Comhlámh's Volunteer Charter

8/9/2019 Comhlmh's Volunteer Charter

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Volunteer

Charter

Comhlmhs

Volunteering

Options


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Contents

What is the Volunteer Charter? 2

Glossary o Terms 4

Principles As a Volunteer I agree to: 6

1)Reflectonmymotivationsforandexpectationsofmyvolunteerplacement

2)Familiarisemyselfwithmyroledescriptionandhostorganisationbeforedeparture

3)Respectlocalcustomsandadopttheroleoflearnerandguest.

4)Actalwaysinaprofessionalmannerandbeflexibleandadaptablewhileinmyplacement.

5)Takeduecareofmypersonalsafetyandphysicalandmentalhealth

6)ChanneltheexperiencesandknowledgegainedwhileoverseasintoIrishsociety.

7)AcceptandsignacopyoftheVolunteerCharterprinciples.

Resources 23

Dchas Code o Conduct on Images and Messages 27

Detachable Volunteer Charter Agreement 29


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Comhlmhs Volunteer Charter

What is the Volunteer Charter?TheCharterisaguideforpeoplewhoaregoingtovolunteeroverseasindevelopingcountries.Itsetsoutsevenprinciplesthataimtoencourageresponsible,responsiveinternationalvolunteering.Eachoftheseprinciplescontainsalistofquestionstohelpyoumakesurethatyouhavethoughtabouttheissuesraised,andtoensurethatyouknowwhytheyareimportant.

Who developed it?

TheCharterhasbeendrawnupbyComhlmh,theIrishAssociationofDevelopmentWorkers.Comhlmhhasover30yearsexperienceofengagingwithoverseasvolunteersanddevelopmentworkers.

How was it developed?

Throughextensiveconsultationswiththethreemaingroupsinvolvedinvolunteerplacements:volunteers,sendingorganisations,andhostprojects.

Why has it been drawn up?

Inrecentyears,therehasbeenagrowinginterestamongIrishpeopleinvolunteeringindevelopingcountries.Moreandmorepeoplearegoingoverseasasvolunteers,sometimesforveryshortperiods.Althoughtherecanbemanydifferencesbetweentheworkdoneonshort-termandlonger-termvolunteeringplacements,allinternationalvolunteerswillbeengagingwiththesamebroaderissues.Theseincludehavingrealisticexpectations

aboutwhatvolunteeringcanachieve,andadoptingtheroleoflearnerandguestwhileoverseas.TheCharterencouragespeopletothinkabouttheseissuesandtoplacetheirvolunteeringexperienceswithinthewidercontextofglobaldevelopment.Bydoingso,itaimstocontributetotheimprovementofthevolunteeringexperiencesofinternationalvolunteers,andultimatelytothequalityoflifeforhostcommunitiesaffectedbyvolunteering.Itdoesnotreplacesendingorganisationsandhostprojectsspecificguidelinesandrulesforvolunteers,butrathercomplementsthem.


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What about the responsibilities o sending organisations?

ACodeofGoodPracticeforVolunteerSendingOrganisationshasalsobeendeveloped.Thissetsouttheresponsibilitiesoforganisationsthatarrangevolunteerplacements,includingsomeofthestepstheytaketosupportthe

VolunteerCharter.OrganisationsthathavesigneduptotheCodewillbewillingtoprovidecopiesofthisChartertovolunteers,andtodiscusstheCodeinexchange.

Why should volunteers support the Charter?

ByagreeingtosigntheCharter,youwillbeshowingyoursupportfortheprinciplesitsetsout.Asavolunteer,yourattitudetoyourplacementandtoyourhostprojectandcommunitywillbecrucialtothesuccessofthe

workyouwillbeinvolvedwith.Yoursupportwillhelptoensureaspiritofpartnership,solidarityandrespectbetweenyou,yoursendingorganisation,andthehostprojectandcommunitywithwhichyouvolunteer.

Established in 1975, Comhlmh is a member and supporterorganisation open to anyone interested in social justice, humanrights and global development issues.

Our Volunteering Options programme aims to encourageresponsible, responsive overseas volunteering and to supportvolunteers in a long-term, ongoing commitment to development.The Volunteering Options publication Working for a Better World:A Guide to Volunteering in Global Development (2nd edition, 2007),has information and advice for volunteers before, during and aftera placement. It also contains a directory of over 120 organisationsthat arrange volunteer placements in developing countries. This

information is also included in the website www.volunteeringoptions.org. Additionally, we offer workshops for volunteers before theygo overseas and after they come home, as well as one-to-oneinformation and advice for people thinking about volunteering.Email [email protected] for more information.

To find out more about joining Comhlmh and supporting ourwork, please visit www.comhlamh.org or call 01-478 3490. Yourmembership can help us campaign for a better and more just world.


