Extracurricular Activities Planning

What it really takes to run a volunteer organization in games People often ask how to start and sustain a volunteer initiative in our industry. I love seeing new community projects emerge, especially from folks inspired to help others in games. If you are thinking about doing this, here is the honest version of what it takes. 1. Time and persistence This work does not fit neatly into spare moments. I still spend 10 to 20 hours a week on ASGC, mostly nights and weekends, with full support from my family. If your job and loved ones come first, your free time becomes your building time. 2. Writing and organization High volume communication requires structure. Dozens of posts, updates, and resources each month only happen with systems and practice. Clarity is a skill you build over time. 3. Communication at scale When messages number in the thousands each week, you need processes to keep up while staying human. Relationships with other organizations matter just as much as one on one conversations. 4. Protecting your values and brand Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and will not allow. As you grow, people will approach you with mixed motives. Stay open hearted but firm. 5. Strength of character Not everyone will understand or support what you are building. Some criticism will be unfair or personal. As long as your family, employer, and community understand your intent, stay focused on the mission. 6. Showing up in person Online work is powerful, but in person presence builds trust in a different way. When people are excited to meet you, that moment matters. Consistency builds credibility. 7. Continuous iteration There will always be more ideas than capacity. Create, measure, refine, and sometimes remove. If you cannot explain the impact, reconsider the effort. 8. Clear and memorable identity Branding is not vanity. It helps people recognize, remember, and trust what you stand for. A consistent voice and look make a volunteer effort feel real and reliable. 9. Trusting others You cannot scale alone. Empowering volunteers can feel uncomfortable at first, but it is the only way to grow beyond a one person project. 10. Taking thoughtful risks At some point you must stand for something. Playing it completely safe limits impact. A clear voice attracts the right people. 11. Measuring what matters Good intentions are not enough. Track outcomes, share results, and be transparent. Data builds trust and helps you improve. 12. Caring about how people feel Metrics tell you what is happening. Listening tells you how it feels. A healthy community needs both performance and empathy. 13. Balancing openness and safety Let people express hard truths while protecting others from harm. Clear guidelines and consistent moderation are essential. 14. Service first The work is not about recognition. It is about helping people in games have better careers and better lives. When you lose sight of that, it shows.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 30 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 3 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. For students starting their journey overseas, those first few weeks are more than a settling-in period — they’re a foundation for academic success, mental well-being, and lifelong independence. And for parents? They’re often just as anxious — hoping their child feels safe, supported, and confident from day one. Here’s a guide to help students (and their families) prepare with purpose: 🎒 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤: Think smart, not heavy. Key documents (visa, ID, health records), tech essentials, prescriptions, and a few comfort items from home. Clothes? Keep it basic — students often adjust after seeing local styles. 🗂️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫: Start with a local SIM card and open a bank account. Then move quickly on student registration, insurance, and residence permits. These steps unlock access to everything from public transport to emergency care. 📲 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝: Must-haves include: – Local transit and navigation apps – University portals – WhatsApp (for international messaging) – Budgeting tools like Revolut or Splitwise – Mental health or support apps offered by the school 🚫 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝: Staying in a comfort bubble. It’s natural to stick with students from the same background — but branching out early builds confidence, language skills, and friendships that last. 🎓 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: – Attend every welcome event, even the awkward ones – Keep a simple daily routine for stability – Learn a few local phrases before you land – It’s okay to miss home — just don’t isolate For students: Be proactive. For parents: Be patient and encouraging. The first 30 days won’t be perfect — but they can be powerful. 💬 If you’ve studied or sent a child abroad, what’s one tip you’d share with someone about to start? #StudyAbroad #InternationalStudents #StudentLife #ParentSupport #First30Days #GlobalEducation #UniversityBound

