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Reaching Out to International
Residents
Posted April 30, 2000
Submitted by Sue Sommerville, Coordinator of Volunteers, Royal Tyrrell
Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
I welcome international volunteers, however there are some procedural
issues that must be met. The volunteer from another country must apply
for an employment authorization from their country and receive validation
from an immigration officer. If the person is to be employed without
remuneration authorization and validation must be obtained prior to
volunteering in Canada. It is important that organizations are aware
of the immigration issues in their country prior to accepting volunteers.
As well, screening procedures become challenging when you are dealing
with internationl volunteers. Has anyone else faced these challenges
and if so how have you met them?
Submitted by Jan McKenzie, Volunteer Manager, Northwest Medical
Teams International, Oregon USA
Our organization sends out volunteer medical, humanitarian, and disaster
teams as well as humanitarian aid. We have volunteer opportunities
in our warehouse for sorting supplies and equipment. We also have
volunteers helping with general support services and on our local
Mobile Healthcare Uans.
International volunteers, with spouses either in school or on long-term
temporary assignments have been valuable additions for us. Some of
these volunteers are medically trained nurses in their home country
but are not able to practice here. They help us with sorting and identifying
medicines and equipment. One nurse even began working on one of our
mobile units as a dental assistant and has gone on one of our teams.
This experience benefits them as they stay connected to the medical
field (and in some cases getting required hours for their certification)
until they get back home.
Submitted by John D. Bergeron, Volunteer Program Manager, Glaucoma
Research Foundation, California
We have had great luck with people visiting the US without work visas.
One volunteer found a listing at the local Volunteer Center, which
interested her because she wanted to gain more experience in media
relations while her partner was working in the US--her skill level
and dedication are great! Another international volunteer was with
us full-time for three months building skills in US office environment
before returning to Japan. So far, our recruitment has been pure luck--our
listings intrigued these volunteers. I'd like to become more deliberate
in my recruitment of these volunteers and appreciate Susan's tips.
Thanks!
Submitted by Joan Brown, Civic Center Volunteers, San Rafael,
Ca
We've had outstanding foreign visiting volunteers (often spouses)
in various areas, including a MD who volunteered 20 hours a week for
us for 6 months. My experience has been that this is a very sharp
pool of volunteers because the spouses are in our areas for high tech
jobs. They tend to be well educated and active.
With being on the internet, I have had inquiries from England and
other countries from students who expect to be here for the summer
and are looking for meaningful volunteer work. Good for you, Susan,
for making this a hot topic!
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