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Glossary o Terms

Developing countriesWehavemanydifferentnamesforthosecountriesthatarenotaswealthyasours,andallofthemareproblematic!TheseincludeThirdWorld,poorcountries,GlobalSouthorSouth.InthisCharter,weusethetermdevelopingcountries,becauseitisthemostgenerallyacceptedtermandbecauseweencouragevolunteerstofocusonissuesofdevelopmentwhenthinkingaboutoverseasvolunteering.

DevelopmentDevelopmentisacomplexissue,withmanydifferentandsometimescontentiousdefinitions.Abasicperspectiveequateseconomicgrowthwithdevelopment.TheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammeusesamoredetaileddefinition:accordingtothem,developmentistoleadlongandhealthylives,tobeknowledgeable,tohaveaccesstotheresourcesneededforadecentstandardoflivingandtobeabletoparticipateinthelifeofthecommunity.

Achievinghumandevelopmentislinkedtoathirdperspectiveofdevelopment,whichviewsitasfreeingpeoplefromobstaclesthataffecttheirabilitytodeveloptheirownlivesandcommunities.Development,therefore,isempowerment:itisaboutlocalpeopletakingcontroloftheirownlives,expressingtheirowndemandsandfindingtheirownsolutionstotheirproblems.Refertotheresourcessectiontofindoutadditionalsourcesofinformationondevelopment.

Host communities

Hostcommunitiesarethepeoplewithwhomvolunteersworkandlivewhileundertakingtheiroverseasplacements.

Host projects

Hostprojectsaretheorganisationsorcommunitygroupsinthedestinationcountrythatreceivevolunteers.


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Sending organisations

Theseareagencies,organisationsorcommercialcompaniesthatarrangevolunteerplacementsindevelopingcountries.Allhaveofficesoutsidethe

destinationcountryandrecruitvolunteersthroughthese.

volunteer

sendingorganisation

hostcommunity


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As a Volunteer I agree to:

Refect on my motivations or and

expectations o my volunteer placement

Have you:

Spent time considering your motivations or wanting to volunteeroverseas?

Beforemakingadecisionaboutwhethertovolunteeroverseas,itsimportant

toconsideryourmotivationsforwantingtogo.Motivationscanhaveabigimpactonyourexpectationsforthevolunteerplacement,andthuseventuallyonyourexperiencewhenyougooverseas.Reflectingonyourownmotivationsisacriticalpartofyourpreparation.

Considered the issues that will inorm the context in which yourplacement will take place?

Forexample,haveyouconsideredissuesofglobalinequalityandpoverty,andhowthesemightimpactontheworkofyourhostproject?Theideaofdevelopmentisacomplexonethatisaffectedbyawiderangeofissues.Whilethesecansometimesappeartobeabstractandtheoretical,theimpactthattheyhaveonpeopleseverydaylivesisveryreal.Havingsomeknowledgeofthebiggerpicturewillhelpyoutounderstandtheforcesthatmightshapeeventsatthelocallevelofyourplacement.

Thought about what your expectations are or the volunteerplacement?

Throughconsideringwhatyouexpecttoachieveinyourplacement,andbeingasrealisticaspossibleaboutthis,youcanstarttoprepareyourselfforworkingandlivingwithyourhostcommunity.Itsimportanttorememberthatmanyvolunteersexpressfrustrationathowlittlecanbeachievedinthefaceoflargeproblems,andtrytoadjustyourexpectationsaccordingly.Rememberthatalargepartofbeingavolunteerisaboutforgingrelationshipswithotherpeopleandtakingadvantageofopportunitiestolearnfromothercultures.Host

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projectssaythatitisimportanttorememberthatvolunteeringisamutualexchange,andthatitsnotonlyaboutpersonalgain.

Made contact with ormer volunteers, with the help o yoursending organisation?

Talkingtoformervolunteerscanhelpyougetabetterideaabouttheethosoftheorganisationyoullbevolunteeringwith,thetypeofworkyoumaybedoing,andsomeoftheissuesthatyouwillencounterwhileinyourplacement.

Read the inormation resources provided or suggested by your

sending organisation?Thismayincludeinformationaboutthehistoryanddevelopmentoftheprojectyouwillbeworkingwith,theroleofvolunteersintheproject,thelivingconditions,andthehealthandsafetyconsiderationsintheareawhereyouwillbelocated.Alloftheseresourceswillhelptogiveyouabetterideaabouttheworkyouwillbedoingandtoadaptmoreeasilytothenewenvironment.

Taken time to research other inormation about the country andregion in which you will be volunteering?

Forexample,thiscouldbeinformationsourcedthroughusingtheInternet,books,andnewspapersonthehistory,geography,language,cultureandpoliticsofthecountry.Knowingasmuchasyoucanaboutthecountrywillhelpyoutounderstandwhatyouseewhenyouarrive,andhelptoavoidfalseoruninformedassumptions.

