Volunteer

Our volunteers experience the world...

WHAT YOU CAN DO

As a lean organization whose impact on the community is far larger than our annual budget would suggest, International House relies heavily on the passion, generosity and expertise of volunteers. More than 400 people donate their most valuable asset - their time - each year, as English tutors, legal interns, client service coordinators, social media experts, graphic designers and organizational leaders among other positions. If you are 18 years old or older and are interested in helping us welcome the world to Charlotte, look below at our open positions and join us!

 

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS


We are currently accepting applications, please see below for what is available.
Citizen Diplomacy Intern: Accepting Applications, apply here
Program: Citizen Diplomacy Program
Interns will engage in an experiential learning experience through which they learn what is involved in the daily operations of the International House’s Citizen Diplomacy Program. Interns work under ongoing supervision of the Program Director and Program Assistant and receive an on-going training in area of citizen diplomacy, cross-cultural competency, international relations, and community outreach and partnership building. Interns interested working in the field of international affairs and diplomacy, public policies, human rights, grassroots advocacy, nonprofit and government sector will additionally benefit from this experience as a result of gaining program planning, proposal development, project management, marketing, public relations, social media, and information management experience.

Areas interns will gain experience in include:
• Research and Development
o Identify potential program themes for international visitors by conducting research on local industry companies and cultural events/attractions
o Maintain current information files on the City of Charlotte and its resources (professional and cultural)
o Expand professional and volunteer resource base
• Marketing
o Assist in developing a promotional packet containing information on International House services and on the Charlotte area
• Program design and itinerary preparation
o Make logistical arrangements for visitors (hotel, transportation)
o Arrange visitors’ information packets
o Assist in creating visitors’ programs by identifying appropriate professional counterparts in Charlotte and setting up meetings
o Create visitors’ itineraries once professional program has been set up
• Data Maintenance
o Record visits, professional resources, and cultural resources in program database

Time Commitment:
• Minimum of 12-15 hours per week during the hours 11am-5pm.
• Must be able to commit to a full semester, 3-4 months

Qualifications:
• Excellent organizational and communication (both oral and written) skills
• Amicable, positive, cheerful, and flexible personality
• Independent, responsible, and self-motivated • Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Computer proficiency required (Microsoft Office and Google docs)
• Knowledge of foreign languages is a plus
• International background or travel experience is a plus

To apply, please submit the following documents to Samantha Williams, AmeriCorps ACCESS Volunteer Coordinator, swilliams@ihclt.org. In the subject line, please indicate Citizen Diplomacy Intern.
1. Resume
2. Writing Sample
3. Cover letter expressing interest in the position
4. Volunteer application, here
Citizenship Preparation Program (CPP) Volunteer Tutor Accepting applications, apply here
Program: Education
The goal of CPP is to promote self-sufficiency and greater opportunity among immigrants as they gain knowledge of American civics and history and confidence in their English language abilities necessary for the successful naturalization. CPP specifically targets individuals ready to apply for the Citizenship and needing help to prepare for the naturalization interview. Tutors gain experience in adult ESL, have the opportunity to positively impact someone’s life, as well as the opportunity to meet and work with someone from a different culture and background.

The one-on-one tutoring model is structured to take into account the location and time availability of both the tutor and student. To maintain the one-on-one model, volunteer tutors are constantly needed in the program and participation in it is strongly encouraged. However, in case we do not have enough volunteer tutors sign up, we will match a tutor with more than one student.

Time Commitment:
• Tutors are required to attend a tutor orientation at International House from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday before the start of the cycle.
• Following orientation, tutors will meet with a student each Sunday for 1.5 hours, from 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. during the 10-week cycle.

Requirements:
• 18 years of age or older.
• Can attend all 10 sessions.
• Interest in helping adult students learn English and prepare for naturalization interview.
• Willingness to work with any student assigned and maintain this flexibility throughout your tutoring with CPP program.
• Ability to follow CPP program policies and procedures .
• Flexibility and patience.

