1. The Volunteer organization (viz-a-vis Volunteer Compass)
2. The Volunteer - You.

We assume you would want to volunteer with an organization that is honest, decent, ethical and caring. Selecting Volunteer Compass to put your faith in is not quite like picking a holiday or vacation! Of course price, which country to go to and which project to choose to get invloved with are important factors, but helping or volunteering is a tad more than that.

Relationships

Over a period of time we have built up a great relationship with the NGOs, organizations, and people involved at the grass roots in their country and with their project(s). This is HIGHLY important to us. Them knowing us and us knowing them is vital to success on both sides.

Helping themselves

We assist the organizations we get involved with (whatever the project and where ever they are). Many volunteers believe they will be 'changing the world' by giving up some of their time to travel half way across the world and to 'show them how it is done'.

You will be assisting, helping, encouraging, contributing and lending a hand. You will be filling in a small part of the overall jigsaw puzzle - but unfortunately you will not be completing the whole jigsaw puzzle and solving all 'their' problems. This attitude in fact takes the pressure off most volunteers! Volunteering can be hard work, but it is great fun and extremely satisfying.

BIG spending Organization

Contrary to popular myth and belief, in the volunteer sector, big is not necessarily beautiful. We at Volunteer Compass do not have thousands or even hundreds and hundreds of projects on our website to entice you with. We concentrate on a few diverse projects - ones that we can do well and that will offer a positive benefit. Something hopefully you will see by the end of your visit. We want you to be proud of the efforts you have put in to the project - no matter how big or small. We want you to feel you have achieved something positive when you have finished your project time.

Matching your skills

The ethical charter indicates:

"If you have never taught before or been a nurse, or run a charity then be wary of sending organisations that will ask you to do something you will not have the skills for."

This is so true. If you have never ever snorkeled or even scuba dived before (or have a fear of water), to be honest, is a marine project right for you?

However, if you have snorkeled and loved it - GREAT. If you have never scuba dived before but have the right attitude of 'let's have a go', then there is not much problem. Your willingness and enthusiasm will pull you through. The same applies to Wildlife projects; we don't expect you to be Vet nor own a pet at home, but an interest or affinity with wildlife is a must!

There are projects where one does not have to get ones hands completely dirty (office work, liaison work, PR and so forth). Tell us and we will try and arrange this set-up for you - if we can. We are always dictated to by the needs, wants and desires of the NGO in the country. We will always endeavour to satisfy your needs with the needs of the project.

The Interview

The ethical charter says,

" A good organisation will want to make sure that they are sending the right people not just the right number of people. This means that finding suitable volunteers is more important than making sure their cheques [checks] don’t bounce. Organisations that have some form of interview or selection process are probably more interested in the quality of the volunteers they send and the programmes they offer than those that don’t. So, through a selection or interview process might seem a drag – its existence is a clue to the ethics of the sending organisation."

Volunteer Compass run regular interview days. For those in the UK, the interviews are held in the West Midlands - a central location most people can get to easily. For those volunteers whom live outside the UK, we conduct webcam -based interviews or failing that, telephone interviews. It is not always ideal, as the aim is to get to know you and help you on a one-to-one basis. You may have initially selected, for example a Minke Whale project, but from talking with you, it turns out dolphins are of more interest and hold a better scope for you as a person!

Fear not! Don't panic! The interviews are not like going for a job. Our interviews are a lot less stressful. We're on your side and want the best for you. Please don't worry about them. We will not reject you unless there are really strong mittigating circumstances to do so (it has never happened so far!) Our interviews tend to be fun. Our aim is to place you in an enthralling, interesting and meaningful project that YOU are interested in.

Pre- and Post- Departure briefings

We want you to be fully prepared for a fantastic, exciting, entralling and fulfulling time. Our website is free to all - as we want other volunteers to benefit also. However, with our own volunteers we go one step further. We provide each volunteer with our Volunteer Compass Information Guide. The Guide varies in length depending on: the project, locality, complexity and other logistical issues. We will 'hold-your-hand' through the various stages of volunteering. After the interview and close to your departure date we will (amongst other things) contact you and run through a pre-departure briefing; making sure everything is in order, you have everything you need and are prepared for your project.

Whilst on your project, we are still here to help should you need us.

On your arrival back home (wherever that may be) we will be in contact once again for a good debriefing covering all aspects of the volunteering experience you have just been through. We want to hear the good and the bad; it's the only way we can improve on things.