Tips for Responsible Volunteering

As our volunteer teams grow larger and more frequent, we offer these tips for maximizing your positive impact in the host community:

First, confine your service to work projects based on local leaders' vision, commitment and contributions. Such volunteer projects don't cost local people more effort than the volunteer contribution merits.

Second, be aware that usually a minimum commitment of at least a week is required for you to become fully integrated into the work project, and therefore to make a genuine contribution.

Third, note that only full-day service efforts are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. When you work through Global Volunteers, you're mobilized in full-time work projects, five days per week. (The IRS requires "no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation or vacation.")

Fourth, ethical service is self-supporting in the host community, and doesn't draw financial resources away from local people. Rather contributions support the local economy, and invest in local initiatives without creating dependencies upon outside sources.

Most important, invest your time in a sustainable program which contributes your skills and energy to the community as you work alongside local people on local development projects.

You CAN make a significant difference...in as little as one week...through our long-term, sustainable development partnerships. Call us today to find YOUR service program!