In Singapore, there are many organizations and self-help groups involving in overseas community services. These organizations can be broadly categorized as follows:  Institutes of Higher Learning (Hills) e.g. Institutes of Technical Education, Polytechnics and Universities in Singapore,  Youth Organizations (YOs)  Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs)  Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs)  Grassroots/community organizations  Humanitarian groups  Professional Associations  Faith-Based groups  Corporates Back Drop

All organizations have the common aim of wanting to improve the many lives deemed less fortunate The approach to actualize this aim is often driven solely by the organization beliefs, values and purpose. IHLs and YOs see overseas community service as one of the platforms to engage students and youth in volunteerism. Grassroots organizations organised overseas community services to promote active citizenry Humanitarian, religious groups and professional associations often organised relief service in response to human tragedies as a result of natural or man-made disasters Faith-based groups often organised missions to various overseas community as part of their effort to promulgate their religious belief and practice.

– Over the years, the myriad approaches have been developed by the various organizations – Generated a large pool of valuable resources, good practices and experience that will definitely benefit all practitioners Back Drop

Needs For all IV practitioners (young or old) to reap some of these benefits, there are real needs to have the following:  Good IV Standards and practices  Better Sharing of Knowledge, Resources and Practices  Better Project Design with Good Needs and Risk Assessments  Better Means to Manage and Engage Volunteers  Stronger Emphasize on Active Learning  Stronger Emphasize of Sustainable Service  Better Training of IV Managers  Better Means to Engage Overseas Partners  More Active Networking with Locally and Overseas IV practitioners

Needs By having all the best practices, resources, and experience aggregated together, the knowledge base will help form the foundation to equip volunteers with the necessary skills, knowledge and information To achieve that, there is a need to establish an International Volunteerism Association (IVA) The association will comprise of IV practitioners who believe in good IV practices and be willing to share them. The role of the association is to promote and develop good IV standards. From the standards agreed by all the association members, the association can then develop best practices guides to facilitate good IV practice. This will not greatly benefit new IV practitioners, but also safeguards, and upgrade the skills of existing volunteers and leaders.

Vision Harness the hearts and minds of International Volunteerism practitioners to make a meaningful and sustainable difference in another’s life.Mission An association of members that drives and strengthens good International Volunteerism (IV) practices through active sharing; and by advocating and developing meaningful service and learning.

Values Selfless – its not about me or my organisation, for the betterment of the IV beneficiaries Sincere – From your heart, not calibrated Open – Embrace diversity Leverage – to share Practical – things that work Timely – to be responsive and responsible

Drives – Guide, Control and Direct Best Practices “process of developing and following a standard way of doing things that multiple organizations can use for management, policy, etc” To work with various organisation to develop Best Practices – 1st draft by Nov 08 Guidelines “procedure by which to determine a course of action” To work with various organisation to develop Guidelines – 1 st draft by Nov 08

Drives – Guide, Control and Direct New Programs Blue Ocean Framework to help them, project management, volunteer management, partnership Mentoring Target new startups Secondary Schools, new NGOs, SME Kpi – on their own, begin to help others, 10 new startups by 09

Drives – Guide, Control and Direct New Programs Research Environment Scanning – IV impact by Singaporeans, by Nov 08 Harness Singapore’s strength in S&T, set up Humanitarian R&D Centre in Uni by 09

Strengthens – Make stronger, Buttress Active Learning Talks – Organic Approach, engage learning, once a month, starting Oct Workshops- Equipping practitioners with real tools or skills, eg risk management, volunteers management once every 3 months or when appropriate

Strengthens – Make stronger, Buttress Meaningful service - Identify sustainable, impactful service Talks – Organic Approach, meaningful, impactful and sustainable IV projects, once a month, starting Oct Workshops- Equipping practitioners with real tools or skills, eg project management, partnerships, once every 3 months or when appropriate

Two Years RoadMap in Summary 1 st Year - Drives Develop the 1 st draft of best practices after working with members Develop the 1 st draft of guidelines after working with members Develop the 1 st draft of framework on how to work with new startups Complete environment scanning Train first batch of 20 mentors (ten startups) Secure funding for two years operation

Two Years RoadMap in Summary 2nd Year - Drives 1 st draft of best practices to be tested and accepted by members of IV sector 1 st draft of guidelines to be tested and accepted by members of IV sector Evaluate the performance of IV sector 2 nd phase of environment scanning Train next batch of 20 mentors (ten startups)

Two Years RoadMap in Summary 1 st Year - Strengthens Three organic talks on active learning and meaningful service Three workshops on project managements, volunteers management and partnerships

Two Years RoadMap in Summary 2nd Year - Strengthens Three organic talks on active learning and meaningful service Three workshops on project managements, volunteers management and partnerships IV Conference 09 Humanitarian R&D Centre development

IVA Activities on Two-Year Timeline OctJanAprJulOctJanAprJulOct Talk 1 st BP 1 st GL FW Talk ES BP- Best practices, GL-guidelines, FW- Framework, ES-Environment Scanning 1 st BP Feedback 1 st GL Feedback 1 st BP & GL launch Talk 1 st BP Refine 1 st GL Refine 1 st BP & GL Test IV Conference 09 1 st BP & GL ReTest Talk

IVA Internal Admin on Timeline SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay Web Launched BP- Best practices, GL-guidelines, FW- Framework, ES-Environment Scanning Membership Launched Soc Account opened Task Force formed BP &GL Reviewed IVA Financial Return FW Reviewed ES Reviewed RoadMap endorsed MOU with YEP Financial Framework inplaced

Strategic Area: Goal: What will it look like when we get it right? Implementation: How will we get there? Key Performance Indicators: How will we know when we get it right? Time: By when? Who: Incharg e by who? Best Practises Our IV community will come to depend on us for best practices. 1. Form Task Force 2. Collate current practises Practitioners using them. 2. Our surveys will show improved satisfaction 3. Jan 2009 Guidelines Our programs will be adopted and easy to use. 1. Form Task Force. 2. Collate current guidelines Practitioners using them. 2. Our surveys will show improved satisfaction Jan 2009 Framework Startups know how to approach us for help 1. 1 July 2003 Jan 2003 New Programs More IV organisation 2. Environment Scanning Good indepth understanding of IV sector Action Plan (e.g.)