After graduating university, I got a big girl job that I was NOT ready for.  It was a mid-senior role that I had applied to because I was slightly delusional. Miraculously…I got it. LOL Some of the responsibilities: recruiting, training, onboarding, and managing people. 11 volunteers to be more specific. My first year? Eeek. Scary times. Volunteers weren’t responding to my emails or their clients. Appointments were missed. Chaos prevailed. I spent most of my time putting out fires and doing the work myself. Thanks to a lot of trial and error (mainly error) I was ready to #slay my second year. By my second year, things looked very different: ✅ 50 volunteers recruited (28 onboarded) ✅ $250,000+ in refunds delivered to clients ✅ 72% increase in clients served I built systems from scratch and here’s what worked: 👥 Recruiting 1️⃣ Ghosting is real, so start early (I began 4 months before the next cycle) 2️⃣ Be intentional. Reach out to professors, orgs, and networks where your ideal volunteers already are. 3️⃣ Leverage social media. Highlight previous volunteers. Repurpose content.  4️⃣ Host info sessions + 30-min 1:1 calls with every registrant. 5️⃣ Communicate via their preferred method (email, phone, Zoom). 6️⃣ Follow up 2–3 times. Silence doesn’t always mean no.  7️⃣ Track every lead’s stage: Registered → Info Session → Committed. 8️⃣ Document your outreach. Use a simple spreadsheet or CRM to track where leads are coming from. 9️⃣ Treat recruitment as a two-way street: ask about their skills, capacity, & what they hope to gain from volunteering. Determine if the position is a right fit for both of you! 👩💻 Onboarding 1️⃣ Offer multiple sessions (mornings, evenings, weekends, in-person, remote, self-paced) 2️⃣ Use newsletters to keep everyone aligned and resourced. 3️⃣ Give LOTS of examples + scenarios they’d encounter! 4️⃣ Train them on tools, tech, and scheduling systems that will be used. 5️⃣ Create a central hub. Store onboarding materials in a Google Drive or on Notion. 🌱 Managing 1️⃣ Offer shadowing opportunities (to be shadowed and for them to shadow) 2️⃣ Create resources: how-tos, checklists, FAQs, etc. 3️⃣ Create + share a scheduling calendar. 4️⃣ Use Calendly + add your volunteers to the plan (it's a lifesaver I swear). 5️⃣ Start a group chat that won’t be ignored (GroupMe is awesome). 6️⃣ Give and receive feedback often. 7️⃣ Recognize accomplishments + celebrate wins. 8️⃣ Schedule office hours + check-ins. 9️⃣ Throw in some dad jokes!!! It was intimidating to step into this role without a blueprint, so I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with some incredible, mission-driven people who taught me so much about leading with empathy, transparency, patience, and adaptability. For my fellow first-gen and early professionals, what’s one thing you wish you’d known before stepping into a new role without a roadmap? 🌱 (p.s. Thank you to all of the supportive volunteers who laughed at my dad jokes.)

The decision stage is usually the biggest source of anxiety, but regardless of the outcome, hold tight and move to the next thing. Week Ten: What happens after you apply: decisions and next steps Once you get an acceptance email, be prepared to move from an “application” to “preparation” mode. Getting prepared for graduate school is as taxing as applying for it, especially for international students. People rarely talk about what comes next after one is accepted. What should you know? ☑️ Immediate actions - Secure your official admission letter and confirm scholarship details (amount/percentage covered) - Verify your program start date and any orientation requirements - Begin visa application. Request your I-20 (for the US) or equivalent documents - Schedule your visa interview early because slots fill up fast - Gather all supporting documents: financial statements, admission letters, scholarship confirmations, and passports ☑️ Pre-departure essentials - Complete health immunizations and medical requirements - Secure housing. Start searching on time - Financial planning: understand what your scholarship covers, create a budget, and save for initial setup costs - Academic prep: review recommended readings and connect with your advisor - Set up your university email and familiarize yourself with student portals ☑️ Build your network: - Connect with current students in your program - Join student groups on social media - Ask practical questions about what to bring and cultural adjustments - Create a shopping list of essentials you will need upon arrival - Purchase items that are expensive or unavailable in your destination country - Arrange airport pickup or transportation to your accommodation - Inform your family and emergency contacts of your travel plans - Make copies of all important documents (passport, visa, admission letters) ☑️ Before you leave - Complete the visa process and book flights, bearing in mind your program start date - Arrange airport pickup - Make copies of your documents (put them in your carry-on) - Pack strategically, considering climate and baggage limits - Attend pre-departure orientations offered by your host university ☑️ What if you were not accepted? Know that this is not the end. See it as a redirection. Many people face rejection before finding the right opportunity. - Request feedback from programs - Strengthen your profile: gain more experience and improve test scores - Be more strategic: apply to a broader range of schools - Start earlier and seek mentorship - Explore Master’s/Phd Preview Programs and online informational sessions/webinars to help you network with faculty, visit campuses, learn about funding, and strengthen your candidacy before applying Remember: Every successful scholar you admire likely faced setbacks. Your persistence and preparation will pay off. This concludes the scholarship series. Thank you for following along. I wish you all the best! #JenniferScholarshipSeries | 10 of 10

