Inspire Others to Volunteer

Inspire others to volunteer abroad. Share your first-hand experience and help make a positive change in the world. Here's how you can help:

Use the Media - Online or in Print
Spread the Word with Email
Join the CCS Alumni Reference List
Become a Regional Advocate
Become a Campus Representative
Host a Get-Together
Give a Presentation About Your Experience

Use the Media - Online or in Print

ONLINE
A web log or “blog” is a relatively easy way to create your own webpage and/or share your story about volunteering internationally. In addition to your story, consider including any information about CCS that you feel may be useful to the blogging community: "Cross-Cultural Solutions is a recognized leader in the field of international volunteering, with over 4,000 volunteers each year. Founded in 1995, they are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations. CCS operates year-round programs in 12 countries around the world with lengths of stay from 1-12 weeks. See the CCS Website to learn more." You may also want to embed a link to CCS (as above) so that bloggers can easily find us on the web.
Best Volunteer Abroad blog sites:

Volunteer Abroad Blog

World Volunteer Web

BlogAbroad.com

PRINT
Submit an article about your volunteer experience to your local newspaper. We have created a CCS Alumni Press Release to help you get started. Make minor modifications to customize the press release and submit it to your hometown newspaper. If the newspaper is interested in publishing an article, they will contact you or CCS. We also recommend a follow-up call to generate further attention and consideration of your story.

Using the press release is a very easy, yet incredibly powerful way to spread awareness about international volunteerism. Follow these simple steps:

Modify the sample press release.
Identify three or more local publications.
Send the press release to the editors of these publications.
Follow up with a telephone call.

Download the CCS Alumni Press Release and get started today!

Spread the Word with Email

Send an e-Postcard to family and friends. Let people around you know about Cross-Cultural Solutions programs around the world by sending them one of our e-postcards available here.
Personalize your email signature to let others know about your international volunteer experience. This is an easy way to identify with CCS and remind others, in a non-obtrusive way, about your pride in volunteering. Here’s an example:
Personalize the following email message and send it to at least 10 people encouraging them to also get involved in global issues and further the mission:

Here’s a start:

Dear (Insert name here),

As you might know, I recently participated in a volunteer program in [Brazil, Ghana, Russia, etc...]. Let me tell you: it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. I spent [three, five, six, etc...] weeks working in an [orphanage / health clinic / elderly center / school / etc…]. This email is to let you know more about getting involved and encourage you to consider a similar life-changing experience. The friendships I made with the local people and the personal growth I experienced while helping others was something I could not have fully imagined before actually going abroad and doing it! So, in all sincerity, I encourage you to consider volunteering abroad. You can also make a difference! I volunteered through an organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions. You can find out more about how you can get involved at www.crossculturalsolutions.org.

Join the CCS Alumni Reference List

Many potential volunteers feel much more secure about volunteering after speaking with someone who has completed the program they are considering. Please inform us of your interest in serving as a reference for prospective volunteers by sending an email. Acting as a volunteer reference means being willing to speak, on occasion, with individuals who are interested in volunteering abroad with CCS. You will be contacted via phone or email and asked to share your impressions of the experience and candid feedback. This is an easy and important way to stay involved with CCS and encourage others to experience the benefits of international volunteering.

Become a Regional Advocate

Regional Advocates are alumni who have shown great enthusiasm about Cross-Cultural Solutions programs, and have the ability to coordinate regional events, take on projects, and attend events with the ultimate goal of promoting Cross-Cultural Solutions' programs, vision, mission, and values. Regional Advocates maintain regular contact with the Recruiting and Alumni Development department at CCS HQ in New Rochelle, NY. It is customary for a Regional Advocate to organize or attend four events per year. CCS can help to invite the prospective volunteers in your area. For more information, send us an email.

Become a Campus Representative

Establish contacts with college faculty and students by delivering informational kits and flyers and telling them about your experience. Make a presentation about your experience to faculty members, student clubs and to your peers in class. College departments that would be interested in our programs include Study Abroad, Career Services, Undergraduate and Graduate Research, Civic Education, Community Service and Service-Learning.

Academic departments and student clubs that would be interested in our programs include Pre-Med, Med, Nursing, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Gerontology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Anthropology, African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Latin American Studies, Language Departments, Social Services, Education, International Studies, Politics and Government, Women's Studies, and many more.

Let us know how many informational packets you need and your current mailing address. We will send you the packets to distribute to the appropriate departments you wish to contact. You can also put up posters in libraries, schools, or other public venues. Make sure to get proper permission for this when required. Send an email for information about how to obtain those flyers.

Additionally, we often need alumni to represent Cross-Cultural Solutions at Career and Study Abroad fairs held at universities around the country. If you are interested in participating, please send us an email.

Host a Get-Together

Invite friends and family to a get-together to celebrate the country where you volunteered. Decorate your house in the style of that country, play traditional music, provide cuisine from the region, leave your pictures on display, or share a PowerPoint presentation. Sharing what you have learned and experienced as an international volunteer is both interesting and inspiring to others. By having your CCS experience as the theme of the evening, it will allow you the forum to share your experience in more depth and inspire others to volunteer abroad. Creating this cross-cultural opportunity for friends and family is the first step of many to effecting positive change in this world. If you would like some CCS literature and ideas for hosting a Get-Together, send us an email.

Give a Presentation About Your Experience

Another great way to stay involved with CCS is to give a presentation about your experience! This involves speaking about volunteering abroad and sharing your experience with others in the community. Possible venues include your home, school, a local café, community centers, academic institutions, or places of employment. We have presentations that we can share with you to get you started. We are also happy to support you with literature that you can distribute or a copy of a video on our volunteer programs.

If you feel comfortable speaking to a larger audience, why not host a CCS Information Session? CCS can expand the invitation list for your presentation to prospective volunteers in your area who have already expressed an interest in Cross-Cultural Solutions. Your enthusiasm for volunteering can inspire someone else to volunteer abroad. Send us an email to get started today.

CCS Alumni Action Network home.