Posted by Randy LeGrant on Fri, Oct 30, 2009
Portions of this post comes from Voluntourism.org and is used with their permission. Click Here to read the original post on their site.
Who Does It Best?
The answer is - No One. In the world of voluntourism there is no “best” - sorry to burst your bubble.
Sure, you will read the words “best practices” or peruse websites that discuss the various steps they have taken to ensure transparency in the communities, etc. And, very likely, such descriptors will continue to be expressed in the marketplace. But just because an operation utilizes the term “best” to describe anything it does, this is always being measured against some criteria - either criteria the entity itself has created or criteria that has been taken from somewhere else. How truly reliable can that be since it is based upon the idea of ‘reaching a finish line’?
The “best” operations are the ones that quietly go about their business day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year. They improve themselves, not based on some external criteria, but upon the criteria of where they were five years ago, last year at the same time, or three months ago. What have they learned from their experiences? What have they gained through input from voluntourists? What have the community residents shared with them about their overall operations?
These groups probably won’t show up on the front page of a search engine. They will not be seen in the annual awards for travel magazines. They will not be receiving recognition from responsible, sustainable, or other such websites. Why? Because they are too busy working with their constituents to make their programs BETTER. These are the types of entities you want to discover; in order to do so, you will have to dig - dig through websites, make phone calls, email folks, etc. It may seem like a chore, yet the reward far outmeasures any effort you will put into the discovery process.
Author and Malawi Projects Coordinator for I Live Here, J.B. MacKinnon, does a good job of putting everything in perspective with these three points:
The closest I’ve come to conclusions can be reduced to three:
- First, nothing is likely to stop the increase in person-to-person contact between people of the richer nations and people of the poorer.
- Second, there is much to be gained on both sides from this exchange.
- Third, those gains will be made through a series of small, personal, humbling errors.”
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Thu, Oct 29, 2009
This Post comes from our friend VoluntourismGal. She graciously allowed us to use it. Click Here to see her original post.
Ethical Traveler has created "Thirteen Tips for the Accidental Ambassador." Quick reading to prepare those traveling or volunteering abroad to do so responsibly.
At Ethical Traveler, our focus is on the positive impact travelers can have by being open, informed, and willing to immerse themselves in other cultures. In creating these following suggestions, we’ve drawn inspiration from our own journeys—with an emphasis on the person-to-person aspects of travel.
- BE AWARE OF WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING, and patronize locally-owned inns, restaurants, and shops. Try to keep your cash within the local economy, so the people you are visiting can benefit directly from your visit.
- NEVER GIVE GIFTS TO CHILDREN, only to their parents or teachers. When giving gifts to local communities – from schoolbooks to balloons, from pens to pharmaceuticals – first find out what’s really needed, and who can best distribute these items.
Before visiting any foreign land, TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN BASIC COURTESY PHRASES: greetings, “please” & “thank you,” and as many numbers as you can handle (those endless hours in airport waiting lounges, or aboard trains and boats, are all opportunities for this). It’s astonishing how far a little language goes toward creating a feeling of goodwill.- REMEMBER THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF YOUR NEW CURRENCY. A few rupees, baht or pesos one way or another is not going to ruin you. Don’t get all bent out of shape over the fact that a visitor who earns 100 times a local’s salary might be expected to pay a few cents more for a ferry ride, a museum entrance, or an egg.
- BARGAIN FAIRLY, and with respect for the seller. Again, remember the economic realities of where you are. The final transaction should leave both buyer and seller satisfied and pleased. Haggling for a taxi or carpet is part of many cultures; but it’s not a bargain if either person feels exploited, diminished, or ripped-off.
- LEARN AND RESPECT THE TRADITIONS AND TABOOS OF YOUR HOST COUNTRY. Each culture has its own mores, and they’re often taken very seriously. Never, for example, pat a Thai child on the head, enter a traditional Brahmin’s kitchen, or refuse a cup of kava in Fiji!
- CURB YOUR ANGER, AND CULTIVATE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Anger is a real issue for westerners—even the Dalai Lama remarks on this. It’s perversely satisfying, but it never earns the respect of locals, or defuses a bad situation. A light touch—and a sense of cosmic perspective—are infinitely more useful. As former Merry Prankster Wavy Gravy says: “When you lose your sense of humor, it’s just not funny anymore.”
