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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A) Applying to volunteer for Right To Play

  1. What is the length of placement? What is the maximum length of placement?
  2. Is there a minimum/maximum age to apply?
  3. If I am married, have a partner and/or children, could we be considered for a position?

B) Volunteering with Right To Play: preparing for the project placement, expectations, travel and training

  1. What does Right To Play pay for?
  2. What is the honorarium that is paid to volunteers?
  3. How can I pay for student loans while I am away?
  4. Who looks after my travel arrangements?
  5. What kind of preparation and training do I get before going overseas? Where is training held?
  6. What is expected of me during training?
  7. Where will I live? What are accommodations like?

C) Health & Security

  1. What security procedures does Right To Play have? What happens in the event of an emergency?

A) Applying to volunteer for Right To Play

A-1) What is the length of placement? What is the maximum length of placement?

Contracts are for one year. Extensions may be considered for a second year. Right To Play encourages retention of high-performing volunteers through a contract extension process, and through internal posts for advanced volunteer or staff positions that may become available within the organization. Current volunteers and alumni considering future opportunities within the organization may be considered for positions prior to external candidates.

If you are unable to spend a year as an International Volunteer, there may be opportunities to volunteer locally with National Offices or the International Headquarters. To do this, contact the Right To Play office nearest you. As well, click on the "how to help" link at www.righttoplay.com to explore other ways to support Right To Play through action and participation.

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A-2) Is there a minimum/maximum age to apply?

Currently our volunteers range in age from 23 years to over 50 years. Volunteers have generally completed college or university and have some work experience relevant to volunteering internationally with Right To Play. The average age of a Right To Play volunteer is around 29 years.

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A-3) If I am married, have a partner and/or children, could we be considered for a position?

If you and your partner are both qualified to be a Project Coordinator and/or a Communications Coordinator, and are suited to a project in a way that results in a well-rounded team best able to meet project needs, it may be possible to place you as a team. Right To Play does not have the project funding or logistical capacity for housing for or support of dependents of International volunteers.

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B) Volunteering with Right To Play: preparing for the project placement, expectations, travel and training

B-1) What does Right To Play pay for?

Right To Play pays for:

  • Expenses for pre-departure Volunteer Training in Toronto, including transportation, accommodation and food
  • In-field accommodations
  • Transportation to and from the field and as needed
  • Entry Visas for country of placement
  • Work permits as necessary for the country of placement
  • Health Insurance coverage
  • Vaccinations (as approved by Right To Play up to a maximum of CAD $500)
  • Medications (as approved by Right To Play Health Insurance provider)
  • Translation or notarization of criminal record check and other documents required for work permits

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B-2) What is the honorarium that is paid to volunteers?

Volunteers with Right To Play will receive a fixed stipend to assist with the costs of food and personal necessities. This honorarium amounts to $8000 USD for a Project Coordinator or Communications Coordinator twelve-month contract.

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B-3) How can I pay for student loans while I am away?

Right To Play does not provide assistance with student loans, but can provide you with a letter to verify your contract dates and honorarium and/or support your application for student loan relief, but this will be at the discretion of your financial or loan-granting institution.

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B-4) Who looks after my travel arrangements?

Right To Play will make all travel arrangements. This includes travel arrangements to and from training (if you are living outside of Ontario, Canada) and to and from your country of placement.

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B-5) What kind of preparation and training do I get before departure to my international volunteer placement? Where is training held?

Volunteers attend a ten-day training course in Toronto, Canada. Prior to training, volunteers receive resource materials including the Right To Play Program Manual, Right To Play Field Operations Handbook and general reference materials.

The goal of the Volunteer Training is to provide the basis for all International Volunteers to cultivate excellence in the field in programming, relationships, and project management, in order that they may create a positive, lasting legacy for Right To Play and the children and communities we serve.

The objectives of Volunteer Training are:

  • To familiarize new Project Coordinators and Communications Coordinators with Right To Play International as an organization working in the field of Sport for Development.
  • To introduce Right To Play International Volunteers and staff, providing awareness of the various roles and responsibilities in the international offices, and specifically to provide the opportunity for volunteers and staff to meet one another and begin building a working relationship that will carry through to the field assignment.
  • To clarify the SportWorks and SportHealth program objectives and how these are achieved through implementation of the program modules, using case studies and scenarios from Right To Play field projects. More information on the program modules can be found by clicking here.
  • To provide theory and practice in the Coach2Coach (C2C), Red Ball Child Play (RBCP) and Live Safe, Play Safe (LSPS) program modules to equip volunteers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively implement the modules and programs.
  • To provide resources that prepare individual volunteers to undertake the challenges of a one-year commitment to working in another culture and the potential risks that may be associated with particular project locations. To learn and ask questions about the needs of communities they will be working with.

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B-6) What is expected of me during training?

Volunteers invited to training are required to study program and general reference materials provided prior to training and be prepared to work with the knowledge they have gained by doing so. Volunteers should arrive at training with knowledge of Right To Play programs and program modules and have an understanding of the personnel policy and procedures and project operations policy and procedures.

Volunteers should be prepared for ten days of intense learning and are asked to make no other commitments during this period.

Volunteers should be enthusiastic, attentive, and professional. Training will be an opportunity to practice implementing many aspects of Right To Play programming including playing and leading games, learning sports and role playing.

If unclear about their objectives or material covered, volunteers should ask questions and encourage discussion.

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B-7) Where will I live? What are accommodations like?
If you are the first team in a new project location, you may be asked to find accommodation as part of the initial setup of the project. If you are in a team that is replacing an in-field team it is most likely that you will be taking over the existing accommodation. Housing is comfortable and secure. Each volunteer has their own private bedroom and will share a kitchen, bathroom and living area.

SportHealth teams are based in the capital city of their country of placement. SportWorks volunteers working with refugee camp based projects may live in a NGO housing compound or community/town close to the refugee camp where the project is implemented. SportWorks volunteers implementing community-based projects will live in the relevant project community.

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C) Health & Security

C-1) What security procedures does Right To Play have? What happens in the event of an emergency?

Right To Play places volunteer safety, security and health at the highest level of priority. Volunteer Training covers security and risk-management. Right To Play requests that volunteers register with their national embassy or consulate while in the host country. Security guards are provided for the volunteer accommodation and offices as necessary.

For SportWorks refugee projects: Right To Play’s operating partner, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is a reputable organization with years of experience in the management of refugee situations. As a Right To Play volunteer associated with a UNHCR Field Office you will be included in their security protocol. In the event of heightened security situations or an emergency, UNHCR will advise you on the necessary actions to take.

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This FAQ was last updated 2006-10-10

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