VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK

RISING MINDS’

MISSIONFounded in October 2006, Rising Minds is a US-based, 501 ©

3, non-profit organization that works to bridge cultural, eco-

nomic, and developmental gaps through the integration of ed-

ucation, awareness, and action. We aim to inspire locally com-

mitted and globally active leaders through personalizing com-

plex global issues, empowering proactive change-makers, and

facilitating contextualized educational outreach

RISING MINDS’

GOALSTo develop and maintain progressive international partnerships

that are mutually beneficial and emotionally powerful.

To support and facilitate educational programs aimed at com-

munity involvement and the formation of locally committed

and globally active leaders.

To nurture cross-cultural relationships within local communi-

ties, joining people from all races, beliefs, and backgrounds.

To collaborate with local organizations and entrepreneurs to

support sustainable and equitable development.

To encourage personal growth and empowerment through

hands-on, experiential learning programs.

To contextualize learning, cultivate awareness, and personalize

global issues in an engaging and active setting for students, vol-

unteers, and travelers.

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RISING MINDS’

GOALS

Rising Minds’

ore PracticesC

Rising Minds is not a

hand-out charity.

Rising Minds Rising Minds forms international

partnerships based on exchange,

not charity. Our partnerships il-

luminate the fact that we all

have as much to learn from one

another as we do to offer.

Through hand- ups, as opposed

to hand-outsto hand-outs, Rising Minds‘ in-

volvement promotes empower-

ment, fosters accountability, and

contextualizes differences. Any

and all material or monetary

support involves a form of

checks and balances, and strate

gic planning so as to not perpet-

uate dependence

Our initiatives are empower-

ing, replicable and communi-

ty-driven.

Rising Minds’ initiatives involve local

communities in identifying and ad-

dressing their own needs in envi-

ronmentally-conscious and replica-

ble ways. We do not believe it is

our place to tell others what they

need, nor how they should live, but

instead utilize an exchange-based

approach, sharing ideas and work-

ing with, rather then for, communi-

ties

Rising Minds’ budget is

100% transparent.

WWe are a small, grassroots orga-

nization that gives volunteers

and donors a personal connec-

tion to what they are support-

ing. We can account for every

dollar donated. We keep our

overhead as low as possible to

ensure that donations are being

put to appropriate use. If you

are interested in how our

budget is distributed or have

questions please feel free to

contact Courtney at

risingminds@gmail.com.

Rising Minds facilitates in-

ternational involvement for

partner programs.

With the belief that the most

sustainable and effective pro-

grams are started by local initia-

tives, we recognize that it is not

our place to spearhead change

in international communities.

Where it is, is on an interper

sonal level. Rising Minds aims to

transform the way that interna-

tional relations happen so as to

better support proactive, sus-

tainable development. Our in-

volvement is empowering, re-

spectful, personal, and conscious

so as to not overstep cultural

boundaries, nor underestimate

our abilities to have positive im-

pacts. Our programs interweave

cultural immersion, service, and

transference, so as to make last-

ing connections and meaningful

change in both home and inter-

national communities

RISING MINDSVOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Rising Minds offers a variety of volunteer opportunities around Lake Atitlan –

ranging from sustainable construction involvement to teaching English, and

beyond. We have developed 14 community partnerships with locally founded

and locally run community-based cooperatives and educational programs, of-

fering on-the-ground developmental support. Rising Minds highly values volun-

teers’ interests, passions, and skills by creating a space for them to personalize

their role. Our volunteer program is aimed at providing cross-cultural dialog,

supporting local communities, and empowering both Guatemalans and visitors

so as to address social, economic, and environmental needs.

The foundation of all of our work is empowerment. It is with our greatest in-

tentions that we have developed a no-cost volunteer program that empow-

ers as well as educates. Rising Minds gives you an opportunity to share as

well as experience, and, most importantly, allows you to be valued, proactive,

and supported

We hope to attract volunteers who are more interested in sharing their time with us than

giving their time to us. People who come to participate and not to observe. People that will

see that something needs to get done and do it before they are asked. People that have an

open mind and an open heart. People that understand that change is made over time and

doesn’t happen overnight. People that are able to recognize the best intentions of situations

and use that as a basis to overcome issues. Our volunteers are a crucial part of our team, and

essential part of our outreach program.

