Community Based Organization (CBO)

CBOs are the actual organizations a volunteer will live and work with (they can also be referred to as non-governmental organizations or NGOs). They are a subset of the wider group of non-profits. Like other non-profits they are often run on a voluntary basis and are self funded.

Skilled Volunteering

Skilled volunteering refers to volunteering in which the volunteer is specifically trained in the area that they are volunteering. Skilled volunteering matches a volunteer's skills with an organization's needs. Skilled volunteering ensures that volunteers can provide a meaningful service and make lasting difference as a volunteer.

Volunteer

A volunteer is a person working on behalf of others or a specific cause without payment for their time or services. Volunteering is considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, however people also volunteer to meet new people and visit new places and for personal experience and development.

Volunteering takes many forms and can be performed by a wide range of people. People who volunteer in an area that they are specifically trained in are referred to as skilled volunteers.

Volunteer Placement Organization (VPO)

VPOs are the organizations that you can volunteer through. When you volunteer through a VPO, you will still volunteer at a Community Based Organization (CBO), however it will be one of the VPOs partner CBOs. VPOs also provide orientation and in country support for volunteers such as language classes or excursion planning.

Volunteer Surfing

Volunteer Surfing is a term used to describe a means of travel where a person engages with Community Based Organizations in the place they are traveling as a means of lodging and supporting the community. By volunteer surfing a person is able to travel at a far reduced cost (usually by staying at the home of the CBO's manager or director) while enriching their travel experience by complete immersion into the community they are serving.