VOLUNTOURISM

Making a Difference - The World of Giving

By Lisa M. Dietlin

President/CEO, Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates, Inc., Chicago, IL

Philanthropic Advisor, Author and Television Personality

Making A Difference: The World of Giving – Take a One-of-a-Kind Vacation AND Do Good! 

With summer in full swing you may be someone who hasn’t yet decided on your summer vacation plans (or vacation plans for later in the year).  There’s a tremendous opportunity to have a very special vacation, meet amazing people, see places you’ve never seen before and make a difference by taking part in Voluntouring or in a Do-Good Vacation.

What is Voluntouring?  In some ways, voluntouring grew out of the commitment to making a difference that started with the Peace Corps, which began in 1960 when John F. Kennedy (at the time Senator Kennedy and not yet President) challenged students to serve their country and the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.  The Peace Corps, a federal agency, grew out of his challenge.  While it’s been a dream of many to participate in the Peace Corps, it requires a commitment of more than 2 years.

Voluntouring is a chance to experience, and participate in, programs around the world that make a difference for a much shorter time – anywhere from 1 week to about 3 months.

If you’re voluntouring, since you’re donating your time and effort by working with a nonprofit organization, a significant portion of your vacation costs may even be tax deductible.  Yes, you may save money by taking a one-of-a-kind vacation in a far-away location!

Here are some other things you should know about voluntouring:

• You will be working side by side with a community and its residents; a unique and very special way to give back which might even change your life
• Voluntouring vacations are available around the world – in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia – almost everywhere, with opportunities to volunteer in countries like Cambodia, Cuba, Ghana, Peru, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and many more
• The projects cover many important areas, such as children, the environment, healthcare, education, senior care, construction and others
• Voluntour participants often talk about building tremendous new friendships that last for many years
• While some trips are for adults only, there are many that are appropriate for families

You might also want to consider a Do-Good Vacation, which includes travel to more common holiday destinations in places like Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Spain, with nights in historic castles as well as visits to lesser-known areas. These vacations are different from voluntouring in that you will be working with a nonprofit to raise money for a particular cause and not be working in a local community.

Here are a few well-respected organizations you may want to look into if you’d like to voluntour:

Cross-Cultural Solutions was founded in 1995 and works year-round in 12 countries with more than 25,000 people who have participated in their programs.

Globe Aware  offers volunteer vacations, service vacations, working holidays and service trips with projects such as building schools in the Andes and repairing trails in Nepal.

USA Today has called Global Volunteers the "granddaddy of the volunteer vacation movement".  They are focused on programs for children, work in over 100 communities worldwide and have partnerships with such organizations as the United Nations and UNICEF.

United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org) is focused on creating a world “in which all people understand, respect, and support one another.” Their volunteers work in over 40 countries and have provided over 600,000 hours of international community service through voluntouring. 

Started by students as a way to do something meaningful during a “gap year” between school and “the real world,” Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org) is 20 years old and, while still mostly focused on students and the recently graduated, there are people of all ages who volunteer in conservation, journalism, and human rights projects, among their many focus areas.

For a Do-Good Vacation, you might consider a program from the World Bank called Stay Another Day which directs tourists to pre-evaluated activities that benefit local communities. For instance, vacationers can tour an orphanage in Cambodia and, if they wish, purchase goods such as the silk products the locals have made. The visit is free, but you’ll be expected to make a donation.

Here are five recommendations and tips so you can Make A Difference (M.A.D.) through a Voluntouring vacation:

1. Find an organization that matches your passion and has a proven track record
2. While most organizations are above board, there are fraudulent organizations that you need to look out for.  You can visit the websites above as well as www.gooverseas.com or www.govoluntouring.com to learn more, or read a book such as “Volunteering Vacations” for additional information
3. Select a trip that suits your abilities and interests and be prepared to work!
4. Speak with people who have been on the excursion before or worked with the company you choose
5. Learn about local customs – even a bit of the language – before you go, but be prepared for a trip that may be tremendously different from what you might expect … be open to new experiences

Bonus Tips:  A voluntouring vacation is very different from holidays you may be used to, often with none of the comforts of home.  Recognize that voluntouring is a chance to be part of a way of life you wouldn’t otherwise know!

Bonus/Bonus Tip:  With many of us doing “stay-cations” due to the economy, consider the benefits of incorporating a volunteer experience into your plans.  Many of us say, “If only I had time, I would volunteer at X to do Y.”  Well now is your chance!  

People who voluntour often say that while they went to Make a Difference (M.A.D.), they found that the work they accomplished didn’t begin to match the value to themselves and their lives.  Don’t you want to have an amazing holiday and be M.A.D. today?

