Comments on: New Years Resolution of 12: The Global Citizen Project http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:34:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: How to Fund Your Start Up Org | LunarTravel.net http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-6777 How to Fund Your Start Up Org | LunarTravel.net Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:09:08 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-6777 [...] reach out to to contribute, it can be an effective fund raising platform. Charyn Pfeuffer, who was profiled on MatadorChange recently, recently funded her $20,000 international voluntourism project on [...] [...] reach out to to contribute, it can be an effective fund raising platform. Charyn Pfeuffer, who was profiled on MatadorChange recently, recently funded her $20,000 international voluntourism project on [...]

(Report comment)

]]> By: How to Fund Your Start Up Org http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-6774 How to Fund Your Start Up Org Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:39:19 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-6774 [...] reach out to to contribute, it can be an effective fund raising platform. Charyn Pfeuffer, who was profiled on MatadorChange recently, recently funded her $20,000 international voluntourism project on [...] [...] reach out to to contribute, it can be an effective fund raising platform. Charyn Pfeuffer, who was profiled on MatadorChange recently, recently funded her $20,000 international voluntourism project on [...]

(Report comment)

]]> By: Amanda Castleman http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-6005 Amanda Castleman Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:51:41 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-6005 I agree with Randy LeGrant: all help is honorable, useful help. And in Charyn Pfeuffer's case, her ability to rally folks and push the word out has incredible value beyond her day-to-day voluntourism. Just look at the success of bestsellers like Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea," if you need a reminder about the power of prose… Suzanne, it saddens me that you're a journalist, yet you deride Charyn for not being a "qualified nurse/doctor/engineer/vet ect [sic]". Storytellers have much to offer, both in the field and behind the keyboard. We may not mastermind an aqueduct or inoculate a village, but we can inspire, connect, investigate and praise. Please don't forget the intangible gifts we, as writers, have to offer. I agree with Randy LeGrant: all help is honorable, useful help. And in Charyn Pfeuffer’s case, her ability to rally folks and push the word out has incredible value beyond her day-to-day voluntourism. Just look at the success of bestsellers like Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Tea,” if you need a reminder about the power of prose…

Suzanne, it saddens me that you’re a journalist, yet you deride Charyn for not being a “qualified nurse/doctor/engineer/vet ect [sic]“. Storytellers have much to offer, both in the field and behind the keyboard. We may not mastermind an aqueduct or inoculate a village, but we can inspire, connect, investigate and praise. Please don’t forget the intangible gifts we, as writers, have to offer.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Matt Villano http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5994 Matt Villano Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:36:53 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5994 Admittedly, I am a friend of Charyn Pfeuffer's and a backer of her project. That said, I think Suzanne's criticisms are unfair. In a day and age when the vast majority of human beings are about taking what they can from the world, the mere fact that Ms. Pfeuffer is willing to spend an entire year giving is worth an investment. What's more, by writing about her experiences, she will be raising awareness among others of the importance to give. Is she a certified nurse? Why no, she is not. This certainliy doesn't prohibit her from changing peoples' lives and making a difference. With the devastation in Haiti, I think it's a dangerous game to start qualifying volunteer efforts. The simple act of giving back, giving SOMETHING, is far more than many are doing. If Ms. Pfeuffer can write about these experiences as well, I commend her, and support her wholeheartedly. Admittedly, I am a friend of Charyn Pfeuffer’s and a backer of her project. That said, I think Suzanne’s criticisms are unfair. In a day and age when the vast majority of human beings are about taking what they can from the world, the mere fact that Ms. Pfeuffer is willing to spend an entire year giving is worth an investment. What’s more, by writing about her experiences, she will be raising awareness among others of the importance to give. Is she a certified nurse? Why no, she is not. This certainliy doesn’t prohibit her from changing peoples’ lives and making a difference. With the devastation in Haiti, I think it’s a dangerous game to start qualifying volunteer efforts. The simple act of giving back, giving SOMETHING, is far more than many are doing. If Ms. Pfeuffer can write about these experiences as well, I commend her, and support her wholeheartedly.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Lena http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5991 Lena Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:58:36 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5991 I love this idea, and think Charyn Pfeuffer is showing some serious journalistic and fundraising mojo in putting it together. Indivdual fundraising at any time--and especially in this economic climate--is a tremendous challenge, and Charyn's rising to it in all kinds of resourceful, creative and flat-out ballsy ways. I've seen news of Global Citizen Project buzzed around travel media for a month now, and it seems like she has half the Pacific Northwest involved already. Charyn I hope you're starting a Website soon b/c this is already a great day-by-day story. And I do encourage you to go forward with your year of good works, even if you don't have all the $$ raised by the start date. The Universe will provide--possibly in the form of a TV deal? Also ...Suzanne, how can you even question Charyn's ability to bring exposure/awareness to her chosen topics right after admitting that the Global Citizen Project is already all over the media, and that that's how you learned about it? Maybe you couldn't get exposure for your own pet projects, but don't publicly knock someone else's efforts when their situation is vastly different from yours. It comes off like sour grapes. I love this idea, and think Charyn Pfeuffer is showing some serious journalistic and fundraising mojo in putting it together. Indivdual fundraising at any time–and especially in this economic climate–is a tremendous challenge, and Charyn’s rising to it in all kinds of resourceful, creative and flat-out ballsy ways. I’ve seen news of Global Citizen Project buzzed around travel media for a month now, and it seems like she has half the Pacific Northwest involved already. Charyn I hope you’re starting a Website soon b/c this is already a great day-by-day story. And I do encourage you to go forward with your year of good works, even if you don’t have all the $$ raised by the start date. The Universe will provide–possibly in the form of a TV deal?