Learn more about the tutor commitment here, FAQ_Tutoring
Volunteer Application can be accessed here
Client Services Accepting applications, apply here
Program: Client Services
Interns will work along side the Client Services Director to learn what is involved in the daily operations of International House. Interns will interact and assist organization clients as well as members of Charlotte’s rapidly growing international population. Additionally, interns will play an integral role in the planning, preparation, and implementation of programs and events. Interns will receive training and on-going supervision from the International House Client Services Director and Volunteer Coordinator. Interns interested in working for a non-profit or with international populations will find this position beneficial. Interns will gain experience in office management, customer service, and event planning/programming experience. Additional skills that students will likely gain from this experience includes cross-cultural competence, interpersonal skills, problem solving, project development, and information management.

Areas interns will gain experience in include:
• Assist with registration of students for various Education programs
• Create and implement promotional/outreach campaigns to promote International House programs
• Greet visitors (by phone and in-person), answer their questions, and educate them on helpful resources or programs; refer visitors to appropriate staff members as needed.
• Perform other related duties, as required

Qualifications:
• Student must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student or a recent graduate. Area of study that may be a particularly good fit include international studies, languages & culture studies (Spanish, German French, Japanese, etc), latin american studies, social work, psychology, sociology, Human Resource Development, hospitality or a closely related field.
• Desire to work with immigrants and clients of different ethnic and social background
• Excellent client service and communication skills
• Excellent work ethic
• Computer literacy required (proficiency in MS Office and Google Docs)
• Proficiency in Spanish required

Time Commitment:
• Minimum of 12-15 hours per week in 9 a.m. -5 p.m., 9 a.m.-1p or 1 p.m. -5 p.m. shifts
• Minimum of three months, four months strongly preferred

To apply, please submit the following documents to Samantha Williams, AmeriCorps ACCESS Volunteer Coordinatorswilliams@ihclt.org. In the subject line, please indicate Client Services Intern .
1. Resume
2. Volunteer application, here
Education Program Coordinator Accepting applications, apply here
Program: Education
Interns will learn from The Director of Education (DOE) about the inner workings of the Education Program on the principles of experiential learning. Interns will interact with and actively assist education team members and students, playing an integral role in the planning, preparation, and implementation of programs (ESL classes, English Tutoring Program (ETP), and Citizenship Tutoring Program (CTP) and classes) and gaining exposure to daily operations of a nonprofit. Interns receive an on-going training and supervision from Education Director. Interns interested in working for a non-profit or with international populations in general and ESL, TESOL, and adult education in particular will benefit from this experience as a result of gaining nonprofit management, cross-cultural competence, and education administration experience. Additional skills that students will likely gain from this experience includes ESL/Adult teaching, interpersonal skills, communication skills, problem solving, information management, and program evaluation.

Areas intern will gain experience in include:
• Support ESL Teachers, CTP Teachers, and ETP Coordinators when needed
• Create initial student/tutor pairing for ETP and place reminder emails and calls
• Create and print completion certificates for all ESL, ETP, and CTP students and tutors and support graduation events
• Manage registration, student attendance, lesson plans, and communicate any issues to teachers and coordinators
• Continuously update data tracking documents for all programs for purposes of reporting
• Summarize and report program feedback collected through surveys to DOE on an ongoing basis
• Communicate any issues with DOE
• Other miscellaneous tasks, requested by DOE

Qualifications:
• Student must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student or a recent graduate. Area of study that may be a particularly good fit include education program (adult education, ESL, TESOL, secondary education), languages & culture studies, Latin American studies, social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related field.
• Previous teaching or tutoring experience (preferred), specifically ESL/Adult Education
• Cultural sensitivity and a love for working with diverse populations
• Work well in a team setting and think quickly on one’s feet
• Reliable and consistent, creative, detail-oriented, multi-task
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Computer proficiency requ ired (MS Office and Google Docs)
• Proficiency in a language in addition to English is extremely helpful but not required.

Time Commitment:
• 15 hrs. per week Tuesday through Thursday, for three to four months
• Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays with open availability needed for Thursdays
o EDU coordinator will need to be in office for ETP hours


To apply, please submit the following documents to Samantha Williams, AmeriCorps ACCESS Volunteer Coordinator, swilliams@ihclt.org. In the subject line, please indicate EDU Program Coordinator .
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter expressing interest in the position
3. Volunteer application, here
Legal Assistant Accepting applications, apply here
Program: Immigration Law Clinic
Interns will have the opportunity learn about immigration law and processes alongside the Immigration Law Clinic attorneys and paralegal. Interns will interact with and assist members of Charlotte’s rapidly growing immigrant and refugee population, gaining cross-cultural experience, knowledge of the immigration law, and understanding of the immigrant and refugee population needs. Interns will receive an ongoing supervision and training from the Legal Clinic team members. Interns interested in working in the field of immigration law and litigation, nonprofit work with immigrants and refugees, immigration advocacy and community organizing, public policies, and social work will additionally benefit from this experience. Interns will gain experience in office management, client services, client information management, and nonprofit management.

