Program Components

Weekly Schedule

Volunteer Leaders will work five days a week, with two days off.  We encourage our leaders to spend as much time in the field as possible because leading volunteers in direct service is a great leadership and learning tool. However, assisting community members in developing their own projects has the most impact and is the most important aspect of our Volunteer Leader Program. This may include attending community meetings or workshops in New Orleans, researching and studying their focus area, developing projects or contacts in the city, or otherwise working on various program requirements.

Training

Upon arrival Volunteer Leaders will undergo several days of, intensive training.  During this time they will learn valuable leadership techniques, be oriented to our base and our policies, meet staff members and gain an understanding of our organization and broader network, train in the field for their various focus areas, learn about the history of New Orleans and Katrina, and more.

Weekly Blog Entry

Volunteer Leaders are invited to keep a collective blog to capture their experience.  This will not be required, but we encourage all of our leaders to submit an entry at least once a week as a way to record Volunteer Leader experiences and thoughts about their work here. The blog will be available through the Hands On New Orleans website for volunteer alumni and future volunteers to read and follow.

Service Learning Presentation

Each leader will be required to develop at least one service learning presentation to share. Possible presentation topics could include: inviting a speaker from the community, having a facilitated discussion about affordable housing in the city, or giving a presentation on a New Orleans cultural tradition. This is a great opportunity for leaders to express their personal reactions to their experience in New Orleans in a creative manner that benefits the entire Hands On community.

Reflection Piece

Before exiting our program, Volunteer Leaders will be asked to create a reflection piece that expresses their thoughts and ideas about their experience here in New Orleans.  These reflections will remain at our base as a reflection and testimony to the power of the volunteer experience.