Shoppers Guide

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Don't overlook small organizations:

With so many volunteer groups to choose from, the appeal of bigger, more-established (and pricier) organizations like Cross-Cultural Solutions, i-to-i, Earthwatch, or Global Volunteers is easy to understand. They’re safe. “They do what they do really well, and they’ve got it down pat,” says Doug Cutchins, one of the co-authors of Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others.

But sometimes the more rewarding experiences come from smaller, lesser-known groups, says David L. Clemmons, who offers expert advice on his site Voluntourism.org.  Clemmons points to organizations like Conservation VIP, Conscious Journeys, Go Differently, North By Northeast Tours, and Voluntourists Without Borders, which typically work in no more than a handful of countries.
“You’ll likely be traveling with the founder of the trip,” says Clemmons. “You get to hear the stories of what it is has been like to put it all together–the heartaches, the triumphs, the mistakes, the brilliant ideas.  It’s like riding with Henry Ford in the first car he built. What could be more exciting?”

Your dollars also have a bigger impact with a small group, says Clemmons, since the organization has fewer overhead expenses, and the volunteers tend to be more adventurous and travel savvy.  “They did some serious due diligence to come across one of these organizations, or it was a word-of-mouth referral from the creator,” says Clemmons.  “There’s a positive attitude.  You probably won’t hear something like, ‘Well, this wasn’t in the literature about this trip.’”

That’s the upside.  How can you make sure a small organization is equipped to follow through on its promises?  Step one: look for non-profits, says Clemmons. Most non-profits will have to be registered with a governing body–the IRS, for example­–and other countries have similar entities for. You can also check up on them at sites like Guidestar.org or GlobalGiving.com.

If you’re considering a small for-profit organization or a tour operator, Clemmons suggests contacting tourism authorities or the governing bodies that represent those groups–the U.S. Tour Operator Association, Pacific Asian Tour Association, etc.–to see if they have information on the company. Have there been any complaints?  Any reports of impropriety?

Watch for warning signs:

In 2007, Clemmons received a letter from an angry traveler who was complaining about her experience.  The woman, a college student, was looking for “a cheap volunteer program,” which is exactly what she got.  Among her grievances: no running water in the dorms for over a week, no working toilets or showers, and promises that weren’t kept–from the placement (she was supposed to work in a hospital but was abruptly placed in a school) to dinners (supposedly covered by the program fee but never provided).  She was led to believe that the organization was a non-profit, then found out it wasn’t.

The volunteer missed several warning signs that this outfit was run more like the Three Stooges than 3M.  According to Clemmons, the following actions might save you from similar problems:
* Find out how long an operation has been in existence. “If you cannot find this somewhere on a web site, or in printed literature, stay away,” says Clemmons.  A new group may be just fine, but they’re more likely to working out the kinks of their program.
* Realize that you may not get “true” answers from the company that you contact.  If you can’t find information about the organization in articles or from other sources–if you’re going to Thailand and the local tourist authority has never heard of the group–this should be a clue that the organization is bit, well … mysterious.
* Be aware: just became a web site has a “.org” address, doesn’t mean the organization is non-profit. If working for a non-profit is important to you, ask to see a 990 Form or an annual report.

Expect good customer service:

A voluntourism trip in a third-world country is obviously not the same experience as a therapeutic massage weekend at a world-class spa.  But the lack of pampering and plush five-star accommodations is no excuse for poor customer service.  “The idea that ‘roughing it’ during a voluntourism trip means that customer service and hospitality are expendable is a pitfall that numerous non-profit organizations fall into,” says Clemmons.  If an organization dodges your questions or doesn’t respond to phone calls or e-mails in a timely manner, consider it a clear warning sign.  “Most organizations are small and understaffed,” adds Cutchins, “but they should still be professional.”
That work ethic applies to you, as well.  Take a business-like approach to the search process and you’ll have a much more gratifying experience.
“International volunteering is like taking on a real job,” says Hindle.  “If you approach it any less seriously there’s a greater chance that you’ll be disappointed.”

To read about Ken Budd’s experiences as a voluntourist in Costa Rica, go to www.aarpmagazine.org/travel/virtuous_vacation_costa_rica.html

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