Annual Conference Volunteers

Want an opportunity to attend the premier event for microenterprise development practitioners and industry stakeholders for free (a $1000 value)? Want to gain practical experience in the field of international development? Want to engage with some of the most innovative development organizations in the world such as ACCION, Aga Khan Foundation, CARE and Grameen? Then apply to volunteer for the 2012 SEEP Annual Conference!

Every year SEEP offers a platform for attendees to connect, engage, and learn more about the challenges and opportunities they face in reducing poverty and strengthening the industry. In 2011, the SEEP Annual Conference welcomed over 550 participants representing 225+ organizations and 70+ countries.

The theme of the 2012 SEEP Annual Conference is Building Inclusive Markets: Impact Through Financial and Enterprise Solutions. It will focus on innovations in financial services and enterprise development that address some of the most pressing barriers to meaningful inclusion. In particular, innovations that increase scale and impact are critical for expanding access to the basic tools of economic self-determination.

 

Volunteer Details:

All volunteer assignments will be fulfilled in Arlington, Virginia during the dates of the Conference (November 4-8, 2012) or during the set-up process immediately prior to the Conference (November 2-3, 2012). Volunteers must be fluent in English and those with additional language skills (French, Spanish) will be given priority.

Volunteers are required to work a minimum of one day equal to eight hours during the Conference. When not on assignment, volunteers may attend the other activities of the Conference.

In exchange, volunteers will be entitled to a waiver of one day of Conference registration fees. All other costs (housing, meals not provided during conference activities, airfare, incidental expenses) associated with participation in the Conference are the responsibility of the volunteer. Persons who accept a Volunteer assignment will be asked to sign an agreement indicating their acceptance of the assignment(s) and a guarantee to fulfill their assigned duties.

Volunteer assignments will be made based on the needs of the Conference. A partial listing of volunteer tasks includes:

• Registration. Volunteers will provide administrative/clerical support to the Conference registrar during the check-in of Conference participants.
• Information. Volunteers may need to provide information to participants about local attractions, places to eat, and other relevant Conference information. They will also provide assistance to participants in locating Conference meeting rooms and other hotel facilities.
• Conference Logistics. Volunteers will serve in a variety of capacities to support the on-site operations of the Conference. Some of these duties include stuffing and distributing Conference registration packets, distributing room signs to sessions, collecting tickets, and providing general administrative support
• Session Room Monitors. Volunteers will provide general assistance in the various workshop rooms, reporting any audio-visual equipment that is not working properly, alerting speakers to the time limits for presentations, distributing handouts, and possibly taking notes of session presentations.
• Local Residents: Local volunteers will provide general assistance to our international guests, including language assistance (may include attending part or all of other Conference activities to serve as a volunteer interpreter) or other assistance as needed.

Qualifications:

• Good organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel
• Strong work ethic; willing and able to perform all duties required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French highly desirable
• Experience for meeting and event planning: via telephone/video conference call and in-person
• Experience in managing databases and contact lists, a plus
• Aptitude for updating on-line content (websites) and experience with website navigation
• Easygoing manner, energetic, upbeat personality

Application Procedures:

Volunteer applicants must submit a written statement in English including the following information to Bethany Bengfort at bengfort@seepnetwork.org. Applicants who do not include ALL requested information may not be considered.

• Contact Information. Full name (First, Middle, Last), mailing address, day and evening phone numbers (include country/city/area codes), fax number and email address.
• Statement of Purpose. Please describe in 250 words or less any relevant experience in event management and reasons for attending the conference.
• Language skills. Include language and skill level in both written and oral.
• Availability. Please state your availability and/or any special conditions (travel arrangements) that would preclude you from serving in a volunteer capacity on a particular day/time of the Conference.
• Reference from an employer and/or professor who can support your application.

Applications will be accepted as long as volunteers are needed. Selected applicants will be notified of their acceptance on or before October 1, 2012.

 

Source: Seep