Lisa M Dietlin

www.lmdietlin.com

PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION

FIRST TIME

• Appoint an organizer
  • For first timers, I recommend the main organizer enlist a point of contact per family circle, this will help with getting everyone invited, including as many as possible, sharing the work load and most importantly communication.
• Pick a time to have it. Plan on at least a year out but for the first time maybe 18 months
• Determine how long it will last: A weekend is always a good length of time to start
• Start by determining what people will spend
• The planning period will take approximately 1 - 2 months to enlist help, survey family members, determine date and place
• NOTE: Create a survey with a few options from which to choose and from that survey pick a date and place.
• Assign tasks

CREATE A BUDGET

• Memorabilia
• Professional services
• Catering
• Photography
• Cost of venue
• Provide a payment plan
• Try to use family members who are professionals

 

Choices: Pros/Cons

• Home Hosted
  • You bare most of the expense and work
  • If you can hire outside help for set up and clean up
  • Enlist helpers in the family for set up and clean up
  • It's more affordable
• Getaway (Cruise, Destination)
  • More expensive
  • People can see it as a family vacation
  • Lots to do
  • People get alone time and family time
• Local spot National Park
  • More affordable
  • Less work
  • Usually a one day event

ONCE THINGS ARE IN MOTION

• Immediately send notices to everyone of the selection and a save the date
• No less than one year out have concrete plans, you're now ready to send positive Reunion Information
• Use digital help for organization, communication and registration
• Websites:
  • www.myevent.com
  • www.reunionplanner.com
• Facebook for communication
• E-Vite for invitations
• Also find ways to communicate with those who are not online
• Set up a separate bank account. Never use your own or co-mingle money

EXISTING RENUIONS

• Usually there is a set date for an annual or bi-annual reunion
• A host or committee should be selected at the end of the current year or a vote on where to go and what to do
• Don't drop the ball. Now that the baton has been passed do your part.
• Communicate with the previous years captain/host
• Start fresh and make sure there is no unfinished business to inherit

TRAVEL 911 - WHEN EMERGENCIES ARISE

When ever you travel there is the possibility of an emergency.  While you can't predict what that will be you can prepare yourself to minimize the impact of an emergency.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

The first thing to do is prepare an Emergency Checklist prior to your trip.

Emergency Checklist

• Purchase Travelers Insurance. (Get a plan that is comprehensive including trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, baggage coverage, medical assistance, etc.)
• Appoint an Emergency Contact person. (This is someone who you trust with your affairs at home and to be contacted should something happen to you at your destination). This may need to be two people.  One for basic things and one for life threatening situations.
• Make two copies of the following items and give your Emergency Contact person a copy.
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel Confirmation with contact details
• Tour itinerary
• Passport ID Page along with any obtained visas
• A key to your house and car for the ECP
• Download your credit card companies and banking institutions Apps.
• Contact your banks and let them know when and where you will travel to avoid declined charges
• If traveling abroad obtain the contact details of the nearest US Embassy and Consular services at your destination. You can information at www.travel.state.gov
• If traveling abroad enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) www.travel.state.gov
• Update your medications/prescriptions/inoculations/over the counter medications

Lost/Stolen Passport

• Only carry it with you if you need to, otherwise leave it in your hotel safety deposit box. Unless you are traveling to a country with unrest
• Search everywhere and search again and enlist someone else to help you look.
• Immediately visit or contact the nearest US Embassy to get a replacement passport
• The hotel's concierge can assist you with the Embassy information if you don't have it

Lost/Stolen Wallet

• Don't keep all of your cash with you every day.  Only take what you need for the day and leave the rest in the safety deposit box.
• Leave at least one credit card (preferably a debit card) in the safety deposit box
• Contact your financial institutes to report and cancel your cards lost/stolen

Becoming Ill

• If the illness is beyond over the counter medications, ask the hotel if they have an in-house or on-call doctor
• If you have to be hospitalized as the hotel or concierge for a recommendation.  If you are abroad ask to be taken to an international hospital
• If you need medication have someone at the hotel translate your needs in writing for you

 Lost Reservations

·   Preemptive measures - Upon making reservations print our all of your receipts and confirmations

·   Hotels: This is only a problem if the hotel or airline is full in which case they must accommodate you with their company or if necessary with another company at their expense, but only if you can prove you had a reservation.

·   Have them try different spellings of your name in case it's because of a misspelling error

·   If you can prove your reservation and confirmation know your rights

·   The hotel can upgrade you if you do not wish to be move to another hotel

·   If you are moved to another hotel it must be of equal or greater quality

·   The hotel should pay and arrange for your transportation

·   If the new hotel puts you out of your way you can ask them to compensate you for this inconvenience.

