REQUEST A VOLUNTEER

How to get an Encore volunteer

Depending on your needs, Encore can provide you with an individual volunteer or a group of volunteers. In a group project, the volunteers can all have the same type of professional expertise or we can provide a team with varied skills.

Here's an overview of the Encore process:

Step 1: You apply for a Volunteer (download the application form) — Think about how your organization needs to be strengthened…whom you will assign to be the "go to" person for basic questions…where the Volunteer will live and how they will get to work. While the Volunteer's housing/meals arrangements may be fairly basic, they must be safe and secure.

Step 2: We help you define the scope of work — Encore reviews your application, schedules a Skype conference call, and drafts an initial project description where we begin to discuss credentials and timelines, revises it based on your input, and includes your staff in a Skype conference call if requested.

Step 3: You sign the MOU and pay the deposit — Once the project description and timeline are finalized, Encore will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the terms of the project. Encore requires an initial non-refundable deposit of $1,500 to be paid upon the signing of the MOU.  Alternatively, you may pay the entire $5,000 administrative fee at this stage.  (More on costs)

Step 4: We recruit your volunteer(s) — Once the MOU is signed, Encore will work with you to finalize the volunteer job description. Once the job description is final, Encore begins to recruit qualified applicants for you, from our volunteer network and via other communication channels. Encore screens applications, conducts detailed interviews with candidates, and verifies references and credentials. You then receive the resumes and credentials of two to three final candidates.

Step 5: You select the volunteer — After you select your Encore Volunteer from the final candidates, Encore arranges for communication between you and the volunteer to discuss the assignment. Based on that discussion, the volunteer begins preparing for their assignment, collecting materials and developing workshops that will build capacity. Our volunteers can be ready to travel in as little as four to six weeks. Encore prepares their orientation materials and contract, assists with their travel plans, visas, immunizations, and arranges for medical evacuation insurance.

Step 6: We place the volunteer — Unless paid with the MOU signing, the final payment of $3,500 is due when the volunteer arrives, but Encore Service does not stop working for your project…we continue to provide support for the length of the volunteer's assignment, we use our social media presence to spread the word about the project, and we highlight your organization and the volunteer's contribution in at least two issues of our monthly newsletter. We can also arrange for press coverage.

Step 7: The Volunteer will follow Up — Encore Volunteers are available to provide support to the project virtually after they return home from service, for an average of six months.

Have any questions? Feel free to email us at volunteer@encoreservicecorps.org

COSTS:  Encore charges an Administrative Fee of $5,000 per volunteer, $1,500 of which is a non-refundable deposit. The responsibility for all volunteer expenses is distributed as follows:

ENCORE	PROJECT PARTNER	ENCORE VOLUNTEER
Evacuation Insurance	Administrative Fee ($5000.00)	Health Insurance
	Volunteer airfare	Any personal travel
	Volunteer room and board	Passport/Visa fee