Also …Suzanne, how can you even question Charyn’s ability to bring exposure/awareness to her chosen topics right after admitting that the Global Citizen Project is already all over the media, and that that’s how you learned about it? Maybe you couldn’t get exposure for your own pet projects, but don’t publicly knock someone else’s efforts when their situation is vastly different from yours. It comes off like sour grapes.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Robert Furr http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5971 Robert Furr Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:36:56 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5971 I'd like to respond with my own opinion as one of the organizations Charyn has chosen to work with during her journey. I would be remiss if I didn't admit that $20,000 could fund a valuable program in a specific geographic location like Honduras; Suzanne is absolutely correct in this assertion. However, through my correspondence with Charyn and the media coverage I've seen, the goal of her Global Citizen Project is more widespread, macroscopic, and holistic. She means to highlight challenges and opportunities around the globe, as well as a sample of the efforts some organizations are taking to respond to these opportunities. From a tactical perspective, the fundraising she is doing is similar to the funding churchgoers and college students seek to fund their participation in mission and Spring break trips. Many of those trips are a week or so in duration and cost anywhere from $600-1500. Except in timing, Charyn's fundraising goal is not much different than a person who goes on twelve mission trips over twelve years. I think the project is a unique way to highlight the needs in multiple places, and the effects could be much further reaching than one program at one place at one point in time. I bet this will be a life changing event for Charyn that will cause her to return and volunteer at similar places in the future, and I hope it will ignite sparks of interest and inspire people in numerous locations to get involved in these causes. That would pay dividends to the organizations and people in need in ways much greater than a single project. I’d like to respond with my own opinion as one of the organizations Charyn has chosen to work with during her journey. I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that $20,000 could fund a valuable program in a specific geographic location like Honduras; Suzanne is absolutely correct in this assertion. However, through my correspondence with Charyn and the media coverage I’ve seen, the goal of her Global Citizen Project is more widespread, macroscopic, and holistic. She means to highlight challenges and opportunities around the globe, as well as a sample of the efforts some organizations are taking to respond to these opportunities.

From a tactical perspective, the fundraising she is doing is similar to the funding churchgoers and college students seek to fund their participation in mission and Spring break trips. Many of those trips are a week or so in duration and cost anywhere from $600-1500. Except in timing, Charyn’s fundraising goal is not much different than a person who goes on twelve mission trips over twelve years.

