VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION
Conflict Solutions International is a small, all-volunteer organization incorporated in the District of Columbia. It has a Board of Directors, which currently has five members. The Directors manage the corporation and tend to corporate, financial and legal matters. They have voting power. They are not necessarily involved in the specific activities of the corporation.
The directors appoint or elect a President and one or more deputies who run the activities and projects of the corporation. They also appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer.
CSI also has a Board of Advisors that currently has about 14 members in various countries. The job of the Advisors is generally to provide assistance when needed, recruit field contacts and serve as general liaison for studies or activities in the area where they are located. Advisors are appointed by the President and do not have voting power.
CSI functions in large part through the work of those in the Special Services Division which you can view under the Who We Are heading. They include a webmaster, an online editor, video production people, an events committee and others.
The backbone of CSI are its volunteers. Some are recognized on the webpage with a specific title or function. Others are simply involved in one or more tasks. If they want to be recognized in the webpage we encourage that.
CSI is actively looking for volunteers for many different activities both administrative and operational described below.
DETAILS OF VOLUNTEER WORK
The need for volunteers is mainly in two areas: Administration and Projects.
A) ADMINISTRATION
Even though CSI is a small organization, it still has many legal obligations. We are incorporated and are subject to corporate and tax filing requirements. We are part of the Combined Federal Campaign. We maintain a website which is in the process of being expanded as detailed below. As a professional organization in good standing, in addition to operational activities under our mandate, we also have to perform many administrative tasks. As the organization grows and our activities expand, we will benefit from a well managed corporation with a solid structure. The general administrative tasks are the following:
1) Bookkeeping and taxes (our treasurer is currently handling that);
2) Corporate filings ( the corporate Secretary is in charge of that);
3) Document management;
4) Website design and maintenance. We have a webmaster but we would need additional help to move things faster;
5) Fundraising. There are several types of fundraising. They include mail-in campaigns, grant writing, benefit events, search for in-kind donations, corporate sponsors and specific-projects sponsorship.;
6) Maintain mailing lists;
7) Monitor email and phone messages;
8) Legal issues. Various areas, including compliance with Patriot Act and related executive orders. ( The lawyers on the Board of Directors are handling that).
B) PROJECTS
Under 501©(3) we are essentially an educational organization. Our activities, however, can include a variety of areas, including action oriented operations such as overseas missions. Direct overseas activities are only possible through project sponsorship. The current focus of our local work is the study and publication of issues relating to human rights, conflict resolution and liberation and independence movements. We do so in the following ways.
1) Video and film. We have filmed many interviews with victims of human rights, leaders of liberation and independence movements and other individuals of interest in our field. We have many more planned for the next few months. Typically, CSI provides a host that introduces a guest. The guest gives a presentation or answers questions by our host. We upload most of the videos to our channel on Youtube, Current TV and other internet sites. We also have signed up with public access television in several areas, including DC and Arlington. If funding will permit, we are planning some documentaries and other TV shows in the future. Volunteers with video/audio skills are needed for filming and post-production. Specifically, we could use cameramen, a lighting and an audio person. Editing is also a skill which we are in great need of. We have some good hosts but can always use more. Good speakers are encouraged to get involved. We strive to give more people the opportunity to be on the air.
2) Radio. Most of the shows made for internet and television could also be used for radio. As of this writing, however, we have not explored radio options for our shows and would need volunteers to work on that.
3) Internet. Our new webpage is now an interactive site that features a submission link where the public can submit materials such as stories, pictures, links, articles and comments. The site also contains and open forum where viewers can sign in and automatically post their opinions in real time. The person who manages the interactive content needs some help. Also, we can use people with graphic skills for our general website and publication activities. We need to publish our videos on sites such as Al Gore’s Current TV, MySpace, FaceBook and other places. We need help to make that happen.
4) Public relations. Our educational and information work cannot be very effective without promotion. It is important that our shows and publications receive exposure through press coverage and outreach events. We need volunteers to help liaison with the press, develop fliers, new brochures, pamphlets and other promotional materials. Networking with both individuals and organizations is essential. It is not just a means to an end because it combines promotion with education and access to more activities and projects. But it is labor intensive and we need more people to do that. Events are a good way to reach out to the public. Volunteers can help expand our reach through expanded email lists, advertisements and in other creative ways.
5) Events. A few times a year we run outreach events. The purpose of these events is to conduct educational activities under our mandate, broaden the reach of the organization, fundraise, recruit volunteers and network. We usually feature speakers at these events followed by a social. The help we need is to plan and run the events. That includes: finding a suitable venue for the event, finding speakers, buying and preparing food, tending the bar, register guests and many other things that become necessary. We have an events committee but can always use more help.
6) Research. This is where most of our materials come from and is at the core of our operations. Over the years, people associated with CSI have developed relationships with individuals in the field. Those individuals can provide information, stories and access to other persons of interest to the organization. New research is mostly done through the internet. This field of activity provides many challenges but we do offer training to those who are seriously interested in participating.
The amount of work required of volunteers varies but in order for a match to make sense we need a minimum of 1-2 hours per week on average. That means that sometimes we get busier and we need more help but when work is slow in a given field the volunteers have much less to do. We do not encourage more than 5 hours per week because we understand that that is a commitment that is not sustainable over time. The most important thing for us is reliability. It takes us a lot of effort to train you and bring you in and we are glad to do it for those who want to stay for a while. We are very grateful for your time donation but please do not volunteer if you do not think you can keep it up. Those interested in volunteering can send us a message to info@csiorg.org.