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How to take a volunteer vacation
"Voluntourism is not about martyrdom," says Christopher Hill, CEO of Hands Up Holidays, a London-based company that arranges high-end excursions that incorporate volunteering. "It's about making a difference"
Testimonials:
"I DEFINITELY recommend the program for anyone interested in Tropical and Neotropical conservation/ banding/ research. It was VERY enjoyable and thank you very much to everyone involved, especially Gloria, Jose, Misael and Isabel!" Avery Bartels – Ecovolunteer from Canada-
"Your comments here!”. Your name - Your city
"Being a Ecovolunteer with ProAves is a great experience that will bring out the best in you. You will learn new things every day not just related to nature but also to social and economic relations with the environment, which can also be applied to daily life" Maria Alejandra Chadid - Ecovolunteer from Colombia-
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Ecovolunteers program ProAves is a non-profit organisation that was set up in 1998. It was created to protect birds and their habitats in Colombia and the organisation sought to do this through research, conservation actions and community outreach. Considering that the community is able to lead numerous conservation actions, ProAves has launched its Eco-volunteer Program in its natural reserves; this program will allow conservationists (national or foreigners) to help us carry out specific conservation actions to protect extremely important habitats for critical bird species in Colombia. ProAves has several objectives with the Ecovolunteer program such as improving and guaranteeing the sustainability of the work that is being done in Colombia, allowing the reserves to be run efficiently for years to come. Also being an indispensable feature of the reserves, helping with everything from maintenance to research. Volunteer positions are held at three of our wonderful natural reserves: El Dorado, El Paujil and Cerulean warbler. Many options to volunteer are available for passionate and committed people who want to support conservation actions through activities such as reforestation, eradication of non-native species, tourism guidance, reserve maintenance, tree nurseries, nest boxing, bird monitoring, etc.Why does ProAves need a volunteer policy? The main reason why ProAves has included a Volunteer policy is because this is the foundation on which ProAves’s involvement of volunteers should be based. It forms the basis of the entire volunteer programme, giving cohesion and consistency to all the elements in ProAves that affect volunteers (recruitment, expenses, health and safety and so on). It is the key to involving a diversity of volunteers, because it helps to define the role of volunteers within ProAves and how they can expect to be treated.Ecovolunteers policies Membership to Ecovolunteer Program is based on general adherence to and acceptance of Principles and Practices. The program supports and advocates these Principles and Practices as a means of ensuring program quality and appropriate volunteer behaviour in international/intercultural settings. They are also meant to give prospective volunteers a reliable basis on which to choose worthwhile program experiences.The criteria stated in the Principles and Practices document are not intended to be either exhaustive or restrictive, although members organization are expected to meet the standards of organizational responsibility stated in the qualifications for membership. All volunteer positions may not include every aspect, depending on their design and purpose. They do, however, provide guidelines and standards for the field. All Ecovolunteer members recognize and agree to the spirit of these principles and practices. Pre-Program • Materials are clear, accurate, and current regarding fees, activities, expectations and criteria for involvement and other aspects of the program.• Application is open to all based on stated criteria, but applicants are evaluated as to maturity, motivation, skills, responsibility, physical and mental health, and cultural sensitivity. ProAves is willing to reject applicants who do not meet the stated criteria. • Intentionally encourages diversity in recruiting participants of varying backgrounds, skills, income levels, ethnicities, age, gender and abilities/disabilities. • Has a system in place for communication between potential volunteers and the program coordinator. • Provides thorough pre-departure and orientation descriptive materials well before the program. Materials include: Information about the country, culture, language, and issues of the society. (b) Clear, accurate, and up to date information on lodging, meals, transportation, and logistics of the program. (c) Detailed information on volunteer work sites and placement expectations. • Requires that all volunteers/participants have international travel medical insurance. Requires that all volunteers/participants provide proof of international medical insurance prior to departure. • All volunteers/participants must have their current visa or passport. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to cover the costs of obtaining all documents necessary prior to departure. • Clearly defines expectations and consequences of behaviour violations in the program including responsibilities during the volunteer service, behaviour offensive to the host culture, or violation of local laws. Includes statements about the organization's policy in regard to the involvement of the volunteer in in-country politics. • All volunteers must pay the total cost of volunteering two (2) weeks before going to the reserve. • If a volunteer chooses to cancel the process before going to the reserve, there will not be a full refund. Program • The organization has one staff member that meets the follow criteria: Their primary responsibility is to oversee the management and wellbeing of volunteers during the course of their experience abroad.• Collects detailed emergency contact information for each participant. Has a clear system to explain how and when emergency contacts are notified. • Housing should be clean (in accordance with local standards), hygienic, and safe. • Engages volunteers in written and oral critical reflection on their experiences. This may be informal (e.g. discussion sessions), public (e.g. regularly scheduled meetings) or private (e.g. keeping of a journal). • Provides clear guidelines and procedures regarding policy on avoidance of proselytizing. Expects volunteers to be sensitive to and respect cultural norms surrounding issues of politics, culture, and society. • Has a standardized disciplinary procedure for handling infractions to rules, policies, and expectations of the program. Explains to volunteers how they have acted incorrectly and whenever possible allows them the opportunity to correct their behaviour prior to being dismissed from the program. • Demonstrates commitment to providing quality customer service by giving timely responses to inquiries and complaints. • Once the volunteer process has begun no refunds will be given. Post-Program • Conducts a survey/evaluation of volunteers about their experiences.• Testimonies will recollect from Volunteers in order to share experiences with other potential volunteers. Organizational Operations • Provides clear, accurate, and consistent information in all online.• Takes measures to secure the privacy and identity of participants. Only uses volunteer’s likeness (photos, quotes, written evaluations) with prior consent. • Promotes conservation and waste reduction practices in all reserves. • Responds promptly to complaints and other issues regarding dissatisfied volunteers. • Asks that all participants sign a declaration stating that they fully understand the nature of the program they are undertaking and the physical and mental demands that may be involved. • ProAves through its volunteer program is firmly committed to diversity in all areas of its work. We believe that we have much to learn and profit from diverse cultures and perspectives, and that diversity will make our organisation more effective in meeting the needs of all our stakeholders. We are committed to developing and maintaining an organisation in which differing ideas, abilities, backgrounds and needs are fostered and valued, and where those with diverse backgrounds and experiences are able to participate and contribute. NOTE: please read carefully the Ecovolunteer manual. In this text you will find all the information regarding health insurance, work schedule, salary, staff, certificate, reports, evaluations, profiles, etc. This manual is a downloadable file and you will be able to find on “Volunteer Policy” Section on our website www.eco-volunteer.com |
Article(s) News:
Kids restore the forest in Sierra Nevada
kids living close to El Dorado Bird Natural Reserve were part of a full day of reforestation within the area of the reserve. This activity was created to show the importance of restoring native habitats of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, benefiting one endemic and endangered species of this habitat, the Little-Parrot of Santa Maria (Pyrrhura viridicata).
Published magazine Colombian Conservation No.9
ProAves publishes online the 9th edition of Colombian Conservation , with a synthesis of the results of the study Indicators and Models to evaluate biodiversity changes in the CDM forestry project in the Chinchiná river basin, carried out in the community of Caldas, Colombia and developed by ProAves.
More than 15 Ecovolunteers have joined the ProAves team, helping at the natural reserves!
This year more than 15 Ecovolunteers from different nationalities have came to Colombia and helped with many interesting conservation activities at the natural reserves. we are waiting for you! Come to Colombia and have an amazing experience...
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