We hope to attract volunteers who are more interested in sharing their time with us than

giving their time to us. People who come to participate and not to observe. People that will

see that something needs to get done and do it before they are asked. People that have an

open mind and an open heart. People that understand that change is made over time and

doesn’t happen overnight. People that are able to recognize the best intentions of situations

and use that as a basis to overcome issues. Our volunteers are a crucial part of our team, and

essential part of our outreach program.

BREAKDOWNVOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Aimed to empower volunteers and

personalize their role, Mano y Mano

projects are individually designed activ-

ities that volunteers share at their ser-

vice site. Volunteers are supported in

the creation of their projects with a 1

on 1 meeting with our volunteer coor

dinator and through the completion of

a project outline form.  Mano y Mano

projects create the space for volun-

teers to create their own role and

contribute to the growth and develop-

ment of our partner organizations

Mano y Mano

Project

PROCESS:

O Program orientation

O A meeting with our volunteer coordinator

O Completion of project outline form

EXAMPLE:

O Passionate about music? Create musical in-

struments out of recycled materials and host a

concert for our youth leadership program.

Every volunteer comes with their

own unique set of skills and interests.  

As a part of our on-the-ground de-

velopment support we help address

needs that our partner organizations

have presented.  This wide-range of

opportunities assure that each volun-

teer is able to find a placement that

is in need of their skills.  These rec-

ognized needs can be found under

the specific partner organization de-

scriptions

Paso y Paso

Projects

PROCESS:

O Partner orientation

O A meeting with our volunteer coordinator

O Personalized project deadlines

O Project testimonial

EXAMPLE:

O Visit a new village on the lake and create a

town profile of it’s economic, cultural and geo-

graphic significance.

We are living in a global society. A world that needs to personalize our global con-nection.  A world that needs people like you! After traveling, living in different and unfamiliar areas, you become an ambassa-dor for what you experienced. It then be-comes (what we believe is) your responsibility to do something! It’s incredibly im-portant that your experience doesn’t end with you.  Transference projects are a way in which all of our volunteers bring their learning home so as to personalize educa-tional outreach and affect change in their home communities

TransferenceProject

PROCESS:O Completion of project outline formO A meeting with our volunteer coordinatorO Email contact with Rising Minds Staff member

EXAMPLES:O Host a fundraising eventO Start a Rising Minds college club O Support the bracelet initiative

As a volunteer, what you experience on a daily basis

is evolving. We have created a space for you to share

your experiences to not only help in our communi-

cation outreach but also give you a chance to share

your most profound moment of the day. Naturally,

communication outreach is essential for the sustain-

ability, growth, and reach of our programs. What you

have to say matters. This is a chance to make your

experiences have an impact on a daily basis. We have

created a volunteer blog that we would like you to

post short updates on. The twitter account should

be a one-line highlight, while the blog can be some-

thing more that summarizes your experiences and

learning. These daily overviews may be used to not

only for inter-organizational communication, but also

may be included in our promotional materials (such

as monthly mass emails, thank you letter excerpts,

website narratives, blogspots, newsletters, etc).

Communication

Outreach

PROCESS:

O Sign-up during weekly meeting

Feedback is essential for any

growing organization; and who

better to receive feedback

from than people that are in-

volved? All volunteers are

asked to complete a feedback

form outlining five basic ques-

tions. These forms serve as in-

credible tools for the develop-

ment of our program

Feedback

PROCESS:

O Our Volunteer Coordinator will email the

file to you.

O Complete form before you leave.

All volunteers are asked to

write a reflection of their expe-

rience. These reflections/testi-

monies should highlight general

impressions, most significant

learnings, and your overall expe-

rience. These testimonies could

be used on our website, and are

certainly used for the develop-

ment of volunteer programs.

PROCESS:

O Write before you leave.

