Pick your top 3 projects!
When filling out your BVS application, you will indicate the 3 projects you are most interested in. This is to give the BVS staff an idea of the type of service you are interested in. You will have a chance to talk about your interest at your interview. As you go through the placement process, your top project choices may change.
Info Sessions and Project Files
The placement process begins about 6 weeks ahead of orientation. All incoming volunteers will meet via Zoom for info sessions about the projects and will be able to access the digital project files. This is your chance to take a closer look at what each potential roles involves. A project’s availability varies year to year.
One-on-One Meetings
Each volunteer with meet with BVS staff one-on-one to talk about placements. You will discuss what sites you are interested in, what you are hoping to get out of your volunteer year, housing preferences, and more. After meeting with each volunteer individually, BVS staff will begin matching volunteers with project sites. Placements depend on demand and availability of a particular project. There are also other factors that are taken into consideration when placing volunteers, and not everyone will get placed at their top choice. The best experiences come when volunteers take time to learn about the various projects and when volunteers stay open to projects that they may not have previously considered.
Interviews with Projects
After project site matches are identified, you will have an opportunity to interview with project staff. If you, the project, and BVS feel confident about the placement, then you will move forward with paperwork to make it official! If you, the project, or BVS do not feel that the placement is a good fit, then we will keep working to find the right location for you. If multiple volunteers want the same project, the project will decide who is the best fit for the organization. BVS seeks to ensure that every volunteer feels positive about their placement, even if it wasn’t their initial top choice.