraising due date Volunteer Voices

14. Funding Your Program
How to Fund Your Program
Additional Options for Paying Your Program Fee
• Scholarships, Grants, etc.
• Corporate Matching Programs
• Current opportunities available:
• Travelocity's Change Ambassador Grant
Program
http://www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood
• Volunteers for Prosperity Service Incentive
Program
http://www.globalgiving.com/cb/vfpserv/
• The National Geographic Glimpse
Correspondents Program
http://glimpse.org/the-correspondents-program/
• Spring 2012 applications now available

15. Fundraising Tips
Key Tips Fundraiser Examples
• Know your audience • Dance-off
• Get creative • Local Restaurant Sponsorships
• Be knowledgeable about issues and • Raffles
the need in the community you’ve • Tournaments
chosen • Mailing Campaign
• Show your passion
• Tracking Success: myCCS, Volunteer Example
Facebook Causes, IndieGogo,
Crowdrise “Skating to Tanzania”
• Use CCS Fundraising Resources: http://youtu.be/9Z3Tc8FMdQY
widgets, sample letters, and (VIDEO)
templates
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/resources/fundraisers

16. Volunteer Voices
“After numerous hours spent researching sites that offered this opportunity I chose
Cross Cultural Solutions. This company provided detailed information about the
goals, destination, requirements, necessities, and personal information needed to
qualify etc.” MOROCCO 2012
“I found with the constant support from the New York office, everything was going
to be okay… [The Program Advisor] put me in contact with alumni who got back
with me quickly and greatly encouraged me to take the leap!” COSTA RICA 2012
“You know, it is amazing to think that I actually raised more than my
program fee ... My biggest tip for anyone is not to stress about
fundraising; if the first thing you try doesn't work, there are so many
options.” RUSSIA 2011
“The in-country staff's excellence could not be described in words. They
are the ones who made the trip what it was. I had an excellent time
with … ALL of them.” TANZANIA 2012

17. Questions?

18. EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE
w w w. c r o s s c u l t u r a l s o l u t i o n s . o r g
Determine where, when, and for how long you
want to volunteer:
Next http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/enroll/enroll-checklist
Contact a Program Advisor
Steps 1-800-380-4777, Monday-Friday 9am-6pm EDT
Ansley: ansley@crossculturalsolutions.org
Pete: pete@crossculturalsolutions.org
Stay In Touch Upcoming Info Sessions
• Mesa, AZ (4/25)
facebook.com/crossculturalsolutions
• Philadelphia, PA (4/27)
twitter.com/volunteerabroad
• Phoenix, AZ (4/28)
youtube.com/ccsvolunteerabroad
• New York, NY (4/28)
ccscommunity.com
• Charlottesville, VA (4/28)
pinterest.com/volunteerabroad
Find More Events:
www.crossculturalsolutions.org/events