Reflection of

Experience/Testimony

Before volunteers go

home we ask that you

send out a mass email to

your friends and family

sharing your experience.

This is an essential step in

personalizing outreach and

initializing pinitializing proactive com-

munication

Email Blast

PROCESS:

O Write before you leave.

O CC RisingMinds@gmail.com and

RisingMinds.Volunteer@gmail.com

EXPECTATIONSVOLUNTEER PROGRAM

get oriented

Get a feel for the program. Meet the people involved. Un-derstand the daily flow. See our mission and passions in action. Your first day should be treated as a day for orientation and in-troduction.

We could not be more thrilled that you have decided to volun-teer with us. With that, we hope that you take your role and re-sponsibilities as a volunteer seri-ously. During your first one-on-one meeting with our Volunteer Coordinator you will create your volunteer schedule, outlining what responsibilities you will take on and days that you will work.

It’s tremendously important that you stick to what you commit to, not only for your own per-sonal experience, but also for the integrity of our organization. If you cannot make it, for what-ever reason, it is expected that you communicate with our vol-unteer coordinator

create your schedule

While there are many cultural

differences that color, intensify,

and provide meaning to our

cross-cultural interactions and

experiences, all too often for-

eigners play into and perpetuate

cultural stereotypes; romanticiz-

ing what's different and losing

grasp of what's real. These

create exploitative stereotypes

where all too often

Guatemalans are seen as victims.

When you play into these ste-

reotypes you’re giving value to

the poverty, for example, which

encourages people to maintain

the appearance of poverty,

which doesn't allow interactions

to be honest or deto be honest or development to

be meaningful. 

immerse yourself

We are a small grassroots

non-profit that is always striving

to improve and to help facilitate

the best experience and inter-

actions possible for all involved.

If there is ever a time that you

feel unsupported, or just have

genegeneral feedback, please speak

up. Open communication is

something you can expect from

our Volunteer Coordinator, and

something we expect from you.

enjoy your experience

WE ASK

YOU

TO

PLEASE

PLEASE

Be engagedQuestion peoplQuestion people. Question situations. Question yourself. Get to know people through unassuming conversations. Come to understand situations through critical assessment and proactive involve-ment. Examine why you feel the way you do, where your thoughts are rooted, what kind of beliefs you have, and what kind of biases you bring to each situ-ation and conversation. 

Be originalCritically assess what you experience, what youobserve, and how your involvement is going to be meaningful, effective, and proactive.

Be proactiveDon't romanticize or victimize people, or situations of which you have no first-hand knowledge or ex-perience.

Be realWWe love that we attract a wide-diversity of volun-teers, with different styles and lifestyles. While we wholly embrace and appreciate the uniqueness of each of you, in order to maintain respectful partner-ships we ask that you all be aware of how your ac-tions could be interpreted. Basic things to consider are your dress and behavior while at your service site and within the surrounding communities. Gua-temala is a small place, and just like any small place, everyone knows everyone, everyone knows what’s going on (whether you think so or not). During your time as a volunteer please refrain from using drugs (including marijuana), drinking in excess in public areas, smoking in public in the communities in which we work, and wearing clothing that you wouldn’t wear in front of a conservative grand-mother.

Be considerateRising Minds is Rising Minds is working to reform international rela-

tions and the way that aid happens is through pro-

grams and partnerships that empower rather than

provide. As noted numerous times throughout this

handbook we are not a charity that gives money or

materials to initiatives, but rather an organization that

helps create a strategic, sustainable way for organiza

tions to generate their own means.

