The Building Bridges
Coalition
Doubling the number of international volunteers by 2010.
A project of the Brookings Institution’s Initiative on International
Volunteering and Service.
Strategic Plan 2007-2009
April 5, 2007
Mission
The Building Bridges Coalition, a project of the
Brookings Institution’s Initiative on International
Volunteering and Service, is a consortium of leading
international volunteer organizations, universities &
colleges, corporations and government agencies
working collaboratively to double the number of
international volunteers serving abroad by 2010.
Contents
 Strategic Plan 2007-2009
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The Brookings Institution’s Initiative on International Volunteering and
Service
Goals
Strategies
Tactics
Measurement and Tracking
Key Messages and Talking Points
Building Bridges Coalition Leadership
Lead Members for Strategies
List of Working Groups
Coalition Member Responsibilities
Meeting Schedule
Contact Information
Note: Nothing in this document should be construed to imply the Brookings Institution’s
endorsement of advocacy for particular legislative or other policy actions.
The Brookings Institution Initiative on
International Volunteering and Service
The Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service seeks to
enhance cross-cultural understanding by expanding international volunteer
service efforts, and improving service quality, capacity and positive impacts in
communities throughout the world.
Its main components are:
1.
2.
3.
The Building Bridges Coalition is a consortium of leading international
volunteer organizations, universities & colleges, corporations, and
government agencies working collaboratively to double the number of
international volunteers serving abroad by 2010. Within the Building Bridges
Coalition, there are also two affinity groups -- Corporate Engagement and
Campus Engagement.
The Public Policy Group, co-chaired by Senator Harris Wofford and John
Bridgeland, focuses on policy development and education, and advances
recommendations that include doubling the Peace Corps and creating a
Global Fellowship to sponsor individual volunteers.
The Research and Impacts Group, led by the Center for Social
Development at Washington University in St. Louis and Brookings Fellow
David Caprara, focuses on assessing the status and impacts of international
volunteering and service and promoting effective practices.
Goals
To double the number of international volunteers
sent abroad annually by 2010.
2. To improve the quality of international volunteer
service.
3. To maximize positive impacts of international
service in communities throughout the world.
1.
Strategies
Goal #1: To double the number of international volunteers sent abroad annually by 2010
Strategies
1a. Increase public awareness of international volunteer opportunities
1b. Encourage organizations to commit to scaling up
1c. Foster partnerships among international volunteer organizations, universities &
colleges, corporations, and government agencies
1d. Engage university and college campuses to increase international volunteerism
1e. Support the Public Policy Group to expand national resource commitment to
international volunteering and service
Goal #2: To improve the quality of international volunteer service
Strategies
2a. Establishing and promoting effective practices for international volunteer service
2b. Creating a forum for interaction and information sharing for international volunteer
organizations, universities & colleges, corporations, government agencies, and other
stakeholders in the field of international volunteerism
2c. Encourage increased corporate engagement and improved social and business
impact in international strategic volunteering programs
Goal #3: To maximize positive impacts of international service in communities
throughout the world
Strategies
3a. Support the Research and Impacts Group to implement the comprehensive research
agenda and improve effectiveness in international volunteer service
Tactics
Goal #1: To double the number of international volunteers sent abroad annually by 2010
Strategy 1a: Increase public awareness of international volunteer opportunities
Tactics
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Develop Marketing Plan
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Refine Communications Plan
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Partner with communications firm
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Conduct public relations campaign
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Develop internet strategy
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Leverage technology group
Strategy 1b: Encourage organizations to commit to scaling up
Tactics
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Promote pledge campaign
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Regular reporting and tracking of pledges and results
Strategy 1c: Foster partnerships among international volunteer organizations,
universities & colleges, corporations and government agencies
Tactics
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Develop strong links among all groups involved in the Building Bridges
Coalition
Tactics (continued)
Goal #1 (cont.): To double the number of international volunteers sent abroad annually by
2010
Strategy 1d: Engage university and college campuses to increase international
volunteerism
Tactics
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Best practice and information sharing for universities and colleges involved
with international volunteerism
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Promoting partnerships with international volunteer organizations and
corporations
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Address funding issues
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Host a Campus Engagement Conference at American University
Strategy 1e: Support the Public Policy Group to expand national resource
commitment to international volunteering and service
Tactics
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Develop strong links between the Public Policy Group and the Building Bridges
Coalition through cross-representation and regular leadership meetings
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Provide necessary information to the Public Policy group
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Support the Public Policy Group with necessary policy action such as
testimony and congressional education.
