Training Requirements

 The Peninsula Chapter is proud of its training program. Volunteers in past years have returned to tell us they felt incredibly prepared in country due to the thorough training they received by our chapter. In order to be fully prepared for important work in Latin America, it is critical (and expected) that volunteers attend all the training meetings, retreats, and functions. We try to make our training program interesting, fun, and above all, useful and informative toward preparing for the summer experience.

The goals of the Peninsula Chapter training program are to:

• Create a sense of community among Peninsula Volunteers, Parents, Trainers, and Board
• Empower young people to critically examine their world and find opportunities to make an impact
• Advance community development in the Bay Area through Service Learning efforts
• Foster multi-cultural understanding through education and cross-cultural experiences
• Prepare Volunteers to participate successfully in the AMIGOS Latin American summer program

• Assist Volunteers with fundraising efforts

Each month, the Peninsula Chapter holds one Volunteer meeting and one Parent & Volunteer meeting, and over the course of the school year, an additional 6 weekend retreats or day-long workshops. During these training events Volunteers will:

• participate in hands-on, experiential activities to practice critical skills
• give practice presentations on various educational topics
• assess the assets, resources, and opportunities in a community
• read about and discuss important social issues affecting people all over the world
• critically examine the role they play as AMIGOS volunteers
• identify and develop their strengths and skills

In addition, all Volunteers are required to participate in the Peninsula Chapter's service learning program. As part of this program volunteers will:

• design an individualized tutoring program for an elementary school student to provide academic assistance and serve as mentors (6 hours of tutoring required)
• be involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a Saturday morning educational program for elementary school students