Be The Change

Be The Change – Episode #14 The most important question you can ask about your own volunteer service is: What impact do I hope to make? Global Volunteers’ co-founder Michele Gran and board member Carol Conzelman explain how to truly help others, wage peace, and promote justice directly and appropriately. The "magic happens," says Michele, "when you wholeheartedly serve others. You can be significant in ways you've never imagined." You can truly change the world! Episode storytellers: Carol and Michele

Be The Change – Episode #13 In this episode, our storytellers talk about the transformative power of person-to-person service within their relationships as couples. They express in different ways how service strengthened their bond by allowing them to witness how they each care for and learn from others. Greg is clear about the value he derives from teamwork with his wife, Marcia. "Serving together as a couple affirms our belief in each other...we work well together.  Just sitting across the room from her and teaching...I really enjoy watching her work with children." Carol and Dean have extended their love of volunteering to groups of friends and couples to join them on their service programs. Together, the added perspectives expand their experience and deepens their understanding of local people, the culture and the joy of service.  "When we came home, we could share the experience over and over and over," says Dean. Even the "hard" lessons enhance understanding between a couple. Barbara, a physician des

Be The Change – Episode #12 Service to others is at its core is a selfless act. So many unexpected gifts stream from this one act - reciprocal benefits to the giver and receiver. Our storytellers address this dynamic head-on, describing how giving and receiving the gift of service has changed their lives. It's important to understand the true meaning of "gift" in this context. A gift, by definition, is "something given voluntarily without expectation of payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; a present." Michele Gran, Global Volunteers co-founder, sets the focus of the conversation: "There's so much richness, knowledge, and innovation in the communities where we work," she says. Describing community leaders as "Some of the most intelligent, resourceful, gifted people I've ever met in my life," she continues; "It's here you can observe how people can accomplish so much with so little," and have so much to give volunteers. In describing a celebra

Be The Change – Episode #11 We continue our conversations with Cindy, Lynn and Jeff:  What service projects impacted them the most, and how did those efforts ripple out across the community?  Jeff helped build a wall in a poverty-stricken family's home, and through his work, obtained insight unavailable to tourists and "average" travelers to Cuba. Cindy recalls four volunteers from Maui on her team on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation who joined to connect with other indigenous Americans.  To highlight their own culture, the group of four performed a traditional dance for elders at an assisted living center. Lynn connected her English-language student, whose dream is to fly airplanes, with a retired airline pilot on her volunteer team- widening the young man's vision of future possibilities. Episode storytellers: Jeff, Cindy, and Lynn

Be The Change – Episode #10 Three volunteers tell their own personal stories about what compelled them to serve in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pam, a long-time Vietnam team leader, is drawn to a particular service project more than others - helping young blind adults learn English to improve their limited future career opportunities.  Her motivation is close to her heart - and her story will make you reflect on the pivotal role we can each play in others' lives. Julie was most impressed by how the Vietnamese she worked with, living in poverty, welcomed her with joy and acceptance. She says: "I never expected the graciousness and the warmth" emanating toward team members from the local people. She came to realize that in their richness of spirit, that "they had everything and I had nothing." Joe reads the journal of his service program roommate, John, a Vietnam veteran who returned to Vietnam for the first time since he left in 1970 during the war.  "I needed to see it first-hand," says John. "I came back to do somethi

Be The Change – Episode #9 The world has gotten a lot "smaller" for most of us through technology, media and international tourism.  But, to truly achieve a global perspective, one must walk a more erstwhile path. It may sound contradictory, but often, slowing down can speed up learning. This episode explores the payback for taking time to reach out farther.  Giving back to the world in an intentional, relaxed way is a common draw for each of our storytellers.  The "call" for most Global Volunteers is to reach out farther - and demonstrate authentic care, intense interest, and an optimistic view of life. For Joe, the most compelling aspect of reaching out is the team dynamic around a common purpose.  He says "the most profound sense is... like you've known (team members) forever.  They're called to come together in this new place where you are." Mike says overcoming his introversion by "pushing on for two hours of small talk and conversion" through English lessons in Cuba created a comfortable commonality

Be The Change – Episode Eight You might be surprised by all that awaits south of the U.S. border. Mexico is a magnetic tourist destination - but more, the country draws volunteers motivated to make a difference in the lives of young adults preparing for a productive career. Seen from a humanitarian perspective, the small, hospitable town Global Volunteers serves is an enclave of dreamers and strivers alike. Senior and student volunteers especially are passionate about teaching conversational English on university campuses. Experienced Mexico travelers are gratified to engage the colorful culture through eager students.  Those who haven’t travelled to Mexico before are charmed by historic Querétaro, a safe and engaging destination. As a volunteer team leader, Pam leads individuals of all ages and walks of life on two-week journeys of service to Querétaro, Mexico with Global Volunteers.  It's a passion she's cultivated for over 17 years.  In fact, most of her volunteers return year after year, simply for the

