1. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFORMATION SESSION
MONTH DAY, YEAR
[ Throughout the notes section of this presentation is additional information pertaining to each slide. Each slide will only have brief bullet points (to prevent the viewer from being distracted by long paragraphs; the presenter should supplement each bullet point with the additional information provided here ]

2. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION - ABOUT GLOBAL BRIGADES
GLOBAL BRIGADES MISSION
To empower volunteers to facilitate sustainable solutions in under resourced communities
GLOBAL BRIGADES VISION
To improve equality of life, by igniting the largest student-led social responsibility movement on the planet.
Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization. As a secular, international nonprofit organization, we mobilize student volunteers and professionals to empower communities in developing countries with programs that improve quality of life and environment, while respecting local culture. Students and professionals empower communities in Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION - PROGRAMS
Global Brigades offers 8 programs, some in more countries than others.
To empower volunteers, Global Brigades offers
8 skill-based programs

4. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – WHERE WE WORK
Programs are offered in Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana
COUNTRIES SELECTED BASED ON:
Large need in rural areas
Strong community partnerships
Logistically feasible
Safe for volunteers
NEEDS THAT GLOBAL BRIGADES ADDRESSES:
Basic services
Healthcare
Economic
Global Brigades focuses on countries where family members survive on less than $2 per day and where medical and economic needs are severely neglected and resources for basic services are low (most health issues are related to lack of basic services – clean water and public health infrastructure).
Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana were selected based on their high need for services in their rural areas, strong on-the ground partnerships for sustainability, accessibility to logistical needs (for transporting groups, providing lodging and food), and safety.
Through on-the ground full-time staff in Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana, Global Brigades is able to work with communities to ensure sustainable work and perpetuate on-going services in-between brigades.
Medical Brigades has developed relationships with 80 community partners. For every medical brigade club that is established one more community is able to receive care. Medical Brigades clubs systematically traveled to Central America so that each community receives a clinic every 3 to 4 months. This method has been very successful in improving a consistent health care access to communities for a healthier population. For example, in 2005 in any given community partner, an average brigade consisted of more than 800 patients. In 2009, in that same community, a brigade only needed to treat about The decrease in number not only shows the improved overall community health, but also allows us to provide more thorough and comprehensive care.
[ Additional Information: communities GB works in are systematically ranked by baseline household surveys administered by the Research and Evaluation Team. This allows GB to focus on specific communities with the greatest need. ]

5. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – PROGRAMS AND COUNTRIES
Programs offered in each country
Nicaragua
Ghana
Honduras
Business
Dental
Engineering
Medical
Microfinance
Public Health
Water
Panama
Global Brigades holistic model of develop incorporates the following programs in Honduras.
Global Brigades also offers the Medical Brigades program in Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana, however the Medical program in the other countries is a little different, so this presentation only focuses on our Medical Brigades program in Honduras. A separate powerpoint can be found on the Student Resource Site for Ghana Medical Brigades.
Dental
Medical
Microfinance
Water
Business
Dental
Environmental
Human Rights
Medical
Microfinance
Medical
Dental
Public Health
Water

6. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – PROGRAMS AND COUNTRIES
Programs offered in each country
Nicaragua
Ghana
Honduras
Business
Dental
Engineering
Medical
Microfinance
Public Health
Water
Panama
Global Brigades holistic model of develop incorporates the following programs in Honduras.
Global Brigades also offers the Medical Brigades program in Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana, however the Medical program in the other countries is a little different, so this presentation only focuses on our Medical Brigades program in Honduras. A separate powerpoint can be found on the Student Resource Site for Ghana Medical Brigades.
Dental
Medical
Microfinance
Water
Business
Dental
Environmental
Human Rights
Medical
Microfinance
Medical
Dental
Public Health
Water

7. WHY PANAMA?

8. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – RURAL PANAMA STATISTICS
BELIZE
Although the downtown area of Panama is highly developed, less than one hour away from the city, families have limited access to healthcare and small
businesses have very limited access to legal resources and capital. Also, with limited education on the natural rainforests of the region, businesses and farmers are unaware of the effects of deforestation and environmental degradation.
[ These statistics reflect the average community that Global Brigades serves in Panama.]
Typical family lives on less than $3 per day
Average level of education is approximately 6th grade
In need of alternative environmental sustainable businesses
Areas of high biodiversity at risk of environmental degradation
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
HONDURAS
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
COSTA RICA