Get to know the area you are visiting through

the internet or books. In particular try to get to

understand the people, their traits and cultural

dierences. Know what you are going to be doing

and why you are doing it. Ask others who have been

in that particular country what to expect. Know the

organisation that is arranging your placement.

Ryan, volunteer in Belarus


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The potential volunteer might want to think

about what impact their presence in a community/

orphanage/school or a period o one month to

one year will have on the lives o the supposed

beneiciaries. In the case o short term placements,how does it eel or them to have a oreigner come

into their lives or such a short period o time? It is

something that volunteers should be prepared or, i.e.,

not to necessarily expect open armed warm welcomes

at every turn and so to think o what ways they can

engage people, be prepared to be patient and give

people time to accept them.

Fionuala, volunteer in Guatemala and Timor Leste


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Beore you go...

Usethetablebelowtohelpassessyourmotivationsforwantingtovolunteerabroad.Scoreyourselfforeachitemonascaleof0-10,with0meaningthatthestatementisinnowayareasonforyourgoingand10meaningthatitisaveryimportantreason.Beashonestaspossible:noonebutyouwillseeyouranswers!

Motivating reason

ToseetheworldTogetawayfromlife/workathomeSolidaritywiththeoppressedTogainafirst-handknowledgeaboutpoliticalissuesTohelppeopleTogetawayfromanunhappyrelationshipToaddsomethingdifferenttomyCVTocontributesomethingLastchancetoexploretheworldbeforesettlingdownTopassonmyskillsTochangetheworldTogainrelevantprofessionalworkexperienceToworkforjusticeEveryoneelseisdoingit

TochallengemyselfTorespondtoareligiousmotivationTotrysomethingdifferentandtoexperiencedifferentculturesTobroadenmymind


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Familiarise mysel with my role

description and host organisationbeore departure

Have you:

Read and signed the role description provided by your sending

organisation?Familiarisingyourselfwiththeroledescriptionwillhelptogiveyouabetterideaabouttheexactaimsoftheworkandtheamountoftimeeachweekyouwillbeexpectedtocommittotheproject.Thepresenceofadetailedroledescriptionmayalsohelptoensurethatyourworkhasbeenplanned,andthatthereisaneedforyourpresence.

Asked the organisation any questions that you may have about

the role?

Ensuringthatyouhaveasmuchinformationaspossibleabouttherolecanhelpyoutomakecertainthatyouarepreparedforallaspectsofthework.Forexample,findoutasmuchaspossibleaboutastheworkingconditionsandculture,thehoursyouwillbeexpectedtowork,thechallengesyoumayencounter,andwhetherin-countrysupportwillbeavailable.

Taken part in all training and induction provided by theorganisation?

Participationintrainingandinductionprovidedbyanorganisationisaveryimportantpartofavolunteerplacement.Trainingmaybeprovidedpre-departureand/orin-country.Usefultrainingtopicsthathavebeenhighlightedbyformervolunteersincludelanguageskills,trainingonworkingwithchildrenandvulnerableadults,anintroductiontodevelopmentissues,countryandprogrammeorientation,healthandsafetybriefings,usingimagesindevelopment,andinterculturaltraining.

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Where possible, and with the assistance o your sendingorganisation, discussed the role with previous volunteers whoworked on the project?

Theopportunitytodiscussyourrolewithaformervolunteerwhoworked

onthesameprojectcanprovideaninvaluablesourceofinformation.Ifyouarecontinuingtheworkofanothervolunteer,itcanbeveryhelpfultomakecontactwiththemtotalkaboutwhattheydidintherole,andtheirsuggestionsforfuturedevelopments.

[My placement organisation] provided excellent

backup and training in the months beore

departure in the areas o undraising, the medical/

immunisations issues involved, language training,conlict resolution, etc. Once in Tanzania, there was

a urther week o training to help the volunteers

adjust to lie on a camp in rural Tanzania, language

training, how to relate to the local population, health

issues and so on. The summer inished o with a

eedback weekend in the UK, where the successes

and ailures o the summer were analysed and noted

or urther improvement o the programme.

Declan, volunteer in Tanzania

You cant be too prepared. Its enough o a

challenge to be in a new country with new people:

you want the job to be as straightorward as

possible.

Joe, volunteer in Sri Lanka

I think one o the most important things I everheard during any o my pre-departure trainings

was I we ail to plan, we plan to ail! Essentially,

in my opinion, the more conscientious and dedicated

to ully preparing yoursel beore departure you are,

the better an experience you will have overall rom

every point o view, and the more eective you will

be in your work.

Andrew, volunteer in India


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Principle


Respect local customs and adopt

the role o learner and guest.

Have you:

Considered how to be sensitive to the local culture?