We implore that if you are interested in donating, or-

ganizing, or remaining involved with the organizations

with which we work, please communicate with us di-

rectly first. Otherwise, we risk jeopardizing and/or un-

dermining our relationship with our partner organiza-

tions. If you have any questions please contact Court-

ney (risingminds@gmail.com/978.633.7155)

GUATEMALA-BASEDINITIATIVES

ising Minds’ Sustainable Construction initiatives exemplify the mission and community development work of Rising Minds. Working with community partners, we employ creative strategies to address environmental degradation and building needs, all while strengthening the voice and involvement of program mem-bers. Anyone can build a school, a playground, or a community center ; it’s not about what we are doing, but rather how we are doing it. Our partners identify the need, and together we address it. Our partners provide many of the free and llow-cost raw materials for the building, as well as hands-on labor. Rising Minds pro-vides the technical assistance and a team of volunteers to work side by side with our partner program until the construcon is complete. Rising Minds’ sustainable construction program utilizes alternative building materials, such as old tires and/or

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Sustainable Construction For Communities, By Communities

trash-stuffed bottles, to lessen costs and keep trash out of the waterways. The lower cost of building materials and the low-tech means of building assure that the techniques we use could be replicated by members of our partner programs without our further involvement, thereby decreasing foreign dependence.

Volunteer: Help build a school from bottles or a playground from used tires.  Contact Rising Minds about our current building schedule.  Mano y Mano:Mano y Mano: Have construction or engineering experience?  Help design a proj-ect.     Paso y Paso: Edit footage and create a film to document the process of sustain-able construction.

ising Minds works with small businesses/cooperatives to

promote sustainable business practices, community involve-

ment, and transparency.  Rising Minds meets small businesses

half-way, providing on the ground developmental support in the

form of trainings, increased employment opportunities, and, in

some cases, microloans. Rising Minds’ supports each business to

reach their own respective potential, in a way that caters to the

needsneeds, desires and drive of those involved.

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Small Business Development Providing hand-ups as opposed to hand-outs

Volunteer: Help teach small business development classes to a

women’s cooperative.

Paso y Paso: Conduct interview with local artisans to create an

educational handout  about their life and work.

ising Minds is providing seeds, teamed with nutritional trainings, to

women in the Guatemalan Highlands so as to lessen food expenses

and confront malnutrition. For many Guatemalans food is the primary ex-

pense. Malnutrition is a significant health threat in rural Guatemala, and ac-

cording to the World Health Association as many as 68% of indigenous

children are chronically malnourished. Although corn and beans are com-

monly grown, the lack of availability of seeds is commonly cited as a

reason for the lack of additional vegetable gardens. By combining nutri-

tional trainings with the actual seeds, families will not only have the

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Seed ProjectUsing education and seeds to tackle malnutrition

materials needed to lower their food costs and reduce malnutrition, but

also be armed with the knowledge of why eating a balanced diet of

fruits and vegetables is important.

Volunteer: Help women plant seeds in a community garden.

Mano y Mano: Teach a cooking class on how to incorporate more greens

into Guatemalan cooking.

PPaso y Paso: Create an educational poster on the nutritional values of dif-

ferent fruits and vegetables.

ising Minds’ Youth Leadership Program promotes critical thinking, creative

expression and community involvement amongst the youngest in the sur-

rounding villages around Lake Atitlan through its hands-on, engaging activities.  

The Program is targeted at children ages 7-14 and takes academic enrichment

and empowerment as its main objectives. Employing alternative to traditional

teaching style lessons, Youth Leadership Program focuses on practical activities,

contextualization of learning, and the development of teamwork and commu-

nication skills in order to promote conscious leadership.

We offer comprehensive curricular support for their current subjects, engag-

ing and interactive English classes, ecological trainings that stimulate alternativ

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Youth Leadership ProgramInvesting in our future

approach to their environment, creative art projects using recycled materials,

and sports for development, empowerment, and effective teamwork.

Volunteer: Help Rising Mind’s staff teach a class at the Youth Leadership

Program.

Mano y Mano: Teach an interactive class within an area of your expertise.

Paso y Paso: Send out an e-mail blast to solicit for donors for our youth

sponsorship program.

n communities located more than 45 minutes from emergency

response care, there is a pressing need for training on how to re-

spond to immediate, life-threatening situations. Rising Minds is imple-

menting a First Aid and CPR training course in communities through-

out the Lake Atitlan basin. Along with trained youth, we will provide

CPR and first-aid trainings to community leaders, such as teachers.