Tactics (continued)
Goal #2: To improve the quality of international volunteer service
Strategy 2a: Establishing and promoting effective practices for international volunteer service
Tactics
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Develop Effective Practices guidelines
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Assist constituents in implementing Best Practices
Strategy 2b: Creating a forum for interaction and information sharing for international volunteer
organizations, universities & colleges, corporations, government agencies, and other
stakeholders in the field of international volunteerism
Tactics
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Facilitate information sharing and networking amongst coalition members
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Hold regular meetings to engage coalition members and to align leadership &
strategy
Strategy 2c: Encourage increased corporate engagement and improved social and business
impact in international strategic volunteering programs
Tactics
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Research and development of white papers
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Convening of companies to share lessons learned: effective practices, innovative
models and success stories
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Dissemination of lessons learned
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Foster opportunities for corporate-to-corporate partnerships
Tactics (continued)
Goal #3: To maximize positive impacts of international service in communities
throughout the world
Strategy 3a: Support the Research and Impacts Group to implement the
comprehensive research agenda and improve effectiveness in international
volunteer service
Tactics
 Support the Research and Impacts Group in mapping areas of
activity and impact across the field through an assessment of
volunteer sending organizations based in the US
 Assist in development of an instrument that can be used across the
field to measure dimensions of quality, scope, and impact
 Assist in development of a research evaluation handbook to be
used with the instrument to assist programs in implementing
research to assess effectiveness
Building Bridges Coalition Leadership
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Building Bridges Coalition Chairman
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Steven Rosenthal, Executive Director, Cross-Cultural Solutions
Building Bridges Coalition Co-Chairs
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Jennifer Anastasoff, CEO, Building Blocks International
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Malcolm Butler, President and CEO, Partners of the Americas
Managing Director
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Stefanie Rubin, Executive Director, International Volunteer Programs Association
Steering Committee
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Laurie Belton, Director of Field Management, Earthwatch
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David Caprara, Director, Brookings Institution’s Initiative on International Volunteering &
Service
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Rekha Chalasani, Manager, Global Philanthropy, Pfizer
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Jack Hawkins, Director, Volunteers for Prosperity
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Cassie Hayes, Director, Partnerships, Cross-Cultural Solutions
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Kristie Latulippe, The Brookings Institution, Initiative on International Volunteering and
Service
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Jim Lindsay, Executive Director, Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
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Amanda Moore McBride, Ph.D, Research Director, Center for Social Development,
Washington University in St. Louis
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Matt McCoy, American University
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Kevin F. F. Quigley, Ph.D., President, National Peace Corps Association
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Helen Claire Sievers, Executive Director, WorldTeach
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Katherine A. Stahl, Executive Director, American University Career Center
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Ed Wilson, Executive Director, Earthwatch
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Senator Harris Wofford, Former CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service
Lead Members for Strategies
For each strategy there is a lead member shown in bold. In some cases working groups have been formed to work on a particular
strategy and they are noted as well. Coalition members are encouraged to reach out to lead members to get involved.
