Slide 1

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFORMATION SESSION MONTH DAY, YEAR

Slide 2

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION - ABOUT GLOBAL BRIGADES GLOBAL BRIGADES MISSION To empower volunteers to facilitate sustainable solutions in under resourced communities GLOBAL BRIGADES VISION To improve equality of life, by igniting the largest student-led social responsibility movement on the planet.

Slide 3

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION - PROGRAMS To empower volunteers, Global Brigades offers 10 skill-based programs

Slide 4

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION WHERE WE WORK COUNTRIES SELECTED BASED ON: Large need in rural areas Strong community partnerships Logistically feasible Safe for volunteers NEEDS THAT GLOBAL BRIGADES ADDRESSES: Basic services Healthcare Economic Programs are offered in Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Ghana

Slide 5

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION PROGRAMS AND COUNTRIES Ghan a Panama Dental Medical Microfinance Water Business Dental Environmental Human Rights Medical Microfinance Medical Public Health Nicaragua Honduras Architecture Business Dental Engineering Medical Microfinance Public Health Water Programs offered in each country

Slide 6

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION PROGRAMS AND COUNTRIES Ghan a Panama Dental Medical Microfinance Water Business Dental Environmental Human Rights Medical Microfinance Medical Public Health Nicaragua Honduras Architecture Business Dental Engineering Medical Microfinance Public Health Water Programs offered in each country

Slide 7

WHY PANAMA?

Slide 8

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION RURAL PANAMA STATISTICS Typical family lives on less than $3 per day Average level of education is approximately 6 th grade In need of alternative environmental sustainable businesses Areas of high biodiversity at risk of environmental degradation HONDURA S NICARAG UA COSTA RICA GUATEMA LA BELIZ E EL SALVADOR HONDURA S PANAM A

Slide 9

PANAMA LOSES OVER 1% OF PRIMARY FOREST COVER ANNUALLY DUE TO LOGGING, RANCHING, AND UNSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL METHODS

Slide 10

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES FOR EVER ONE ENVIRONMENT AL VOLUNTEER = THIRTY TREES ARE PLANTED FOR A COMMUNITY

Slide 11

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS THE ENVIRONMENT IS CONNECTED TO Natural resources and conservation Sanitation and public health Nutrition Water and food sources WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES? Lack of education regarding resource depletion, climate change, and deforestation No existing system of waste management - Current methods affect public and environmental health Current agricultural practices result in soil erosion and degradation, loss of biodiversity, and limited harvest yields

Slide 12

HOW DOES ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES HELP?

Slide 13

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES? ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES THROUGH MULTIPLE 7-DAY BRIGADES: Brigades work with community members and school children on a personal level to introduce sustainable agricultural practices through hands-on reforestation projects (depending on the season) Community members receive education on resource depletion, waste management, and tools to put their knowledge to use on their land Volunteers get greater appreciation for diversity, people of different cultures, and awareness of global environmental and social issues

Slide 14

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNITY SELECTION Based on - Environmental need - Community commitment - Land availability for projects SUSTAINABILITY ASPECTS Creation of Environmental Committees - Works alongside volunteers on the sustainable agriculture and agroforestry project, perpetuates the implementation of sustainableagricultural practices, like permaculture, even inthe absence of Global Brigades staff and student volunteers In-country staff - Trains the Environmental Committees - Follows up with the committee and schools after brigades to ensure projects continue

Slide 15

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES TEAM Leads your brigade Performs community follow-up Trains families and the Environmental Committees to perpetuate projects Builds community relations Works with families in preparation for Brigade arrival Updates the website and sends out newsletters to past and future volunteers

Slide 16

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Slide 17

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION WHY WE WANT YOU YOUR BENEFITS Contribute to sustainable change - Empower community to decrease natural resource depletion and to learn sustainable methods of agriculture Education application - Environmental knowledge transfer - Spanish language immersion - International development exposure COMMUNITY BENEFITS Empowerment - Learn about global environmental issues - Apply classroom knowledge to on-the- ground community development work

Slide 18

WHAT DOES A BRIGADE LOOK LIKE?

Slide 19

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ITINERARY DAY 1: ARRIVAL & ENVIRONMENTAL INTRODUCTION Transportation to lodging facility Panama and Environmental introduction - Rural communities - Needs you are addressing - How Environmental Brigades makes a difference - Best practices

Slide 20

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ITINERARY DAY 2: COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION & ASSESSMENT MEET COMMUNITY Community leaders meeting Environmental Committee - Question and answer session - Leaders perspective Plan for the rest of the week and workshops FAMILY HOUSE VISITS Small group interaction with families Cultural Exchange and context for the weeks work Assess environmental knowledge and resource usage

Slide 21

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ITINERARY DAYS 3, 4, 5: IMPLEMENTATION OF PHYSICAL COMPONENT Examples of physical projects - Sustainable agriculture and agroforestry - Maintenance to communitys crops and fields - Make organic fertilizer - Other agricultural activities - More!

Slide 22

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ITINERARY DAYS 3, 4, 5: EDUCATION WORKSHOPS Waste management activities - Waste diversion - Recycling and reusing methods - Composting solutions Organic composts Plant care and disease control General ecology

Slide 23

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ITINERARY DAY 6: FAREWELL LUNCH AND CULTURAL CELEBRATION Gathering with community members for lunch and final goodbyes Finalize work report for Environmental Brigades staff Talent show Cultural dances and artisan market

Slide 24

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION ITINERARY DAY 7: NEXT STEPS AND DEPARTURE Start planning for next brigade - Set goals - Leadership positions Share experiences with donors, friends, & family Get connected via GB networks - Updates on your community and project Learn and share about environmental topics around the world

Slide 25

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATION PRE-BRIGADE CURRICULUM 6 pre-Brigade lesson plans Includes program- and country-specific education resources and group discussions to fully prepare for your Brigade To preview lessons, go to the Volunteer Resources Site (https://www.globalbrigades.org/ volunteer-tools-home)https://www.globalbrigades.org/ volunteer-tools-home Ask the Chapter Education Chair or Chapter President to find out when lesson plans will occur

Slide 26

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Slide 27

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION TOTAL CONTRIBUTION HOW IS YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADE FUNDED? Volunteers Program Contribution: - $890 (Panama) - Brigade expenses - Program sustainability - Project Fund - Airfare: Variable PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION DETAILS 7 day program Accommodations & meals (vegetarian options available) Clean drinking water Airport pick-up and drop-off In-country transportation Spanish translators and coordinators, and security Program sustainability and follow-up between brigades Project Materials: $100

Slide 28

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION RESOURCES FOR YOU FUNDRAISING TOOL www.empowered.org Send links of brigade project information to donors Create personalized profile to share with your donors Track donation progress on individual and group level STUDENT RESOURCE SITE https://www.globalbrigades.org/volunteer-tools-home Brigade planning materials Collection of reports from past brigades Community profiles Frequently asked questions IN-COUNTRY ADVISING TEAM Team of trained staff in Nicaragua Share best practices for all aspects of brigade preparation Answer questions about brigade and community

Slide 29

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION CONTACT INFORMATION Contact your advisor for information about Environmental Brigades in Panama Dont know who your advisor is? admin@globalbrigades.or g

Slide 30

ENVIRONMENTAL BRIGADES INFO SESSION JOIN THE NEXT BRIGADE NAME LAST NAME President Email Phone Number NAME LAST NAME President Email Phone Number

Slide 31

QUESTIONS? Dont Hesitate to Ask