·   If you're willing to accept lesser accommodations they should reimburse you

·   The same with the airlines

·   They are responsible for getting you to/from your destination closest to your original reservations.

• Remember that kindness goes very far and people are more willing to give when you're pleasant.  Sure you're upset but you now just have to deal with the situation at hand.  Proceed firmly but kindly

If you take prescription medication:

• Pack enough to last your entire trip, including some extra in case you are unexpectedly delayed.
• Carry your medications in their original labeled containers, and pack them in your carry-on bag since checked baggage is occasionally lost or delayed.
• Ask your pharmacy or physician for the generic equivalent name of your prescriptions in case you need to purchase additional medication abroad.

Get a letter from your physician in case you are questioned about  your carry-on medication; some countries have strict restrictions on bringing prescription or even non-prescription medications into the country without proper medical documentation.  

SYDNEY HARBOR BRIDGE CLIMB

The Climb

We arrived in Sydney on Saturday, March 29th and immediately headed to the Sydney Harbor Bridge for our climb. 1002 steps to the top.  Good thing I completed my 30 day squat challenge prior to my trip so that my legs were ready and strong enough to to conquer the climb.

I'm most impressed by the mature ladies of our group that did the Express Climb (in just over 2 hours). Ladies in their 70's did it with no worries. Simply Awesome!

Getting ready and suited up

The gang at the top

Yep, that's me

See you next time in another part of Sydney!

Ja'Vonne

SKY JUMP

Hey Guys,

We are having a great time in New Zealand.  We are now in Auckland, NZ.  Auckland is the most populated city in New Zealand and it's a big contrast to Queenstown that's more of nature and the great outdoors.

You know I'm always looking for some adventure and since New Zealand is the home of bungee jumping, it was invented by a small pacific tribe in New Zealand who would jump off of towers with vines tied to their feet, I just had to do something similar to it.  OK, I didn't bungee jump but I did something close to it.  I did the Sky Jump from the Auckland's Sky Tower. Rather than having vines or even bungee tied to my feet, I was connected to a cable at 630 feet above ground and then I jumped.

Well here it is.  Fun and exhilarating!

NEW ZEALAND

The 10th Annual WHUR World Tour 2014 has arrived in New Zealand! Yeah. After 20 hours of flying and two days later, we finally arrived in Queenstown, NZ.

Yes, we are tired. too tired to think straight but too excited to know we're too tired to think straight.

I had a little surprise for the group when they arrived.  You see, our hotel is located on Lake Wakatipu.  You can get there by road or by the lake. I arranged for the lake arrival but not just by any regular boat, but by jet speed boats.  It was a bit chilly and everyone had to leave their bags on the bus (I think they were more concerned about leaving their bags than getting onto speed boats), put on slickers and life vests and board these speed boats.  The excitement and confusion on their faces was priceless.

Our driver and guide tells us about the lake, that we will get a bit wet and he will do ten 360 degree spin outs.  Some were thrilled, some (women) asked about their hair and others just said well OK.  One thing was for sure, the wind, high speed, the spin outs that sprayed us with water and the chilly air woke us all up and gave us that much needed energy. HELLO NEW ZEALAND!

Then to our hotel, the Hilton Wakatipu on Lake Wakatipu.

In keeping with my style of traveling, especially after a long flight we had just enough time for a shower (much needed by this point), a change of clothes and off we we went to our dinner high above the city to Skyline Tower.  We ascended by gondola's, took in the fabulous views, had a Maori cultural show and a bit of dinner.

Now we're finished with the day and can lay our weary heads on our fluffy pillows, extra comfortable mattresses and under warm comforters.  What a day!

Next stop Milford Sound for a full day of adventure.

Ja'Vonne

JA'VONNE'S TRAVEL MINUTE

Why are you over packing?

Every time I have a group orientation the group members are usually aghast at the requirement of one checked bag and one carry-on bag. It's actually very easy to travel with these requirements and I find the reasons people over pack are all correctable.

1. Stop thinking you need more than you do and preparing for every "what if" there is, pack with your basic needs in mind.
2. If you're not packing with a color palette you're not getting the most out of your wardrobe and you're packing too many individual items and shoes. Remember every item should go with or match 2-3 other items.
3. Your bag is just to big.  Start with a smaller bag, I recommend the 24 inch for a checked bag but if you must, no larger than the 27 inch.  A bigger bag just means you're compelled to fill it up.  Also get one that expands so you can accommodate your souvenirs.  Just don't start with the expansion.
4. Buy travel size items and look for things that have multiple functions.

Happy and light travels!

Ja'Vonne