Bytalkingtoformervolunteersandfamiliarisingyourselfwiththeculturein

whichyouwillbeworking,youcanbegintoprepareyourselfforsomeoftheculturaldifferencesyoumayencounterinyourplacement.Thismayincludebeingpreparedforthelivingconditions,forchangesindiet,andfordifferentwaysofsocialising.Rememberthatpeoplemaybeconfusedoruncertainaboutwhyyouareworkingintheircommunity,andwhatyouaretryingtoachieve.Bepreparedtoanswertheirquestions,tospendtimewiththem,andtobuildrelationshipsbasedonunderstanding,notassumptions.

Taken part in training or induction about intercultural issuesprovided by your organisation?

Participatinginanytrainingandinductiononinterculturalissuesthatyoursendingorganisationprovidescangiveyoufurtherinsightsintoimportanttopicstobeawareofwhileinyourplacement.

Agreed to try to learn some o the local language?

Formervolunteersandhostprojectshaverepeatedlystressedtheimportanceoftryingtolearnatleastsomeofthelocallanguageofthehostcommunity.Beingabletocommunicatewithyourhostswillhelpyoutomakethemostofyourtimeinaplacement.

Agreed to respect and work to uphold the aims o your host projectand sending organisation?

Asavolunteer,youmaybeveryinvolvedintheday-to-daylifeofyourhost


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community,andyouneedtobewillingfromtheoutsettoassistwithachievingtheprojectsaims.Youmaybeseenasarepresentativeofyoursendingorganisation,andassuch,willneedtobefamiliarandinagreementwithitsaimsandvalues.Howyouareperceivedinthehostcommunitywill

impactontheexperienceoffuturevolunteers.

Agreed to respect sta and other volunteers who work with yourhost project?

Somehostorganisationshavestatedthatproblemscanarise,asvolunteersmaynotrealisethatdifferencesexistbetweenthewayofdoingthingsinthehostcountryandwhattheyareaccustomedtoathome.Respectingtheexpertiseandexperienceofotherstaffandvolunteers,andaccepting

thatthingsmaybedoneindifferentways,areaveryimportantpartofthevolunteerexperience.Organisationalstructuresandmanagementsystemsmaybedifferentinothercultures,andvolunteersmayneedtobearthisinmindthroughoutaplacement.Itisvitaltoworkwiththecommunityyougototherecanbedisastrousresultsiflocalcommunitiesandorganisationsarenotaskedfortheirinput.

Some volunteers reuse to eat our local ood; we

have had some volunteers demand more than what

they signed up or; some volunteers try to go outside

the agreed /chosen program, interering with the

hosts activities; some volunteers reuse to adhere to

the rules and regulations in the host amily.

Jubilee Ventures, host organisation in Ghana.

In my time in Guatemala, all our relationships

and ondest memories were made while sharingmeals. This could never have worked without being

prepared to eat tortillas, beans and chilli three times

a day or ive months.

Mark, volunteer in Guatemala.

Sending organisations vary hugely with regard

to their core values and aims, their motivations in

sending volunteers overseas, their commitments to


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host organisations and the resources they are willing

to invest in training and preparation o volunteers.

Research the sending organisation ully beore you

commit yoursel and ensure that you are happy about

how the money you contribute will be spent and whatsort or training and support you will receive at home

and overseas.

Suzie, volunteer in the Dominican Republic

As I had volunteered with the same organisation in

Brazil beore, other volunteers were looking to me

to give them supportthen hal way through the

placement I realised that I was actually still a learner

Martin, volunteer in Brazil

Travel with the open-minded attitude that you are here to learnrather than the narrow-focused here to help. This will make youask the questions from which you will learn, rather than assumingthat you always know the answers.


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Principle


Act always in a proessional manner

and be fexible and adaptable whilein my placement.

Will you:

Always approach your placement in a proessional manner?

Returnedvolunteershavepointedoutthatsomevolunteersmaytakealessthanprofessionalattitudetotheirplacement.Forexample,theymayturnuplate,leaveearly,notrespectlocaldresscodes,orbehaveinamannerthatismoreappropriateforaholidaythanforprovidingaservicetoalocalcommunity.Byagreeingtohaveaprofessionalattitudetowardsyourplacementfromthebeginning,theseissuescanbeavoided.Itisalsoadvisabletobeawareofyoursending/hostorganisationsproceduresforraisingissuesofconcern,shouldanyariseduringyourplacement.

Stick to the role description that you were given?

Agoodroledescriptionwillhavebeendevelopedfollowingconsultationsbetweenthesendingorganisationandthehostorganisation,withinputsfrompreviousvolunteers.Itshouldthereforereflectwhatavolunteerismostneededfor,andhowsheorhecanbestcontributetotheaimsofaproject.Attemptingtochangethisdescription,withoutproperconsultationwithandpermissionfromtherelevantpeople,couldaffecttheprojectsoutcomes.

