Community Rep Training
From AFSWiki
Several different training formats have been created for the Community Representative for Intercultural Learning volunteer position. Community Reps have received training over the course of an entire weekend, or in 2-6 hour training sessions.
Here is a sample agenda from a training that was held in the spring of 2007
Community Rep Training Agenda
A couple explanatory notes--AFS is heavy on jargon, specifically AFS acronyms. One of the things that came up through the research done by the GL volunteer development work group is that jargon can be a way of making people feel like they belong to a group when they KNOW the jargon. When they don't know the specific group language the use of it can make new people feel excluded and unwelcome. You might agree that this has grave implications for AFS, due to our incessant use of terms like: NH/SH cycles, CP, RA and Preview status, FLEX, YES and CB, PDOs and Pre-returns, etc. :-)
The first activity upon arrival at the training is to receive a blank "Dictionary of Terms" sheet with only the acronyms listed (there are about 50 of them). The volunteers work on coming up with definitions and the various terms are explained throughout the day.
10-10:30 Arrival of participants. Sign-in, pass out nametages and Dictionary of Terms. Do quick introductions and an ice-breaker activity if it can be completed by 10:30.
10-30-12 Hosting 101--powerpoint presentations, community mapping activity, review highlights of "Passport to Hosting", show marketing materials, overcoming objections role play. This session covers a lot of AFS-101 type information.
12-12:30 AFS Online
12:30-1:30 Lunch. This can certainly be shortened because people rarely need a whole hour to eat lunch. On the other hand, making connections with each other on an informal level is critical for team-building.
1:30-1:45 My AFS Story activity—template from Chicago Summit. Vols fill in the blanks to tell their own story and then pass their sheets to another vol. Volunteers tell the group one thing they learned about their neighbor’s connection with AFS.
1:45-2:45 “It's Your World” full presentation. The goal is NOT to train new volunteers to make IYW presentations (although they're certainly welcome to!). The goal is give them the information they need so that they can feel confident when approaching their local schools or community groups to schedule staff school presentations. Many vols have no idea what a "school presentation" is so it's not surprising that they don't help schedule them...
IYW is very interactive. The presentation includes a global quiz, informational slides, video clips, group activities and a recruitment pitch. It's fun and informative.
2:45-3 Break
3-3:45 Compliance/Support. Honestly, this session always receives very high evaluation scores. People seem to have a need to know what the rules and regulations REALLY say. The compliance session is done as a bingo game. It's followed by a brief overview of support strategies (mostly who to call if there's a problem).
3:45-4 Questions and closing.
