Common Bond Institute

How To Become Involved

With our Work

Volunteer / Internship Opportunities

With Common Bond institute

and International Humanistic Psychology Association

Volunteer and Intern Form

 

Internships and volunteer opportunities with CBI and IHPA in support of our work are available year round, and in most cases can be custom-designed to match your skills and interests with the needs of our international programs. The global nature of this work lends itself to being done long distance, particularly given access available through the Internet. Face to face experiences such as participating directly in our international conferences are also available.

 

Opportunities are designed to allow individuals in any geographic location to accomplish designated tasks, in most cases on each person’s schedule, and for inclusion of individuals with different levels of time to commit. *

 

* A minimum amount of time commitment, follow-through, and consistent contact are required for this important work. Our Volunteer Coordinators and staff make themselves fully available to support and guide volunteers, and we both appreciate and rely on each individual following through with whatever tasks they agree to assist with to accomplish the mission of the conference.

If interested please click here to complete the Volunteer and Intern Form and submit to our CBI office via E-mail, fax, or land mail.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer placements offer meaningful professional work experience that can be documented for resumes, as well as provide unique opportunities to meet and work with leading edge international thought leaders and practitioners, contacts with organizations throughout the world that can potentially open job opportunities, and invaluable personal experiences.

INTERNSHIPS

Internships are available for academic credit in related fields. In cooperation with the International Humanistic Psychology Association (IHPA), CBI provides placements in wide variety of fields, including but not limited to psychology, social work, sociology, education, mediation, communications, community development, political science, law, journalism, environmental studies, religious studies, expressive arts, computer sciences, and finance. Students are advised to consult with their department and/or professors regarding specific criteria and requirements for academic credit, and to arrange for official approval.

 

Research opportunities also exist.

Priority Task Areas Include:

1) Social Networking and Marketing:  Developing and enhancing existing social network and communication platform presence (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, website interface, etc.), as well as expanding presence into other virtual platforms.


2) Resource Development:  Assisting in researching funding and grant opportunities, writing grants and requests for corporate donations, and crowd-fundraising campaigns for vitally needed funding to support CBI’s work.


3) Conference Operations:  Assist in development, production, and operation of major international professional conferences on trauma and conflict transformation and healing addressing crucial issues of our time, and in developing outcomes and products of these conferences.


4) Training and Service Programs:  Assist in supporting human service capacity building training projects to assist communities in developing countries that are regions of conflict in acquiring the necessary skills and resources for healing themselves, improving civil society, and maintaining peaceful relationships with other communities and groups


5) Research Projects:  Assist in development, data management, networking, and monitoring of global research network focused on central issues.


6) Journal:  Assistant editing for International Journal of Communal and Transgenerational Trauma, a journal of the International Humanistic Psychology Association.

 

We are always working to develop a strong pool of volunteers and interns to help share in the international work of CBI. If this is of interest to you we invite you to submit the Volunteer and Intern Form and to contact us for further details and next steps at:   SOlweean@aol.com -or- 1-269-665-9393

Examples of Tasks and Responsibilities Include:

Social Networking and Publicity:

Assisting our staff in optimizing the important use of virtual technology to advance our work and share knowledge globally by:

1) Assisting in managing, developing, and enhancing existing CBI sites on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google+, etc. to promote it’s programs, share knowledge, facilitate dialogue and engagement, and build community. This can also involve publishing and archiving video, audio, and graphics from conference proceedings, trainings, interviews, special productions, documentaries, etc.
2) Assisting in expanding CBI’s presence into other virtual platforms.
3) Assisting in interfacing the above with CBI’s website
4) Assisting in conducting publicity campaigns for our programs
5) Assisting in linking to relevant networks, coalitions, and partnerships

Fundraising and Development:

Generating critically needed funds and in-kind resources is essential to our being able to operate, expand, and sustain our free humanitarian services that provide life-saving healing and recovery to the most vulnerable, the majority of who are children and women. Examples of tasks to assist our Common Bond Institute and the International Humanistic Psychology Association staff in this effort include:

• Assisting in planning and organizing crowd-fundraising strategies and programs.
• Assisting with grants:
– Researching grant opportunities and determining appropriate donors, including foundations, corporations, and individuals, and assessing funding priorities that meet our work and mission.
– Assisting in writing grants and requests for funding
– Assisting in evaluating grant outcomes to meet reporting requirements included in grant budgets.
• Assisting in generating in-kind donations of materials, services, and other support.

 

Experience with grant writing and fundraising preferred.
This work can be done from any location and the majority of tasks can been done on your schedule.

