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Organization Snapshot – Palmetto Medical Initiative

May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Photo Credit: Palmetto Medical Initiative

Photo Credit: Palmetto Medical Initiative

One awesome part about working in the humanitarian travel insurance industry is getting to know some truly amazing organizations that are sending teams of people around the world to do great things.  We are excited to feature our new friends, Palmetto Medical Initiative, this month on our Snapshot Blog.

Why Palmetto Medical Initiative?

Palmetto is a non-profit whose vision is to see impoverished communities take ownership in a sustainable healthcare model.  The goal is that communities of people will become empowered and begin to see long-term change and improvements in the quality of life. Palmetto also gives healthcare professionals and students the chance to work in clinics around the world.

How did it start?

Matt Alexander, a non-profit leader, and Dr. Ed O’Bryan, a physician and medical missions director, came together to develop PMI in 2008. They both believed that treating undeserved populations was possible and so they put together a team of collaborators and supports and set out to work. The first PMI team traveled to Uganda in 2009 for a site visit and immediately recognized the healthcare needs in the communities they visited. PMI began mobilizing resources from globally-minded groups and individuals to create a sustainable medical clinic on the ground in Uganda and in various other communities across the world. Because PMI’s healthcare facilities charge for services they have been able to create a self-sustaining loop of ‘prevention, patronage and health’ by not only offering quality care at a reasonable price but also by employing individuals from the populations in which they serve. PMI is dedicated to cultural, economic and healthcare transformations around the world.

How can you get involved?

Palmetto Medical Initiative sends teams of 30-60 volunteers on quarterly short-term trips to work on projects in Masindi, Uganda and Viego, Nicaragua. People that are interested in participating in a trip can find more information here. If you’re not quit ready to visit a site you can support Palmetto’s initiative by purchasing one of their awesome t-shirts!

Get to know them better by visiting their website, liking them of Facebook or following them on Twitter.

 

 

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized

January Snapshot: Frontier

January 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

jan snapshot

For the month of January, we are excited to feature an organization that centers its focus on protecting ecosystems and the environment while simultaneously developing communities in some of the world’s poorest places.

Why Frontier?

Frontier is an non-profit organization committed to conserving the world’s most endangered wildlife and habitats while also developing sustainable improvements for some of the poorest communities in the world. While many volunteer abroad organizations are criticized for doing more harm than good, Frontier focuses on developing long-term relationships with the communities it serves in order to maximize the assistance they provide to the neediest of people and places. Frontier is professional, ethical, reputable, and values its skilled volunteers.

How it Started

Frontier is a non-profit conservation and development NGO that started its journey by administering groundbreaking environmental surveys in Tanzania. Since it was founded in 1989, Frontier has produced a large amount of reliable, comprehensive environmental data and has evolved its mission to include community, economic and societal development and growth to its cause. Frontier now offers over 300 volunteer programs on 5 continents and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of “delivering safe, relevant and successful projects.”

How to Get Involved

From the Frontier website, it is simple to run a quick search for your ideal program by selecting your desired location, trip duration and trip type (they offer more than just volunteer trips!!). The results will show you the program that most closely matches your ideal trip. You may look at the details of each program including requirements, highlights, activities, expectations, and more.
Interested in checking out Frontier?


Get to know them better by visiting their website, liking them on Facebook or following them on Twitter.

 

 

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized, Volunteer Abroad

Leap into College Abroad

October 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

October Snapshot: Leap into College Abroad
For the month of October, we’re excited to feature an organization that exists to expose today’s youth to the world. Leap into College Abroad (LCA) strives to provide students with premier study abroad experiences for an affordable price.

Why LCA:

The staff at LCA are experienced travelers who understand the true cost of a study abroad trip and work to make sure that this price stays as low as possible for students. LCA keeps the process simple and delivers personalized service and availability, which includes remaining entirely honest and transparent with its customers. Currently, LCA offers study abroad programs in Italy, France and Spain. The LCA experience extends beyond the academics by including additional benefits such as small travel groups, an excursion to an additional country while abroad, various activities within the host country, a friendly and knowledgeable program director, internet access, health insurance, a transportation pass, airport pick-up, a cell phone, and the freedom for the students to explore in the way they want.

How it Works:

Get informed: At this stage, students should check with their home university to make sure they are eligible to study abroad.

Save Your Spot: To encourage early application, LCA will save the students’ spot in the program for 14 days with no application fee or deposit required. Students are able to download the forms needed to apply and track the progress on their application.

