chris and i had a "telephone discussion" today with catholic relief services. the point of the conversation was simply for them (gerald lambert, in this case) to tell us the process of applying and for us to ask him any questions we had at this point. we talked for about an hour and he really clarified a lot of info for us. basically we're at the very beginning of the process.
we've done steps 1A (initial application) and 1B (phone call), next is 1C, followed by 2A-C and 3 A & B. he's mailing us a mental health questionnaire which will, apparently, determine if we're crazy (yikes!) and then we actually apply (step 2A), which is like 20 pages long. so, we've got a long way to go, folks. but we told gerald that we were really excited about the program and that we were interested in continuing with the process.
some intersting points about crs: although the volunteer program is new (it's currently in its first year), crs is very well established and has programs in 99 countries around the world. of those, there are basically like 55 potential countries that crs would think of placing volunteers. this gives them the ability to be fairly flexible in their placements according to volunteers skills and knowledge, as well as their intersts. also, the volunteers serve 16 months abroad and then 6 months in the us basically spreading the word about international needs and global issues (cool!). they are expecting to accept only about 13 volunteers this year (out of a pool of around 100-150).
3 comments:
Waldie:
With CRS, would you guys have to raise your own support, or would you be supported by the organization? Does "volunteer" refer to your willingness to serve, or to your unpaid status?
Get those pencils sharpened for step 2A.
yes to all of the above. we would be supported by the organization in that we would work for crs and they would pay our way there, our way home, insurance and a small stipend. but we're still considered volunteers because we'll get paid such a small amount. and, yes, we'll have to raise money on our own as well. last year the fudraising goal for individuals was $3,000.
So many steps? You're sure this isn't the Department of homeland security? :)
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