Conference Operations:

Joining our volunteer team offers rich, invaluable professional and personal experience in supporting the mission of our international conferences through networking, direct interaction with prominent experts and visionaries, organizing a major international professional event, and assisting in developing program components and outcomes.
Examples of Pre-Conference, On-site, and Post-Conference tasks are listed here:

A. Pre-Conference:

1) Publicizing the Conferences:

 

(a) Public Relations / Media Contact: Assist in developing and implementing publicity programs to raise awareness of the conference, including:
Gathering contact information for various media sources (newspaper, TV, radio, Internet publications, Internet radio, etc.) to send Press Releases, Public Service Announcements, and Calendar Listings to
Assist staff in arranging for media interviews of CBI representative & presenters
(b) Contacting and Networking with relevant organizations, such as universities and colleges, NGO’s, professional and community organizations, activist groups, community and government representatives, events, etc. to inform of the conference, encourage participation, and ask to provide them with conference materials for posting and distributing to their networks.
(c) Publicizing through Social Media sites (see above and below under Technical Assistance).
(d) Sending out E-mail-tree/fax tree/and phone-tree announcements
(e) Posting & distributing flyers & notices at various locations (on campuses, at organizational sites, at relevant events, in public locations such as bookstores, Internet cafes, coffee houses, restaurants, etc.)
(f) Posting in hard-copy publications (journals, newsletters, magazines, calendar of events, etc.)
(g) Internet promotion: Researching relevant websites, event calendars and directories, & social networking sites to post notices, E-mailing notices to interested mailing lists & networks, developing a contact list for various schools and departments, etc.). A written process and materials for this task is provided.

2) Technical Assistance:

 

(a) Website work – (depending on skill level) Examples: Assisting in formatting and editing web pages, creating and designing pages, adding new Interactive features for use during and after the conference, operation of a conference blog, E-conferencing set-up and operation, editing E-Journal articles, creating components of a web-based multimedia resource library of audio-video, written, and graphic materials from our conferences, trainings, etc.)
(b) Developing and maximizing use of social networking sites (Facebook, etc.) to raise awareness of conferences, share learning and opportunities for involvement, and promote on-going public dialogue on vital topics and issues addressed through CBI’s conferences.
(c) Desktop publishing. Assisting with text, graphics, and layout for a hard-copy on-site conference program, a collection of presenter articles, and any additional publications, documents, or printed materials related to the event.
(d) Assist in creating media features for the conference (including a media room highlighting organizations doing good work in the world).

 

3) Networking with key related organizations to enlist representation at conferences and cooperation on applications of conference outcomes and putting principles into practice.

 

4) Recruiting Resource Support: (a description of these, along with order forms, is provided)

(a) Ads for the hard-copy on-site program and separate participant tote bags
(b) Display table rentals
(c) Showcase table agreements
(d) Contributions of in-kind items and services
(e) Contributed gift items to insert in the tote bags
(f) Funding development: assist staff in identifying and researching funding opportunities (including grants and corporate donations), writing and submitting grants, and assist with fund raising campaigns.

 

5) Clerical and Logistics Assistance:
Assisting with pre-conference correspondence, monitoring, and status tracking of conference inquiries, etc. Assisting with creating and organizing site materials (equipment, registration materials, signage, etc). Assisting with presenter relations and logistics (confirming presentation needs, confirming dates of attendance, whether meals or hotel rooms are needed, etc.).

 

Note: # 1, 3, 4, and 5 above can be done by individuals with basic computer, E-mail, Internet, and people skills. # 2 above does require at least a basic level of skill in web management and design, desktop publishing, and/or media & graphics.

B. On-Site:

Assisting conference staff with overall operations and logistics during the conference. *(It is preferred that all “on-site” volunteers first be involved in “pre-conference” assignments for a minimum period of time to ensure they are linked to our operational team and each other, and oriented to the conference purpose and structure before assigned on-site responsibilities. We endeavor as much as possible to schedule volunteers in a way that allows them to participate in conference program sessions they indicate as a priority.

 

1) Registration and Participant Support:

 

(a) On-site Check-in and Registration, and data management.
(b) Assist in organizing site materials: name tags, signage, participants packets, supplies, etc.
(c) Managing and monitoring Information Boards
(d) Responding to questions and requests as needed

 

2) Technical Assistance:


(a) Equipment management and operation:* Assisting staff with setting up and operating basic equipment for sessions, events, and exhibits (LCD PowerPoint projector, DVD player, TV, overhead projector, Public Address system, laptop computers, etc.). Assisting staff or recording service with set-up and monitoring for audio/video recording of proceedings.
(b) Assisting with setting up and operating media features* (media exhibits, media room, E-conferencing, Internet blog, etc.)
(c) Assisting with room set up if needed for day sessions and evening events (seating, etc.)
* These task areas does require a minimum level of skills in working with various basic equipment.