Secure Course Credit and Funding Options: At this time, students receive their course syllabi to ensure that their abroad course credits will transfer to their home university. There is also more information on how to apply financial aid and find scholarships for the trip.

Complete Your Application: Here it is! This is the time for students to submit their application to enroll in the program, submit any additional required materials and begin earning rewards from LCA.

Sound like a good deal? We think so! Get to know them better by visiting their website at www.studyLCA.com, liking them on Facebook or following them on Twitter!

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month

April Snapshot: Students of the World

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

For the month of April, we’re excited to feature an organization that focuses on telling stories through a variety of media.  The organization strives for individuals to grow from being students on campus, to Students of the World.

How it started:

In 1999 Courtney Space began Students of the World as a student organization at Duke University.  Over the past 12 years Students of the World has “told the stories of more than 40 organizations in over 30 countries through film, photography and journalism.  Courtney recognized that while college students can’t always afford to give financially to the nonprofits that they support, they can use their creative strengths to take a photo, make a video and “tell a story to drive the mission that inspire them.”

In 2003, Students of the World became a 501c3 nonprofit, connecting documentary teams with organizations from Tanzania to Thailand.  In 2006, they began a partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to cover the progress of the CGI initiatives.

This organization has made it clear, that while they continue to grow, change and adapt, their beliefs and mission remain constant,

“Storytelling is a profound and essential contribution to the advancement of society, and it is the responsibility of our generation to not only create, but demand media that shines a light on progress.”

 

 

The stories that are created and submitted by the Students of the World have a focus on increasing support and awareness for organizations who are giving back and improving the lives of others in six key areas: water, women and girls, education, environment, health and development & Recovery.

How to Get Involved:

Are you a college student, working professional, or SOW alumni? Or are you just interested in giving an hour or two to help shine a light on progress? Students of the World would love to have your input and support by just clicking on the above links, learning more and getting involved!

For more information visit their website!

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month Tagged With: ,

December Snapshot: Operation Santa Claus

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Every year thousands of “Dear Santa” letters flood American post offices, and every year thousands of children and adults alike go without gifts and fulfilled wishes. Operation Santa Claus is an nonprofit organization that allows people who have been given much to read letters written to Santa and respond through giving.

How it Works

Go into the closest participating post office, read through a few letters, and select one or more you want to answer. After you’ve purchased the gifts, bring them along with the letter and money for postage back to the same office. Postal workers will make sure the presents are delivered, while protecting the information of the individual or family receiving the gifts.

In order to keep children and families safe, participating post offices have set up guidelines for individuals, companies and organizations wanting to give of their resources.

  • All Dear Santa letters must be picked up from a participating post office in person.
  • Individuals wishing to participate do not need an appointment, but can simply walk, provide valid identification, and select a letter.
  • Companies and organizations must schedule an appointment before picking up letters. They must also present both a letter of introduction for their company/org and valid identification
  • All “Dear Santa” helpers must agree with the USPS Privacy Act statement listed on the  Form 6012-1(Operation Santa Letter Adoption Individual) and PS Form 6012 (Operation Santa Letter Adoption Third Party).

Additional ways to help

Many of you may not live near one of the participating post offices, but there are still ways you can support this effort.

  • Start a Operation Santa Claus branch at your local post office. Garner the support of local companies and organizations, and inquire of your local postal workers to see if they will work with you in this effort.
  • Donate to Operation Santa Claus and link to their website, Facebook, and twitter
  • Give to children and families in other ways. Donate toys, clothes, shoes, or other necessities at local drop offs.

Santa Claus has long been an icon of childhood dreams and desires fulfilled. Yet many children only see Santa as someone who seems to overlook or forget their home or neighborhood. What better way to instill love and cheer in the hearts of these children than answering their letters to Santa and helping them believe in something bigger than themselves?

USA TODAY article on Operation Santa Claus here.

Filed Under: Causes, Snapshot of the Month

November Snapshot: WWOOF

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For the month of November, we’re excited to feature a very unique organization that allows volunteers to exchange their hard work for an experience in an organic/sustainable lifestyle. WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, exists to link volunteers interested in these organic lifestyles to organic farmers or smallholdings.

How it All began

In 1971, Sue Coppard, a London secretary, set up a work weekend for herself and a small group of city dwellers who were interested in getting out of the city and learning more about the growing organic movement. The weekend experiment was a huge success, and Coppard’s  idea quickly gained momentum. Since then, the vision of the organization has spread to over 40 other countries.

How it Works

Whether you’re an individual who is just starting to be curious about the increasing number of “organic” labels in your grocery store, someone who has been eating organic for years, or a smallholder yourself, WWOOF’s  website will help plug you in to the right resources.

