Roles & Responsibilities
The CISV Village is a program lasting 28 days. Each Village consists of 12 delegations (2 boys and 2 girls, age 11) and a leader at least 21 years), 6 Junior Counselors (16-17 years at time of arrival), and 5-6 staff members.
All participants work, cooperate and enjoy the experience of spreading the CISV philosophy. Itās very important to understand how a Village works.
Selection of Junior Counselors
The qualities for suitable JCs are:
- A genuine love for children and enjoyment in working with them.
- Ability to work with and gain the respect of both adults and children.
- A liking for Village life and enjoyment of Village activities.
- Open, inquiring personalities and good communication skills.
- A desire to further personal knowledge and ability in Village leadership techniques
- Active involvement inĀ Junior Branch and/or other related youth organizations
Before the Village
- Participate in Leadership Training in your home nation/Chapter
- Write the Village Director to introduce yourself
- Complete and return all forms requested in your pre-camp communications
- Collect information about your country and culture, prepare a small booklet to give to each participant.
- Prepare travel documents (passport / VISA), necessary vaccinations, travel and health insurance, money
- Gather ideas for peace activities, cooperation games, songs etc. to use at the Village
During the Village
- The JC should be prepared for almost anything as your task is many sided.
- As a JC, you are in a position of responsibility. Be a positive role model for the children. Be able to recognize the moments in which you can be funny from the moments you must be serious.
- Act in the role as a friend and advisor to all children at the Village.
- Help all the children and never show favoritism.
- Always be on time and participate in all activities.
- Share the responsibility for planning and running the Village activities
- Being a JC is a 24-hour job. Some people need more rest than others, be sure to get enough rest and sleep.
- Many eleven year-olds may be able to talk more easily with the JCs than with the adults. That is why JCs act as a special ābridgeā and pass on useful information acquired about individual children to the adult staff.
- Respect others feelings and customs, especially those of the host country.
- Your input as a JC is important. Do not be afraid to share your ideas in planning and Leadersā meetings.
- Use your imagination and creativity in finding ways to communicate without words with the children.
- Each participant must follow CISV and Host Country rules and laws regarding: Use of alcohol, drugs, smoking; Use of telephone and facilities; Arrival and departure schedule; Visitors; and Inappropriate activities.
- Always the childrenās safety and happiness is your most important responsibility
After the Village
- Evaluations: Complete and return evaluation form.
- Attend the debrief. Meet with other JCs and / or delegations from your Chapter.
- Follow-up: Send thank-you cards to Village Staff and host Chapter.
- Participate in your local Chapter and Junior Branch and assist with leadership training
- Correspond with fellow Villagers to help keep CISV āaliveā