Job Discussion Forums

[Justin Trullinger]

A couple of questions. Do any of you guys do any volunteer work where you're at?

I ask, because it's one of the funny quirks about the organisation I work for. We're a non profit, dedicated to cultural education, and part of our status, tied to our ability to get cheap visas for foreign teachers, requires us to offer "community service." This is usually in the form of free English classes for people who couldn't otherwise study with native teachers.

I've been teaching (in my "spare" time) for 3 years in an elementary school in an underprivileged neighborhood. It has been, without exageration or reservation, although difficult, the best thing I have ever done in my life. We also do after school classes for top students from public high schools, and a fair amount of classes "donated" to various community organisations that don't have any money. Teachers do these classes on a volunteer basis. (no pay)

Those who join in on the volunteer classes invariably have a good time, and many have formed lasting friendships, as well as learning about a side of Ecuador that people in other institutes may never see.

But some teachers simply cannot be convinced to get involved. If you were here, would you? I really want to know. Because it doesn't seem like an unreasonable thing to require. And I believe in the benefits. But am I wrong to push teachers to do this?

How would you feel if your school asked you to participate in a volunteer program?

Regards,
Justin

[Guy Courchesne]

[Perpetual Traveller]

As long as you're up front about it and I knew all along I'd have no problem with it. The only time something like that would annoy me is if my contract was signed and sealed with no mention of it and then on arrival it was suddenly put to me as a requirement. Then again I would probably go ahead and do it anyway, I'd just be a bit miffed.

PT

[MELEE]

I�d be all for it as well.

Like PT, I think it should be part of the job description from the get go, if possible figured into the hours. (for example, 25 hours a week teaching, plus 4 hours a month of community service) If teachers are told, that for you to get them a work visa, they need to do this, then their reactions should be a lot different. When I was in Ecuador, I was on a cultural exchange visa, and one of my classes was in exchange for my Spanish class, the others were paid.

I've done various translating/interpreting volunteer work, once on behalf of the university. It was a project in conjunction with the Lion's club, a club from the US came down for the project (about 30 of them) so we needed several translators. The other teachers were fine with it when it was part of the working hours. A few were funny about it when we asked them to do it beyond their working hours. Most people, like you, thought it was the most rewarding thing they've done during their stay.

[ls650]

[Justin Trullinger]

Thanks guys!

I was a bit vague on a few details, because I wanted a gut reaction on a simple question, "Is this kind of volunteering reasonable to ask teachers to do?"

But I should fill in the blanks, as ls650 has pointed out. The volunteer commitment is in the contract. And even before contract time, the application form asks if people want to do this kind of thing, and why. Answering this question well, for me, is important because it tells me a lot about a persons reasons for coming to Ecuador, and about how they will respond to the culture and integrate. (And good volunteers generally have the most positive experiences in the country.) I also talk about this in interviews. Everybody I've hired has responded in the affirmative on these questions.

But I should also point out- while the volunteer hours are stipulated in the contract, the previous English director didn't take it too seriously. I do. (I've been in this position for one year.) This could have been a cause of stress for people who were here under her, but most of the ones who've stayed (turnover is a bit high in Ecuador) are actually my most pro-active volunteers.

And while the hours are stipulated (and I have to account for them somehow to the ministries of Education and Immigration) the activity is not. The idea behind this was that teachers would be happier and more productive if they found, and selected, their own volunteer projects, and that teachers' varied interests would help us make contact with varied groups in need of volunteers. The problem is, some have, and some haven't. And those who haven't are resistent to the smorgasborg of volunteer possibilities I have on offer.

Now, I could twist arms, as it IS in the contract, but I have a feeling that wouldn't bring a very positive feeling to the programs. (Obligatory volunteering?!)

So I was wondering if anybody out there has any motivational techniques, heartwarming stories, or good ideas to help me CONVINCE these people.

I should also point out, because somebody will always wonder- there is NO profit in this. We're not ripping people off, quite the contrary. The institute covers materials and expenses. Teachers donate their time. There is no hidden income or catch.

Thanks again for your help,
Justin

[Guy Courchesne]

On motivational techniques...I think you should stick with what you have...maybe play it up more in your recruiting. You'll probably attract a better kind of teacher and straighten out that high turnover. At the very least, you'll be able to filter out the EFL cowboys. You've got a good thing going there...

[ls650]

[Cdaniels]

[Perpetual Traveller]

Well it sounds to me as though you're up front about what's required so I can't see why people feel they have any right not to do participate in the volunteering. I think ls650 has a very good point in that perhaps it's better to use a term other than 'volunteering' as it probably does give some people the idea that the work is voluntary, community work or community service gives less of that impression.

Another thought might be to launch people into the program straight away. If people come to you with their own ideas of how they wish to contribute, great, but those who don't give them a selection to choose from and get them going to it 'just until you find your own project that you want to commit to'. One would hope that that way they would either find they enjoy the activity they have signed up for or are perhaps more motivated to figure out something they would prefer to be doing.

Good luck!

PT

[MELEE]