Having worked in the nonprofit space for over six years and directly managed Volunteers for 4+ years, I’ve realized one thing📌 Volunteers are not just part of the work... Volunteers are the work. Yet, many nonprofits struggle not because of funding but because volunteers quietly disengage, lose motivation, and eventually disappear. And most times, it comes down to three things. I've coined it the "3 Rs of Effective Volunteer Management" which are Recruitment. Retention. Recognition. [Get these right, and your nonprofit becomes sustainable, impactful, and people-driven.] Here’s how 👇 1️⃣. Recruitment — Don’t Just Find Volunteers, Find the Right Ones Recruitment isn’t a one-time activity. It’s a continuous process. Think beyond “we need volunteers” and ask: • Who are we looking for? • Where can we find them? • How will we communicate opportunities? • How will we onboard and train them? Use digital tools. Share clear roles. Make it easy to join. Because when people understand how they FIT, they SHOW UP with purpose. 2️⃣. Retention — People Stay Where They Feel Valued Volunteers don’t just leave because they’re busy. They leave when they feel unsupported, unseen, or disconnected. To retain volunteers: • Match volunteers with roles that fit their skills • Provide adequate support and resources • Create a sense of community (online or offline) • Offer opportunities to grow and take on leadership roles When volunteers grow, your organization grows too. 3️⃣. Recognition — Appreciation Is Not Optional Recognition doesn’t require a big budget. Sometimes, a simple thank you goes a long way. Try: • Appreciation messages • Certificates • Volunteer spotlights • Thank-you events • Small awards or tokens What matters most? Consistency, not cost. Because people don’t just volunteer to give… They also want to feel valued, seen, and appreciated. Or don't you agree? So when you recruit intentionally, retain intentionally, and recognize consistently, You don’t just BUILD volunteers but a MOVEMENT. And when they move on (as it isn't a permanent service), they leave as ambassadors, reflecting on the experience, speaking well of the organization, and evangelizing its impact. In many cases, they go a step further by recommending others and continuing to support the mission from afar. So which of these 3️⃣Rs does your organization need to strengthen RIGHT now? Freely share in the comments 👇 TAG a nonprofit organization you know and kindly SHARE and REPOST ♻️ so more people can learn how best to build stronger volunteer communities. 👋 Welcome to my page I'm Gift Chika IFOKWE| Queen of VolunteerIN Matters| Sustainable Development Strategist I'm redefining volunteering by turning ideas into impact through sustainability and purpose-driven action💪 FOLLOW now for MORE ✅ #VolunteeringManagement #EffectiveTips #VolunteerIN #ProfessionalVolunteer #TheGiftedHands💪

One project management lesson I learned the hard way….. Clarity beats motivation. Every single time. Early in my journey coordinating volunteers and projects, I thought passion was enough. I assumed everyone “got it” because the cause was clear and the energy was high. I was wrong. People didn’t fail because they weren’t committed. They struggled because expectations were fuzzy. So here’s the trick I now swear by Before any project starts, I answer 3 questions clearly (for myself and the team): 1️⃣ What exactly needs to be done? Not vibes. Not intentions. Actual tasks. 2️⃣ Who owns what? If everyone is responsible, no one is responsible. 3️⃣ When is “done”? Deadlines reduce confusion more than reminders ever will. This one habit changed everything for me especially in volunteer coordination, where people are giving their time freely. Clarity is respect. Tip for anyone entering project management or leading volunteers: Don’t just inspire people. Structure the work. Good leadership is not doing everything — it’s making things clear enough that others can execute confidently. If you’re leading a project this year, try this and watch the difference. What’s one lesson project work has taught you? Your Favourite GrassrootsQueen Victoria Aliu #ShareYourKnowledge #CareerTips #LinkedInValue #30DaysOfShowingUpWithVee

