As you consider participating in our Volunteer Program, keep in mind that the following steps will need to be completed as you prepare to embark on your volunteer experience. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

To conserve resources, Village Volunteers strives to be a paperless organization. Required paperwork should be submitted to the VV office electronically whenever possible.

Step 1: Complete and submit your Volunteer Application

Submit your online Volunteer Application. Be sure to review our Volunteer Program Policies carefully prior to beginning your application. The Village Volunteers staff will review your application, and you will be notified by email of your acceptance and placement within 5 days.

We recommend that you apply for our Volunteer Program 45 days before your anticipated departure to ensure that space is available in the placement of your choice, you have time to prepare, and you have obtained the necessary immunizations, visas, passport, etc. Contact our team. if you would like us to help you expedite your trip.

Step 2: Reserve your placement

Congratulations, you have been accepted to our Volunteer Program! To reserve your placement, please send a $100 USD deposit, noting your approximate travel dates, to:

Village Volunteers
5100 S. Dawson Street, Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98118
USA

Deposits can be made by check (preferred method) – made payable to Village Volunteers – or by credit card, paid securely online via PayPal.

Step 3: Review the Travel Preparation Documents

Once we have received your $100 deposit, we will send you a confirmation email. This email will also provide you with instructions for accessing the Travel Preparation Documents in the password protected area of our website. Instructions for accessing these documents can also be found in the FAQ page.

Review the Travel Preparation Documents carefully and early so you will be well prepared for your Volunteer Program!

Step 4: Book your flights and notify VV

We recommend that you book your flights approximately 6 weeks prior to the start of your Volunteer Program. The placement information in your acceptance email will indicate the time frame during which you have been accepted to volunteer. Because all Village Volunteers programs are customized, you are free to select your exact arrival and departure dates within this time frame.

When making your travel arrangements, be sure to reference our Making Your Travel Arrangements document. This document includes recommended airfare websites and important guidelines regarding the time of day when you should arrive and depart. (You will receive Making Your Travel Arrangements as an attachment to your acceptance email. You can also find this document in the Travel Preparation Documents section.)

Immediately after making your flight arrangements, email the following information to village@villagevolunteers.org:

Step 5: Obtain your passport and visa

Passports should be applied for approximately three months in advance. Be sure to check with your home country passport office for processing times prior to applying for your passport.

Visas may require one month to be processed. Be sure to check with the embassy of the country you will be visiting for the most current processing times prior to applying for your visa. Please also keep in mind that you will need your flight information before you can apply for a visa.

The following U.S. companies provide passport and visa expedite services: A Briggs and PassportsandVisas.com.

Step 6: Consult a travel physician for immunizations and health precautions

Village Volunteers cannot give advice regarding immunizations or other travel medications. You must consult a travel physician for this information.

Another useful resource for tips on how to stay healthy during your Volunteer Program is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Step 7: Submit your final payment

Shortly after we receive your flight information, we will send you an invoice. Please submit your final payment in US dollars by check, draft or money order, made payable to Village Volunteers. Payments should be mailed 3 weeks prior to your departure to:

Village Volunteers
5100 S Dawson St, Suite 202
Seattle, WA 98118
USA

Step 8: Submit your proof of travel health insurance

Travel health insurance is mandatory, and proof of coverage is required before departure. Please provide proof of coverage by email to volunteer@villagevolunteers.org 3 weeks prior to your departure.

For examples of companies that offer travel health insurance policies, visit our FAQ page.

Step 9: Submit your required volunteer paperwork

Please carefully review, sign, and submit the forms listed below which can be found in the Travel Preparation Documents page of the country in which you will be volunteering. These forms must be received in our office 3 weeks prior to your departure from your home country.

1. Volunteer Waiver

2. Volunteer Conduct Standards Form

3. Parental Consent Form (for volunteers 18-years-old and younger)

Step 10: Update your Emergency Contact List

From the My Village volunteer page, you can enter/edit your emergency contact list.

Step 11: Register with your home country embassy

Step 12: Carefully read The Model Volunteer

If you have not already done so, please be sure you have thoroughly read and understand The Model Volunteer.

Step 13: Stay in touch

We are always available to answer any of your questions as you prepare. Feel free to