Team Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinator

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AFS-USA Volunteer Position Description

Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinator

Responsible to:Sponsored Programs Team

General Description: As an AFS-USA volunteer, the Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinator has special responsibilities in regard to Team students who are AFS students hosted with scholarships from the Congress Bundestag, YES, and FLEX programs. Those students must always be hosted in clusters of at least three students.

Time Required:

Competencies Required:

Works with:

• Staff
  • Sponsored Programs team

• Volunteer
  • Fellow sponsored program volunteers

Responsibilities:

• Program Enrichment
  • Using the guidelines and leadership curriculum provided, plan a program of enrichment activities over the course of the school year. Coordinate activity dates with Team volunteers, students and their host families as well as others who may be included in an activity (i.e. activity leaders, guest resources, speakers, etc.). Work with students to identify any specific interests they have that fit within the educational framework of these activities and might be explored.
  • Identify and work with local resources including businesses, government institutions, community service organizations, civic and youth groups. Whenever possible, arrange for meetings with individuals at these places who can provide students with special insight into their field.
  • When it is not possible for you to lead an activity, identify Activity Leaders, such as other volunteers or host parents, to lead and report on the activity. Whenever possible, work with Team volunteers to include the wider community of AFS students in the area.
• Reporting
  • Use the Cluster Activity Report provided to give a summary of each enrichment activity to Team and Sponsored Programs Team in the National Office (this can be done on AFS Online). If desired, coordinate with students to assign a student “reporter” who would be responsible for recording the activity (the responsibility could rotate amongst the students).
  • Provide Team and Sponsored Programs Team with updates on special awards, achievements, interesting activities of the Sponsored Programs students and host families in your area.
  • Provide a preliminary and mid-year schedule of planned events to share with your Team and the Sponsored Programs Team, including amendments to the schedule as necessary. (Please include orientation dates in the calendar).
• Awareness Raising
  • Keep Public Relations coordinator or appropriate volunteers in your area informed of your activities for publicity purposes so that you can work together to secure coverage for special events or noteworthy projects, using the tools and guidelines referred to in the Awareness Raising Section of this Handbook. Please be sure to send a copy of any resulting media coverage to the appropriate program coordinator.
  • Encourage students to write Letters to the Editor at some point during their academic year and to make school and other community presentations for International Education Week and at other opportune points during the school year.
  • Include one meeting at the home office of the U.S. Congressional Representative for your district, allowing the students the opportunity to thank the Congressional Representative for their scholarship.
• Program and Cultural Resource
  • Serve as a local source of program, logistical and culture-specific information for fellow volunteers and host families.
  • Share program and culture-specific information and materials with appropriate Team volunteers to supplement or enhance host family orientation and support. Work through existing support system if counseling need arises, offering culture- or program-specific information and insights where appropriate.
  • Coordinate with Team Volunteers and the Sponsored Programs team to ensure Sponsored students’ attendance and participation in arrival, mid-year and end-of-stay orientations. Work with Team volunteers and Sponsored Programs Team to provide program-specific content.

Benefits to Volunteer:

• Develop friendships with participants, volunteers and staff
• Engage in meaningful exchange of ideas with participants about their experiences abroad
• Enhance knowledge and understanding of differing cultures
• Partake in important dialogue with various Embassy and Department of State officials regarding student exchange and intercultural experiences