Guests

Theresa Higgs, M.A., Director of International Programs, United Planet [Bio]; Paul Jones, North American Regional Manager, Global Vision International [Bio]; Randy Punley, MSW, Director, Corporate & Media Partnerships, United Way of America [Bio].

Quotables

[What are things that you are going to be dealing with, regardless of the term "volunteer vacation" or voluntourism, in supporting folks to identify a project that is really in alignment with their needs as we move into the future?]

"Yeah, that's a great question. I think it's bringing together the two sides of the two worlds, so to speak. So, especially for us, where we're doing this - - people are crossing borders - - and we're doing this internationally and interculturally, I feel like, in addressing the sustainability piece, in that, really, a big reason why we're doing this is to work in partnership with local communities to give them some information or some manpower, whatever it is that they need that they wouldn't otherwise have. And, so identifying those projects, and working within the local culture and the ways in which they work on those projects, is really important for us.

Theresa Higgs, Director of International Programs, United Planet

And then on the other side, it's also knowing that all our volunteers are coming from different points of view; and most people are really coming to us for the right reasons, they really want to work hard and make a difference and learn about that culture, but they're still coming in with different expectations and different understanding of what this all is. And so trying to work closely with those local projects and all the communities to make sure those are going well, and are sustainable, and are making a difference there. As well as, then, also dealing with all the needs of each individual that comes to us, we set up our programs on an individual basis for the most part. So, we're really looking to match people's skills and interests with the projects we have, but understanding that we're trying to get as many people as we can involved, but knowing that we can't be everything to everyone and that we can't meet everybody's expectations.

And so really finding those points of connection where it's going to be meaningful for people on both ends is always - - is always a challenge." Theresa Higgs

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[So Paul, in your mind is 'volunteer vacation' really just a term that allows people to explore this type of travel, but then, once they connect with you, at Global Vision International, how are you guiding them through this process to really determine if this is, in fact, the type of travel they're looking for? ]

Paul Jones, North American Regional Manager, Global Vision International

"It's very interesting, because I've been involved in the volunteer travel industry for about four years now. And in that time I've noticed there's really been a dramatic change in the perception of a volunteer vacation. I know, in that time, in my personal experience, I think a lot of people have gone from that point of not really understanding where it fits in along side a regular beach vacation, or a hiking holiday, or whatever, and are now becoming more appreciative of the benefit and the pros and cons of actually doing some volunteer work as part of that vacation. So cetainly that's fundamentally changed the way people often approach us instead of actually not really being sure what we do, I think people tend to have a much clearer understanding.

But, certainly as far as our management of our volunteers and making sure people actually join a program that suits them, that's quite critical. From a fundamental starting point, we have to make sure that everyone understands what it is that they're going to be doing when they join a program and exactly where they're going to be going at what they can expect from their participation. And certainly that's one of the things that we do is actually vet our volunteers quite carefully to make sure that people do understand what's involved, but also that they're coming in with the right motivation. Randy (Punley) touched on the pros and cons, and obviously some people are looking to go on a holiday with a bit of a difference, and other people are looking for a very specific volunteer experience. And our job here in the office in Boston is to make sure that people are matched with a program that really fulfills those needs, but obviously makes the best use of that person's skills. So, we try and make sure people, first of all, have a good understanding of what's involved with each specific program, but also make sure that they know they're going to be expected to work hard." Paul Jones

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[Randy, it is noted that you have the letters, M...S...W... at the end of your name, what is that an MSW would see in getting involved and helping to support these types of trips, maybe just from a personal level?]

Randy Punley, MSW, Director, Cor-porate & Media Partnerships, United Way of America

"Well, you outed me here with my Master's in Social Work. I pose as a corporate and media partnership guy, but fact of the matter is that I have credentials in the social work field and in that realm. And, I think I'll answer it first from a system's issue that we, again, need everyone involved in issues to understand them and to be able to understand how their role plays in them. So, these kinds of programs for us really - - as both Paul and Theresa have suggested for their work - - is really a chance to educate in our work, primarily young people, but also the people they touch. Whether it's their campus, communities, friends, families, employers, what have you, it's really a chance for us to educate them about the issues and what they can do and how they can be involved.

But from a personal perspective, I, there is - - and, maybe the other speakers have had the same experience in their interactions with those folks who have decided that they want to do volunteer vacations with them - - it's a very rewarding and personally gratifying opportunity to interact with, for me, young people who are so passionate and so caring and so convinced that they can change the world and, indeed are, with their time and will be in the future." Randy Punley

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Guest Bios

Theresa Higgs, Director of International Programs, United Planet

Theresa is the Director of International Programs at United  Planet, a non-profit organization that sends volunteers to 50 countries worldwide.  She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niue, South Pacific where she worked in youth and community development.   

Previously Theresa worked with international students at a high school in Chicago, and in the International Programs Office at Babson College.  She has a B.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond and a M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University.  

Theresa loves traveling internationally and is passionate about people from different cultures creating meaningful relationships.

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Paul Jones, North American Regional Manager, Global Vision International

Paul joined the GVI staff in 2004 with a broad experience of traveling, volunteer work and a Bachelors degree in Physical Geography.

During his studies Paul developed an interest and expertise in sustainable development issues and conducted hands on conservation work in the foothills of Australia’s Snowy Mountains and the coastal wetlands of Queensland. He soon tired of his first job as a soccer journalist and instead decided to use his writing skills for a more worthwhile cause, moving to Sri Lanka to write features on environmental policy and media ethics as a journalist in Colombo.

Paul has traveled extensively and continues to encourage sustainable solutions to the problems faced in the modern world. Since joining GVI he has crossed the Namib Desert, wrangled guanacos on the Patagonian steppe and dived on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, scaling Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania along the way. He is currently based in the United States, overseeing GVI’s North American office.

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Randy Punley, MSW, Director, Corporate & Media Partnerships, United Way of America

Randy cultivates and manages corporate and media partnerships at United Way of America – creating new communications channels and innovative ways for people to experience United Way. 

Randy’s creativity and innovative ways of matching corporate interests to United Way’s efforts to mobilize the caring power of communities has directed millions of additional dollars and in-kind corporate contributions to advance United Way’s mission.  Randy has been particularly instrumental in bringing additional resources and media attention to help the Gulf Coast region after the devastating 2005 hurricane season and continues to work diligently on the long-term recovery efforts of that area through United Way’s Alternative Spring Break program. Now it its third year, the ASB program has helped rally young people to United Way and the causes its supports through programs like the United Way Students in Action, and United Way 10,000 Hours Show.

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