Fun Facts to Keep in Mind

* WWOOF is an “exchange.” As a volunteer, you will be exchanging your hard work for the experience, free stay, and food from your host family. WWOOF volunteers are able to live with their host farms as part of the family, and from here an exchange takes place. The volunteer works for the family and the family trades their knowledge, opens their home, and provides organic, homegrown meals for their volunteers.

* Volunteers do not pay for their stay, and hosts do not pay their volunteers.

* WWOOF organizations usually charge a small fee to hosts and volunteers. This fee helps maintain and develop the WWOOF network. Some countries have their own national WWOOF organization, to which you pay a small fee. Other countries do not, but instead have a list of independent host families.

If you think you fit the description of a potential WWOOF volunteer or host family, visit their website, tweet at them, or check out their Facebook page, and start WWOOFing!

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized, Volunteering, voluntourism Tagged With: , , ,

October Snapshot: Global Volunteers

October 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This month, we are featuring Global Volunteers, an organization near and dear to our hearts. Not only are they based out of the Twin Cities, our home, but they are one of our very first partners.

Since 1999, Global Volunteers has been working in consultive status with the United Nations with the purpose to “wage peace and promote justice by maintaining genuine, sustained service partnerships with host communities and by providing volunteers a genuine opportunity to serve.”

Global Volunteers offers vacationers short-term volunteer opportunities in 19 countries with options that span from teaching English, to painting, to working with community elders.

What Makes Global Volunteers Stand Out?

 1. They have a healthy and unique philosophy of service. Global Volunteers is not your average volunteer vacation website. They believe that in “to be truly successful in sustainable development assistance, outsiders must work at the invitation and under the direction of those they are attempting to assist.” Global Volunteers is staffed by individuals who work directly with local leaders to create short-term volunteer projects that will accomplish long-term development goals.

2. They have a long track-record of success. Global Volunteers has been around for nearly three decades, and in the world of volunteer vacations, this is a rather long time. USA Today didn’t call them the “Granddaddy of the volunteer vacation movement” for no reason. They have the experience and wisdom that many organizations are working towards.

3. They have strategic partnerships. First off, Global Volunteers has special consultative status with the United Nations. Essentially, this means  they are committed to the  U.N. Millennium Development Goals and are accountable to report on their service program outcomes every four years. They also in partnership with UNICEF, The United Nations Children’s Fund. With UNICEF, they strive to be “a voice for at-risk children and their families in the host communities” they serve.

What Can You Do?

You can plan your next vacation with Global Volunteers and serve in a capacity that is truly furthering long-term developmental goals. As one volunteer put it,

“One of the best things about a Global Volunteers program is that you can be dropped into a setting in another part of the world for just a few weeks. Things are already set in motion, and you pick up where the last team left off. Being part of one team in a series, part of a long-term commitment served by many teams, I realized that I was participating in something much bigger. It was perfect for me because I only get a few weeks’ vacation each year. And yet, it was one of the most thrilling and rewarding things I have ever done.”
~ Jim Hausler, NY

If you’re not one to leave the country, Global Volunteers does have U.S. service programs in MN, Montana, and West Virgina. You can alsoconsider becoming a sponsor, donating, or simply visit their Global Volunteers’ website to learn more and spread the message!

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized, Volunteer Abroad, Volunteering, voluntourism Tagged With: , , , , ,

September Snapshot: GoVoluntouring

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment


For the month of September, we’d like to introduce you to GoVoluntouring, a resource for both volunteer travelers and volunteer programs.

What They’re About 

GoVoluntouring is a website that exists to “connect participants (whether they be volunteers, teachers, coaches and learners) with programs that match their unique needs and interests.” They hope, that through these partnerships they can continue to enact “global grassroots social, cultural, and environmental change.”

Founded by Aaron Smith, former VP Marketing with Flight Centre North America, GoVoluntouring was designed to bridge conventional travel with more purposeful and impactful options. Its roots are stem from a Royal Roads University assignment called ‘The Venture Challenge’ that demanded a social entreprize be created to empower social groups and improve our environmental footprint in the absence of start-up capital.

The website went ‘live’ on September 5th with a diverse (and fast growing) number of project choices. They employ a qualifying format as important to the volunteer, as it is to the volunteer program.

How it works

GoVoluntouring has a variety of “filters” by which an organization, or individual can search for volunteer programs. Let’s say I want to go to Australia to teach overseas for 6 months. I can select these specifications and GoVoluntouring will provide me with programs that match my requirements. Though they exist as a match-maker of sorts, GoVoluntouring encourages their users to ask themselves what they really want from their volunteer trip, do outside research, and, as the final decision-maker, find their own “perfect match.”

