September 16—20

Leadership Transition Training: New Partner Directors

Trainers:
Damayonti Sengupta--International Organizational Development Specialist, AFS INT
Sherifa Fayez--Partner Director, AFS Egypt
 
This training is required for all new Partner Directors who started after the last LTT held in New York, February 20-24, 2011.
 
Overall objectives:
Through the in-person training, and the pre-event assignments and the pre-and post-event teleconferences, we hope to give participants:

September 16—18

Board Governance and Leadership Workshop

Trainers:
Eduardo Assed--Senior International Program Development Specialist, AFS INT
Dominik Scherrer--Chief Program and Organizational Development Officer, AFS INT
Elisabeth Hardt--former Secretary General, EFIL and Board Member, AFS Germany
 
The workshop will focus on governance and leadership in the specific AFS Board context. We will also cover skills needed to lead a volunteer network by addressing the expectations of both newly elected and experienced Board Members. This course is suitable for any Board Members, including those who attended induction and governance seminars in the past.
 
Overall objectives:

September 16—18

Strengthening Communication Skills for AFS Leaders: Media, Presentations and Meetings

Trainers:
Christine Vogel--Chief Development and Branding Officer, AFS INT
External expert TBA

This course is suitable for Board members, Partner Directors, Communications Staff, and Organizational Development Staff.

Overall objectives:
A hands-on training on how to apply the AFS Brand in communications. During the three days participants will work with both external and in-house trainers to get practical experience in dealing with the media, handling crisis communications—both internally and externally, making good presentations that represent our brand, and how to organize and facilitate productive meetings.


September 16—18

Organizational Development: the 21st century volunteer

Trainers:
Susan Ellis--President, Energize Inc.
Lucas Welter--International Organizational Development Specialist, AFS INT
 
This course is suitable for staff and volunteers with roles and interest in organizational development.
 
What does the AFS organization of tomorrow look like? What are the challenges that the social network era brings to the current way we organize ourselves? What needs to happen in order for AFS to become an engaging place for volunteering? How can we leverage the way staff and volunteers work together?
 
If you have been wondering about those questions—this
is the right workshop for you. The workshop will focus on the current challenges and trends in volunteerism and the way we organize ourselves; looking into new structures and possibilities.
 
Overall objectives:

September 16—18

IT Training

Trainers:
Fabricia Manoel--Organization Development Specialist and Manager; IT Projects and Support, AFS INT
Florian Ohly--IT Manager, Deutsche Bahn AG

With so many IT tools that we currently have (AFS Global, Online Application [OA] systems, Participant Portal, Google Apps, etc.), have you ever wondered how your organization can bring out the full capability of these tools and optimally support your organizational development?

Target Audience and Goal
This particular Training is targeted at staff involved with IT planning in the organization, program staff who would like to optimize the use of IT tools in the daily operations and volunteers who would like to know more about the use of AFS Global. This will enable the participants to implement those tools in their organizations and also train staff and volunteers.
Overall objectives:
During this 3 day training event participants will learn about:

September 19 & 24 (one day each)

Risk Management Workshop

Trainers:
Larry Barnett--Director, Risk and Crisis Management, AFS INT
TBA
 
Risk management touches on every aspect of AFS operations, from selection and screening, training and orientation, to safety, quality, crisis management, and insurance.  Various methods of risk identification, analysis, transfer, and control will be discussed, as well as the Guiding Principles we use to guide our implementation of risk policies at AFS.  
 
Objectives:
Participants will:

September 19

The Customer Journey: Retaining Our Applicants

Trainer:
Magnus-Andreas S. Aase--Senior Manager, Branding and Marketing, AFS INT

This course is suitable for Partner Directors, Programs Staff, and Organizational Development Coordinators.

Overall objective:
A workshop to help participants analyze the decision process of their customers, and apply communications activities and process improvements to convert more inquiries to participants/host families. Participants will identify “on-ramps” and “off-ramps” in the customer journey for one of their programs, and work on measures to maximize the “on-ramps” while minimizing the “off-ramps.”