Our primary goal is to be able to share the skills necessary to respond

to basic and immediate life-threatening situations, such as choking.

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CPR and First Aid Training Volunteers and youth leaders training public school teachers

Volunteer: Teach a course to youth leaders and public school

teachers in CPR and First Aid.

Mano y Mano: Solicit donations from First Aid supply companies

for kits to place in each school.

Paso y Paso: Create an educational poster on how to perform the

heimlich maneuver.

uatemala has one of the highest childhood malnutrition rates in the

Western Hemisphere. To alleviate this epidemic, Rising Minds will be

helping to plant community gardens. Teamed with nutrition education

these gardens, planted and maintained by the local community, will pro-

vide fresh vegetables and herbs to educational programs in the area. By

cultivating a deeper understanding of nutritional necessities and providing

the sources, these community gardens will help nurture a rounded-diet

and aid in land aid in lowering the malnutrition rates among indigenous children and

families.

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Community GardensPlanting the seeds to lessen malnourishment

Volunteer: Help women tend their community garden.

Mano y Mano: Teach women how to make chemical free pesti-

cides.

Paso y Paso: Research the nutritional value of plants growing in

the community garden.

ridging both language and economic divides, Rising Minds

English-language programs provide interactive and engaging

lessons to students, teachers and to the general public on the

south-side of Lake Atitlan. In addition to improving lan-

guage-abilities, Rising Minds English programs promote dynamic

teaching tactics that make learning fun while equipping public

school teachers with the skills and resources to effectively teach

English in local schoolsEnglish in local schools.

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English for English TeachersEnglish for teachers, English for everyone

Volunteer: Help teach English in an ESL class.

Mano y Mano: Help develop curriculum and materials for ESL

classes.

Paso y Paso: Design certificates to award to teachers upon com-

pletion of the course.

ising Minds provides hands-on Eco-Art trainings for indigenous women in

surrounding villages. Through a comprehensive practical training course,

the women are challenged to creatively produce very low cost supplies for

local educational programs, their children, and with the potential to design and

sell accessories.  Through that, Rising Minds bridges economic divides by sug-

gesting eco-friendly techniques using recyclables to lower production costs for

the women and benefit the environment at the same time.  We provide ave-

nues for the women to reach customers and sell the handicrafts, as well as

offer small business development courses to help them make their businesses

thrive.

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Eco-Art TrainingsRecycling for economic opportunities

Volunteer: Help women practice making different eco-art crafts to

sell.

Mano y Mano: Teach a course on how to make earrings from

beer caps.

Paso y Paso: Develop a conscious consumer survey.

he loss of cultural practices and indigenous language is a concern voiced by the members of the oldest generation in San Juan la Laguna. In order to confront and prevent the erosion of traditional knowledge and foster a greater appreciation of cultural preservation, Rising Minds is working in con-junction with the Center for Indigenous Elders to record and share the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped San Juan. By combining these stories and histories we hope to create a series of books for the out-side world that can help share and ultimately preserve the beautiful culture of the lively elders in San Juan.

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Auto-Ethnology Preserving the past for the future

Volunteer: Interview an Anciano and record their story.Mano y Mano: Draw illustrations and create a children’s book from the Elder’s stories. Paso y Paso: Research publication grants.

ising Minds’ Bracelet Initiative is a holistic fundraising effort that supports conscious consumerism and small business develop-ment, while raising funds to sustain our non-profit organization. We buy hand-woven bracelets directly from Guatemalan artisans, set up informational displays in businesses, and ask for a one dollar contribu-tion for each bracelet. This initiative is a simple and creative means of not only raising money and spreading awareness, but also building relationships across borders.

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Bracelet Initiative Conscious consumerism through friendship bracelets

Volunteer: Approach local businesses in your hometown to adopt the bracelet initiative. Mano y Mano: Become a regional coordinator for the bracelet ini-tiative. Paso y Paso: Input the bracelet initiative sales into the salesforce application.

ising Minds Expeditions is an immersion-based travel program. We create

customized trips to Central America that empower individuals and sup-

port sustainable community development. Our expeditions weave together

service, cultural immersion, and adventure to contextualize learning, cultivate

awareness, and personalize global issues. Through our programs, RME partici-

pants become better able to recognize and identify how their individual ac-

tions have global impacts. Equipped with tools and impassioned by their expe

riences, RME participants transform their learning into action so as to make

positive sustainable change in their home communities.