- It makes an enormous difference if you ARRIVE WITH A SENSE OF THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES faced by the people you are visiting. Our site will direct you to good profiles of most travel destinations; we also recommend you read the political and historic sections of your guidebook (Lonely Planet, Moon Publications, and Rough Guides are especially good for this). Many countries offer English-language newspapers, as well.
- LEARN TO LISTEN. The ability to listen is the essence of diplomacy, on both the personal and international levels. Many of the world’s conflicts arise when people feel marginalized. Travelers from the USA in particular should be aware that many people—especially in developing countries—believe that having the ear of an American is tantamount to having the ear of America. So wherever you’re from, listen well—and with respect—to all points of view.
- LEARN TO SPEAK. People from wealthy and powerful countries often express their opinions as if they are the absolute truth. Such preaching invites anger and resentment. We suggest tempering conversations with phrases like “I believe,” or “My view is,” rather than, “Everybody knows….”
- The single most useful phrase any traveler can learn: “CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?” Rarely, in any country or situation, will another human being refuse a direct request for help. Being of service, and inviting others to reciprocate, is what the phrase global community is all about.
- LEAVE YOUR PRECONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE WORLD AT HOME. The inhabitants of planet Earth will continually amaze you with their generosity, hospitality and wisdom. Be open to their friendship, and aware of our common humanity, delights, and hardships.
- NEVER FORGET KURT VONNEGUT JR’S BEST LINE: “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.” In other words: go with the flow, and give free rein to your sense of adventure!
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Mon, Oct 26, 2009
As a member of the WYSE Travel Confederation, our Executive Director sits on the International Volunteer subcommittee. WYSE is a global not-for-profit association for the youth and student travel industry and they see a bright future for youth travel, most especially in Asia.
GeoVisions has a full time office in Bangkok, Thailand and our CEO who works from there has reported similar findings. Our Asia office handles volunteer projects as well as recruitment in all of Asia for U.S. Work and Travel. GeoVisions is a designated J-1 Visa sponsor from the U.S. State Department.
From today's Blog Post from WYSE:
Demand for international education, backpacking adventures and cultural exchange has remained high throughout the recession as more young people continue to travel, study and develop new skills until the economy recovers, WYSE says. For the original posting click here.
“The social benefits of youth and educational travel – combined with its resilience to the financial crisis – have led national tourism boards throughout South East Asia to focus on the youth sector,” WYSE added.
“The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is promoting 2010 as the year of ‘Youth Travel’ with global branding and promotional efforts focusing on attracting young travellers from all over the world.
“Singapore is another example of Asia’s immense inbound and outbound market opportunities. The Singapore Government has focused on promoting work and study abroad opportunities to improve the language and cultural skills-set of its students.
“The Ministry of Education is busy establishing satellite campuses in cities such as Beijing in order to achieve its goal of sending 50 percent of Singaporean students abroad on educational exchanges.”
WYSE said Singapore Education has also embarked on a new initiative across western markets aimed at attracting foreign students from Europe, North America, and Oceania interested in Asian business and language courses.
In Thailand, a government campaign will promote Thailand as a regional hub for international education by focusing on attracting foreign students.
The education sector in Thailand is projected to grow at least 10 per cent annually due to the implementation of the government’s new ‘Strong Thailand’ campaign.
Hosting a strategy session last month at the World Youth & Student Travel Conference – the industry’s annual global conference – WYSE Travel Confederation confirmed that 60 percent of tourism boards view youth travel as vital to the future of their industry and anticipate huge growth in this sector over the next five years.
Over the next year, the confederation will host a series of events to promote youth and student travel throughout Asia.
Beijing will be host city for the World Youth & Student Travel Conference in 2010.
Source: Travelmole.com
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Sun, Oct 25, 2009
Shaw once wrote, "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."
There are more organizations offering Voluntourism this year than last. And more colleges and universities are providing their own volunteer experiences too. That's always a good thing. When I travel, I do my best to visit other organizations offering volunteer abroad or teach abroad programs. And when I'm really stumped about what to do, how to respond to a crisis, I have found some them to be the best people to talk with about the problem.
The problem I have is with people wanting to exchange an apple with me rather than an idea. I only really need one apple a day "to keep the doctor away" but I really need a lot of ideas.