Goal #1: To double the number of international volunteers sent abroad annually by 2010
Strategies
1a. Increase public awareness of international volunteer opportunities (Jennifer Anastasoff, Public Awareness Working
Group, Technology Advisory Committee)
1b. Encourage organizations to commit to scaling up (Stefanie Rubin)
1c. Foster partnerships among international volunteer organizations, universities & colleges, corporations, and government
agencies (Steven Rosenthal)
1d. Engage university and college campuses to increase international volunteerism (Katherine Stahl, Campus
Engagement Group)
1e. Support the Public Policy Group to expand national resource commitment to international volunteering and service
(Malcolm Butler)
Goal #2: To improve the quality of international volunteer service
Strategies
2a. Establishing and promoting effective practices for international volunteer service (Stefanie Rubin, Effective Practices
Working Group)
2b. Creating a forum for interaction and information sharing for international volunteer organizations, universities &
colleges, corporations, government agencies and other stakeholders in the field of international volunteerism
(Steven Rosenthal)
2c. Encourage increased corporate engagement and improved social and business impact in international strategic
volunteering programs (Corporate Engagement Group)
Goal #3: To maximize positive impacts of international service in communities throughout the world
Strategies
3a. Support the Research and Impacts Group to implement the comprehensive research agenda and improve effectiveness
in international volunteer service (Amanda McBride)
List of Working Groups
To reach our objectives working groups have been formed. The list below illustrates how
the working groups fit within the larger initiative and also indicates their lead members.
Brookings Institution Initiative on International Volunteering and Service
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Brookings Institution Initiative on International Volunteering and Service Working
Group* (David Caprara, Brookings Institution)
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Building Bridges Coalition
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Campus Engagement Group (Katherine Stahl, American University)
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Corporate Engagement Group
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Public Awareness Working Group (Jennifer Anastasoff, Building Blocks
International)
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Technology Advisory Committee (Jennifer Anastasoff, Building Blocks
International)
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Effective Practices Working Group (Stefanie Rubin, International
Volunteer Programs Association)
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Public Policy Group (Senator Harris Wofford and John Bridgeland)
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Research and Impacts Group (Center for Social Development at Washington
University in St. Louis and David Caprara, Brookings Institution)
* - The Building Bridges Coalition, the Public Policy Group, and the Research and Impacts
Group are core elements of the Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service
Working Group which meets monthly.
Coalition Member Responsibilities
 Coalition members work together to achieve the goals of this strategic
plan.
 Members sign-on to demonstrate their commitment to the goals and
their belief in the importance of the initiative.
 Coalition members are officially recognized as a part of this important
movement to enhance cross-cultural understanding by expanding
international volunteer service efforts, and improving service quality,
capacity and positive impacts in communities throughout the world.
 Coalition members sign on by contacting the Managing Director or one
of the Building Bridges Coalition Chairpersons.
Meeting Schedule
 The Building Bridges Coalition’s annual
summit will be held on December 5th, the
United Nations International Volunteer Day.
 The Building Bridges Coalition Steering
Committee meets quarterly. The next two
meetings will occur on June 22, 2007 and
September 21, 2007 at 1:30pm.
 Working group meetings are set by the lead
member.
Measurement and Tracking
 According to a baseline study approximately 50,000 international
volunteers in documented programs were sent overseas in 2005.
Our goal is to increase this number to 100,000 international
volunteers sent overseas in 2009.
 Reports using consistent methodology will be issued regularly to
detail our progress.
 The definition of an international volunteer is a person who
volunteers outside of his or her current country of residence. For
the Brookings Initiative, international volunteers may be people
who engage in corporate volunteering initiatives outside of the US
for companies with a significant US presence or a significant US
base.
Key Messages & Talking Points
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Who We Are:
The Building Bridges Coalition, a project of the Brookings Institution’s
Initiative on International Volunteering and Service, is a consortium of
leading international volunteer organizations, universities & colleges,
corporations, and government agencies working collaboratively to
double the number of international volunteers serving abroad by 2010.
The Building Bridges Coalition is committed to increasing the number of
volunteers from 50,000 to 100,000 by 2010.
There is a strong spirit of collaboration amongst the coalition members
who are a consortium of leading international volunteer organizations,
corporations, universities, and government agencies.
The Building Bridges Coalition is one of three key components of the
Brookings Institution’s Initiative on International Volunteering and
Service. The Public Policy Group, co-chaired by Senator Harris Wofford
and John Bridgeland, focuses on policy development and education,
and advances recommendations that include doubling the Peace Corps
and creating a Global Fellowship to sponsor individual volunteers. The
Research and Impacts Group, led by the Center for Social Development
at Washington University in St. Louis and Brookings Fellow David
Caprara, focuses on assessing the status and impacts of international
volunteering and service and promoting effective practices.