GoVoluntouring is not just a resource for individuals only though; they are a platform for non-profits to be seen and supported at no cost and offer “test driving” options for For-Profit orgs. They welcome For-Profit organizations to give them a try before committing to a paid partnership.

Smith notes that these ‘For-profit’ organizations are hugely important in a great many ways. In many cases, it is these organizations that resonate with first-time volunteers. They blend local tours, and more conventional ‘tourist’ offerings in their deliverables, and provide balanced holiday alternatives – not to say this is exclusive to For-Profits either, but margin can often allow for breadth of services’. In time, it will be the for-profits that will make this a sustainable venture and their presence will ultimately assist their non-profit colleagues.

Whether you’re a volunteer program and GoVoluntouring piques your interest, contact them about becoming a partner and potential match for those searching. If you’re a volunteer, why not start your search to find the ideal match for your voluntour trip!

 

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized, Volunteer Abroad, voluntourism Tagged With: , ,

August Snapshot: St. Louis Volunteen

August 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Especially after seeing what 9-year-old Rachel Beckwith did for the nonprofit, Charity: Water, we know that young people can have a huge impact. That’s why for the month of August we’re excited to introduce you to our friend St. Louis Volunteen, a non-profit run for teens, by teens. Simone and Jake Bernstein developed this website at the ages of 17 (Jake) and 19 (Simone).
Their goal? Create an online space for teens to search out volunteer opportunities and get involved in their communities.

How it Works

Teens (ages 10-17) in the St. Louis metropolis are able to search the website via age, category, or take an interest  survey  to find a volunteer opportunity. These opportunities range from volunteering at senior living centers, to the Red Cross, to animal shelters or libraries. Each option lists an age range, task descriptions, and contact information. All the information your pre-teen or teen needs to start getting involved.

St. Louis Volunteen also organizes an annual  spring St. Louis Youth and Family Volunteer Fair and plans their own quarterly youth service projects. They are also currently offering a free tennis clinic for youth on the autism spectrum. And this fall they’re working on a a large-scale 9-11 Park Clean-Up “Serve to Remember” project.
If you’d like to host your own project for the tenth anniversary of 9/11, click here.

I’m not in the area, so what can I do?

Essentially, yes, St. Louis Volunteen is for the teens in the St. Louis metropolis. But if you’re a parent, teacher, youth leader in the area, use their website as a starting point to encourage the teens in your life to begin volunteering. If you’re not in the St. Louis area, why not take the initiative? Start a similar website for teens in your own community or think of other ways to get them involved.

As for Simone and Jake, they are definitely not going to stop with St. Louis. They’re going national. Look for their national site, volunTEENnation.com, launching in October 2011.

We’d love you to share your knowledge with us.

Do you know of other websites/resources dedicated to helping teens volunteer?

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month, Uncategorized, Volunteering Tagged With: , , , ,

July Snapshot: GEEO

July 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

WHO THEY ARE

July’s Snapshot organization is GEEO.org. Volunteer Card has formed a partnership with GEEO and we’re excited to tell you more about this great organization and the opportunities they provide!

GEEO, Global Exploration for Educators Organization, is dedicated to helping teachers explore the world, further their education, and share their experiences with their classrooms. They provide a inexpensive travel opportunities to a variety of countries, and not only are teacher’s immersed in a different country and culture, but they are also given the opportunity to earn graduate level credits.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

  • Trips are open to all K-12 teachers, school administrators, and soon-to-be teachers pursuing their teaching certificate.
  • Explorers have the opportunity to earn up to 3 graduate credits and a professional development certificate upon completing the GEEO program.
  • This summer, GEEO will travel to ten different countries.  Trips last anywhere from 2-3 weeks.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

  1. Join a Travel Program. Visit Nepal, Costa Rica, Egypt, or South Africa with a group of 10-16 other teachers. For the full list of locations and how to get involved click here.
  2. Become a Partner or friend. Like all non-profits, GEEO is always looking for people like you, sponsors willing to help send teachers overseas.
  3. Contribute. Do you know of awesome overseas teaching programs? Geeo wants to know. Email jesse@geeo.org and they will add your recommendations to their list of other travel opportunities.
  4. Follow and Share. Follow GEEO on twitter and talk to the teachers you know!

For more information visit GEEO’s website or read this article featuring their organization.

Filed Under: Snapshot of the Month Tagged With: , ,
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