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AFS Structures –Global to Local. Service. 60 YEARS!!!!. 1947. 52 students to ten countries. AFS Bilateral Exchanges in 1970. Between 1947 and 1970 AFS exchanges continued to increase both in terms of participants and countries represented.
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60 YEARS!!!! 1947 52 students to ten countries
AFS Bilateral Exchanges in 1970 Between 1947 and 1970 AFS exchanges continued to increase both in terms of participants and countries represented. However, throughout that time all exchanges were to and from the United States and AFS continued to be administered centrally from New York as demonstrated by this graphic.
AFS Multilateral Exchange Today Today, the picture is quite different with exchanges occurring multilaterally between partners all over the world There are actually 1,341 exchange paths in the AFS network today and it is truly one of the most unique aspects of the AFS organization.
The AFS Partnership • In the mid 1980’sAFS faced financial difficulties. The centralized system of management was both costly and less effective The centralized structure was no longer appropriate in an organization striving for a more broadly based democratic approach. • By the late 80’sAFS moved to decentralize. Going forward each AFS country was to become a self-sustaining and separate organization incorporated within its own national context with individual Boards of Directors. A separate entity called AFS International was also established as the umbrella organization to the partnership. • At the start of the 90’sAustralia, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy followed by USA became the first countries to become independent partners. AFS USA and AFS International established separate offices in New York soon after.
Role of AFS International • Serves as the Financial Clearinghouse for all Partners • Maintains participant and organizational insurance to manage risks effectively. • Offers consulting services and training to Partners. • Monitors network activity and quality through collection of program data and a comprehensive system of customer service evaluations. • Provides leadership to the network • Board of Trustees • Management Council • PPWG • Maintains and promotes adherence to the AFS International Quality Program Standards.
The AFS International Board of Trustees • Most elected to 3 year terms • 18 members plus several “Life Trustees” who were ambulance drivers • 2 Trustees elected each year by BoT; 4 elected by Partners • Representation from around network • Mandate to govern AFS International
The AFS International Management Council • 10 members + President of AFS International • 6/10 elected from 10 largest Partners • 4/10 elected from remaining Partners • Makes policy decisions • Provides governance recommendations to the International Board of Trustees
The AFS International Program Policy Workgroup • 10 members + President of AFS International • 6/10 elected from 10 largest Partners • 4/10 elected from remaining Partners • Makes policy decisions • Provides governance recommendations to the International Board of Trustees
AFS USA Volunteer Structure AFS USA Board of Directors National Council National Volunteer Assembly Area Teams Unaffiliated Chapters Chapters Volunteers
Volunteers Thousands of individuals throughout the United States are engaged in the delivery of AFS programs. In order to be an AFS-USA volunteer, you must complete a formal volunteer registration process (including a criminal background check and acceptance of the AFS-USA volunteer agreement), abide by all AFS-USA program policies and procedures as well as the AFS-USA volunteer policy and respect the mission, vision and values in performing your duties. Volunteers will be trained, organized, managed and supported by assigned staff and/or fellow volunteers. • Volunteers are connected to the AFS-USA volunteer structure in the following ways: • Volunteers: Individuals who register to volunteer for AFS-USA. • Chapter Volunteers: Individuals who wish to volunteer their time with AFS as part of a local volunteer chapter. • Area Team Volunteers: Those individuals who are part of a chapter within an area team, or individuals who wish to volunteer for the area team but who are not necessarily connected to a chapter.
Chapters The local chapters are community-based volunteer groups that implement the AFS program by hosting and sending participants. Chapters can either be part of an Area Team or be “unaffiliated” • Chapter Criteria and Responsibilities • Minimum two volunteers willing to serve as Chair and Treasurer • Host and/or Send at least one student over a three year period • Complete annual Chartering process • Recruit and welcome participants, host families, and new volunteers to AFS • Provide the first line of orientation and program support for AFS participants • Build and maintain strong relationships with the local schools • Raise funds at the local level for local operations and scholarships
Area Teams Area Teams — made up of Local Chapters, and individuals in a geographic area defined by the team. Area teams must have a total of 40 or more inbound and outbound program participants combined. • Area Team Roles & and Responsibilities • Have at least two chartered chapters • Required positions include: Chairperson, Chairperson-Elect, and Treasurer • Have contact volunteers or coordinators for hosting, sending, support, and volunteer development • Oversee hosting placement and sending recruitment within the area team • Conduct or ensure all participants have required orientations • Have at least one annual meeting and hold elections for the AT Chair • Participate in annual assessment • Account for all local funds
National Volunteer Assembly Area Team and Unaffiliated Chapters send delegates to the National Volunteer Assembly each year to direct the organization toward pathways that contribute to the mission of AFS-USA, maintain the financial viability of the organization, and support our commitment to quality and promote growth. The delegates to the National Volunteer Assembly also elect volunteers to serve on the National Council. • Selection of Delegates • Area Teams will have one delegate to the NVA for each group of 40 program participants (hosting and sending combined). • Area Teams will have additional delegates for each additional group of 40 program participants. • The first Area Team delegate is the Area Team Chair, additional delegates are to be elected by the Area Team volunteers. • Unaffiliated chapters with fewer than 40 participants grouped together for the purpose of electing delegates to the NVA. • The National Council will determine the date and location of the National Volunteer Assembly each year.
National Council The National Council is comprised of 9 Volunteers elected by the delegates to the National Volunteer Assembly and is the volunteer policy-making body for program operations and volunteer governance of AFS-USA • Responsibilities • Organizational Planning and Oversight • Planning and implementation of the NVA • Oversee Volunteer Organizational Development and Structure • Oversee Program Quality • Ensure consistent volunteer communications
Board of Directors The Board is the ultimate governing body for AFS-USA. • Comprised of 3 -15 members, four of whom are current or former AFS-USA National Council members. • Approve overall strategy for the organization. • Ensure adherence to quality standards. • Raise funds. • Act as fiduciaries of AFS-USA
AFS-USA Staff The AFS USA staff works across four offices divided into nine functional areas. Each of the staff members who sit on the National Council heads up one of the nine functional areas.
AFS USA OFFICES New York St. Paul Portland National Service Center Regional Service Center Regional Service Center Baltimore Student Services Programs and Scholarships Regional Service Center
AFS-USA Staff Functions Kristen Bates Kerry McCollum Keri Dooley • Hosting • Regional Hosting Teams • Hosting Program Officer • Organizational Development • Human Resources • Volunteer Development • OD & Learning • Sponsored Programs • Inbound: YES, FLEX, CB, VTP, etc. • Outbound: YES, CB, NSLI • Faces of America Rick Landrum Helen Lowman • Sending • Regional Recruitment • Student Services • Programs and Scholarships • Intercultural Education and Quality • Support • Compliance • Visas • Orientation Content
AFS-USA Staff Functions Jorge Castro Marlene Baker Meryl Lewis • Administration • Finance • Grants • Field Finance • Budget • Travel and Logistics • Marketing and Communications • PR • Marketing Materials • Website • E-Marketing • Crisis Communications • IT • Network Administration • Programming • Business Analysis Michele Maw • Development • Annual Giving • Major Gifts • Corp/Foundation