Key Messages & Talking Points
(continued)
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Our Goals:
The Building Bridges Coalition has three main goals: to double the
number of international volunteers serving abroad by 2010, to
improve volunteer service quality and maximize positive impacts in
communities throughout the world.
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Overall Importance:
The initiative is important because an increased number of
international volunteers improves global well-being and security and
builds a climate of mutual understanding and respect. International
volunteers also bring home an understanding of other cultures that
enriches our country and informs our policy choices.
Building Bridges Coalition members share a common objective of
increasing service to address global challenges and improving the
well-being of communities throughout the world.
Key Messages & Talking Points
(continued)
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About The Brookings Institution:
The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted
to independent research and innovative policy solutions. For more
than 90 years, Brookings has analyzed current and emerging issues
and produced new ideas that matter—for the nation and the world.
For policy-makers and the media, Brookings scholars provide the
highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis on
the full range of public policy issues.
Research at the Brookings Institution is conducted to inform the
public debate, not advance a political agenda. Brookings scholars are
drawn from the United States and abroad—with experience in
government and academia—and hold diverse points of view.
Brookings's goal is to provide high-quality analysis and
recommendations for decision-makers in the U.S. and abroad on the
full range of challenges facing an increasingly interdependent world.
Contact Information
 Jennifer Anastasoff, Building Blocks International, jennifer@bblocks.org,
1-415-362-2224
 Malcolm Butler, Partners of the Americas, mbutler@partners.net,
1-202-637-6203
 Cassie Hayes, Cross-Cultural Solutions,
cassie@crossculturalsolutions.org, 1-914-632-0022
 Steven Rosenthal, Cross-Cultural Solutions,
steve@crossculturalsolutions.org, 1-914-632-0022
 Stefanie Rubin, International Volunteer Programs Association,
info@volunteerinternational.org, 1-201- 221-4105
Brookings International Volunteering Project Contact Information
 David L. Caprara, Director, dcaprara@brookings.edu, 1-540-220-8841
 Kristie Latulippe, Special Projects Coordinator,
klatulippe@brookings.edu, 1-202-797-6065
www.brookings.edu/global/volunteer
Current Members of The Brookings Institution Working
Group on International Volunteering and Service
Non-Governmental Service and
Educational Organizations
Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship
ACDI/VOCA
Action Against Hunger
Action Without Borders/Idealist.org
American Bar Association - Central
European and Eurasian Law
Initiative
American Jewish World Service
American Refugee Committee
Amigos de las Americas
AngelPoints
Atlas Corps
Building Blocks International
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Catholic Network of Volunteer Services
Catholic Relief Services
Citizens' Development Corps
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Earthwatch Institute
Global Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity International
Hands On Network (Atlanta)
Health Volunteers Overseas
Innovations in Civic Participation
International Association for Volunteer
Effort
International Executive Service Corps
International Medical Corps
International Volunteer Programs
Association
National Association of Social Workers
National Peace Corps Association
Northwest Medical Teams
Our Voices Together
Partners of the Americas
Peace Corps Encore!
Points of Light Foundation
Presbyterian Hunger Program
Service for Peace
United Planet
Winrock International
World Hope International / Hope Corps
WorldTeach
Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance
(VEGA)
Youth Service America
Corporations
American Express
APCO Worldwide
Citigroup
Ernst and Young
General Electric
IBM Corporation
KPMG LLC
Land O’ Lakes
LBG Associates
Levi-Strauss & Co.
Microsoft
Pfizer Inc.
PriceWaterhouseCooper
Timberland Company, The
UPS Foundation
Agencies and Policymakers
Americorps State and National
Senator Harris Wofford
Hon. John Bridgeland, CEO, Civic Enterprises
Corporation for National Community Service
Department of State
Peace Corps
US Agency for International Development, Volunteers
for Prosperity
USA Freedom Corps
William DeLauder, Executive Director, Abraham Lincoln
Study Abroad
Fellowship
United Nations Volunteers
Universities
American University
Boston College, The Center for Corporate Citizenship
Catholic University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Miami Dade College
University of Maryland
University of Michigan International Center
University of the District of Columbia
University of Tulsa
Washington University in St. Louis, Center for Social
Development