Invitation to the CODE-NGO YOUNG WRITERS’ SUMMER CAMP 2014: Volunteering for Development

Are you eager to learn about development work, good in writing and research, between 18 and 35 years old, and excited to travel outside Metro Manila from May 12 to 17?

 

 I. INTRODUCTION

The Caucus of Development NGO Networks will hold its YOUNG WRITERS’ SUMMER CAMP from May 5 – 17, 2014. The summer camp provides a doorway for the volunteers to have actual, more concentrated hands-on and practical application of their knowledge and skills in writing and research. It provides a venue where the volunteers take an active part in the social development process. 

  

 

 With the theme “Volunteering for Development”, the summer camp aims to:

• provide opportunities for the volunteers to strengthen their writing and research abilities through exposure and hands-on experience;
• instill positive attitude, heighten motivation and develop team work and good collaboration skills towards becoming committed volunteers for social development.

The volunteers will undergo a 2-week summer camp including a 3-day writing workshop and host-volunteer orientation for the program and preparatory activities.

After the workshop, the volunteers will be assigned to selected CODE-NGO member networks (MNs) or member base organizations (MBOs) as their host organizations within or outside Metro Manila for 5 days. This is to provide them the chance to observe and appreciate the work of some development NGOs and write feature articles about the impact of their work on the communities they serve.

 

II. WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN

 

The summer camp is open to all volunteers who:

– have good writing and research skills,

– are eager to learn about development work

– are between 18 to 35 years old

– are willing to be deployed for at least five days to areas within or outside Metro Manila

 

III. PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

 

 

1: Application

 

a. Interested applicants should submit their Application Form (download Annex A) on or before 5:00 PM of April 21, 2014.   The applicants should also include an updated resume (with references), a letter of intent and at least 1 sample of the applicant’s recent written/research work.

 

b. The applicants will undergo an initial screening process through written and oral interviews.

 

c. Qualified applicants below 21 years old will be asked to submit a waiver signed by their parents or guardian (download Annex B) before the workshop schedule.

 

 

2: Orientation and Writing Workshop

 

a. Applicants accepted into the volunteer summer program will undergo a 3-day writing workshop including host-volunteer orientation on May 5 – 7, 2014.

 

b. Selection of area of deployment will be on a competitive basis. The volunteers will be assessed based on their qualification, skills, and performance in the workshops.

 

                                                                   AREAS FOR DEPLOYMENT

 

 

Area	Available Slot
Luzon	5
Visayas	3
Mindanao	3
NCR	4
Total	15

 

 

3: Deployment

 

a.After the workshop, the volunteers will be deployed to their respective areas where they will spend 5 days to participate in and observe the work of their host organizations. Volunteers are expected to write/document stories about the work of their host organization and its impact on their partner communities. The deployment will be from May 12 – 17, 2014

 

b.Modest accommodation and volunteer allowance (including food and transportation) will be provided by CODE-NGO.

 

c.Laptops will not be provided by CODE-NGO for use by the volunteers during the duration of the summer program.

 

d.The CODE-NGO and the assigned host organization shall share the responsibility of providing guidance, coaching and supervision to the volunteers during the camp. They shall also ensure a safe working environment for them.

 

4: Synthesis Session

a.After the deployment, the volunteers will be asked to submit:

 

• One (1)  personal reflection paper about one’s experience in participating and observing the work of the NGO or community of his/her assignment
• Three (3) feature articles on the successes and life changing stories in  social development work according to the Guidelines and Template (download Annex C) prescribed by CODE-NGO or host organization.   

 

b.The final reflection paper and drafts of the feature articles will be submitted during the Synthesis Session on May 21, 2014. CODE-NGO and its selected MNs or MBOs will review the submitted documents from May 22 – 28, and will relay their comments to the volunteers by May 28.  The volunteers will be asked to submit their final papers to the Volunteer Coordinator on or before June 4.

c.The final outputs of the volunteers will be posted on the CODE-NGO website and featured on the e-newsletter. CODE-NGO will endeavor to have them published in local or major daily newspapers with the help of its media contacts.

d.The volunteers will receive a certificate of recognition from CODE-NGO upon completion of the program, and will form CODE-NGO’s pool of young writers, who may be requested to write feature articles on CODE-NGO activities when

e.Joining the summeris FREE J

 

 IV. SCHEDULE

 

 

 

 

 V. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

       1. Fill-out the Application Form in Annex A. The form can be downloaded from the CODE-NGO website – www.code-ngo.org

 

 2. Submit the application form through either of the following:

 

 2.1.     Electronically – as an attachment to an email and send to volunteers@code-ngo.org

 

         2.2.     By mail, courier or hand-delivery –

 

to CODE-NGO, 69 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City.  Indicate Subject:  Application for CODE-NGO Volunteer Summer Program

  

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the Application Form reaches the CODE-NGO office not later than 5:00 PM of April 21, 2014.

       3. An email confirming receipt of the entries/application forms will be sent immediately after receipt. Contact Mhafe Del Mundo through mobile no. 0947-2164996 or tel. no. (02)920-2595 local 103 if no e-mail confirmation is received within 2 days from your submission.