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Rising Minds ExpeditionsCreate your own adventure

Volunteer: Find out when the next Rising Minds Expedition is set to

take place.

Mano y Mano: Organize a Rising Minds Expedition with your college

or church.

Paso y Paso: Write proposal letters to related college clubs, churches

and organizations.

ADDITIONALOPPORTUNITIES

Cultural lmmersionWorkshops

Our cultural workshops are taught by local Guatemalans as a part of cooperatives and/or small business development initiatives with

whom we work. These workshops are not only at the heart of our mission, providing proactive and personal exchanges between artisans

and visitors, but also provide a means for our partner organizations to help raise money to sustain local, community-beneficial programs.

Learn how to weave traditional traje

Learn about coffee production - from seed to cup

Experience a morning in the life of a Mayan fisherman

Make your own Mayan work of art

WorkshopsOur cultural workshops are taught by local Guatemalans as a part of cooperatives and/or small business development initiatives with

whom we work. These workshops are not only at the heart of our mission, providing proactive and personal exchanges between artisans

and visitors, but also provide a means for our partner organizations to help raise money to sustain local, community-beneficial programs.

Learn how to weave traditional traje

Learn about coffee production - from seed to cup

Experience a morning in the life of a Mayan fisherman

Make your own Mayan work of art

The Rising Minds Homestay program is the best way to experience daily life in an indigenous village, as well as practice Spanish or

learn Tz’utujil. Living is authentic (in other words rustic). Few houses have hot water. Cooking takes place over a wood stove. The food

is basic, but delicious and abundant. The families will take you in as if you were one of their own children. Everyone that has done a

home-stay with us regards it as one of their most powerful and meaningful experiences while abroad.

Homestays

The Rising Minds Homestay program is the best way to experience daily life in an indigenous village, as well as practice Spanish or

learn Tz’utujil. Living is authentic (in other words rustic). Few houses have hot water. Cooking takes place over a wood stove. The food

is basic, but delicious and abundant. The families will take you in as if you were one of their own children. Everyone that has done a

home-stay with us regards it as one of their most powerful and meaningful experiences while abroad.

Each week long home-stay includesPrivate room – Each participant, unless you elect to be paired up, will receive their own private room. Each homestay room has gone through safety, cleanliness and comfort evaluations during Rising Minds homestay training.

3 Meals a day3 Meals a day – As a part of our training each homestay mother learned how to “care for a gringo stomach” as well as learned the importance of nutritionally rounded meals.

Careful Pairing – We review your homestay questionnaires, and based on your answers pair them strategically with par-ticipating homestay mothers in San Juan.

24/7 RM-homestay contact person – RM regional director is available 24/7 throughout the duration of your stay. Each family and homestay participant receives an emergency con-tact card with the numbers to local emergency centers, and our contact information.

Three cultural workshops – Included in the homestay fee are three cultural workshops. These could include, but are not limited to, a traditional weaving workshop, traditional dugout fishing experience, or a Mayan-guided hike up Indian Nose.

Family preparation and follow-up – Prior to you stay, our regional di-rector meets with your homestay mother. Following your stay, our regional director has a debrief meeting with your mother, during which time she has the opportunity to fill out a feedback assess-ment form so as to improve our homestays.

Family profiles – We provide you with a family profile story prior to your stay.

Emergency Cards for each homestay family – These Emergency Cards include the name of the participant, any food allergies or special di-etary restrictions, our contact information, and local emergency contact information.

In-house traditional Guatemalan cooking class – If you all elect to do this activity, we will arrange for your homestay mother to provide a hands-on, traditional Guatemalan cooking class.

Contact us directly about costs. Barter-Scholarships are available. Contact Courtney at RisingMinds@gmail.com for more information.

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