Volunteer for an International Project

The Rotary Volunteers program fosters active volunteer participation at home and abroad, drawing upon the spirit of community and global service that lies at the heart of Rotary International’s mission.

Through the Rotary Volunteers program, Rotarians and other skilled professionals further Rotary’s Avenue of Vocational Service by using their professional skills and experience to contribute to international humanitarian projects wherever help is needed. Volunteers with an extensive range of skills, whether they’re in accounting or water treatment, are invited to participate. All Rotarians and volunteer-minded friends of Rotary can significantly contribute at the club, district, or international level. See the volunteer form or the program handbook for guidelines.

Volunteers: Register Your Availability

Ready to get involved? Register as a Rotary Volunteer by completing the International Volunteer Registration form.

Once you submit the form, Rotary club and district officers in your area review your skills and experience. Endorsed volunteers will be included in the Rotary Volunteers database, regularly reviewed by Rotarians and independently sponsored projects.  As a Rotary Volunteer, you will serve as a representative of Rotary.

The Rotary Volunteers program aims to:

• Increase awareness among Rotarians and non-Rotarians of volunteer opportunities in their own and other communities that require special expertise or skill
• Assist clubs and districts in finding volunteers with skills that are unavailable locally and discovering the benefits of using volunteers in service projects
• Help Rotarians identify volunteer opportunities available through projects sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts and other worthy organizations
• Encourage and facilitate Rotarian participation in volunteer activities that foster understanding, fellowship, and goodwill
• Improve quality of life and reduce economic disparity worldwide through education, health care, agricultural productivity, technology, sanitation, and potable water

International Rotary Volunteers register their skills with RI to serve outside their home country. As ambassadors for Rotary, they foster international understanding and goodwill, are expected to be flexible and culturally sensitive, and must maintain standards of behavior that reflect positively on their home country and uphold the ideals of Rotary.

Registering as a Rotary Volunteer

Registering with Rotary International is one way for prospective volunteers to publicize their interest in serving on international projects. Registered volunteers are listed in the Rotary Volunteers Database on the RI Web site, a great resource for project coordinators.

Rotarians, Rotaractors, Rotary Foundation alumni, spouses of Rotarians, and non-Rotarians are welcome to register as international Rotary Volunteers.

To register, complete the Rotary Volunteers International Volunteer Registration Form. Whether you’re a Rotarian or non-Rotarian, the volunteer registration form must be endorsed by the local Rotary club president and the district Rotary Volunteers or Vocational Service chair, or district governor.

Registrants are expected to have a proven level of professional or technical skill. It’s recommended that they be at least 25 years old, though younger, qualified applicants will also be considered. Re-registration is required every two years.

Locating an International Project Site

Rotary International does not place volunteers on assignments. RI staff can provide detailed information about registered projects and volunteers upon request, but prospective volunteers and project coordinators are responsible for contacting each other.

Volunteers are encouraged to be proactive in locating an international project site through these resources:

• ProjectLINK, which includes Rotary club- and district-sponsored projects that need volunteers
• Rotary Volunteers resource list at www.rotary.org
• Web sites, libraries, bookstores, and educational institutions

Also inform your district Rotary Volunteers chair that you’re looking for a project abroad. Ask about other Rotarians in the district who have served on international projects, and network with them.

In searching for an opportunity that would be right for you, consider skills and language requirements, project duration and time of year, living arrangements, and travel costs.

Funding

Volunteers who need financial support for international service can explore fund raising opportunities through a number of Web sites, including Cross-Cultural Solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org) and Visions in Action (www.visionsinaction.org).  Volunteers also should explore collecting donations of United Airlines Mileage Plus miles to redeem for air fare through the Rotary Miles program.

Tips from experienced Rotary Volunteers

• Begin preparing early. Start getting ready at least four to six months before your trip.
• Establish communication. Correspond with the host Rotary club project coordinator. Exchange contact information, and describe your skills and qualifications. Also inform your district governor and Rotary Volunteers chair of your plans; they may be able to provide guidance for travel arrangements.
• Have a clear understanding of the volunteer assignment. Know the dates of service, working conditions, and tasks to be accomplished. Work closely with the community, and discuss expectations and goals for the project.
• Arrange living and travel accommodations. Your host may or may not provide housing or transportation from the airport to your destination. Confirm all arrangements before arriving in the country.
• Ask about materials the project site may need. Find out what equipment the community has and whether it works. Be aware of all customs regulations before bringing goods.
• Get informed about the country. Read about its history, politics, economics, culture, customs, and climate. Take a language course for travelers, if necessary.
• Determine whether any immunizations are required or advisable.
• Communicate with others who have served in the same country.