If you type "exchanging ideas" in the little Google search bar on your Internet browser, two things come to mind. 1) You have a lot of time on your hands and 2) 5,440,000 results. People are exchanging ideas on software features, hearing loss, medicine, art, and I even noticed someone called exchanging ideas a "circulation of knowledge." If you type in "exchanging apples" a) you REALLY have too much time on your hands and b) most of the entries are either math related for grade school children or you'd better have an Apple computer. But I guess, therein lies the point of Shaw's quote.
If, when we experience the miracle of spending time together we exchange computers or we learn that if Dick has one apple and Jane has one apple and after they trade apples, how many apples do Dick and Jane have?...we really don't walk away with much. Unless I give you my old Mac Classic and you give me a new iMac. But I doubt Shaw had any of that in mind.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps with three simple goals:
Help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and women.
Help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
Help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
In 1914, A. Piatt Andrew organized the American Field Service (AFS) whose mission was to transport wounded French soldiers. By 1917, AFS had grown to 2,500 volunteers who had carried more than 500,000 wounded to hospitals. 127 AFS volunteers would lose their lives.
I have doubts that President Kennedy or Mr. Andrew were very keen on exchanging apples of any kind. They exchanged ideas with others and you can see, here, only a couple of results. They also believed in exchanging people, who could exchange THEIR ideas. From there, the exchange never ends.
We continue to get testimonials from our volunteers who are exchanging ideas, in many cases exchanging sweat and tears, and whose lives and hearts have been changed forever and have changed the hearts and minds of their host communities forever. It typifies what President Kennedy and Mr. Andrew knew would happen. We are proud that you are a part of that.
I started this post with a quote. I suppose I should end with one. How 'bout Emerson. "It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life...we can never help another without helping ourselves."
How many ideas have you shared today? How many apples?
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Thu, Oct 22, 2009
It is just stunning here in Guilford, CT today. It's hard to be inside working. All of us here know we're coming to the long winter slog and so when we are afforded days like today…bright sun, 70 degrees and bright fall leaves…we want to be outside as much as possible.
Coming back from lunch I walked on the town Green. Guilford is the 7th oldest town in Connecticut, founded in 1639. We have two harbors and two tidal rivers. The granite quarries here supplied stone for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, just a few miles from here. My daughter, Molly, attends Abraham Baldwin Middle School. Baldwin is a signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Our soldiers have fallen from Antietam, Port Royal, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg defending the Union all the way to the recent conflict in Iraq. We have a history of volunteering that started back in the 1600s.
It is beautiful here and I just thought I'd put up a post about where we call home, where your applications end up and where the staff of GeoVisions works. And when you call…you'll have an idea of where we are.
Thank you for your trust in GeoVisions. We love living and working in Guilford and being involved in such a rich history. We take it seriously and we think it shows when you talk to us. We have a lot to live up to…and we try our best everyday.
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Wed, Oct 14, 2009
As the Executive Director of GeoVisions, founders of The Conversation Corps, I'm able to see all the good aspects of a program as well as those that aren't working. If some of my Blog posts are going to dish it out to others, I should also dish it out right back at me.
Three years ago GeoVisions took the Gateway, international educational exchange, and created a Gatejumper, live with a family and teach them English. We named it Conversation Corps. We took an old concept, started in 1915 by AFS Volunteer Ambulance Drivers, and gave it a little twist. As long as you're living with the family, help them learn your language. Oddly enough, that was not the focus of an exchange. In most cases, it still isn't.
GeoVisions has sent almost 1000 tutors abroad as members of The Conversation Corps in the three years we have operated the program in 18 different countries. In those three years and looking at all those volunteers headed abroad, we have come to the conclusion that you have to be a very special person to make the program work. There can be instances where this isn't a great program for everyone.
Let me explain.
GeoVisions doesn't sit here with thousands of families overseas waiting on tutors with baited breath. We look for those families much like a high-end restaurant cooks every tasty morsel just for you and to your liking. We let you take a pass on a family if you don't think they are a good match. But sometimes the stars just don't align. Our volunteers want a mom, a dad, a dog, 2 children (one boy and one girl) aged 6-9, a private bedroom, a private bathroom, hoops on the garage, and situated across the street from transport into the city. Oh yes....wireless. We can't forget wireless. And obviously the family needs to speak at least SOME English.
Sometimes, because of the time of year or the merit of a tutor's application packet, we have a family comprised of one parent, one child (a boy aged 17) a private bedroom with a shared bath, no garage (never mind the hoops) a 30 minute walk to a metro for a 1 hour ride into the city (if you are very lucky) and no wireless, but a 5 minute walk to the Internet Cafe. No English spoken here.
