FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is Encore?
A. Encore is an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization which places former Peace Corps volunteers and/or staff members, or professionals with similar overseas experience in capacity-building assignments in the developing world in their areas of professional expertise.
Encore partners with U.S. and locally based non-governmental organizations to build the capacity of individuals, groups and organizations to seek sustainable solutions to pressing needs, using the professional expertise and cross-cultural experience of volunteers.

Q. How does Encore differ from Peace Corps Response?
A. Peace Corps Response, like the Peace Corps of which it is part, is a federal government program.  Response re-enrolls returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) in the Peace Corps, placing them in 3-12 month assignments as Encore does, but we also consider non RPCVs (see more on this below).

Q. How do I sign up?
A. Go to www.encoreservicecorps.org/join.cfm by clicking on “Join Us!” in the left hand column.

Q. Who is eligible to volunteer with Encore ?
A. Returned Peace Corps and/or former Peace Corps Staff, and professionals with similar overseas experience are eligible to be members of Encore

Q. What are some typical assignments?
A.  Encore Volunteers can be found in Ghana teaching nursing or in Kenya providing organizational development support. There is no typical Encore assignment!

Q. How long is a typical Encore assignment?
A.  Encore Volunteers serve from 1-9 months, depending on the project and the volunteer’s own schedule. Most assignments are between 3-6 months.

Q. Can my spouse/partner participate if s/he wasn’t associated with Peace Corps?
A. We understand that many RPCVs and former staff have spouses or partners who were not affiliated with Peace Corps, but who also wish to serve.  There may be some projects which can accommodate them, depending on the assignments and on the spouse or partner’s technical skills.  Since projects and sites vary greatly, prospective volunteers should contact Encore staff to discuss this. Such requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. 

Q. How is Encore funded?
A. Encore is funded by foundation and corporate grants and by private donations.  Encore has received grants from the William Penn Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, the Abbott Fund, the UPS Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and United Way International.  There have also been a number of volunteers who have paid their own way.

Q.  With whom does Encore collaborate?
A. Encore partners with NGOs and similar institutions around the world.  

LOGISTICS

Q. Who manages the program in-country?
A. Volunteer assignments are crafted by Encore staff  in Washington, DC, working with the Partner NGO.  Projects are managed by the partner NGO in-country staff.  Encore staff in Washington, DC keep in regular contact with the NGOs staff regarding the status of volunteers and the progress of projects.

Q.  Is there any pre-assignment orientation for volunteers?
A. Depending on the partner organization, Encore staff may conduct a one-and-a-one-half day orientation for volunteers, in Washington, DC.  Prior to leaving for their assignments, Encore Volunteers typically receive comprehensive, written project descriptions, and are thoroughly briefed by Encore staff via telephone. 

 Q.  What about insurance?
A. Volunteers are responsible for providing their own health insurance, and will be required to provide proof of international health insurance prior to leaving on an Encore assignment. Most assignments provide emergency evacuation insurance.

Q. What about vaccinations?
A. Volunteers are responsible for obtaining the necessary vaccinations and medications required for travel to specific areas. 

Q. What about a valid U.S. passport and any visas?
A. Encore volunteers are responsible for maintaining up-to-date passports and acquiring visas, if applicable. 

 Q.  Who is responsible for travel arrangements?
A. Volunteers make their own travel arrangements but Encore provides all the necessary information to do so.  In this way, volunteers may add personal travel either prior to or after their assignments.  In all cases, Volunteers must furnish Encore with their itineraries before leaving for their assignments. 

Q.  Who pays for what?
A. It depends on the assignment. Most projects require the volunteer to provide some level of monetary support, but big expenses like travel, room/board are provided.

PLACEMENT, ORIENTATION, & TRAINING

Q.  Is there an orientation before I leave for the program?
A. Depending on the partner organization, Encore may conduct a one-and-one-half day orientation. 

Q. What kind of preparatory materials may Encore volunteers expect?
A. Encore provides detailed project descriptions as well as references to other comprehensive resources. 

Q. How long does it take to be placed as a volunteer?
A. If a volunteer has the right skills, a flexible schedule, and is able to pay his or her own travel costs, they could expect to be placed in 1-2 months.

Q.  When I am accepted, how do I prepare?
A. Each project description contains a section detailing how to prepare for your overseas assignment, including what to pack, what to expect in the way of local weather, tips on in-country transportation and lodging, where and how to contact the American Embassy, as well as other useful information. 

Q.  Do I need to speak the language of the country in which I am going to volunteer?
A. This depends on the project.  Some assignments require only limited comprehension of the local language while others require fluency. 

Q.  Do I need to pass a health screening in order to volunteer with Encore?
A.  You will need to provide Encore with a note from your doctor stating you are physically and mentally capable of performing volunteer work in a developing country. 

RETURNING HOME

Q.  What happens when I return home from my volunteer experience?
A.  You will need to submit a Volunteer Final Report within four weeks of the end of your volunteer assignment, and Encore staff will call you to conduct an Exit Interview.

Q.  Can I volunteer more than once with Encore ?
A.  There are a lot of returned volunteers out there and we would like to give everyone the opportunity to make a difference, again, at least once.  That being said, there are some RPCVs who have more time than others and we certainly will not limit the number of times you may serve with Encore

Thank you for your interest!