I think the project is a unique way to highlight the needs in multiple places, and the effects could be much further reaching than one program at one place at one point in time. I bet this will be a life changing event for Charyn that will cause her to return and volunteer at similar places in the future, and I hope it will ignite sparks of interest and inspire people in numerous locations to get involved in these causes. That would pay dividends to the organizations and people in need in ways much greater than a single project.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Randy LeGrant http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5968 Randy LeGrant Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:35:08 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5968 I just read Suzanne's comment and I wanted to toss in my thoughts. As the Executive Director of GeoVisions, (we send thousands of volunteers abroad each year), we work hard everyday to staff 70 projects globally. The notion that a volunteer can do no good unless they commit to a really long project is an argument we are dedicated to eradicating. It isn't the VOLUNTEER who is sustainable. It is the project. If I have 3 hours to volunteer at the local food pantry, I might never go back. But the food pantry had me for 3 hours to help unload a truck. The local food pantry will be here years from now. It is the project that is sustainable. Next week I might volunteer at a soup kitchen for 2 hours. I'll be gone. The project will be there. The notion that we have to dedicate weeks or months to one project for our volunteering to be worthy is wrong. And it sends a negative message to people who are PLANNING to volunteer and now might think they are not doing enough. I've personally looked over the 12 projects Ms. Pfeuffer plans to make a part of her life. She is: *giving up a year of her life to help others *calling attention to voluntourism through her writing and Kickstarter *making her trip "interactive" by listening to her readers about which projects will receive her *dedicating a lot of time to researching available projects and asking lots of questions I head up a voluntourism organization, and if I had to choose to send one of our volunteers to one project for a year or 12 projects over the year I'd suggest to them the latter. In fact, you cannot volunteer with GeoVisions longer than six months. Again...it isn't the volunteer who is sustainable. The volunteer helps for a day, a weekend, a week or a month. Even gap year kids move around...usually 3 to 4 projects in a year. Lastly, Ms. Pfeuffer is a writer. Her talents will be used to call attention to 12 projects in 12 months. I would love for her to be on one of our projects because not only will she write about it from first-hand information, she would be able to tell us where we could strengthen the project and that is always information any project needs. $20,000 for 12 months. I dunno. I look at one of my competitors here in the U.S. just down the road from me. $4000 for a month. If Ms. Pfeuffer can do a year on $20,000...that is a story all on its own. I don't want anyone to think volunteering is based on how long you can contribute your time. Or that it is the volunteer who has the responsibility of sustainability. We place college study-abroad students on weekend projects. We have people call us from tours asking us if they can volunteer for a day...most recently a magician we sent to a school for a day (after is references were checked out). We send people for a week. And for six months. It is the responsibility for the project and for the project sponsor to make certain the work is sustainable. It is for the volunteer to lend a hand. Volunteers always go abroad thinking they will change the world. Even those who are on site 6 months may return home disappointed that they leave behind a project still in need. That's normal. That is part of the process and from my perspective, Charyn will learn that on her own, if she is funded. She has some lofty goals, and some won't pan out. Some will change and go in other directions. And she will have helped a lot of people, she will have written for a year and inspired a lot of people, and she will come home a different person. You go girl. Randy LeGrant GeoVisions I just read Suzanne’s comment and I wanted to toss in my thoughts. As the Executive Director of GeoVisions, (we send thousands of volunteers abroad each year), we work hard everyday to staff 70 projects globally. The notion that a volunteer can do no good unless they commit to a really long project is an argument we are dedicated to eradicating.

It isn’t the VOLUNTEER who is sustainable. It is the project. If I have 3 hours to volunteer at the local food pantry, I might never go back. But the food pantry had me for 3 hours to help unload a truck. The local food pantry will be here years from now. It is the project that is sustainable. Next week I might volunteer at a soup kitchen for 2 hours. I’ll be gone. The project will be there. The notion that we have to dedicate weeks or months to one project for our volunteering to be worthy is wrong. And it sends a negative message to people who are PLANNING to volunteer and now might think they are not doing enough.

