Villanova Catholic Relief Services
2013-2014 Ambassador Application
What is Catholic Relief Services?
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was founded in 1943 to serve the displaced survivors
of World War II in Europe, but has since expanded to reach over 100 countries
around the world. Regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, CRS serves those in the
greatest need around the world through the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching to
better promote the life and dignity of each human person.
In Latin America, CRS works in countries like Mexico, Brazil, Columbia and Peru
to meet the basic needs of the impoverished and promotes long term solutions by
supporting local communities and organizations. CRS operates in Eastern Europe
to alleviate conflict and increase healthy civic participation. In Asia, CRS provides
disaster relief and promotes good governance in countries like India, China,
Indonesia, and the Philippines. Africa is a central focus of many CRS operations
and projects that revolve around critical areas such as HIV/AIDS, Peacebuilding,
and Food Security.
CRS works across a broad range of topics that include: public policy, agriculture,
education, emergency response, health, HIV/AIDS, microfinance, peacebuilding,
social safety net, and food security.
For more information on CRS please visit: http://crs.org/
What is a Villanova CRS Ambassador?
Advocacy work is the foundational operation conducted by CRS within the US. In
this regard, Villanova University has formed an institutional Partnership with
CRS, and has become a student extension of that advocacy network. As a CRS
Ambassador, you will be one of the students on campus responsible for educating
yourself and others about the struggles of those in developing countries. You will
have the chance to link into a global network that is actively engaged in promoting
social justice through serving those most afflicted by disease, hunger, conflict, and
poverty.
Ambassadors serve in the six specialization groups:
 Fair Trade
 Peacebuilding
 Food Security
 Microfinance
 Global Health
 Migration (Immigration, Refugees and Human Trafficking)
What are some of the benefits of being a CRS Ambassador?
 Learn more about key international development issues
 Educate your peers and the Villanova community about these issues
 Advocate for the poor and vulnerable by addressing national policy
 Leadership experience opportunities (at all levels)
 Career development and networking
 Opportunities to attend national and regional conferences
This initiative is sponsored by Villanova University Campus Ministry. Page 1 of 5
Requirements and Responsibilities of a CRS Ambassador
These responsibilities are MANDATORY.
*Please understand that the CRS Ambassador program is more than a club and with this
requires passion, commitment and professionalism, as a part of a major international
organization
CRS Ambassador Member:
 Attend one weekly CRS meeting for your issue group (i.e. Fair Trade, Global
Health, etc.)
 Attend every All-CRS Ambassador meetings occurring once a month
 Attend the CRS Ambassadors training session in September
 Help plan and facilitate at least two events (e.g. activities, documentary
screenings, speakers, workshops, vigils, etc) that include an advocacy
component and when possible, partnership with other organizations on
your issue group per semester.
 Participate in regular education components of your issue group and
commit to enhancing your understanding of Catholic Social Teaching
principles.
 Participate and attend other CRS Issue group events, and especially CRS
university-wide events.
Executive Board Positions
*as an Exec board member you will be responsible for the above Member responsibilities
as well as specific position duties which include attending weekly Exec Board meetings
(in addition to your weekly issue group meetings) and other meetings as needed
Marketing/ Social Media Coordinator:
 Responsible for maintaining active CRS Twitter and Facebook accounts
 Market and advertise Ambassador events by making flyers and through
social media/email
Advocacy Coordinator:
 Coordinate CRS’ role in the campus-wide Advocacy week (Spring)
 Maintain communication with all issue groups and ensure every event has
an Advocacy focus
Issue Group Coordinator:
 Schedule, prepare, and facilitate weekly issue group meetings
o ie. opening prayer, continuing education, and ensure delegation of tasks
 Motivate issue group to continue progressing, learning, planning events,
and advocating for issue in new and creative ways.
 Lead the group in planning at least 2 events that include an advocacy
component and when possible, partnership with other organizations
 Keep group informed of general CRS and Ambassador news through
meetings and emails (liaison between Exec board and group)
This initiative is sponsored by Villanova University Campus Ministry. Page 2 of 5
CRS Co-President
 Oversee and coordinate six issue groups and members
o Ensure events are being planned effectively and always keeping in
mind CRS’ principles and focus on advocacy
 Plan and run weekly Exec Board meetings that enable a space for
collaboration, planning and effective communication (this includes creating
agendas)
 Organize and run monthly All-CRS Ambassador meetings with Exec Board
that aim to: connect members of the organization, educate about CRS and
issues and build concrete skills
 Send e-mail updates as needed to Exec board, CRS Ambassadors, CRS NE
Office contact, VU Partnership contact, and Advisor in order to keep
everyone updated and informed.
