Volunteer service for development seemed like a rather logical and simple concept 40 years ago when it was pioneered: American professionals can provide needed technical support to people in less developed parts of the world.
Since that time, however, volunteer program managers have learned that we have to look beyond our borders and the traditional north-south lens to provide more appropriate targeted technical support to projects. We have to source volunteers from a variety of places and mobilize them in a variety of ways. We need to challenge ourselves to think beyond the one-size-fits-all approach.
Traditionally, ACDI/VOCA has been known for its work on USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer program, which provides mid- and senior-level professionals in America two- to four-week opportunities to share their skills with development projects around the globe. The program has been successful, with some amazing stories reflecting technical achievements and warm personal connections.
Read more career articles on volunteering:
● No slowing down for USAID's nearly 30-year-old Farmer-to-Farmer program
● South-south volunteering: From one developing country to another
● From policy to reality: Supporting Australians with a disability to volunteer overseas
● The value in volunteering: How to decide where you’ll make the most impact
About the author
Diana Roach
Diana Roach, senior director of volunteer programs, has over 12 years of experience recruiting an annual average of 200 volunteer assignments. Her previous experience includes being director of marketing for an agriculture commodity group in Ohio. For the past eight years, Diana has managed ACDI/VOCA’s volunteer programs and pursued new business opportunities for volunteer activities from both USAID and nongovernmental funding sources. She manages ACDI/VOCA's implementation of the Mars Ambassador Program and heads the effort to increase the VOCA Fund for the support of additional volunteer-related initiatives around the world.
