NOTE #1: After reading this post, the best way to contact us about this is via our Volunteer Page, which includes information you need to decide if you wish to volunteer and for which organization. If you send us a tweet asking about this, we’ll end up asking you to do the same. We will get you in contact with the right people, IF POSSIBLE. Only long-term opportunities at the moment.
NOTE # 2: Since I published this post, we have received many emails. This is good and bad. Good that so many people are interested in volunteering. We are not a large organization with multiple staff, I’m it. I’m the staff. Which means, I’m the CEE, Chief of Everything in the Volunteer Coordination Department. Please follow instructions in Note #1.
When we came to Thailand, I had no idea I would become a self-designated “volunteer head-hunter.” I’m pretty good at the head hunting thing, as I did a lot of recruiting in my previous professional work years (Don’t gasp! You read correctly. I am a professional and managed a career that paid the bills. It’s true. Ask J!) I knew I’d do well to contribute to the community here, but had no idea this would be part of it.
I’m not complaining at all. I simply LOVE it.
I love that things just fell into place, like its meant to be. There are many other things I am doing behind the scenes for organizations, and I enjoy all that as well. I particularly enjoy being able to pair local organizations with talented, committed and passionate individuals. I get to meet, connect, network and bridge people to do what they enjoy doing; thus creating so many positive ripple effects from their lives to those they are helping or teaching. How can I not love that!
For example, I was able to connect two of my Twitter acquaintances, who eventually became great friends, Bessie of @OurOwnPath, and Sally of @UnbraveGirl, to teaching gigs with two local organizations. One of our new neighbors, a retired American, is now considering teaching Math at yet another organization. Another American, with whom we’ve become good friends with, has been teaching Math and will continue to do so indefinitely. I LOVE it. That’s just the beginning!
Enter as strangers, leave as Karaoke partners! Left to Right: Bessie, J, Me, & Sally
Lives will be touched. Life-long friendships will be formed.
I cannot imagine a more rewarding volunteer experience than connecting and bridging people (Side Note: J just informed me that “Connecting People” is Nokia’s slogan. Such a geek).
ME:
I evaluate organizations ‘endorsed’ by us here in Chiang Mai by meeting with those who are in charge of them.
I write about volunteer needs: I Facebook it, I Tweet it and hope, pray and beg that other like-minded people would help me RETWEET and SHARE the heck out of it too, to help me find qualified peeps to do more good.
I DO NOT CHARGE for my services.
I’m also NOT compensated by the organizations I help.
YOU:
For you as a volunteer, getting in the door is the first step. Once you’re in and are connected, what you do for the organization is up to both parties. You will have to prove to them that you are willing, able, reliable and committed. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. We call it ‘Win-Win!’
You’ll have choices of volunteer jobs (and possibly paid jobs) here in Southeast Asia. You’ll be pinching yourself wondering how the heck this happened. That’s what I do everyday!
For now, we have access to long-term opportunities only. Long-term = at least 2-3 months and in some cases, up to a year or longer. We’ are working on identifying short-term opportunities.
If you are planning on being in this part of the world anyway, and wherever you go you’ll need a living expense budget. Right? RIGHT! In Asia, as most travelers know, it is much cheaper than the west. So if you have the plane ticket, the living expenses figured-out and want to do volunteer work, it can happen.
If you’re coming to Chiang Mai, be sure to look up Team Chiang Mai on Facebook! We’re a fun bunch!
And here’s your chance to get in the door.
Join me and my family. Let’s “do good” together.
Message to M: “How wonderful it is that nobody need to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead
We Say NO to Status Quo.
Live Green. Live Small. Give Large. Take Little.
Take Notice. Take Action.
I am really glad to hear that you are involved with these kind of organizations. Although, I’m unsure unfortunately will I will be in Thailand, it’s definitely on the list and volunteering is definitely something I would be interested in doing there.
Now I know who I can contact for info! Keep the good going!
I love this post — it is so cool that you guys are helping people help people.
Definitely squirreling this post away for future reference.
Awesome how things have fallen into place and you are able to do something that you are truly passionate about and care about. I am back in Thailand now (in Krabi), hope to see you guys in Chiang Mai in the future and I will direct friends who inquire about volunteer opportunities in Chiang Mai to Team Chiang Mai.
Hope you are doing well!
Mark
This is really great and volunteering in Thailand again is something that I really want to do. Hopefully some time this year we’ll be able to make it happen! I want to be on Team Chiang Mai! =)
Hey team! I’m not looking to volunteer at the moment since my bf and I are dealing with the whole partner visa thing in Oz. ‘We have talked about spending time in SEAsia late 2011, early 2012, so hopefully you all are going to be around and helping out then
I would be interested in learning more about the types of paid work that might be available as well. Cheers 
Yea, Yea, and more Yea!!!!! I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity you’ve connected us with!! I’m loving my placement so far!
And it’s amazing all the help you’re providing to organizations – if for nothing else than just getting the word. I hope I get to meet more of the people you recruit!
Hugs A & Thanks for sharing your connecting skils. Muah!
It’s really great to see someone doing volunteer placements legitimately. Rather than the whole voluntourism industry which has sprung up and can become so exploitative of both the kids who pay for the services and the people the project is intended to do it. Thanks for sharing this.
Such a great thing you are doing in CM! I might need to hit you up soon so I can come back
Thanks everyone for your comments and support. I hope I can continue to do a good job at connecting the organizations in need and the reliable volunteers who wish to commit themselves to helping those orgs. I hope each of you reading this post will help me by spreading the words far and wide.
hey i havn’t had the pleasure as of yet/but i plan to do a stint in asia pretty soon!
cant wait to start doing something worthwhile/although i don’t even know what im gonna be doing yet/but i know im onto a good thing & cant wait ta give my time to a worthwhile cause while living my life to the max; at the same time:)you guys seen to have the nail pretty much on the head,
seem a like minded fun crew..,& hope to hook up with ya shortly
any tips or advice would be warmly welcomed from brian in not so warm & sunny dublin-ireland:)
Can’t wait until I join you guys in Thailand!
I am really looking for an opportunity to work as a volunteer and I think CM could be the right place. I got over two decades of working experience in the social development sector mainly working on livelihoods and poverty reduction.
I AM KEEN TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE AND HELP NEEDY PEOPLE.
Please advise.
Regards
Shahzad