Dealing with human beings is unarguably one of the most difficult tasks to embark on at any stage in life, as every individual has different perspectives and orientations about what needs to be done. In my role as a Program Intern at Junior Achievement Nigeria in Oyo State, I manage over 40 volunteers, who are the heartbeat of any of our projects, and their effectiveness is key to achieving our goals. Over the past months, here is how I have enhanced our volunteer management practices to ensure our projects run smoothly and efficiently: 1. Clear Communication: I ensure all volunteers are kept in the loop with regular updates, clear instructions, and a reliable point of contact for any questions or concerns. I also have a channel for feedback on each of our projects and my handling of various activities during project implementation. 2. Matching Skills to Tasks: Understanding each volunteer’s strengths and interests allows for better task assignments. I take time to familiarize myself with each volunteer's skills and interests, which helps me assign tasks accordingly. 3. Delegation: I ensure not to be the boss in all aspects. I delegate ownership of tasks to my volunteers, which not only maximizes efficiency but also keeps them engaged and motivated. 4. Recognition and Appreciation: Acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our volunteers is crucial. From shout-outs in meetings to personalized thank-you notes and phone calls recognizing their contributions, I have been able to foster a positive and encouraging environment. 5. Building Community: I don’t see my volunteers as just temporary helpers, I see them as committed individuals who are passionate about their growth. This prompted me to create a sense of community among our volunteers to enhance teamwork and collaboration. We do this through team-building activities, which help forge strong connections and a shared sense of purpose. 6. Sharing Opportunities: I take it upon myself to share any career growth opportunities with my volunteers regularly. From job opportunities to training and scholarships, I share all with them, and this has had a positive impact on their personal and professional development. By prioritizing these strategies, the Junior Achievement Nigeria team in Oyo State has seen a noticeable improvement in project delivery timelines and outcomes. Our volunteers are more engaged, motivated, and aligned with our mission to inspire and prepare young ones to succeed in a global economy. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and the results we've achieved, and I'm excited about the future projects we’ll tackle together! ............. If you are interested in volunteering for Junior Achievement Nigeria in any part of the country, feel free to send me a DM. #thefaithilori #VolunteerManagement #ProjectManagement #Leadership #TeamBuilding #VolunteerAppreciation

Given all the recent stress for international students around news coming out of the US, it has been very nice of a number of US universities to conduct sessions for counsellors to help us cut through the noise and figure out what's happening on the ground. Based on these conversations, I'm sharing some advice here for students on an F1: 1) For those of you heading to the US in the fall, either for the first time or after your summer break, make sure you triple-check all the required documents. If your final destination is not the port of entry, make sure you have all your onward flights booked. 2) Ports of entry are always subject to scrutiny. Familiarise yourself with what you can and cannot bring into the country and follow it to a T. Doubtful about whether that aam ka achaar is allowed? Toss it. Not worth the risk. 3) While at university, keep up the requirements of your F1, including the necessary courseload. 4) Avoid posting troublesome things on social media (this is life advice, really, kids!) 5) Don't break *any* laws, even seemingly small ones like jaywalking (I'm serious!). Small infractions that might not be a huge deal for US citizens can be problematic for international students 6) Check in with your university's international student department regularly Bottom line - as an international student, you are there to study and build your skills. Put your head down, focus, and do that. Is it really that dire? Maybe not, but do you want to be the poster child for that? On a slightly different note, for high school students exploring universities in the US, the level of support a university provides for international students is something you must add to your list of questions to ask them during events/sessions/visits. It has always been important, but in these uncertain times, it is critical. Fellow counsellors - what else would you add here as advice? #collegecounselling #studyabroad #internationalstudents Sapna Goel Ambikaa Kaul Khushboo Taparia Bedi Anjali Uppal Namita Mehta Priya Gupta Maneesha Gorti Sangeetha Virmani Kavita Singh Punnya Vij Sandeep Bhalla Bhakti Shah Sudarshana Shukla Janhavi Ruparel Aashima S. Shivangi Panchal Namrata Misra (Pandey) Revathi Shivakumar Nirmal Agarwal Priyanka Reddy Pragati Pandey