I’ve personally looked over the 12 projects Ms. Pfeuffer plans to make a part of her life. She is:

*giving up a year of her life to help others
*calling attention to voluntourism through her writing and Kickstarter
*making her trip “interactive” by listening to her readers about which projects will receive her
*dedicating a lot of time to researching available projects and asking lots of questions

I head up a voluntourism organization, and if I had to choose to send one of our volunteers to one project for a year or 12 projects over the year I’d suggest to them the latter. In fact, you cannot volunteer with GeoVisions longer than six months.

Again…it isn’t the volunteer who is sustainable. The volunteer helps for a day, a weekend, a week or a month. Even gap year kids move around…usually 3 to 4 projects in a year.

Lastly, Ms. Pfeuffer is a writer. Her talents will be used to call attention to 12 projects in 12 months. I would love for her to be on one of our projects because not only will she write about it from first-hand information, she would be able to tell us where we could strengthen the project and that is always information any project needs.

$20,000 for 12 months. I dunno. I look at one of my competitors here in the U.S. just down the road from me. $4000 for a month. If Ms. Pfeuffer can do a year on $20,000…that is a story all on its own.

I don’t want anyone to think volunteering is based on how long you can contribute your time. Or that it is the volunteer who has the responsibility of sustainability. We place college study-abroad students on weekend projects. We have people call us from tours asking us if they can volunteer for a day…most recently a magician we sent to a school for a day (after is references were checked out). We send people for a week. And for six months. It is the responsibility for the project and for the project sponsor to make certain the work is sustainable. It is for the volunteer to lend a hand.

Volunteers always go abroad thinking they will change the world. Even those who are on site 6 months may return home disappointed that they leave behind a project still in need. That’s normal. That is part of the process and from my perspective, Charyn will learn that on her own, if she is funded. She has some lofty goals, and some won’t pan out. Some will change and go in other directions. And she will have helped a lot of people, she will have written for a year and inspired a lot of people, and she will come home a different person.

You go girl.

Randy LeGrant
GeoVisions

(Report comment)

]]> By: Sasha http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5962 Sasha Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:33:46 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5962 I don’t think anyone has the right to say that what Charyn is doing is not going to make a valuable contribution to the communities she will be volunteering in. Isn’t any volunteering worthwhile, no matter where and for how long!!! If by helping children do there homework she brings a smile to their faces she has made a valuable contribution!!!! If she gives overworked carers even a small break she has made a valuable contribution!!! If she helps during meal times, plays a couple of games and give the children affection she has made a valuable contribution!!! Any contribution whether big or small is still a contribution, how could anyone say this is not valuable!!! If it brightens peoples lives, if it makes the people feel like someone cares about them and their community, a complete stranger coming in to their lives because they want to make a difference how could anyone criticise this!!! By spending time in lots of different communities even if it was just two week in each one, Charyn will see first hand what these people need, how the world can help. If all this project does is spread the word and raises awareness then that is a huge achievement in itself and an incredibly valuable contribution to the terrible injustices of our world. I think what Charyn is doing is a wonderful thing not only for all the communities she volunteers in but for all her readers who will be better educated and more aware because of the project. More power to her!!! I don’t think anyone has the right to say that what Charyn is doing is not going to make a valuable contribution to the communities she will be volunteering in. Isn’t any volunteering worthwhile, no matter where and for how long!!!

If by helping children do there homework she brings a smile to their faces she has made a valuable contribution!!!! If she gives overworked carers even a small break she has made a valuable contribution!!! If she helps during meal times, plays a couple of games and give the children affection she has made a valuable contribution!!! Any contribution whether big or small is still a contribution, how could anyone say this is not valuable!!! If it brightens peoples lives, if it makes the people feel like someone cares about them and their community, a complete stranger coming in to their lives because they want to make a difference how could anyone criticise this!!!

By spending time in lots of different communities even if it was just two week in each one, Charyn will see first hand what these people need, how the world can help. If all this project does is spread the word and raises awareness then that is a huge achievement in itself and an incredibly valuable contribution to the terrible injustices of our world.

