Be The Change Course
New Course Helps you Discover How To "Be The Change" You Wish to See in the World
The Be The Change Course is designed to take your idea for a project or dream to start a charity and give you the skills and confidence you need to make it a reality.This is the program for you if you would like to:
- Start a non-profit/charity organization
- Get a job with a non-profit/charity
- Start a social enterprise or project
- Learn how to get a job with the United Nations
- Re-Discover your purpose and focus
- Or if you just want to learn more about the field of Social Entrepreneurship and /or International Development
The Be the Change week long program is led by Colin Salisbury, Founder and CEO of Global Volunteer Network, and one of the world's leading social entrepreneurs (please see What is a Social Entrepreneur?). Recently Bill Gates recognized Colin's work by recommending that young people volunteer with Global Volunteer Network (www.globalvolunteernetwork.org). Assistant facilitators of this program are each social entrepreneurs in their own right. To read more about each facilitator please click here.
Facilitators, including Colin Salisbury, live in the Be The Change House with the participants during the course and spend the entire week with group. The week starts with a discussion about how each participant wants to contribute to social change. From there, facilitators will take the group through a series of workshops designed to address the skills needed to start a nonprofit organization, development project and /or social enterprise. The workshops are flexible and the facilitators will focus each workshop on those skills that will most benefit the group as a whole.
The workshops include:
- Online and Offline Marketing: How to share your story and get online.
- How to start a Non-Profit organization
- Finding your way in the world of International Organizations : Guidelines for those interested in pursuing a United Nations career
- Fundraising for your organization / project.
- Social Enterprise vs. Nonprofit- Who's doing what?
- Skill/Passion Identification- How are you wired?
- Communications: What is your message and who is your audience?
(Please note different workshops are offered on different programs. Check with your coordinator concerning which workshops are offered when).
After workshops, the afternoon will be a time to rest, or get outside and do some exercise. We choose stunning places around the world to hold our program because we want to ensure there is an abundance of healthy and fun activities to get involved in.
Activities include:
- Tennis (Taupo, Tuscany)
- Water sports (Taupo, Tuscany, Jamaica)
- Hiking (Taupo, Tuscany, Jamaica)
- Climbing (Taupo)
- Hot Pool Swims (Taupo)
- Morning Exercises (Taupo, Tuscany, Jamaica)
- Site Seeing (Taupo, Tuscany, Jamaica)
Before workshops each morning, participants will have the option to join in a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. Each meal will be healthy, nutritional and tasty... and often accompanied by wine.
The 'Be the Change' groups are kept very small so that each participant gets a great deal of individualized instruction. Plus, participants for Be the Change are always innovative, fascinating and motivated people from all over the world. Many people find their plans and ideas grow exponentially during discussions with the group (at the dinner table or in workshops). You will leave with new friends and you will become part of our 'Be the Change' alumni network.
Our 'Be The Change' alumni network is made up of an incredible group of individuals around the globe that are creating ripples of social change in their communities, and countries.
Click here to see what some of our past interns are up to and learn about how this program has helped them shape their own dreams.
The Facilitators
Courtney
Please imagine this. Please imagine all the stress, the drama, and the frustration in your current life- all those things that get in the way of you going after your dream to help humanity. Now imagine yourself plucked out of those worries, frustrations and fears and dropped into a beautiful, slightly secluded, place in Jamaica, or Italy, or New Zealand. Now imagine there are 10 other like-minded, caring individuals in this place. These are individuals just like you, people who want to change the world.
Now imagine seven days with this group. Each day facilitators guide you through a series of workshops designed to address your goals, your vision, and to give you the skills you need stop dreaming and start doing. Now imagine ending the week with 10 new lifelong friends, a clear vision of where you intend to go with your life, new social entrepreneurship skills, and enough confidence, connections, and inspiration to keep you going long after the week is over.
If you can imagine all of that, you will have gotten a little taste of Be The Change.
Nadine
In a [week-long] nutshell, it is possibly one of the most fun, profound, confronting, challenging, and life-altering experiences that one could ever dare to undertake. We welcome participants of all ages and stages of life. BTC rips away the blanket that's smothering your hidden passions, allowing your raw authenticity to shine through.
Days are filled with engaging workshops and inter-active dialogue, demanding one to think and grow organically beyond the borders of our comfort zones.
BTC is about seeing, believing, and Be-ing The Change that we envision for our world. The only prerequisite to become a part of this movement and family is an open heart, a healthy laugh, and a limitless imagination.
Come prepared to release any pre-conceived notions about yourself and others. Leave ready, willing, and [cap]able -- equipped with a renewed awareness -- to create something larger than you could ever possibly envision.
Colin
Be The Change helps you transform your ideas into action. Whether you want a job where you are living your passion, or if you want to start something new, this program caters for people at both ends of the spectrum.
Be prepared for a week like nothing you have experienced before. You will discover a group of likeminded individuals who will all be in your corner willing you to win. The exciting thing for me is seeing the potential in each person and guiding them towards unleashing their passion on the world.
Program Location
- Toronto, Canada
- Taupo, New Zealand
- Tuscany, Italy
Program Requirements
Volunteers for the Be The Change course must:
- Be 18 years old or over
- Be from a country that will allow them to obtain a Visa to come to New Zealand, Jamaica or the USA (depending) such as: countries in North or South America, UK, Europe, Japan, China, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, or Australia
- Be proficient in English
- Possess initiative and an enthusiasm for learning about social entrepreneurship and willing to be an active participant in workshops.
- Be willing to brainstorm and choose an idea or project to work on while you are on the course (more information about this process will be provided to you after you have signed up).
Program Schedule
Prior to your arrival you will receive a packet that we ask you to read through before coming on the course. This packet will include a worksheet for you to fill in describing what you are interested in learning about.
Upon your arrival you will be taken to your accommodation. Workshops aren't scheduled on the first day to allow people to rest after their flight. That evening we will have a group meal (prepared by the facilitators) and a chance to get to know each other.
The next day the course formally starts. You will start your first full day on the course with a workshop designed to identify your future dreams and goals. From there each person will discuss their project/idea for social change with the group. Facilitators will then tailor each of the following workshops to address the needs of the group. For an example schedule please click here.
Program Dates
In 2009/2010, the Be The Change program is available from:
- November 21-28, 2010 – Taupo, New Zealand
- May 26 - June 2, 2011 – Tuscany, Italy
- August 10-17, 2011 – Toronto, Canada
- October 31 – November 7, 2011 – Taupo, New Zealand
Program Cost
A US$350 application fee will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.
Your application fee includes the following benefits:
- Personal Staff Support
- Your GVN Be The Change Program Program Guide
- Your Fundraising Guide and Software
- Access to Your Own Online Journal
- Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
- Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares
Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the GVN Be The Change Program is $1,997.00
To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you look here.
This in-country fee includes housing accommodation, meals, tuition, workshops, day trips, transportation within the program, as well as assistance after the program ends- for example, references, etc.
The other costs you will need to meet are:
- Your flights
- Visa (if applicable)
- Immunizations (where applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Any corresponding airport departure taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Page coming soon
Testimonies
If you would like to read the testimonies of some of our past participants of Be The Change you can do so here.
>Testimonies.
Apply Now!
To apply for this program, click the button below
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