Show respect to your colleagues and host organisation by beingpunctual and ullling the working hours that you agreed to at thestart o your project?

Sometimes,volunteersmaynotcompletethehoursthattheyconsentedtoatthebeginningoftheirwork.Thiscanleadtoproblemsintermsofworknotbeingcompleted,andalsoofloweringmoraleamongstothervolunteersand


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Will you:

staff.Beawareofwhatisrequestedwithinanyplacementthatyouaresigning

upto,andconsiderwhetheryouarewillingtoundertakethisbeforemakingafinalcommitment.

Within reason, be fexible in response to needs as they arisethroughout your placement?

Whileitisveryimportanttoadheretoyourroledescription,oneessentialcharacteristicemphasisedbyformervolunteersistheneedtobeflexiblewhenundertakingavolunteerplacement.Therecanbeanumberofreasons

whyyoumayneedtobeflexible:itcouldbetofillinifthereisnobodyelseavailableforthejob;toadapttochangescausedbyalackofresources;orsimplytorespondtothechangesinaprojectsobjectivesthattakeplaceovertime

Agree to ollow your sending organisations guidelines on givinggits and/or nancial support while on your placement?

Evenwhenvolunteersareawarethattheymayfacepovertyandhugeinequalityintermsofwealthwhileontheirplacements,manyreturnsayingthattheywerenotadequatelypreparedfortherequestsforfinancialassistancefromcolleaguesandothersinthecommunity,andthattheywereill-equippedwithknowledgeonhowbesttohelp.Sometimesvolunteersgivemoneyandgiftswiththebestofintentionsbutthiscancauseresentment,uncertainty,andunduepressureforeveryoneconcerned.Mostsendingorganisationswillhaveclearguidelinesandpoliciesregardingthisissue,whichhavebeendrawnuptoreducenegativeimpacts.ReadtheDchasGuidetoGoodGivingfor

additionalinformation.Availableatwww.howyoucanhelp.ie


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Reasons why volunteers have made an impact are:

long term commitment that they are willing to

give to the organisation; patience to understand and assimilate the

development

context and responses;

openness and initiative in identiying areas o

work and

making positive contributions; and

cultural adaptability.

Gram Vikas, Host Organisation, India

You help yoursel and improve your own experience

by going the extra mile and having a proessional

attitude its easy to lose that because youre ar

away rom home.

Luke, volunteer in India

We as volunteers should be honoured to be invested

with the responsibility organisations delegate to us,

and as such we should always treat our volunteering

placement with the utmost proessionalism. We are

ambassadors or ourselves o course, but also or our

country and will set a precedent or any volunteers

who may ollow us...and o course we would all

like to be remembered as hardworking, dedicated,

un, and a very helpul addition to the team.

Its important not to underestimate what can be

achieved with the right motives, energy, enthusiasm,open-mindedness, common sense and a willingness

to learn rom others.

Andrew, volunteer in India


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Principle


Take due care o my personal saety

and physical and mental health

Have you:

Arranged relevant health and travel insurance or your overseasplacement?

Somesendingorganisationswillprovidethisinsurance,whileotherswillnot.Findoutwhetheryouneedtomakearrangementsyourself,andensurethatyouhavepropercoveragebeforegoingabroadforaplacement.Beawareofwhatyourinsurancecovers,andhowtoaccessassistance,ifnecessary.

Checked that you have all the relevant vaccinations or the area inwhich you will be volunteering?

Again,thesewillbeprovidedbysomeorganisations,whileotherswillrequirethatyoumakeyourownarrangements.Besurethatyoureceivealltherelevantvaccinationsfortheareatowhichyouwillbetravellingavailofexpertadviceaboutthistopictoensurethatyouhavethemostup-to-dateinformation.

Thought about how to protect your nancial interests whileabroad?

Intheexcitementofpreparingforvolunteering,itisnotuncommontoplacelowpriorityonthinkingaboutprotectingyourfinancialinterestswhileoverseas,includingyoursocialwelfarerights.Issuestoconsiderincludecontinuingyourpensionpayments,ongoingPRSIcontributions,andtaxrebates.

Health and saety:

Whilesendingorganisationscanprovidevolunteerswithguidanceand


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trainingonthistopic,itisalsoyourresponsibilityasavolunteertoabidebythatadviceandtouseyourcommonsense.Additionally,yourgeneralresearchintoyourplacementshouldincludefindingoutaboutthelocalhealthandsecuritysituation.Whenyouarevolunteeringwithotherpeople,

youalsoneedtoconsidertheimpactofyouractionsandwhethertheywillhaveaneffectonthesafetyandsecurityofthosearoundyou.Askyourselfthefollowingquestionstohelpyoudecidewhetheryouarethinkingabouttherelevantissueshaveyou:Madecertainthatyoursendingorganisation/hostcommunityhasdetails

ofyournextofkinincaseofanemergency,andthatyournextofkinhasyouroverseascontactdetails?

