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Volunteers for International NPOs (Part 3)
Hosted by Patrick O'Heffernan (September 2007)
Sources of Interns
Part 1 (Hiring Volunteers) is here.
Part 2 (Resources for Training and Managing Volunteers) is here.
Many NPOs and FPO's use programs that train existing volunteers and staff either in topical areas, like sustainable development, or in broad skills like leadership and international negotiation.
Some of these programs are also sources of interns for NGOs. I will describe two of the best I know of –one US and one international- and ask members of the community to post the names and URLs of others they know.
One of the most comprehensive international programs is Leadership for Environment and Development, or LEAD International. Based in London and operating through offices in 14 countries, this 16- year old organization trains mid-level staff or volunteers from NGOs, corporations, media, and government in sustainable development and leadership in a global context. The training is designed to focus on strengthening knowledge of sustainable development and enhancing key leadership skills among new groups of leaders. The majority of training is undertaken at the regional level, with additional inter-regional and international components available. A key part of the training is meeting and working with others from around the world and developing a global network of useful contacts. LEAD also offers training and leadership consulting to for-profit and non profit organizations. The LEAD website offers free case studies NGOs can use in their internal training.
In the US, the 64-year old Coro Center for Leadership, founded in San Francisco but now operating through independent offices in seven cities, trains rising high school students and recent college graduates in leadership and civic engagement through projects and internships. Applicants must go through a rigorous national selection process. Those selected become Coro Fellows in Public Policy.
Each Fellow is assigned to a series of month-long consulting projects across a variety of sectors in public affairs, such as government, business, political campaigns, organized labor, media and non-profits. They also undertake group and individual projects. Coro also offers training programs to US-based corporations and non profits and places interns in both for and non-profit organizations for a small fee.
LEAD International, Coro and other similar programs have developed extensive networks of graduates that provide job leads, referrals, reviews, and assistance on projects. These networks that are often cited by graduates as the aspect of training with the most long-term value to both graduates and the organizations they work for.
So what organization is your favorite source of interns? Click here and tell us.
Part 1 (Hiring Volunteers) is here.
Part 2 (Resources for Training and Managing Volunteers) is here.
Many NPOs and FPO's use programs that train existing volunteers and staff either in topical areas, like sustainable development, or in broad skills like leadership and international negotiation.
Some of these programs are also sources of interns for NGOs. I will describe two of the best I know of –one US and one international- and ask members of the community to post the names and URLs of others they know.
One of the most comprehensive international programs is Leadership for Environment and Development, or LEAD International. Based in London and operating through offices in 14 countries, this 16- year old organization trains mid-level staff or volunteers from NGOs, corporations, media, and government in sustainable development and leadership in a global context. The training is designed to focus on strengthening knowledge of sustainable development and enhancing key leadership skills among new groups of leaders. The majority of training is undertaken at the regional level, with additional inter-regional and international components available. A key part of the training is meeting and working with others from around the world and developing a global network of useful contacts. LEAD also offers training and leadership consulting to for-profit and non profit organizations. The LEAD website offers free case studies NGOs can use in their internal training.
In the US, the 64-year old Coro Center for Leadership, founded in San Francisco but now operating through independent offices in seven cities, trains rising high school students and recent college graduates in leadership and civic engagement through projects and internships. Applicants must go through a rigorous national selection process. Those selected become Coro Fellows in Public Policy.
Each Fellow is assigned to a series of month-long consulting projects across a variety of sectors in public affairs, such as government, business, political campaigns, organized labor, media and non-profits. They also undertake group and individual projects. Coro also offers training programs to US-based corporations and non profits and places interns in both for and non-profit organizations for a small fee.
LEAD International, Coro and other similar programs have developed extensive networks of graduates that provide job leads, referrals, reviews, and assistance on projects. These networks that are often cited by graduates as the aspect of training with the most long-term value to both graduates and the organizations they work for.
So what organization is your favorite source of interns? Click here and tell us.
Internship Resources
I would strongly recommend INROADS. Inroads is a nationally known and very well respected internship program for minority business students. The organization recruits interns in the top 10% of their classes, and provides extensive training in business and leadership skills.
INROADS traditionally has had a focus on corporate careers (finance, technology, retail management); however for nonprofits seeking business-minded and entrepreneurial-thinking leaders, there could potentially be a good fit.
For more information visit www.inroads.org and select "clients".