Returned volunteers staying involved
Whether you completed your overseas placement months ago or decades ago, there is a role for you to stay involved with CUSO-VSO.
Our returned volunteers (RVs) possess a global outlook that enriches North American society. Across Canada and the United States, alumni of CUSO, VSO Canada and CUSO-VSO’s overseas placements are changing the way that their friends, neighbours and colleagues think about development.
Undertake a global education project or help CUSO-VSO recruit and support the next generation of volunteers. Contact us to get active in public education, fundraising or recruitment...or just to reconnect and say hello.
Let us know you’re out there!
Please make sure we can reach you.
We have lost touch with many of you who dedicated two years of your lives to creating a better world. We would love to hear from you so we can be in touch on a regular basis again. There have been many changes in development and we would like to help you open a dialogue with like-minded people.
To contact us, or if you are in communication with past volunteers who haven’t heard from us in a while, please send current contact info to reintegration@cuso-vso.org.
RV alumni reintegration workshops
Newly returned? Get re-settled and enjoy a weekend with other RVs.
All returned volunteers are invited to attend a reintegration workshop at CUSO-VSO’s training center in Ottawa, usually scheduled 3–12 months after you return to North America from your placement. To find out about upcoming workshops contact us at reintegration@cuso-vso.org.
Join the volunteers digest email listserv
Get connected to other volunteers and returned overseas volunteers who are living in North America.
Find out about events in your community and across Canada and the U.S. Learn about new resources for outreach on development issues. Be notified about jobs in international development. To join the once-per-month digest, contact us at reunion@cuso-vso.org and put “join volunteer listserv” in the subject line.
CUSO-VSO Catalyst newsletter
Check out the latest edition of the CUSO-VSO Catalyst e-newsletter. The twice-yearly Catalyst includes stories on CUSO-VSO volunteers, as well as information on the global projects that members of VSO International are working on. To subscribe, click on the 'Sign up for emails' link on the top of this page, and select 'newsletter.' A link to the web version of the newsletter - which uses an innovative software that lets internet publications mimic a print copy - will be sent to you when a new edition is available.
Campaigning
Many North Americans believe change starts at home, and are joining CUSO-VSO in Canada and the US, taking action against poverty, social injustice and environmental degradation. These global citizens believe in a collective responsibly for our shared planet, and a more equitable relationship between developed and developing countries. CUSO-VSO gets involved in national and international campaigns. Join us and work for change.
RVZone
VSO International hosts an online VolZone which offers a space where RV alumni of VSO federation members including CUSO-VSO can exchange info, ideas and perspectives. This is a password-protected site. Alumni of CUSO, VSO Canada and CUSO-VSO are invited to join the discussion.
Public engagement grants
Do you have a great idea for a presentation or project that will help you educate or motivate North Americans to support international development?
Consider applying for a public engagement grant, small amounts of money available exclusively to returned volunteers to support their work at home. Past projects have included photography exhibits and speaking tours. Fill out the grant application form (Word doc, 176KB) and send to the public engagement department at pe@cuso-vso.org.
Recruit
CUSO-VSO holds recruitment and outreach events in cities across Canada and the United States. We’re always looking for returned volunteers to help answer questions and share stories of their placement overseas. If you are able to help us recruit, please contact your nearest public engagement staff.
Contact us:
Atlantic Canada/Northeastern US (Charlottetown)
Email: atlanticonnect@cuso-vso.org
Tel: (902) 892-2610
Québec/Francophone Canada/Southern US (Montréal)
Email: quebecconnect@cuso-vso.org or francoconnect@cuso-vso.org
Tel: (514) 276-8528
Western Canada/Prairies/US West/Alaska/Hawaii (Vancouver)
Email: westconnect@cuso-vso.org
Tel: (604) 566-3368
Ontario/Northern Canada/US Midwest (Ottawa)
Email: outreach@cuso-vso.org
Tel: (613) 829-7445 ext. 237
Downloads
Forms & Documents
- PE grant form (174KB)