September 19

Organizational Development: Starting new AFS local groups

Trainer:
Lucas Welter--International Organizational Development Specialist, AFS INT
 
This course is suitable for staff and volunteers with roles and interest in organizational development.
 
The local group or chapter has been ‘the way’ we organize our volunteers in AFS. As we have been reporting a decrease in the number of chapters over the past years, we need to rebuild our capacity to engage volunteers in our local structures. This one-day workshop will focus on starting and nurturing new local groups.
 
The goals for the workshop are:

September 19

Transforming Conflict across Cultures: Civil Society Initiatives for Peace

Trainers:
Tatsushi Arai--Associate Professor of Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation, School for International Training (SIT) Graduate Institute – a program of World Learning, USA & Visiting Scholar of Conflict Resolution, George Mason University, USA
Anna Collier--Manager of Intercultural Learning Services, AFS INT

This one-day workshop is an introduction to conflict transformation across cultures. It is designed for civil society leaders seeking practical ways in which they can help facilitate peaceful coexistence between communities. The workshop aims to achieve three objectives:

1.       Examine how social conflict and culture relate to one another.
2.       Introduce practical skills in the transformation of conflict across cultures.
3.       Explore civil society initiatives that expand and deepen cultures of peace in conflict-affected societies.

The workshop is highly experiential and participatory in nature. It will use metaphors, poetry, rituals, and storytelling as a way of activating different ways of learning. The facilitator will engage the participants in concrete case studies that build on his practical experience as a mediator, dialogue facilitator, and trainer in diverse conflict-affected societies.


September 20

What Every AFSer Should Know About Intercultural Learning & ICL as our Differentiator

Introductory Training + Awareness Session for all AFS audiences
Trainers:
Anna Collier--Manager of Intercultural Learning Services, AFS INT
Frances Baxter--Volunteer Development Manager, AFS-AUS and 2012 LPQT candidate

Intended for general audiences, this is a four hour introductory session about the very basics of ICL in AFS. It is paired with a half-day session about how a more deliberate focus on ICL can distinguish AFS as a provider of true learning experiences that help individuals and communities develop the intercultural skills, knowledge and leadership needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
 
While open to all, this is best suited for AFSers who have not previously participated in a Learning Program event.

September 20

Fundraising for the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the American Field Service

Trainers:
Carlos Porro--Manager, Resource Development and Communications and/or
Christine Vogel--Chief Development and Branding Officer, AFS INT

The trainers will bring the participants up to date on the fundraising activities and plans for the Anniversary that are taking place at AFS International and throughout the AFS Network. The participants will discuss their own plans for fundraising and for observing the Anniversary and/or receive guidance on how to start fundraising campaigns and plan events for the Anniversary.

Thursday, September 20 & 24 (one day each)

Program Development Workshop

Trainer:
Bert Vercamer--International Program Development Specialist, AFS INT
 
Programs are the means to an end. The 'end' in AFS is Intercultural Learning. Our school based Programs have been very successful the past 6 decades and will still be successful the coming 6 decades. However, there is more. New Program Development wants to focus on the 'more'. 
 
Overall objectives:
Participants will learn about: 

September 20

Finances and Organizational Health for Board Members & Partner Directors

Trainers:
Urs-Rainer von Arx--Chief Operations & Financial Officer, AFS INT
Eduardo Assed--Senior International Program Development Specialist, AFS INT

This session is aimed for Board Members to understand the basic financial arrangements in AFS and the financial responsibilities of Board Members in the AFS Network and, building on the NPPR (Network Protection & Partner Recovery) Framework, to explore the meaning and measures of organizational health in AFS.

September 23

AFS as a Culture: New Perspectives on Intercultural Learning within AFS Organizations

Trainers:
Anna Collier--Manager of Intercultural Learning Services, AFS INT
Csilla Fodor--Organizational Development Coordinator, AFS HUN
Friedhelm Janzen--Organizational Development Coordinator, AFS NED

Audience: This course is designed for staff and volunteers with interest or roles in leadership and/or organizational & volunteer development.

