CISV Pittsburgh

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

Leader Information

If you are interested in volunteering with CISV during the year, or would like to keep in touch about leader opportunities, please sign up for our newsletter.

Learn about our programs.

Apply now – find our application page here.

Or Email the Pittsburgh chapter president to let us know you’re interested in being a leader, and we can schedule a time to talk to learn more.

Most CISV programs are designed for children, but they also provide very educational, enlightening experiences for adults. Adult leaders, age 21 or older, play a key role in all CISV Programs.

Leaders are needed for the following programs:

In a Village, the team of 12 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 and Youth Meeting, 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 participants, 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 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 downtime 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.

Qualifications

Adult Leaders for all CISV programs 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 must exhibit behavior that is mature, responsible, and appropriate at all times.

Leaders meet with their delegations several times to prepare them for the CISV program experience and get to know each other. 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. Leaders can be teachers, parents, clergy, business professionals, graduate students, and others.

What are the costs involved?

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 three to four weeks, depending on the program.  In addition to the program time, leaders:

  • Typically meet 4-5 times prior to traveling with the delegates and their families.
  • Must attend two training sessions about the organization and program.
  • Prepare the delegation for travel.

How are leaders selected?

What are my responsibilities before the program?

  • Attend and participate fully in the mandatory local training day (details TBA) in Pittsburgh and national training (details TBA).
  • Be willing to acquire a thorough knowledge of CISV, and adhere to the goals and philosophy of the organization. 
  • Develop a good rapport with all the program participants and their families promoting a group feeling among them.
  • See 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.
  • Get your passport (and visa, if required) in good time and ensure that you and the group have acquired any required immunizations.
  • 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 the chapter and families.

What are my responsibilities after the program?

Through 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 ongoing Junior Branch.
  • Promote CISV whenever possible.
  • Keep in touch with your new CISV friends from all over the world!

This all sounds very interesting but I want to talk to somebody first. 

Email pittsburgh@cisvusa.org. We can also put you in touch with past leaders.