11/18/2004 - Volunteer Spirit in Costa Rica
AFS Costa Rica’s Volunteer Force celebrated their annual convention along with over 100 staff and volunteers from 29 local chapters. This years theme, “Volunteerism: Participation and Solidarity” underscored the important role the volunteer plays in directing AFS’s future. The event also served to further inspire solidarity and enthusiasm among volunteers.
Participants worked in small groups to discuss program operations, performance and volunteer motivation at the chapter level and generated a list of concrete goals for 2005. AFS dedicated this year’s convention to Omar Gutierrez and Ligia Hernandez, former participants and host parents, who helped establish the AFS volunteer organization in the early sixties.
Representatives from local chapters showcased their creativity and unveiled new projects during the 2004 “Innovation Fair.” Fellow volunteers gave awards for the most outstanding presentations. AFS Costa Rica also initiated the “Distinguished Participant of the Year” award for which the chapters nominated one of their hosted participants. This year’s winners came from Switzerland, New Zealand, and the United States.
Laura Palomo, a volunteer from one of the San Jose chapters, became a new AFS Costa Rica Board Member. Miguel Wong, from the Puntarenas Chapter, generated much excitement, a standing ovation, and a few tears from the participants when he won the 2004 Volunteer of the Year award.
AFS Costa Rica hopes the success of this event is a good measure of things to come as they prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary in April 2005.
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