Participatedinanyhealthandsafetytrainingprovidedbyyourorganisation?

Familiarisedyourselfwiththeorganisationshealthandsafetyguidelines,andagreedtoupholdthese?

Agreedtotakeduecarewhileoverseastoensurethatyouractionswillnotaffectthesafetyandhealthofthepeoplethatyouwillworkwith?

Personal health cant be stressed enough. You are

no good to anyone when you are sick or months

when a good rest could have cured you initially. I

was amazed at how ragile my body was in Arica,

I was more prone to illness and I could eel my

immune system weaken even i I had insuicient

sleep. Also it is good to know what to do and who

to call in the event o an accident, where you will be

treated, whether you will you have to be lown to

another location, etc.

Jane, volunteer in Zambia.

The only person responsible or your health is

you and i you get ill it will have a negative

impact or you and others involved in the project.

Luke, volunteer in India


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Channel the experiences and

knowledge gained while overseasinto Irish society.

Do you:

Agree to participate in any debrieng available ater your

placement?Debriefingcanofferyoutheopportunitytoreflectonyourexperiences,andtoprovideanycommentsorsuggestionsyoumayhaveforthefuturedevelopmentofaprogramme.

Commit to being available on your return to correspond withpotential volunteers about your overseas experiences?

Asavolunteer,youhavetheprivilegedpositionofbeingabletolearnaboutyourhostcommunityandexperiencewhatitisliketoworkinadevelopingcountry.Theseexperiencescanprovideaninvaluablesourceofinformationforpeoplewhoareconsideringthepossibilityofvolunteeringoverseas.Manyorganisationslookforreturnedvolunteerstotalktopotentialvolunteers,eitheronaone-to-onebasisoringroups.Byagreeingtoprovideinformationtopotentialvolunteers,youwillhavetheopportunitytoassistthemandtoprovidethemwithpersonalinsightsintowhattheirexperiencesmightbelike.

Agree to consider participating in events arranged by yourorganisation that relate to your placement?

Sendingorganisationsoftenlookforreturningvolunteerstoparticipateineventssuchasinformationeventsorgrouptalks.Again,byagreeingtoparticipateinthese,youwillhavetheopportunitytodiscussyourexperienceswithawideraudienceandtoraiseawarenessinIrelandaboutissuesaffectingthedevelopingworld.

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Agree to examine and consider the various opportunities availableto remain involved in global development issues on your returnhome?

Asonereturnedvolunteerhasstated,commitmentdoesntendatthe

airport.Volunteeringoverseasformspartofacontinuumthatencompassesthepointwhenyoufirstdecidetogotoadevelopingcountry,toyouractivismwhenyougethome.Therearemanydifferentwaysinwhichyoucanremainengagedinworkingtoeffectchange.Someexamplesinclude:Joiningasolidarityorcampaigninggroup;Educatingondevelopmentissues;Becomingavolunteerfundraiserforyoursendingorganisationorthe

projectsyouworkedwithinyourhostcountry;andSupportingfairtradethroughyourpurchases.

Ifweonlygooverseastohelp,butdonotworktochallengetherootcausesofglobalinjustice,ouractionswillnothelptopreventtherecurrenceofpresentproblems.

I believe that those who were working in a

volunteering capacity should pass on the small bit

that they may have learned. I eel lucky to have

experienced what I did and eel I owe it to the

people there to promote awareness o their everyday

diiculties.

Jane, volunteer in Zambia.

As a returned development worker (RDW)/volunteer, Comhlmhprovides free support, advice and guidance to facilitate your returnto Ireland, to deal with reverse culture shock and to assist you

with settling back in. This support ranges from social events tocareers advice, information on social welfare, pensions, health,etc, to engaging you in ongoing debates on development inIreland. As an RDW/volunteer returning from a short or long-termassignment (of two months or over), you are entitled to 12 monthsfree membership of Comhlmh from the date of your return toIreland. Simply email [email protected], or register viawww.comhlamh.org to activate your membership.


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Accept and sign a copy o the Volunteer

Charter principles

Have you:

Provided your organisation with a signed copy o this Charter?

Bydoingso,youaresignallingyoursupportfortheaimsandvaluesthatitsetsout.

