CISV Brandywine Valley

CISV educates and inspires action for a more just and peaceful world.

Leader Opportunities

To apply, download and complete the Leader Application packet. Detailed instructions on how to apply are within the packet.

Mark these dates on your calendar (events are mandatory):

December 31, 2024: Application deadline.

January 24-26, 2025: CISV Brandywine Valley chapter mini-camp (CMC) in Chester County. All applicants are required to attend this local event. (Parents: we encourage you to be a chaperone at our CMC so you can get a firsthand look at what a CISV camp is like.)

February 1, 2025: In-person selection interviews. All applicants are required to meet with our selection committee.

If you are not sure whether being a leader is for you, consider reading: Leading a CISV Delegation: The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.

Most CISV programs are designed for the children, but they also provide very educational, enlightening experience for the adults. Adult leaders play a key role in Village, Youth Meeting, and Step Up.

In a Village, the team of leaders, along with the junior counselors, carry out the day-to-day program of the camp, planning the activities and shaping the experience for the 11-year-old participants. In a Step Up (formerly Summer Camp), the leader’s role is more akin to that of a facilitator, as the participants themselves plan the camp’s activities with the guidance of the adult leaders.

While the leaders focus much of their energy on enriching the children’s experience during the day, the late-evening hours provide time for the leaders to have their own CISV experience. After hours, activities are often arranged to enhance cultural understanding among the twenty or more adults who facilitate the program for the children. Just like the children, the adult leaders form lasting friendships with their colleagues from around the world.

A leader’s day is full; in addition to facilitating thought-provoking activities and connecting with their delegates during the day, they do spend considerable time in the evening debriefing and planning for the next day’s fun as well as connecting with other leaders to problem-solve and learn about each other. Leaders do get time off from the camp, and they can spend a day off-site to explore the local community or just decide to get some needed down time off reading or relaxing in their own way. In the Village program, the middle weekend of the month allows the leaders to get some relaxation time together as a group while the children stay with host families.

LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES:

CISV Leader Responsibilities.

  1. Be willing to acquire a thorough knowledge of CISV, and adhere to the goals and philosophy of the organization.
  2. Exhibit behavior that is mature, responsible, and appropriate in keeping with the CISV philosophy and the role of leader for youth.
  3. Attend and participate fully in the mandatory local and National Leadership Workshops preceding the CISV program  (if a selected leader does not attend these workshops, the Chapter is required to cancel that selection and fill the position with an individual who does attend them.)
  4. Pay any dues or fees required by the Chapter within a month after selection.
  5. Develop good rapport with all the program participants and their families promoting a group feeling among them.
  6. Be responsible for seeing that forms required by CISV (including those required of child-delegates as well as those required of the leader) are completed properly and submitted on time.
  7. Respond to pre-program communications, complying with requests and time-frames.
  8. Take responsibility for overseeing travel preparations:
  9. Be aware and communicate any health problems the children or other adults may have, be able to deal with such problems if they arise and be able to assist any host families or program staff in dealing with such problems.
  10. Be able to give a general accounting of group monies, and specific accounting of emergency monies to Chapter/families.
  11. Keep the Chapter contact person informed about plans of the delegation or individual and progress toward readiness for the experience.
  12. Plan and conduct at least one post-program activity with the participants and their families.
  13. Be receptive to suggestions from CISV – local, National, and International.
  14. Promote CISV whenever possible.
  15. Remain active in the Chapter for the year immediately after the CISV program.

Qualifications

Adult Leaders for all CISV programs are volunteers who are carefully selected and trained. The primary qualifications, in addition to being 21 years of age or older, are a love for working with children, a belief in the philosophy of CISV, some travel experience, and the flexibility and maturity necessary to lead a delegation of energetic young people.

Leaders meet frequently with their delegations to prepare them for the CISV program experience. The leader provides the catalyst that allows the delegation to bond as a cohesive group of friends with a common purpose. Preparing leaders through extensive local and National training is a strict CISV requirement. Volunteer leaders include teachers, parents, clergy, business professionals, graduate students, and others.

This is a “volunteer” position. What are the costs involved?

The leader is responsible for membership dues for the Brandywine Valley Chapter paid upon selection and personal expenses.  Your training fees, travel costs, food, and lodging during the program are paid by CISV.

What is the time commitment?

The CISV programs are between two to four weeks, depending on the program.  In addition to the program time, leaders:

  • Typically meet 5-6 times prior to traveling with the delegates and their families.
  • Must attend training about the organization and program over a weekend.
  • Organizational work to prepare the delegation for travel.

What are the requirements to apply?

  • Be willing to acquire a thorough knowledge of CISV, and adhere to the goals and philosophy of the organization.
  • Exhibit behavior that is mature, responsible, and appropriate in keeping with the CISV philosophy and the role of leader for youth.

How are leaders selected?

  • Applicants are requested to submit form for the application and background checks.  Two references are required. See links below.
  • The chapter will conduct personal interviews of the applicants.
  • The applicant must pass background checks.

What are my responsibilities before the program?

  • Attend and participate fully in the mandatory local and National Leadership Workshops preceding the CISV program.
  • Develop good rapport with all the program participants and their families promoting a group feeling among them.
  • Seeing that the forms required by CISV (including those required of child-delegates as well as those required of the leader) are completed properly and submitted on time.
  • Respond to pre-program communications, complying with requests and time-frames.
  • Take responsibility for overseeing travel preparations: 
    – Getting your passport (and visa, if required) in good time. 
    – Obtaining information about required immunizations, and ensuring that the group has acquired those.
  • Be receptive to suggestions from CISV – local, National, and International.
  • Keep the Chapter contact person informed about plans of the delegation or individual and progress toward readiness for the experience.

What are my responsibilities during the program?

  • First and foremost, fully participate and engage your delegation in the CISV program, working with the program staff and other delegation leaders.
  • Be aware of and communicate any health problems the children or other adults may have, be able to deal with such problems if they arise and be able to assist any host families or program staff in dealing with such problems.
  • Be able to give a general accounting of group monies and specific accounting of emergency monies to Chapter/families.

What are my responsibilities after the program?

Through the immersion in cross-cultural program activities, both delegates and leaders frequently have an awe-inspiring experience that can alter how they view the world. Follow-up after the program is a key component.

  • Plan and conduct at least one post-program activity with the participants and their families.
  • Your remaining active in the Chapter for the year immediately after the CISV program is beneficial to the delegates in the on-going Junior Branch.
  • Promote CISV whenever possible.
  • Keep in touch with your new CISV friends from all over the world!