Studying in the U.S. is not just about classes, it is a full system you need to navigate well. Most international students focus only on GPA …but success depends on 12 interconnected factors that shape your academics, work opportunities, and visa outcomes. It took many students years to understand how each decision - course load, CPT timing, networking, finances - directly affects long-term career results. Here is a breakdown of the US education system that every student should understand: 1. Credit Planning Your entire degree plan starts in semester one. Incorrect sequencing can delay graduation and even affect CPT/OPT eligibility. 2. Semester Load Management Balance your schedule. Overloading kills GPA, underloading can violate full-time requirements. 3. GPA Protection Strategy Your GPA is a long-term asset. It impacts internships, research roles, referrals, and full-time job screening. 4. Academic Integrity Rules Violations can derail everything - grades, reputation, and even immigration status. Know plagiarism and collaboration limits clearly. 5. Internship Timing Strategy Internships must align with academic calendars + work authorization rules. Missing the right window can narrow future career options. 6. CPT & OPT Readiness Work authorization is rule-based. Late planning or wrong usage can cost you your status. 7. Skill Stacking Beyond Coursework Employers hire skills, not just transcripts. Projects, tools, and hands-on expertise define job readiness. 8. Faculty Relationship Building Professors influence recommendations, research access, and credibility. Good relationships open doors grades alone cannot. 9. Networking & Career Visibility Referrals dominate US hiring. If you stay invisible, even strong technical skills won’t help. 10. Employer Selection Awareness Not every company supports visa processes. Target employers early to avoid OPT/visa-related dead ends. 11. Financial Stability Planning Money stress affects grades, focus, and long-term outcomes. A stable plan reduces pressure and improves decision-making. 12. Long-Term Career & Immigration Alignment Education, employment, and immigration must move together. Early planning reduces uncertainty at every stage. Success in the U.S. is about managing multiple academic, career, and immigration decisions together. The earlier you understand the system, the smoother your journey becomes. Want to learn more about O1, EB1A and EB5? Schedule a free consultation- https://lnkd.in/gVUbZG8u Join our Open Atlas community for daily visa-friendly job drops - https://lnkd.in/e3362r-z Sign up for our free weekly workshop and get O1 ready - https://luma.com/lxyd29ik 🔔 Follow to stay updated on high-skilled immigration, jobs, and business #H1B #ImmigrationJourney #GreenCard #EB1A #EB5 #USImmigration

When funding cuts hit nonprofits, the knee-jerk response is often: "Let's get volunteers!" Having spent years as a volunteer myself and many more on the other side—selecting, training, and supervising volunteers—I truly believe in the power of volunteers and the many scenarios where they make a ton of sense, for everyone involved. And... here's what is crucial to know: Effective volunteer programs don't happen by magic—they require serious investment to make them worthwhile. Here are my top tips: 1. Give volunteers real responsibility and crystal clear expectations. Volunteers who have ownership over their role, not just a to-do list of small tasks, will be inspired to return, and they'll want to make a genuine impact. This is good for your org, and good for the volunteers. Define exactly what success looks like so whomever in the role is set up to succeed. 2. Select for the qualities you need. Can those qualities be taught? Great. But if there's anything that is an intrinsic quality that a volunteer would need (think adaptability, sensitivity, ability to maintain confidentiality), make sure you screen for that from the start. Hot take: it is okay to turn away potential volunteers if they're not the right fit! 3. Dedicate Staff to Volunteer Success This isn't a "set it and forget it" operation. Successful volunteer programs require dedicated staff time for training, support, and coordination. It's an investment, not a cost-cutting measure. The reality? Volunteers can absolutely deliver impactful work and extend your organization's reach—but only when you build the infrastructure to set them up for success. What's been your experience with volunteer program development? What would you add to this list? And if you'd like support with developing or enhancing a program to make the most of your volunteer leadership, reach out and let's find a time to talk.