9. new stat? maybe we can do big picture, little picture
PANAMA LOSES OVER 1% OF PRIMARY FOREST COVER ANNUALLY DUE TO LOGGING, RANCHING, AND UNSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL METHODS

10. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – BRIGADE IMPACT
New impact measurement?
FOR EVER ONE ENVIRONMENTAL
VOLUNTEER
THIRTY CROPS OR TREES
ARE PLANTED/ MAINTAINED
FOR A COMMUNITY =

11. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS
PANAMA´S ENVIRONMENT
One of the most bio-diverse regions in the world
Expansion of Pan-American Highway in 1970’s coupled with cheap land and government subsidies, led to a boom of colonization and exploitation of Eastern Panama
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES?
Conventional agriculture
Slash-and-burn techniques
Monoculture
Chemical fertilizers
All of these techniques result in soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and limited harvest yields
No existing system of waste management
Current methods affect public and environmental health
Research and evaluation and being done
Environmental Brigades volunteers work with community members and school children in rural villages on improving environmental sustainability. Volunteers develop strategies to address the socio-economic challenges that link to resource depletion and by providing education to community members on the importance of preservation while expanding their farms or businesses. Volunteers’ activities are focused on reforestation and sustainable agriculture. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with community members to help build greenhouses for community schools where children will learn about organic agriculture methods, crop rotation, permaculture, and soil health all while planting healthy vegetables to add more nutrients into their diets. During the rainy months of May-December, volunteers will work on a community wide reforestation project using permaculture to teach about alternatives to slash and burn style agriculture. Students will reforest in communal lands in all profits will go toward the Environmental committee that works with us to go toward community wide improvement projects.

12. HOW DO ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES HELP?

13. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES?
Brigades work with community members to complete planting and maintenance for one of two types of farms:
- A community´s Model Farm
- An individual community member’s farm
Community members receive education on resource depletion, waste management, and tools to put their knowledge to use on their land
Volunteers calculate crop yield and profit projections for individual farmers, providing more personalized support with regards to sustainable practices
Volunteers get greater appreciation for diversity, people of different cultures, and awareness of global environmental and social issues

14. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
COMMUNITY SELECTION
Based on
- Environmental need
- Community commitment
- Land availability for projects
SUSTAINABILITY ASPECTS
Environmental Committees:
- Consist of dedicated community members
- Work alongside volunteers on the Model Farm to implement sustainable agricultural practices, even in the absence of Global Brigades staff and brigaders
In-country staff:
- Trains and meets with the Environmental Committees
- Follows-up with the committee and schools after brigades to ensure projects continuation
- Meets with individual farmers receiving consultation to provide support and guidance
Beginning in January 2011, GB’s Community Research and Evaluation team conducted an extensive operation to identify a new region to work in. After months of R&E, the team indentified the region of Torti in the eastern part of the Panama Province to be the area of focus.

15. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM
ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES TEAM
Coordinator: Leads your brigade
Program Lead and Technicians:
- Build relationship with community
- Train community leaders
- Work with community in preparation for brigade arrival
- Work with community post-brigade to do follow-up work
Program Associate:
- Updates the website and sends out newsletters to past and future volunteers
- Works with in-country staff and Chapter Advisor to arrange brigade logistics
- Hosts webinars, visits brigade in Panama, and more!
Global Brigades supports a full-time staff in Panama to prepare for and coordinate Brigades and to conduct follow-up and measure community impact. Each Brigade will have coordinator and interpreters throughout their time in Panama to ensure project success and to coordinate logistics.

16. HOW CAN YOU
HELP?

17. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – WHY WE WANT YOU
YOUR BENEFITS
Contribute to sustainable change
- Empower community to decrease natural resource depletion and to learn sustainable methods of agriculture
Education application
- Environmental knowledge transfer
- Spanish language immersion
- International development exposure
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Students empower community members
Students provide educational workshops on sustainable agriculture and environmental issues
Local farmers receive personalized support for calculating yield and profit projections under current practices

18. WHAT DOES A BRIGADE LOOK LIKE?

19. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY

20. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & ENVIRONMENTAL INTRODUCTION
Transportation to lodging facility
Panama and Environmental introduction
- Rural communities
- Needs you are addressing
- How Environmental Brigades makes a difference
- Best practices
The first day is spent traveling to Panama and out to the project site in East Panama. Brigaders receive information about the community and its environmental scope.Time is spent covering family profiles for the visits of the week.

21. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 2: COMMUNITY AND PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Environmental Brigades, the Holistic Model, and other programs within GB Panama
Visit to sustainable eco-farm
Community and project introduction

22. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAYS 3, 4: ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD WORK
Work with 2 types of farmers:
- The Environmental Committee & the Model Farm
- Community members with their own farms
Farms include crops and livestock
Your brigade’s field work depends on which farms you will work with & what stage they are at
Sample activities include:
- Planting of crops
- Construction for livestock (chicken coop)
- Maintenance (Fertilizer, weeding, pruning)
- Follow-Up
*On the farm land, the type and amount of tree and crop planting depends on time of year and synchronization with the growing season. Some projects are season-dependent (rainy season) – for example, December-January is not ideal for planting or soil preparations because those months fall in the dry season. Instead, we would focus on a project such as, but not limited to, building a green house to help foster young plants and trees for reforestation and re- vegetation when the rainy season comes

23. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAYS 3, 4, 5: YIELD & PROFIT PROJECTIONS
Consult farmers on calculating their farm’s production & profit
Calculation takes into account:
- Size of plot
- Crops & Prices
- Growing time
- Expenses over time
Goal: maximize crop output, production, and profit
Receive training in-country to complete projections.

24. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 6: EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP & CULTURAL EXCHANGE
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP
Volunteers will present Yield Profit and Projection Calculations to local farmers
Connect sustainable agricultural practices to increased crop yield and profit
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Volunteers meet with community members to thank them for their participation
Volunteers have the opportunity to experience the local culture with shows of:
- Traditional song and dance
- Artisan hand-made crafts
- Educational exchange
Departure day is a great opportunity to recap the trip and talk about the need for additional brigades. The communities we work in and have developed relationships with are expecting us to continue our work! It’s a good time to set recruitment and fundraising goals and discuss new leadership positions available.
One you’ve arrived home don’t forget to update donors, friends and family about the trip. This is a great way to further reinforce and humanize the needs in these communities and gather support for additional brigades and overall education about the water crisis.

25. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 7: NEXT STEPS AND DEPARTURE
Start planning for next brigade
- Set goals
- Leadership positions
Share experiences with donors, friends, & family
Get connected via GB networks
- Updates on your community and project
Learn and share about environmental topics around the world

26. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATION
PRE-BRIGADE CURRICULUM
6 pre-Brigade lesson plans
Includes program- and country-specific education resources and group discussions to fully prepare for your Brigade
To preview lessons, go to the Volunteer Resources Site (VRS)
volunteer-tools-home
Ask the Chapter Education Chair or Chapter President for the lesson plan schedule!

27. HOW DO I SIGN
UP?

28. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – TOTAL CONTRIBUTION
HOW IS YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADE FUNDED?
Volunteers’ Program Contribution:
- $890 (Panama)
- Brigade expenses
- Program sustainability
- Project Fund
- Family Cases
- Airfare: Varies
PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION DETAILS
Accommodations & meals (dietary restrictions should be communicated to the Chapter Advisor)
Clean drinking water
Airport pick-up and drop-off
In-country transportation
Spanish translators, coordinators, and security
Program sustainability and follow-up between brigades
Project Materials: $100
Volunteers will be lodged one of the several compounds that GB partners with in Eastern Panama. All accommodations are clean and safe. There is electricity, bathrooms and clean drinking water on site. Meals are prepared on site using clean water and food specifically for the brigade. A GB staff member will be with the volunteers at all times and available for 24 hour assistance.

29. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – RESOURCES FOR YOU
FUNDRAISING PLATFORM
Send links of brigade project information to donors
Create personalized profile to share with your donors
Track donation progress on individual and group level
VOLUNTEER RESOURCE SITE (VRS)
Brigade planning materials
Testimonials and deliverables from past brigades
Community and compound profiles
Frequently asked questions
CHAPTER ADVISORS
Based at the International Office in Esteli, Nicaragua
Coordinate brigade planning and preparation with the Program Associates in Panama
Assist volunteers with fundraising, flight booking and more!

30. Don’t know who your advisor is?
ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact your Chapter Advisor for information about Environmental Brigades in Panama
Don’t know who your advisor is?

31. ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION – JOIN THE NEXT BRIGADE
[ Consider adding more information to this slide, such as due dates for the brigade application, deposit due dates, next meeting date/time/location. ]
NAME LAST NAME
President
Phone Number

32. QUESTIONS?
QUESTIONS?
Don’t Hesitate to Ask!