Principle


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Resources

Country & travel inormationwww.dfa.ieTheDepartmentofForeignAffairswebsite,whichincludesinformationonIrishembassiesandsometraveladvice.www.fco.gov.uk/travelTheBritishgovernmentsForeignandCommonwealthOfficesite,whichincludestraveladviceandplanningtips.www.oneworld.netOneWorldwebsiteoffersnewsandviewsfromover1,600organisationsthatpromotehumanrightsawarenessandfightpovertyworldwide.Thesitehasalargeamountofinformation,includingguidestoselectedcountries.

www.hrw.orgHuman Rights Watchhaslinkstofrequentlyupdatedarticlesaboutthehumanrightssituationincountriesworldwide.www.alertnet.orgAlertNet,istheReutersFoundationssite,andincludesacountryprofilesection,withbasicinformationoncountriesandlinkstorecentnewsarticlesaboutthem.www.reliefweb.int RelieWeb,whichisadministeredbytheUNOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs,aimstoassisttheinternationalhumanitariancommunityintheeffectivedeliveryofemergencyassistance.Itprovidescountryupdatesfromaroundtheglobe,inadditiontoadedicatedmapcentre.

Volunteering & Development inormation:

Print:Working for a Better World: A Guide to Volunteering in Global Development,2nded.,Comhlmh2007

The Coming Home Book,Comhlmh,200680:20 Development in an Unequal World, 80:20 and Tide,2006The Rough Guide to a Better World, Rough Guides and DFID,2005

Web:www.volunteeringoptions.orgageneraloverviewoftherolevolunteeringhasindevelopment,includingadatabaseoforganisationsofferingvolunteeringopportunities.www.irishaid.gov.ieIrishAidistheIrishgovernmentsprogrammeof


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assistancetodevelopingcountries.Informationaboutitsactivities,andaboutawiderangeofdevelopmentissues,isavailableontheirwebsite.www.dochas.orgtheIrishAssociationofNGOsinvolvedindevelopment.ThisincludestheCode o Conduct on Images and Messages.

www.un.org/millenniumgoals.InformationabouttheIrishgovernmentspositionontheMDGscanbefoundatwww.dci.gov.ie/challenges.aspwww.dcu.ie/~cisDCUs Centre or International Studies hasanonlineresourcecentrewithcomprehensivelinkstositesthatcovertopicsincludinggeneralresourcesininternationalrelationsandresourcesindevelopmenteducation.www.galwayowc.orgGalway One World Centrehasaresourcecentrethatisopentomembersofthepublic.www.kade.ieKerry Action or Development Educationhasaresource

roomdevelopmenteducationlendinglibraryservicethatisopentomembersofthepublic.www.centreforglobaleducation.comCentre or Global Education,Belast provideeducationservicesthatwillenhanceawarenessofinternationaldevelopmentissues.www.waterfordoneworldcentre.comworkswitharangeoflocalgroupstoeducateandempowerpeopletotakeactiononglobalissuesofsocialjusticeandhumandignity.

Medical resources:

www.tmb.ieTropical Medical BureauThesiteincludesasectiononvaccinationsthatarerecommendedforavarietyofdestinations.www.who.int/ithWorld Health Organisationincludesasectiononhealthrisksandprecautionstotakewhentravelling,andregularlyupdateddiseasemaps.YoucanaccesstheWHOsWeeklyEpidemiologicalRecordatwww.who.int/wer/en

www.iamat.orgInternational Association or Assistance orTravellersprovidesinformationabouthealthrisksfortravellerswww.miusa.orgMobility International-Empoweringpeoplewithdisabilitiesthroughinternationalexchangeandinternationaldevelopmenttoachievetheirhumanrights.www.dublinaidsalliance.com HIV/AIDSAcompletedirectoryofcountrywidesupportgroups,organisationsandclinics.


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Useul boards and on-line orums:

www.worldvolunteerweb.orgWorld Volunteer Web: Thissitesupportsthevolunteercommunitybyprovidingaglobalone-stop-shopforinformation,resources,andorganisationslinkedtovolunteerism.

www.aidworkers.netAid Workers Forumpostaqueryhereonanyaspectofaidwork.Thereisalsoasectiononvolunteeringindevelopingcountries.SeetheLivingintheFieldsectionforsuggestionsonwhattobringwithyouwhenyougotoworkoverseas.www.thorntree.lonelyplanet.comLonely Planets Thorn Tree Thissitehasafrequentlyusedbulletinboardwherepeoplecanpostanytypeofquerytheyhaverelatingtotravellingindifferentregionsoftheworld,eg,informationonvisas,accommodation,gettingaround.

Further studies in development:

www.kimmagedsc.ieDevelopment Studies Centre, Kimmage Manoroffersarangeofdevelopment-relatedcoursesandseminars,someofwhichareopentothepublic.www.dtalk.ieDevelopment Training and Learning @ KimmageaimstopromoteacultureoflearningandknowledgesharingwithintheIrishinternationaldevelopmentsector.www.comhlamh.org/trainings-courses-comhlamh-trainings-and-courses.html Comhlmhrunanumberofshortcoursesrelatedtodevelopment.ACourses and Career information leafletwithafulllistingofallgraduateandpost-graduatecourserelatedtodevelopmentinIreland,canbedownloadedfromtheComhlmhwebsite.