Get the picture?
The Conversation Corps has had 3 years of success because we know there are families out there who just want a border...they don't really want to learn English. So we look for families who really want a tutor...they want to improve their conversational English. They have to be interviewed and screened. They aren't "on call." And tutors need to feel comfortable with the family and the family needs to feel comfortable with the tutor.
Sometimes that perfect match is in the country...so that's why we build in weekends for tutors to travel. And we encourage tutors NOT to stay 3 months...take time for yourself and enjoy the independent travel.
But it can get boring out on the olive farm in Spain or Italy. It can get boring even an hour from a city but with poor transportation to the hot spots. Especially if your host family prefers that you don't come in late.
People used to the big city, spotlights, being able to very easily come and go and come in at the wee hours...we sometimes have issues with them. And we have found this program is not for them.
What's wrong with Conversation Corps? It requires a perfect match. Tutors work hard to deliver a compelling application packet. They sometimes don't consider that the host family has a choice of tutors. And we find host families don't always inquire about the needs of the tutor. Even when they email back and forth before the program begins. Everyone (tutor and host family) considers their own needs first. And at the end of the program we hope that is no longer the case...at least that is why we designed the program the way it is.
What's wrong with Conversation Corps? When all the stars and planets align...nothing. What makes the perfect match? When the tutor realizes they are there to volunteer. And when they have such a love of people and their home language that they want to share. Farm, small town or city. Everyone wants to learn. Everyone wants to share their lives. THAT can actually create the perfect match.
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Tue, Oct 13, 2009
Yesterday I reposted from various Blog sites on deducting your voluntourism program from your taxes. The question was, "Tax Deductibility and Voluntourism-Should It Stay Or Should It Go." Today I'm making a case against tax deductibility and voluntourism in my own Blog. It Should Go. At least for now.
I don't want to rant, so I'm providing you 2 sources with independent links to use to evaluate on your own where you are volunteering and how you are spending your money. Because if anyone is telling you that you can deduct the program fees or your trip because you're volunteering, they are leading you down the wrong path and setting you up for an unhappy financial outcome, should you be audited by the IRS.
I went to several non-profit web sites to see how this is handled. I found this quote from one website: “100% of the payments towards the program fee are deductible for federal income tax purposes.” Another one has this on their home page: "All your program costs are tax deductible**"
What I want to do now is give our readers some actionable and independent tips. Here you go:
1. PLEASE if you don’t do anything 
else, download IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions at http://www.irs.gov. That is your guide because if and when you are audited, and this deduction comes up, the IRS will follow, to the letter, this publication and will assume you have read it. Keep in mind the expenses must be directly related to the volunteers’ work, and incurred only because of that work. The expenses can’t be personal, for family, or for living items or activities such as meals. Volunteers must keep reliable written records of the expenses. Most importantly, The volunteer cannot gain significant personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation from the travel. And there are total hours you must be working, etc. Without good records and receipts, you'll pay the money back.
2. Next do your homework. Download Form 990 for each non-profit volunteer program provider you have an interest in. Any non-profit who takes your money should display a link to their Form 990 which tells you how much money they make, how much money they spend, who is on the Board and their relationship to one another along with other interesting tid bits required by the IRS. If you pay any money to any non-profit and you have not read their Form 990 you have thrown your money out on the street.
Because some non-profits will not want you to see their Form 990, they won't make it available on their website. So here is a link you can use. Click on this link below and type in the name of the organization you want to volunteer with and download their most recent Form 990. Their expenses are there, salaries, benefits, what they spend on programs abroad, Board Members and any compensation, etc. Look at their income (your money) and then total up what they spend on the projects. Then ask them where the rest of the money went. They are a public charity afterall. Find them all right here:
Foundation Center Form 990 Finder
Here at GeoVisions we think it’s distasteful to deduct your trip. At a time when our Government is Trillions of dollars in debt, and with rising unemployment, asking the Government to pay for your trip abroad is unthinkable.
For anyone to spend their hard-earned money and their precious time volunteering to make life better for someone else and then at the end of the calendar year hold their hand out to our government and expect the government to reimburse them for volunteering is unbelievable to me. It is the height of hypocrisy and the very definition of narcissism. To think that much of yourself that you offer to volunteer and then expect money back from the government because of your offer to volunteer is simply an act that reverses the very definition of volunteering.