Description: When we talk about intercultural learning within AFS, it is frequently in relation to our sojourners and volunteers. This session will encourage people to step out of their comfort zone by reflecting on and increasing their awareness of how "culture" influences our AFS organizations internally. Content topics will include: AFS organizational culture and Partner-level influences, who are the drivers of our organizations, leadership styles, different views and approaches to change, and how to engage with different volunteer profiles most effectively. Each topic will be linked back to intercultural theories.

The goals for this workshop are:
- Increase self-awareness of one's Partner organizational culture
- Create a common definition for AFS Network organizational culture
- Analyze strengths and weaknesses of different types of leaders and leadership styles within AFS
- Gain ideas for how to incorporate intercultural learning into our organizations
- Gain tools for managing change within one's organization from a cultural perspective

September 23

Organizational Development: Starting new AFS local groups

Trainers:
Lucas Welter--International Organizational Development Specialist, AFS INT
Damayonti Sengupta--International Organizational Development Specialist, AFS INT
 
This course is suitable for staff and volunteers with roles and interest in organizational development.
 
The local group or chapter has been ‘the way’ we organize our volunteers in AFS. As we have been reporting a decrease in the number of chapters over the past years, we need to rebuild our capacity to engage volunteers in our local structures. This one-day workshop will focus on starting and nurturing new local groups.
 
The goals for the workshop are:
Define a compelling recruitment message
Learn and explore the steps for starting and developing new local groups
Explore lighter and more project-oriented structures (XL city project) as a way to engage new volunteers

September 23

Enabler for Business Strategy

Trainers:
Fabricia Manoel--Organization Development Specialist and Manager; IT Projects and Support, AFS INT
Patrick Scheuerer--Independent Organizational Development Consultant
Florian Ohly--IT Manager, Deutsche Bahn AG

This one-day course lets you explore how to make the most use of IT for your organization. Using case studies, and practical exercises we will not only look at IT itself but at how it can leverage your individual organization's strategy.

Objectives:

September 24 (one day each)

Market Intelligence and Quality Management

Trainer:
Hristo Banov--Senior Analyst, Management Information and Program Services, AFS INT

➢ So your Organization has decided to invest in program development and innovation?
➢ The leadership is interested in benchmarking if the products and services of your AFS Office provide a customer experience that meets the customers’ expectations?
➢ You and your colleagues would like to gain a better understanding of your Organization’s health in the context of the AFS Network and the external market environment?

Management Information can help!

Management Information consists of Organizational Monitoring and Market Intelligence.

Organizational Monitoring refers to the initiatives undertaken by the AFS Network to benchmark and review the performance of AFS Organizations. Typically Monitoring looks at internal issues such as quality of services, quality management and organizational health

Market Intelligence provides knowledge and awareness of the external factors that may impact your Organization and the AFS Network at large. Typically Intelligence also gives context to Monitoring and provides critical information and direction to your decision-making process.

This two-part course  is designed to provide you with the background knowledge necessary to undertake Monitoring and Intelligence efforts that will help in guiding decisions regarding marketing, new product development, new market initiatives and organizational development.  Following a brief overview of the Management Information Unit and its Market Intelligence and Organizational Monitoring efforts, the course will proceed with specialized workshops on the two subjects.

Organizational Monitoring:   In this part of the course you will gain (or improve upon your already existing) understanding of the mechanisms at your disposal that can help you accurately assess the quality of services and the organizational health of your AFS Office. After establishing a common understanding of ‘Organizational Health’ and 'Quality Management', the workshop will focus on the tools available, key metrics for review, and Partner responsibilities for assessing Quality and acting on Management Information.

Participants will:

• be able to articulate on the key concepts of Quality Management, Management Information and Organizational Health within AFS
• understand the key tools available for measuring organizational health and managing quality
• understand their personal and organizational responsibilities for quality management
• be able to navigate effectively through the recently migrated Network Monitor database in AFS Global

Market Intelligence:  Whether you are a first-timer or a veteran in the area of program development, you realize that you need good information if you are to make good decisions. Being aware of the market intelligence approaches and tools available to you can be crucial for the success of your strategic decisions and investments.