Jobs noticeboards:

www.comhlamh.org/jobs-noticeboard.html

www.activelink.iewww.dochas.ie/wednesdaynewswww.alertnet.org/thepeople/jobs/index.htmwww.devnetjobs.orgwww.eldis.org/news/jobs.htmwww.idealist.orgwww.oneworld.net/job/list/professional/www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/doc212?OpenFormwww.unjobs.org


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Working rom Ireland:

www.volunteer.ieVolunteer Centres IrelandItswebsiteincludeslinksto

volunteercentresthroughoutthecountry,aswellasadatabaseofvolunteeropportunitiesavailablenationwide.www.volunteeringireland.ieVolunteering IrelandTheirwebsitecontainsdetailsofalargenumberofvoluntaryworkpositions,rangingfromtime-limitedcommitmentstolongertermopportunities.www.comhlamh.org/resources-index-contacts-list.htmlTheINDEXcontactlistcontainsfurtherinformationondevelopmenteducationandsolidaritygroupsworkinginIreland,manyofwhichwouldwelcometheinvolvementofvolunteers.

www.activelink.ieTheCommunity Exchangewebsitehasasectionthatisdedicatedtovolunteerpositions,whichisfrequentlyupdated.www.howyoucanhelp.ieThiswebsiteishostedbyDchas,theIrishumbrellagroupofdevelopmentNGOs.Itprovidessuggestionsonhowyoucanhelpaidagenciestocontinuetogivetherightkindofaid.


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Dchas Code o Conduct on Images and

Messages

Theimagesandmessagesusedtoportraypeople,placesandsituationsinthedevelopingworldcanhaveanenormousimpactonpeoplesperceptionsandattitudes.Peoplehavedifferentopinionsonwhatconstitutesacceptableinrelationtoimagesandmessagesindevelopmentanddependingontheirenduse,differentpeoplemaychampioncertainimagesandmessagesbutrejectothers.Imagesandmessagesmaybeusedforanumberofdifferentreasonssuchas:

Toinform(media/education)Tosell(marketing/fundraising)Toconvince(advocacy/policy)Toaccountfor(reporting)

Eachoftheseislegitimateandworthwhile-theCodeappliestothemall.TheCodeisdrivenbyastrongcommitmenttothefollowingvalues:

RespectforthedignityofthepeopleconcernedBeliefintheequalityofallpeopleAcceptanceoftheneedtopromotefairness,solidarityandjustice

DownloadacopyoftheGuidetoUnderstandingandImplementingtheCodeofConductonImagesandMessagesat:http://www.dochas.ie/code.htm

ComhlmhisasignatorytotheCodeofConductonImagesandMessages.

PleasesendanyfeedbackonouradherencetotheCodetoinfo@volunteeringoptions.org


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0

The Codes Guiding Principles:

1. Choose images and related messages based on values of respect,

equality, solidarity and justice;

2. Truthfully represent any image or depicted situation both inits immediate and in its wider context so as to improve publicunderstanding of the realities and complexities of development;

3. Avoid images and messages that potentially stereotype,sensationalise or discriminate against people, situations or places;

4. Use images, messages and case studies with the fullunderstanding, participation and permission of the subjects (orsubjects parents/guardian)

5. Ensure those whose situation is being represented have theopportunity to communicate their stories themselves;

6. Establish and record whether the subjects wish to be named oridentifiable and always act accordingly;

7. Conform to the highest standards in relation to human rights andprotection of vulnerable people.


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Comhlmhs

Volunteer Charter(My copy)

Ive read the Volunteer Charter, and agree to do the ollowing:

) Inorm mysel about all relevant issues relating to my

placement;

) Familiarise mysel thoroughly with my role descriptionbeore departure;

) Respect local customs and adopt the role o learner and

guest;

) Act always in a proessional manner and be fexible and

adaptable while in my placement;

) Take due care o my personal saety and physical andmental health;

) Channel the experiences and knowledge gained while

overseas into Irish society; and

) Accept and sign a Code o Conduct embodying these

principles.

Name o sending organisation:

Volunteers signature:

Date:


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Comhlmhs

Volunteer Charter(Return to my sending organisation)

Ive read the Volunteer Charter, and agree to do the ollowing:

) Inorm mysel about all relevant issues relating to my

placement;

) Familiarise mysel thoroughly with my role descriptionbeore departure;

) Respect local customs and adopt the role o learner and guest;

) Act always in a proessional manner and be fexible and

adaptable while in my placement;

) Take due care o my personal saety and physical and mental

health;

) Channel the experiences and knowledge gained while

overseas into Irish society; and

) Accept and sign a Code o Conduct embodying these

principles.

Name o sending organisation:

Volunteers signature:

Date:


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Documents

Comhlámh's Volunteer Charter