If I donate $500 to your charity and then deduct that $500 on my taxes, I didn’t donate to you. I loaned you $500 until the government repays me. How is that volunteering or donating? It isn’t. You’re not a volunteer. You’re working because you’re getting paid. Not there on the spot. But you’re deducting what you paid “to volunteer” and you’re getting a financial consideration from Uncle Sam. You got paid. You didn’t volunteer. Even on my most generous day you put yourself out on loan.
In the end, GeoVisions made a conscious choice to be a for-profit company and not a 501 c 3 charity. We certainly had a choice. We provide great opportunities for people. And for host communities. And I am so proud of each and every volunteer that comes through our doors. THEY CANNOT DEDUCT A DIME. They are truly volunteering their money, their time and their talents. They are the true heroes that make the world a better place.
Posted by Randy LeGrant on Mon, Oct 12, 2009
Industry watch person and consultant, Alexia Nestora of Lasso Communications posted a blog post by Journey Etc. last week about declaring a tax deduction for a volunteer vacation.
Especially now, with the economy still bad and unemployment still rising, it is a valid debate. I hope you'll join in. I want to thank Alexia for putting up the original post from Journey Etc. on her own site and for keeping the debate alive. And thanks to Michele Gran for making certain Global Volunteers is the model 501(c)(3) and posting not only IRS Guidelines but for having a strong policy and ethic on how hard you actually have to work to honestly and legally declare a deduction for volunteering abroad. I wish the others were like Global Volunteers.
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From Voluntourism Gal: Notes on the Voluntourism Industry
The debate has always been around, should volunteer vacations be tax deductible? Does the mere word ‘vacation’ being used in marketing take away from the level of service that volunteers do in country? Or is the deduction in fact a marketing tool?
Journey Etc wrote an article on this topic addressed at travelers, what do you think about it? Let’s start the debate again.
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Voluntourism – A Vacation with Tax Benefits
You probably know that business travelers can often deduct all or a portion of their travel, even if they are having some fun. But did you know that you can also get a tax benefit from your vacation? You can if you are willing to do a bit of work as a volunteer with a non-profit organization.
“Voluntourism” is becoming a popular option for travelers that want to make the most of their vacation. By volunteering with a non-profit organization a person can travel to almost any global destination, experience the culture of an area in a whole new way, and have a sense of purpose and of doing good with their vacation time. And then to top it off, some or all of their vacation expenses can be deducted on their income tax returns.
To get the tax deduction on your US Return you must volunteer with a US non-profit corporation. Habitat for Humanity is one organization that has volunteer opportunities both local and abroad. You could also contact an organization that specializes in voluntourism such as Cross Cultural Solutions in New York or Global Volunteers which is based out of Minnesota.
There are a number of factors that determine if you can deduct some or all of your travel expenses. In general the amount deductible will depend upon how much time you spend doing strictly volunteer activities, versus how much time you spend doing strictly vacation activities.
Whatever your skills or talents, there is a volunteer opportunity for you. You can help children and adults with their English. You can provide medical services, or you could help build a home. You can work, with children, seniors, teens and adults.
When working with a volunteer agency expect to pay your own airfare, plus a program fee that will generally include lodging and meals. Prepare to be flexible and open to new experiences. Do not expect classy hotels and fine dining. To save money volunteers are often housed with local families or budget hotels and eat the local food.
If you want a vacation with a purpose, one where you get to really know the local people and culture, and one that comes with a tax benefit, consider voluntourism. You’ll be glad you did!
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Michele Gran Says:
October 4th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Thanks so much for the mention! I’d like to make one important correction to your article regarding tax deductions for U.S. taxpayers.
In fact, the IRS has very strict requirements for volunteers to average 8 hours per day on the volunteer work project, and that any “tourism” added to the service program may void the tax deduction. (That’s why we eschew the term “voluntourism”) For over 25 years, Global Volunteers has adhered to these requirements, and offers only full-day work projects, while advising that any “add-on” travel will require an opinion by a tax attorney regarding the tax deduction.
Our volunteers have never been challenged by the IRS on this policy. You can read our guidelines here: http://www.globalvolunteers.org/faqs/faq9.asp
Thanks again for your interest in this important way to give while you learn about another culture!