Returnee Initiative
From AFSWiki
About
- Overview: The Returnee Initiative (RI) is a National Council Task Force. The RI began in the spring of 2009 and continues to expand to involve more Returnees who are interested in giving back to AFS while continuing their own personal and professional growth through engagement in Returnee Initiative projects.
- RI Mission: The AFS-USA Returnee Initiative engages Returnees throughout the Returnee Life Cycle by providing resources, support and opportunities for their growth, development and connections thus encouraging a life-time of participation within the AFS community.
- Progress Updates: 2010 Year End Report,
Get involved!
- SIGN-UP for an Online Info Session to learn more!
- Become an AFS Volunteer! All Returnee Initiative projects require that you be a registered AFS-USA Volunteer, so start your application today!
- Become a Returnee Mentor: Returnee Mentors are registered AFS Returnee volunteers, who guide and support sending applicants through the preparation stages before they go abroad. If you are interested in becoming a Returnee Mentor, email NMishanec-Novak@afs.org or sign-up to learn more.
- Become a Returnee Ambassador: Returnee Ambassadors are registered AFS Returnee volunteers, who reach out to their networks and local community to hold three local events, to share their AFS story and promote AFS sending and hosting opportunities. If you are interested in sharing your AFS story, email KSnyder@afs.org or sign-up to learn more.
- Become a Country Specialist: AFS Returnee Country Specialists represent their study abroad country and provide students with the first-hand perspective of the expectations of living abroad. Country Specialists can share their insights in the following ways: be a representative on AFS Online Info Sessions, Speak with a Returnee online group calls, Ask an AFSer Facebook Page or as a referral. If you are interested in becoming a Country Specialist, email ksnyder@afs.org
- Become a Returnee Coordinator: If you are interested in becoming a Returnee Coordinator, please complete the application and email to returneeinitiative@afsusa.org. Please clearly indicate that you are interested in the Returnee Coordinator position.
- Join the Returnee Initiative: If you are interested in becoming a Returnee Initiative Leader please complete the application and email to returneeinitiative@afsusa.org. Clearly indicate that you are interested in the Returnee Initiative Leader position.
- Encouraging Returnees to become a Volunteer Flyer
Check back for more volunteer opportunities soon!
You can also contact returneeinitiative@afsusa.org if you have any questions.
NVA Proposal - Mandate Re-entry Orientations
On April 27, the AFS National Volunteer Assembly (NVA) will vote on a measure to Mandate Re-entry Orientations for Returnees. Its passage would be a huge win for the Returnee Initiative and future exchange students across the nation.
- 2012 NVA Proposal
- Sign the petition hereto show your support for mandatory re-entry orientations for Returnees.
- Proposal Preparation Notes
Internship Opportunities
Check back later for new job opportunities!
Summer Job Opportunities
Check back next summer for new job opportunities!
Returnee Highlights!
Emerging Leader Award
The Volunteer Recognition Committee developed a new award in 2011 for volunteer leaders under the age of 30. To find out more, nominate people or apply please see:Emerging Leader Award. Applications and references will be accepted July 1st through September 15th; Nominations will be accepted July 1 to September 1 and Awards will be announced in early October.
Returnee Initiative Body
- RI Task Force: Esra Kucukciftci, Jennifer Peck, Damayonti Rowe, Emily Close, Kerry McCollum, Kirsten Snyder
- Former RI Task Force Members: Margaret Peterman, Anne Swayne
- RI Leaders: Beth Anne Freund, , Lauren Coffaro, Lisa George, Maya Munoz, Rick Bendix, Taylor Selsback, Tracy Tessier, Jesse Elrod, Caitlin Nettleton, Doug Bayer, Alexa Lightner, Katie Hirvela
- Intern Coordinator and Returnee Initiative Specialist: Kirsten Snyder
- Mireille Perzan - Leader, Returnee Initiative Integration Group
- Patrick Matthews - Leader, Returnee Initiative Returnee Coordinator Group
- Robert Finney - Leader, Returnee Initiative Returnee Resources Group
- Nora Mishanec-Novak - Project Manager, Returnee Mentor
- Claire Macfarlane - Project Manager, Returnee Ambassador
- Sarah Cash - Project Manager, Returnee Country Specialists
- June 2011 Returnee Initiative Retreat/Sponsored Programs Orientation Participants Alycia Gideon, Anne Chapin, Chelsea Downs, Claudia Valencia, Damayonti Rowe, Elizabeth Bigelow, Emily Betz Close, Jennifer Peck, Kirsten Snyder, Kyle Paget, Landen Romei, Lauren Berry, Lorielle Woodson, Matthew Siegel, Meghan Gallagher, Mireille Perzan, Nora Mishanec-Novak, Patrick Matthews, Rebecca Eddy, Sarah (Sally) Coons, Sean Snyder, Shayna Bartow
Focus Groups
Currently, the Returnee Initiative is organized into three focus groups: Returnee Structure, Returnee Development, and Returnee Communication. Each subgroup has a set of members who are working on a number of projects. Click to learn more:
- Returnee Integration Focus Group - Leaders: Mireille Perzan, Kirsten Snyder
- Returnee Coordinator Focus Group - Leaders: Patrick Matthews, Kirsten Snyder
- Returnee Resources Focus Group - Leaders: Robert Finney, Jennifer Peck
Volunteer Projects
- Returnee Mentor - Project Managers: Nora Mishanec-Novak, Kirsten Snyder,
- Returnee Ambassador - Project Manager:Claire Macfarlane, Kirsten Snyder
- Country Specialist - Project Manager:Sarah Cash, Kirsten Snyder
- Returnee Coordinator- Project Managers:Patrick Matthews, Kirsten Snyder
- 2011 Returnee Welcome Home Event - Project Managers: Jennifer Peck, Robert Finney
Upcoming Returnee Initiative Group Calls
An opportunity for AFS Returnees to come together once a month to discuss Returnee Initiative opportunities and current volunteer projects. Click the links below to sign up for monthly Returnee Initiative Group Calls. You will need access to a computer and if you have a headset please use during the call.
- Tuesday, February 21, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, March 20, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, April 17, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, May 15, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, June 19, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, July 17, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, August 21, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, September 18, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, October 16, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, November 20, 5:00-6:00 PST
- Tuesday, December 18, 5:00-6:00 PST
Returnee Initiative Group Call Notes
Staff: Recruit Returnees
The Returnee Initiative is pleased to announce a method for AFS-USA staff departments to request our support in recruiting Returnees for short-term projects such as orientations or conferences and longer-term commitments such as internships. The goal of the new process is to create a sustainable method of sharing cross-departmental opportunities with Returnees so that Returnees are informed about and can help support different functions of AFS-USA. Click here for the Returnee Recruitment Process.
