Whooo hooo... what the heck does Assessment Day mean? Well, there are 4 people who assess a group of volunteers on how well they work together as a team, under pressure and with limitted resources. Then you spend a couple hours with one of the assessors who ask you some very important questions. It didn't take me long to figure out how important this Assessment Day is to both the volunteer and the organization. They really make sure you aren't getting yourself in to hot water.
One question I remember is "Lisa, what can't you leave home without?" The first thing that came to mind is I can not go without the blessing of my girls. Tim Horton's coffee was a close second. Fortunately, my girls came to Vancouver with me when I went for my assessment. They spent the day shopping, but were all ears at the end to hear my story. I love them, they are so supportive.
It takes about 3 business days to hear back if you've passed the Assessment or not.
Following that, I started all the paper work to prepare for living overseas. It is a lot of work, but one thing is for sure, VSO makes sure everything is covered from a medical check to what to pack. As well, there are 2 weekend trips to Ottawa for training. Meeting other volunteers taking the same journey was the greatest enjoyment!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
How it started.
It's been a life long dream to volunteer in a developing country. It is on the top of my "bucket list." Have you seen the movie? I was young when I had my family so I knew it would be something I would be doing later in life. Social work was my area of study in university, but following some research on volunteering, I realized I needed some Project Management knowledge and skills as well. So, with a couple years of social work and a couple years of project management, I felt equipted to begin my journey.
As Fate would have it.. if you follow me.. the Government agreed to a joint partnership with CUSO-VSO, a volunteer services organization. Government employees are provided the opportunity to volunteer over seas and come back to a job!! WOW. Sign me up! So after a couple of months of self evaluation and discussion with friends and family - can I really do this? what if I fail? What if I meet up with the bugs hahah.. no seriously, me and bugs don't get along - and of course the biggest question ever... can I leave my girls behind? I applied.
All you do is apply online http://www.cuso-vso.org/volunteer/apply-online/index.asp#0
A couple days later I was contacted to set up a phone interview. Very informal.
Lisa
As Fate would have it.. if you follow me.. the Government agreed to a joint partnership with CUSO-VSO, a volunteer services organization. Government employees are provided the opportunity to volunteer over seas and come back to a job!! WOW. Sign me up! So after a couple of months of self evaluation and discussion with friends and family - can I really do this? what if I fail? What if I meet up with the bugs hahah.. no seriously, me and bugs don't get along - and of course the biggest question ever... can I leave my girls behind? I applied.
All you do is apply online http://www.cuso-vso.org/volunteer/apply-online/index.asp#0
A couple days later I was contacted to set up a phone interview. Very informal.
Lisa
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