I think what Charyn is doing is a wonderful thing not only for all the communities she volunteers in but for all her readers who will be better educated and more aware because of the project. More power to her!!!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Suzanne http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5876 Suzanne Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:37:35 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5876 Having read about this project in various media I feel compelled to comment Like Ms. Pfeuffer I am a professional travel and lifestyle journalist. I have also spent many months volunteering in developing countries. To my mind, there is no way that this project is sustainable. I am at odds to understand what valuable contributions Ms. Pfeuffer thinks she may make during a two-week volunteer post. It generally takes a few days (at least) just to get your bearings on an aid project and that’s if one of the coordinators has the time and resources to guide you through the community. Sure, she maybe able to help children with their homework, give a break to their carers, help during meal times, play a couple of games and give them affection and support, but is that really work the $20,000 she is asking for? (I am presuming she’s not a qualified nurse/doctor/engineer/vet ect). Even if she starts say, a literacy programme, it has little value if there is nobody to carry it on once she has left. I also question the ‘exposure’ and ‘awareness building’ aspect. Most writers, at one time or another, have invested their own money and time to write a story they really believe in. Of course there is nothing wrong with a volunteer asking for sponsorship. Paying for a volunteer placement is fairly standard and these funds are a valuable source of income for the NGOs. Ms. Pfeuffer’s fundraising skills are obviously excellent. But wouldn’t the cash be better focussed on one single cause that would really make a difference? Having read about this project in various media I feel compelled to comment
Like Ms. Pfeuffer I am a professional travel and lifestyle journalist. I have also spent many months volunteering in developing countries.
To my mind, there is no way that this project is sustainable. I am at odds to understand what valuable contributions Ms. Pfeuffer thinks she may make during a two-week volunteer post. It generally takes a few days (at least) just to get your bearings on an aid project and that’s if one of the coordinators has the time and resources to guide you through the community. Sure, she maybe able to help children with their homework, give a break to their carers, help during meal times, play a couple of games and give them affection and support, but is that really work the $20,000 she is asking for? (I am presuming she’s not a qualified nurse/doctor/engineer/vet ect). Even if she starts say, a literacy programme, it has little value if there is nobody to carry it on once she has left.
I also question the ‘exposure’ and ‘awareness building’ aspect. Most writers, at one time or another, have invested their own money and time to write a story they really believe in.
Of course there is nothing wrong with a volunteer asking for sponsorship. Paying for a volunteer placement is fairly standard and these funds are a valuable source of income for the NGOs. Ms. Pfeuffer’s fundraising skills are obviously excellent. But wouldn’t the cash be better focussed on one single cause that would really make a difference?

(Report comment)

]]> By: Wil Keenan http://matadorchange.com/new-years-resolution-of-12-the-global-citizen-project/comment-page-1#comment-5852 Wil Keenan Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:08:12 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=2332#comment-5852 Hi Joannaline, I enjoyed reading this post and it prompted me to share a link to the organization I work for - Global Citizen Year - www.globalcitizenyear.org. Each year we train a corps of high school grads and support them through apprenticeships in Asia, Africa, and Latin America during a bridge year before college. Our Fellows (the students), then enter college with a stronger sense of themselves and the world and are empowered to begin exploring the issues they want to tackle in school and in their careers. Anyways, check us out and if you would like to learn more, shoot me an email - would love to collaborate - potentially on some of the work our Fellows are doing in Guatemala and Senegal? All the Best, Wil PS - to see our Fellows in the field here is a short video that they put together: http://globalcitizenyear.org/2009/12/fellows-broadcast/ Hi Joannaline,

I enjoyed reading this post and it prompted me to share a link to the organization I work for – Global Citizen Year – http://www.globalcitizenyear.org. Each year we train a corps of high school grads and support them through apprenticeships in Asia, Africa, and Latin America during a bridge year before college. Our Fellows (the students), then enter college with a stronger sense of themselves and the world and are empowered to begin exploring the issues they want to tackle in school and in their careers.

Anyways, check us out and if you would like to learn more, shoot me an email – would love to collaborate – potentially on some of the work our Fellows are doing in Guatemala and Senegal?

All the Best,

Wil

PS – to see our Fellows in the field here is a short video that they put together: http://globalcitizenyear.org/2009/12/fellows-broadcast/

(Report comment)

]]>