 Help organize CRS Ambassador training in September
 Work with CRS Northeast Office contact and Villanova CRS Partnership
contact to communicate progress of CRS Ambassadors throughout year.
 Serve as main contact and liaison between other Villanova
organizations/programs and other university Ambassador programs and
Villanova CRS Ambassadors
 Lead Exec Board in responding to international emergencies and disasters,
in connection with Villanova community, as they arise and become
intertwined with the work of CRS.
Application process:
If you are interested in becoming a CRS Ambassador either through the CRS
Ambassador Member position or a position on the Executive Board (Coordinator
or Co-President) please fill out completely the below application, check the correct
boxes and submit it to:
The Center for Peace and Justice (Corr Hall) by NOON
Executive Board Positions: Friday, April 12th, 2013 (by Noon) for
CRS Ambassador Members: Thursday, April 18th, 2013 (by Noon)
*Executive Board applicants will be required to participate in a short interview
between Monday April 15th and Thursday April 18th. Please sign up for an interview
on the signup sheet in Peace and Justice when you turn in your application
*All applicants will be notified via email about their acceptance and if accepted,
placement in the program by Wednesday, April 24th
Thank you for your interest in becoming a CRS Ambassador, and if you have any
questions please contact current Co-Presidents: Kaitlin Thompson
(kthomp11@villanova.edu) and Elizabeth Negron (enegron01@villanova.edu) or
Advisor Will Stehl (william.stehl@villanova.edu)
This initiative is sponsored by Villanova University Campus Ministry. Page 3 of 5
CRS Ambassador Application
Name: _______________________________
Cell Phone: ______________________ Email: ____________________
Major: _____________________ Minor/Concentration:_____________
Year: _______________
Shirt size (polo): _________________
Other Campus Involvement/Activities (and positions if applicable):
________________________________________________________
_____________________ _________________________________
Are you in good academic standing?
Yes _________ No __________
How did you hear about CRS Ambassadors? _________________________
I am applying for:
______CRS Ambassador Member
_______Marketing/Social Media Coordinator
_______Advocacy Coordinator
_______ Issue Group Coordinator for: ______________ (1st choice issue group)
_______ Co-President
Specialization Area: (every applicant)
Please rank in order your preference for a CRS issue group area by placing a 1,2,3,
4, 5 or 6 by each topic (1 being top choice & 6 being last choice):
*We do our best to accommodate everyone’s first choice; however, this is not always
possible! We will try our best but please give thought to second and third choice as well!
____ Fair Trade
____ Peacebuilding
____ Migration
____Global Health
____ Food Security
____ Microfinance
My commitment: I have read and agree to fulfill the above responsibilities and
requirements of an Ambassador (and if applicable an Executive Board position).
Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ____________
This initiative is sponsored by Villanova University Campus Ministry. Page 4 of 5
All applicants: Please type a paragraph or two responding to the
follow questions on a separate paper:
1. What motivates you to be a CRS Ambassador? Or if you are returning,
what motivates you to continue with the program?
2. Explain your understanding of social justice and how the role of a CRS
Ambassador fits within this definition.
3. Why are you interested in the first and/or second issues you chose for your
specialization area?
4. What concrete skills, talents and interests do you have to offer the CRS
Ambassador program, your specific group and/or position?
Please include past experiences (academic or extra-curricular) if applicable
Coordinator Applicants:
Please answer the above questions in light of your application for your specific
Coordinator position. In addition:
5. How will you work with the other members CRS Executive Board to
achieve your goals?
6. Please briefly outline one event that you would like to see your issue group
carry out in the coming year and how would you execute it?
Co-President Applications:
Please answer the first four applicant questions in light of your application for
Co-President. In addition:
5. What have you done as an Ambassador, so far, that you believe would
make you an ideal candidate for President?
If applicable, what new ideas or events have you introduced?
6. What new visions do you have for the group next year? And how would
you work with your Co-President and other Exec Board members to
achieve these goals?
Please return completed application to the Center for Peace and
Justice by NOON: Thursday, April 18th for CRS Ambassador
Member or Friday, April 12th for Exec Board
This initiative is sponsored by Villanova University Campus Ministry. Page 5 of 5