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International Volunteering (part 2)

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By Jade Floyd

This is the second post in a two-part series by Jade Floyd. Ms. Floyd works in international public affairs in DC and serves on the Board of the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative. Follow her on Twitter: @DcThisWeek. Read the first part of the series here.

Preparing for an international volunteer experience can be daunting. But paying for it is the hardest part — and once you have tackled that, you are well on your way. (And remember: keep all you receipts because many of these expenses can be tax deducible.) My program required nearly $6,000 when you factored in program fees, flights, buses, immuniztions, taxis, supplies, gifts for family and friends, hotels, guest houses, and gifts for myself. Luckily, I had a very good friend who worked for an airline, which made a major difference. You can also consider using your Airline miles or those of a family member or friend if they will donate them to your cause. Continue reading →

International Volunteering (part 1)

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By Jade Floyd

This is the first post in a two-part series by Jade Floyd. Ms. Floyd works in international public affairs in Washington, DC and serves on the Board of Catalogue non-profit DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative, a non-profit devoted to providing free arts education experiences for DC public school students and teachers. Follow her on Twitter: @DcThisWeek.

International Volunteering

My arrival to Bangkok was filled with trepidation and butterflies. I thought to myself on the plane that I was completely nuts and had lost my senses. Had I just flown around the world to a country where I knew no one to volunteer with children for a month teaching them art? Surely they had perfectly good teachers there who could give them instruction. I had spent months planning for this international volunteer program. From the onset, I knew that I wanted to partake in a program that focused on children. And after serving for four years on the board of directors for a DC-based arts education nonprofit, two years volunteer teaching at a children’s art center for two, and countless hours fundraising for similar organizations, I decided it was time to take a plunge and expand my reach outside of the US.

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Volunteer Because …

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By Jane Hess Collins:

Volunteering catapults my butt out of the house. Otherwise, as I discovered in the last 18 months since retiring from the United States Air Force, I’ll just sit in the fourth-floor loft of our townhouse, tapping away on the laptop about giving back.

Last month I decided to volunteer at least once a week (it’s now up to two or three times a week) with different nonprofits in the DC area, send out a few tweets while volunteering, write about it on my website then link it to Facebook and Twitter. The response from nonprofits and readers has been incredible, but the most surprising response has been from me. As I hop around the DC metro area, volunteering and tweeting, writing and promoting, I realized quite by accident that I’m not doing this because I love to volunteer.

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Around Town: October 9-10

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Looking for an adventure over the long weekend? How about several adventures? Check out these great volunteer opportunities, as well as fall-themed festivals (hay rides!), with our non-profits:

Saturday, October 9

9:00-11:30 AM – Fun Run (Latin American Montessori Bilingual Charter School): take your pick from a 10K, 5K, or 1 mile and run, walk, or push a stroller through Rock Creek Park; all proceeds will go to a new wing at the school.

9:30-4:30 PM – Volunteer Training (ASHA for Women): learn about current laws and social services affecting victims of domestic violence and find out how you can become an advocate.

Noon-12:30 PM – Sea Revels @ Magical Montgomery (Washington Revels): swing by this busy festival in downtown Silver Spring and catch a nautical song and dance performance, commemorating men and women of the sea.

1:00-6:00 PM – Oktoberfest at Hard Bargain Farm (Alice Ferguson Foundation): celebrate the season and support the Foundation’s education programs all at once; the afternoon will feature Barvarian dance, German cuisine, hay rides, and a silent auction.

2:00-3:30 PM – Volunteer Orientation (For Love of Children): both new and retuning volunteers are invited to learn more about tutoring programs and helping children succeed in school.

8:00 PM – Velocity DC Dance Festival (CityDance Ensemble): take a dancing tour around the world with The Washington Ballet, CityDance Ensemble, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Furia Flamenca, Urban Artistry, a DJ, and many more (really!).

Sunday, October 10

Noon-3:00 PM – BSF 38th Annual School Fair (Black Student Fund): stop by the largest independent school fair in the region and meet representatives from over fifty schools, all ready to answer questions about testing, admissions, and financial aid.

Enjoy the three-day weekend and catch you on Tuesday!