GB National Information Sessions
What are GB National Information Sessions?
A monthly opportunity for new and interested students from around the world to come together to learn more about Global Brigades and all of our programs and projects. Find out how you can get more involved on your campus, join a virtual TeleBrigade or travel to one of our international partner communities. We invite you and anyone else you think might be interested to join this social movement for positive global change!
The GB National Information Session is also an opportunity for our Chapter Leaders to mobilize potential volunteers to join this session to learn more about our programs. Simply share the date and time with your network, and the GB staff will help with the rest! And if you are a new Chapter Leader, this is a great opportunity for you to learn first hand how to run an effective and inspiring virtual GB Information Session so that you can feel confident offering your own.
Who's Invited?
Everyone! Whether you are a chapter leader, or 100% new to Global Brigades, this information session can be for you. However, depending on who you are, you may utilize the information session differently.
New and Interested Volunteers: This is a great opportunity for you to gain introductory information about the history of Global Brigades, where we work and what you do as a volunteer. We will start with general information, and then break into smaller groups to learn in detail about your specific program of interest. Whether you are looking to join a Medical Brigade, or a Business TeleBrigade, or any of our programs, the information will be provided. We can answer any of your questions, and you can hear from other volunteers and GB staff about what to expect on a virtual or in-person brigade. All you have to do is show up and enjoy!
Experienced Brigaders: If you have attended a GB information session before on your campus, or traveled on a brigade, the presentation about your program may not be new to you. Instead, if you would like to attend, we recommend that you select a different program, one that is new to you, so that you can learn about another side of Global Brigades. Maybe you have been on a Medical Brigade before, but have always been curious about a Public Health Brigade. Feel free to join and learn about any of our programs!
Chapter Leaders and Campus Chairpersons: The National Information Sessions were designed for you! We know that most of you are already very familiar with the introductory information about your program, but we also understand that recruiting new volunteers, especially during this virtual time, can be challenging. We created these monthly GB Information Sessions to help you recruit new members to your chapter.
How to Prepare for a GB National Information Session?
New and Interested Volunteers:
We invite you to simply register for the call, show up on time and enjoy the presentation! You will not be expected to have anything prepared, nor will you be asked to present at all besides possibly to briefly introduce yourself. Please prepare any questions that you have so that you can ask them at the end of the call. Also, if you can, please watch the Global Brigades Foundations video prior to the call.
Experienced Brigaders:
You are also welcome to simply register and join the call to learn more about your program, or another program of your interest. We also encourage you to invite at least one friend or colleague to join as well to help spread the word about GB! Most of our new volunteers come from word of mouth, so please share the invitation with those around you that you think might be inspired by GB’s work. You can share the Graphics on your social media, or DM them to a friend. Thanks for helping us grow our international Global Brigades network!
Chapter Leaders and Campus Chairpersons:
If you are currently a leader for your GB chapter, and hoping to use the National Information Session as a recruitment tool, then please make sure to follow these steps to get the most out of the event:
- Spread the word!
At least 2 weeks before the info session, email/DM as many people in your chapter’s network as possible. Primarily focus on “warm leads,” meaning students that may have shown interest in the past but never attended an information session with your chapter. You can also use this to reach out to more “cold contacts,” students that may never have heard about GB before. For example, you can share the information and Graphics through university department listservs, post fliers around campus, and even announce the information session at the beginning of a virtual or in-person class. Anyone from your campus, whether they already know about GB or not, is welcome to join. - Attend the National Information Session
If you have invited your network to join the information session, it is essential that you (or another capable leader of your team) are present on the call. The GB staff members will manage the introduction and program presentations, but at the end of the call there will be a chance for you to facilitate a breakout room with any interested students from your campus. During that time, you can provide them with next steps, meeting dates/times and other details specific to your campus. - Follow Up with Interested Volunteers
In the days following the National Information Session, please follow up directly with any new contacts that you made during the NIS. You can provide them with more details about your specific chapter, invite them to upcoming events, and include them on general emails and updates. They are now a member of your chapter!
Upcoming National Information Sessions: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5pm Eastern
Wednesday, March 10th at 5pm EST
Join us on Wednesday March 10th at 5pm EST! Register Here.
Wednesday, April 14th at 5pm EDT
Join us on April 14th at 5pm EDT! Register Here.
If you have any questions about joining a GB National Information Session, or need additional support or materials, please contact Orion Haas at orion@globalbrigades.org and he will respond to you promptly.