WHITE PAPER

Increasing Volunteer Participation on International Service Projects

MAY 3, 2015
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY: ENGL 4567S
Mckenzie Wirtz

Abstract: In the past few decades, the world has seen an increase in nonprofit
organizations that offer opportunities for people to volunteer abroad. This paper
examines how nonprofit organizations can increase volunteer participation on
international service projects by looking at the different aspects of five prominent
nonprofits offering international volunteer opportunities. The organizations
receiving the highest numbers of volunteers are well established in communities
abroad and are able to provide information like the location of the project,
estimated cost, dates of travel, and safety measures well in advance to potential
volunteers. Conclusion: To increase volunteer participation, nonprofit
organizations should establish long term partnerships with communities abroad,
and provide easy access to information on their websites.
Key Words: Volunteer, International, Development, Service, Abroad

Introduction
In the past few decades, the world has seen an increase in nonprofit organizations that
offer opportunities for people to volunteer abroad to combat some of the worlds most prominent
issues like poverty, disease, and inequality. With so many organizations, and so many different
causes to support, its difficult to understand what prompts an individual to volunteer abroad
with one organization over another. Despite the incredible projects and opportunities offered,
some nonprofit organizations have a very difficult time gaining enough volunteers to support
their projects abroad. How can nonprofit organizations increase volunteer participation on
international service projects?
Methods
For this paper, five nonprofit organizations providing international service project
opportunities were examined: Nourish International, United Planet, Cross Cultural Solutions,
Global Volunteers, and Peace Corps. In examining different aspects of each organization, it is
possible to find what makes one organization stand out over another. The research process paid
special attention to the following aspects of each group: Year organization was established, ease
of website, causes supported by organization, number of volunteers, who volunteers, number of
countries served, number of projects available per year, length of partnership with community
partners abroad, cost, dates, training, safety, length of project, and group verses individual work.
A summary of the research findings can be found in the attached Table A.
Results/Analysis
Many similarities exist between each organization evenly across the board, some so
similar that it can became difficult to distinguish between the organizations. Each of the five
nonprofits examined strive to improve hunger, health, education, environmental sustainability,
and poverty (Cross Cultural Solutions, 2015, a; Global Volunteers, 2002, g; Nourish
International, 2015, c; Peace Corps, 2014, a; United Planet, 2015, a). Each of the nonprofits
provide a variety of service opportunities with varying objectives in multiple countries, allowing
volunteers to choose a preference as to which countries they want to work in and the type of
impact they would like to make. While the safety plans for volunteers appear more extensive in
some of the organizations than others, like Cross Cultural Solutions plan versus Nourish
Internationals weaker safety plan, every organization does have some type of safety plan in
place for volunteers (Cross Cultural Solutions, 2015, d, g; Global Volunteers, 2002, a, e; Nourish
International, 2015, e, f; Peace Corps, 2014, a, b; United Planet, 2015, b, e).
While each organization had many similarities, significant differences exist. The
differences were especially apparent between the older organizations and the younger
organizations. The Peace Corps has seen over 220,000 volunteers since its origin in 1961, and
Nourish International has only had 622 volunteers since its birth in 2003. In many ways, the
drastic difference in numbers makes sense. Nourish International is a younger organization with
the exclusivity of only allowing students to volunteer on their short term international projects,
and the Peace Corps is an older government backed organization that pays its volunteers for their
2 year commitment (Nourish International, 2015, a, d; Peace Corps 2013 & 2014, a, c). A more
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fair comparison to Nourish International is Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS) which has seen
34,850 volunteers since its origin in 1995. CSS has a small number of well-developed projects
with long term community partners abroad, while Nourish International forms a large number of
brand new partnerships every 2 years (Cross Cultural Solutions, 2015, g; Nourish International,
2015, f). CCSs long term partnerships have allowed them to provide a fairly accurate estimated
cost, available dates, and extensive safety plans for their potential individual and group
volunteers (Cross Cultural Solutions, 2015, b, g). United Planet established in 2002 and Global
Volunteers established in 1984 also offer estimated costs, dates of trips, and extensive safety
plans for their short term projects on their web pages (Global Volunteers, 2002, f, i; United
Planet, 2015, b, e). Trainings varied, or were not listed, for each project and seemed less
important for the public than other pieces of information.
In an interview with the Ohio State University Chapter of Nourish Internationals
International Project Director, Abby Mackey was asked what hinders the organizations ability to
recruit project volunteers. Mackey stated, Its really difficult for us to get volunteers to make a
commitment because we dont know the cost or dates of our projects until after our volunteers
make a commitment. Most people want to know what theyre getting into before they commit
(personal communication, May 1, 2015). A Nourish International project volunteer, Jorge
Oquendo, offered insight as to what compelled him to volunteer with the organization: I really
wanted to go to South America, and I liked the sustainability aspect of Nourish Internationals
project. I also liked going with a group of people. (personal communication, May 1, 2015).
Discussion
In examining the five organizations, it is possible to see what qualities are important for
an organization to have in order to attract high numbers of volunteers. Volunteers need options in
terms of location of the project, estimated cost, dates of travel, and strong safety plans. The
organizations receiving the highest numbers of volunteers are well established in communities
abroad and are able to provide the latter information to all volunteers well in advance of
departure. In order to best provide the latter information, nonprofit organizations should establish
long term partnerships with communities abroad, and provide easy access to information on their
websites.
Establishing long term partnerships with communities abroad would have a significant
number of benefits for any organization providing volunteer service opportunities abroad. If
organizations establish long term partnerships, than they can better predict what the cost of
volunteering will be for individual participants. Travel dates can be set well in advance. Projects
can be better established and evaluated for sustainability. Advice about safety, cultural emersion,
and travel excursions can be developed and provided to each volunteer pre departure, and work
training for participants can be developed and perfected over time to ensure the highest possible
impact on the communities being served.
In the age of technology, the first place potential volunteers look for information is the
internet. Organizations should have well designed and easy to navigate websites. Access to