This workshop examines the fundamental concepts and techniques applied in market intelligence. The course is a mixture of lecture, case presentation, and interaction and its attendees will develop a perspective on the following themes:

• An introduction to the market intelligence concept
• A closer look into the four basic levels of Market Intelligence at AFS:
o   Market Overview
o   Key Competitor Profiling
o   Competitive Pricing and Services Reviews
o   Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats (SWOT) Analysis
• A rundown of the Intelligence Sources at your disposal

September 23

Social Media and What it Means for AFS

Trainers:
Magnus-Andreas S. Aase--Senior Manager, Branding and Marketing, AFS INT
External expert TBA

This course is suitable for Partner Directors, Communications Staff, Programs Staff, Organizational Development Coordinators

Overall objectives:
Participants will learn about social media trends, review case studies showing best practices, and discuss how this can be applied to AFS. We will also go through the AFS Global Social Media Strategy, and the tools available from AFS International.

September 24-27

AFS Intercultural Link Learning Program: Special Edition 1 – Leadership

Essential Training + Strategy Session for Partner Directors and Program Directors
Trainers: All trainers are Learning Program Qualified Trainers or candidates (LPQT)
Laura Kline-Taylor--Intercultural Link Learning Program Manager, AFS INT
Chimene Chetty--Business Development Consultant, AFS-RSA and 2011 LPQT
Frances Baxter--Volunteer Development Manager, AFS-AUS and 2012 LPQT candidate
Eva Vitkova--Chairperson, Board, AFS-CZE and 2011 LPQT
Philipp Wagner--EFIL Board, representing AFS-AUT and 2011 LPQT
 
Intercultural Link
The Learning Program is the Network’s new training and assessment program designed to help AFSers provide better intercultural learning experiences to the audiences we serve and improve overall AFS quality.  
 
Targeted to all Partner Directors and Program Directors, this special edition event includes three days of hands-on training about essential AFS ICL content that staff leaders should know, plus a fourth “work-shop style” day dedicated to refining/developing your National ICL Strategy – and determining how local versions of the Learning Program fit in it.
 
This is an excellent opportunity for AFS staff leaders to (re)familiarize themselves with our educational basis and how their organization can better reflect this. Because AFS organizations are at different levels in terms of their ICL focus, on Day 4, you can attend one of several tracks based on much work your organization has already done in creating/implementing its ICL strategy. (NB: All AFS organizations are required to have a board-approved National ICL Strategy in place by the end of 2012.)

September 25—27

Program Development Workshop

Instructors:
Bert Vercamer--International Program Development Specialist, AFS INT
Michael Rosak--International Program Development Specialist. AFS INT
Melvin Harmon--Director of New Product Development, AFS USA

Programs are the means to an end. The 'end' in AFS is Intercultural Learning. Our school based Programs have been very successful the past 6 decades and will still be successful the coming 6 decades. However, there is more. New Program Development wants to focus on the 'more'. 
 
This 3 day session will look at the framework within which to develop other program formats that fit the AFS Mission and address wider audiences. We will tap into the experience and expertise of the AFS network and learn from practical examples of successful and unsuccessful initiatives in the near past.
 
Overall objectives:
Specifically, objectives and content will be fine-tuned closer to the training dates, with input from the participants. Generally, participants will:

September 25—27

Program Support Training

Trainers:
David Blythe--Manager, Program Policy & Support, AFS INT
Phil Gordon--Support Manager, AFS USA
 
The Program Support Training will address the multiple issues involved in supporting AFS participants during the program. Insights from Intercultural Learning will be woven into the module.
 
Overall objectives:
Participants will learn about: 

September 25—27

Fundraising for Beginners in the AFS Network

Trainers:
Carlos Porro--Manager, Resource Development and Communications
Christine Vogel--Chief Development and Branding Officer, AFS INT
Guest Trainer--TBA

This training will be a beginning fundraising seminar designed for AFS Partners who have little or no experience in fundraising. The training will include a presentation by an outside speaker and exercises both on an individual basis and in small groups.
The training will address the following content areas:
 
Day One
Day Two
Day Three