 

3) Presenter Support:


(a) Session Monitors. Monitoring sessions and assisting presenters during the session with various needs (passing out handouts, distributing and collecting evaluation forms, etc.). *We attempt to assign volunteers to sessions on their preference list, as this offers opportunities to have direct interaction with presenters, including sometimes acting as a presentation assistant.
(b) Assisting presenters.

 

4) Dialogue Process Support:

 

(a) Dialogue Group scribes: Being one of several scribes taking notes of content during facilitated dialogue groups (notes from each break-out group are then collected and compiled at end of day)
(b) Compiling and Posting daily summary of all dialogue group notes on CBI website blog at the end of each day during the conference.

 

5) Monitoring Conference Community Meals.

 

6) Resource and Networking Hub:
Monitoring and assisting team with a designated space at the conference where participants come to explore, brainstorm, and share effective, practical methods, tools, and technology for expanding direct person to person (public) engagement in a global community, and to promote networking and collaboration beyond the conference.

 

7) Conducting videotaped Interviews with participants, and taking conference photos for conference resource library and photo album.

 

8) Misc. Tasks as needed (site move-in & move-out tasks, meeting key presenters at airport to transport to hotel, participant relations, distributing & collecting evaluation forms, misc. errands, etc.)

C. Post-Conference:

1) Assist with compiling and organizing data and information for future program planning and development, and to make available, including information on outcomes, requests for cooperation from the conference, action planning materials from dialogue groups and Resource & Networking Hub, participant evaluations, conference roster, etc.
2) Assist with organizing follow-up meetings and community-based dialogue groups, networking for collaboration, and linking these processes to future conferences.
3) Assist with editing and programming recorded conference materials and graphics to produce multimedia resources for inclusion in a virtual resource library offered through our web site to disseminate conference content and outcomes to the global public.
4) Assist with expansion and development of conference website as networking and information hub, and an interactive vehicle for continuing the dialogue, promoting cooperation among participants between annual conferences, and sharing materials generated from these events.
5) Assist with compiling, formatting, and editing articles for E-Journal, as well as additional publications, documents, or printed materials.
6) Assist with E-newsletter / Blog to inform participants and interested parties of outcomes and future plans, promoting cooperation on practical applications, receiving news and information from participants to share, etc.
7) Additional Tasks as they emerge, to include input from participants, presenters, and volunteers.

 

Creative ideas for pre-conference, on-site, or post-conference processes are always welcome.

 

Depending on the amount of pre-conference and on-site work and time put in, an intern or volunteer can earn a discount, and in some cases up to a waiver, of the conference program fee portion of costs. Details are available through our Volunteer Coordinator.

For details on current efforts refer to links in the side menu of this website.

Training and Service:

Involvement is based on a volunteer or intern’s individual experience and skills.
Examples of activities include:

• Conducting skills training sessions for local psychosocial service trainees,
• Conducting self-help and coping skills training sessions for refugees and members of vulnerable populations, and
• Providing various psychosocial services and resilience building activities for these populations.

Journal and Research:

Involvement is based on a volunteer or intern’s individual experience and skills.

 

International Journal on Communal and Transgenerational Trauma:
Editorial Assistant: Various assistant editing tasks as assigned by editor

 

Research:

• Assisting in developing and operating various features of the virtual research platform
• Communicating and Networking with researchers, research institutes, and universities

Conferences:

See current list of conferences at above link

Social Health Care Program

Treatment Service Programs:

Disaster Health Care Field Clinics (Jordan)
Comprehensive field clinics providing, psycho-social, medical, and dental services to refugees.


Community-Based Treatment Services (Jordan)
Providing on-going direct psychosocial services to refugees and at risk populations, and demonstrating community-based human services that can operate and be sustained in regions of scarce material and skill resources.

Local Capacity Building Training Programs

Community-Based Training  (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq)
A comprehensive, integrated, interdisciplinary, and sustainable humanitarian assistance service aimed at healing the trauma of war and violence, and equipping the members of traumatized and displaced communities in regions of conflict with the skills, resources, and hope needed for restoring mental health, balance, dignity, and self-determination.


Psychosocial Specialty Training for Medical Students  (Jordan)


Certified Diploma in Clinical Social Work  (Jordan)
A 2-semester Certified Diploma preparing students in Jordan with practical psychosocial service skills enabling them to provide direct services to refugees and under-served populations in their communities.


Psychosocial Seminar for Clergy and Religious Teachers  (Jordan)
A 1-day seminar program providing information on basic psychosocial symptoms, basic interventions and counseling skills, and learning when a professional therapist is needed.

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