information including location of the projects, estimated cost, dates of travel, and safety plans
should be easily accessible online.
In short, the best way to increase volunteer participation is for organizations to establish
long term partnerships with communities abroad, and provide easy access to information on their
websites.
Table A: Summary of Organizations
Organization

Nourish International

United Planet

Cross Cultural
Solutions
1995

Global Volunteers

Peace Corps

Year organization
was established
Ease of website
Causes supported
by organization

2003

2002

1984

1961

medium
Sustainable poverty
reduction

easy
Children and
education,
environmental
sustainability, global
health

easy
Poverty, hunger,
Ensure healthy lives
and well-being,
Ensure inclusive and
equitable quality
education, gender
equality

easy
Education,
Health,
Environment,
Community
Economic
Development,
Youth in
Development,
Agriculture, Peace
Corps Response

622 since 2003

Not Listed

34,850 since 1995

difficult
Hunger: School and
Household Gardens,
Child Nutrition,
Micronutrient
Supplementation,
Improved Stoves
Health: Nutrition and
Hygiene Education;
Malaria and Dengue
Fever Prevention,
Deworming, HIV/Aids
Education
Education: General
Education, Girls
Education, Potable Water
and Sanitation Facilities,
Psychosocial Support
Not Listed

Number of
volunteers
Who volunteers

Students

Ages 16 and up
depending on the
project (age
requirements differ
for each project)

Anyone
Age 18+ or at least 8
if accompanied by
parent or guardian

Anyone

U.S citizen
Age 18 +

9 countries

35 countries

64 countries

Multiple/
individualizing
service opportunities
available in each
country
Not Listed

10 projects

Estimated 300

100+

10 + Years

Long term

Long term

No fee.
A monthly living
and housing
allowance
Full medical and
dental coverage
48 paid vacation
days
Varies by project,
known in advance:
apply 9 months
before departure

Must be citizen of
United States or
Canada
35 countries

Number of
countries served
Number of projects
available per year

28 countries since
2003
113 projects since
2003

How long has the

organization been
in partnership with
community
partners abroad?
Cost to volunteer

New partnerships are

established every 2
years

Varies by project:
Volunteers dont know
until after theyve
committed to
volunteering

Listed on website

Listed on website

Listed on website

Dates of projects

Varies by project:
Volunteers dont know
until after theyve

Listed on website

Listed on website

Listed on website

220,000

Group or individual

committed to
volunteering
Created by students on
a project by project
basis using online
research and
communication with
community partners
abroad
Group

Length of project

6-8 Weeks

Training for
volunteer

Safety

Safety and risk

management form.
Varies by trip

Varies by project:
most have several day
training sessions pre
departure and on the
first days of trip

Not Listed

Not listed

3 month training on
site

Both Individual and

Group opportunities

Both Individual and

Group opportunities

Both Individual and

Group

Individual

Short term: 1-12

weeks

1-12 weeks, options

for longer trips

2-3 weeks (shorter and

longer trips available in
some places)

2 years

In country staff for

support and safety

team leaders participate

in annual training
(includes CPR and firstaid certification, and
protocols for managing
personal and national
emergencies), register all
team members with the
attending U.S. Embassy,
travel insurance,
emergency contact is
available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, safety
precautions in manual,
Food, lodging and
transportation arranged
for volunteer teams are
done in a manner to
maximize health and
safety.

Safety plans vary

by trip

Community Based,
Partnership with UNICEF

Supported by U.S
government

Long Term:
6 months +
one-on-one
assistance, emergency
travel and medical
insurance, all staff
members participate
in health and safety
training, and are
available at all times
by 24-hour phone
line, full emergency
contact list, register
all of our volunteers
with US Department
of States Smart
Traveler Enrollment
Program (STEP)

Living facilities:
regular safety
inspections, first aid
kit, lockers, fire
extinguishers,
smoke alarm, CO2
detectors
Food: trained cooks,
clean water, food
making and storage
handled safely
CCS Vehicles:
regularly inspected,
first aid kit
available, seatbelts

Notes

Community based

Personalized
volunteer experience
based on interests

Community based,
home base location
in each country

References
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