Be The Change – Episode #7 Some of the greatest experiences in life occur when we let go of our pressing concerns and free our minds.  It's not easy to do - especially after you've paid thousands of dollars to travel to a new place to make a difference. But, experience tells us that both volunteers and local people benefit the most when they allow the natural rhythms of the service program to take over - and see the "magic" that occurs! In this episode, we listen to four storytellers describe experiences completely unique to them while serving others.  Cindy says "the opportunities to connect and volunteer alongside local people are so rich...there's nothing like getting to know someone," getting to know one another's families and finding common ground. Mike says unplugging from technology and daily life is unfamiliar at his age.  When he returned home, he missed this freedom from the business of life. The intensity of sharing a common goal brings about an intimacy that may not be possible without letting

Be The Change – Episode #6 Sometimes, "going home" isn't literal.  Connections between people within families - or across oceans - is what makes us feel accepted and comfortable.  Traveling with an open mind and heart can bring us "home" in many parts of the world. Our first storyteller, Mike, brings a youthful perspective on the impact of making a connection on an alternative spring break.  "Everyone has all these stories," he says.  To be able to hear them first-hand is a privilege. Elisa, another student, builds on this concept, but adds a deeper layer.  She served, she said, to experience her mother's and grandparents' homeland from the "inside" - a richer experience than a tourist trip. Seeing her ancestral family's house closed the loop in better understanding her culture. Marek returns to illustrate how some volunteers become "family" in his community by teaching English. "This is a very important part of my life, not only for me, but for my children and my wife."  Many, many families have benefitte

Be The Change – Episode #5 We might not always be aware of our expectations when they become integrated into our way of living life.  But, they certainly enhance or detract how we assess the lessons awaiting us. Our first storyteller, Gila, talks about serving in St. Lucia to celebrate a milestone birthday - "in honor and gratitude for her family."  To do so, she traveled with an open mind and heart to help teach mothers and their babies to relate better to each other.  She found that suspending her expectations provided her with "a perspective of gratitude" that helped her accomplish her goal for the trip! Lisa returns to explain how she employed a "beginner's mind" to approach each new experience - and allow the local students to guide her in sharing her teaching skills in the most productive way. Cindy relates one special time as she was preparing for her first Global Volunteers experience.  "I remember a sense of letting go," she said. "I was jumping into ambiguity." This, she says, is exhilarating, an

Be The Change – Episode #4 Continuing with an inside look at local culture, three of our storytellers return to reflect on life from a new perspective. Each volunteer sites how Global Volunteers programs immerse them in daily life, exposing the true nature of a community. Lynn returns in this episode to describe the generosity of people in Crete who, although they owned little themselves, gave generosity to help Syrian refugees at a time when it was very unpopular to do so. "They said, we're going to help these people, because they're human, and it's the right thing to do." She enjoyed an equally engaging spirit of unity in Cuba, living with local people - and basking in their hospitality and genuine appreciation for the team's contributions. Evan continues her story about volunteering in Romania.  She notes the lasting impression that volunteers make in their host community:  "It's very much a relationship business," she says. The impact is obvious to local people, she continues:  "It breaks down the barri

Be The Change – Episode #3 In our third episode, each of our storytellers recalls one moment in service that they carry with them still today. These are singular perspectives gained in Cuba, Crete, Romania and Tanzania that turned their heads and made them think about how important one individual can be on a volunteer team. Our first storyteller is Jeff, who talks about service as a channel for understanding and friendship, and says one seemingly ordinary moment pulled it all together for him in a most extraordinary way. Lynn tells a touching story about helping a young, withdrawn student blossom by taking a personal interest in his musical skill.  The personal connection that resulted typifies the mutual benefit of genuine service. Caring for abandoned and disabled babies and toddlers has become Evan's calling. But, in a pediatric hospital ward in Romania, Evan said a breakthrough moment between an autistic child and a talented volunteer left her breathless. Lisa returns with a follow-up to her story in

Be The Change - Episode #2 Our second episode looks closely at the way a single moment - or a stream of moments can "flip the switch" in our minds  - leading to life-altering awareness.  "Why are people in America and Europe discovering a lot of things, and we're discovering nothing?" he asks.  "One volunteer brings a lot of change," he asserts. This episode begins with Kate, who describes the emerging consciousness that occurred on each of her service programs - beginning with a new perspective on a transition period in her own life, to "trying out things bite-sized" to help define what's waiting for her ahead. The second story is from Ken, who looks back over the first week of each of his service programs to see the ways his teammates "are really different people" than they were at the beginning of the program. Stephanie, our third guest is a self-described "go-getter" who learned that sometimes the best way to help is to go with the flow.  A great change in her personal "style" leads to surprising reali

Be The Change - Episode #1 What happens when you take a risk and dive deeper into experiences, testing your boundaries or challenging your assumptions? We inaugurate this podcast series with the vision of our long-term host partner in Tanzania, Bishop Dr. Owdenberg Mdegella, and his open invitation to to help him serve his people in ways that might seem like a leap of faith.  "Why are people in America and Europe discovering a lot of things, and we're discovering nothing?" he asks suppositionally. What is missing in the equation that we can change together? "One volunteer brings a lot of change," he asserts.  It is his life's work, and our partnership with him for over three decades, that inspire us to share these stories of service. This episode begins with Lisa, who with her daughter Maya, pursues an ambition to "replace talking with doing" to help children who struggle, and returns home with a changed perspective of her role in Maya's developing world view. In our second story, Bishop Mdegella counsels u