Areas interns will gain experience in include:
• Assist with new client intakes following outlined procedures
• Assist potential clients with inquiries about Law Clinic and its procedures
• Inquire about the status of client cases with the customer service office of US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) and update client records
• Manage client data as a step in preparing drafts of immigration documents
• Administer client files and legal documents
• Manage client appointment calendar
• Perform other tasks as needed, including occasionally assist with promotion and outreach for the programs and events offered by International House

Qualifications
• Student must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student or a recent graduate. Area of study that may be a particularly good fit include pre-law programs, paralegal studies, languages & culture studies, Latin American studies, social work, or a closely related field.
• Interest in immigration law
• Flexibility and commitment to help where needed
• Desire to work with immigrants
• Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Office and Google Docs)
• Excellent work ethic and communication skills
• Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic or French language highly desirable

Time Commitment
• Minimum of 12-15 hours per week, 9-5pm, Monday through Friday (at least one semester)
• Availability on at least one of these days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

To apply. , please submit the following documents to Samantha Williams, AmeriCorps ACCESS Volunteer Coordinator, swilliams@ihclt.org. In the subject line, please indicate Legal Assistant.
1. Resume
3. Volunteer application, here
Events and Social Media Accepting applications, apply here
Program: Volunteer Program
Interns will engage in experiential learning experience through which they will learn about the daily operations of a nonprofit manager. Interns will actively interact with staff and volunteers, gaining exposure to all aspects of recruitment, volunteer management and project management. Interns will also be given the opportunity to work on social media marketing and planning for International House. Interns will receive on-going training and supervision from the Volunteer Coordinator. Interns interested in working with a nonprofit or in the field of human resources, communications and marketing, or public relations will benefit from this experience. Interns will gain experience in project management, event planning/coordinating, community outreach, and fundraising. Additional skills that students will likely gain from this experience includes cross-cultural competence, interpersonal skills, written communication skills, social media and problem solving.

Areas interns will gain experience in include:
• Develop content for bi-monthly Volunteer E-Newsletter and other volunteer communication
• Assist with organization’s social media
• Assist with recruitment of volunteers by attending recruitment and other outreach events
• Communicate with community partners to promote volunteer opportunities and IH volunteer program
• Assist with fundraising and event planning activities
• Assist with volunteer retention activities
• Maintain volunteer emailing list in MailChimp and volunteer databases
• Perform other tasks as needed

Qualifications:
• Student must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student or a recent graduate. Area of study that may be a particularly good fit include nonprofit management, public relations, communication studies, human resources, or a closely related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literacy required (MS Office and Google Docs)
• Highly detailed-oriented and rigorous work ethic
• Self-motivated, creative
• Can work independently without constant supervision
• Reliability and consistency
• Cultural flexibility and a welcoming attitude towards people of all backgrounds

Time Commitment
• Minimum of 8-10 hours per week, Monday –Friday
• Minimum one semester (3-4 months)

To apply, please submit the following documents to Samantha Williams, AmeriCorps ACCESS Volunteer Coordinator, swilliams@ihclt.org. In the subject line, please indicate Volunteer Program & Social Media Assistant.
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Volunteer application, here
Home and Dinner Hosting
Program Background
A key part of citizen diplomacy is introducing the international visitors to American home-life and Charlotteans from all walks of life. International House offers home-hosting and dinner-hosting opportunities for people who live in the Charlotte area and are interested in getting to know the visitors on a personal level. Home hosts do just that - host the visitor at their residence for part of or the entire duration of their visit in Charlotte. Dinner hosts prepare a meal for a larger group of people in order to enjoy an evening of conversation with the visitors.
Contact:
Johnelle Causwell at jcauswell@ihclt.org or 704-342-2248 x121.
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IMPACT


 

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