The Volunteer Program
Joan Perrin and Earl Gayler, consultants from Washington, D.C. arrived in Romania shortly after the Jones' and immediately immersed themselves in their assigned associations. During her three-month assignment, Joan provided assistance for three associations, and helped create a new association. She and Earl provided valuable assistance in strategic planning, membership development, and marketing, as well as other areas of organizational development.
Stan and Roberta Jones, Earl Gayler and Joan Perrin are four of the fifteen volunteers that accepted one- to three- month assignments to provide technical support for Romanian business associations. In total, the volunteers worked with 23 business associations and provided hundreds of hours of technical assistance.
CIPE's Volunteer Expert Program in Romania is part of a three-year project undertaken with funding from the United States Agency for International Development. Under this project, CIPE will work to build the capacity of business associations in the tourism, manufacturing, and information technology sectors. In addition, assistance will be provided to multi-sector associations such as chambers of commerce, and women's business associations.
Public Policy Advocacy
Along with institutional strengthening of business associations, CIPE will provide assistance in developing public policy advocacy programs and other initiatives to strengthen the private sector. Fortunately, Michael Arno and Edward Priola answered CIPE's call for assistance, bringing nearly 40 years of advocacy experience to Romanian business associations. Michael's work with three business associations in the information technology area paved the way for the formation of the Tech 21 Coalition, a collaborative public policy advocacy initiative focusing on issues affecting the sector. Following Michael's lead, Edward Priola helped to develop advocacy campaigns for the tourism and information technology sectors, as well as to create the Open Doors Campaign in conjunction with the country's top business associations. Ed liked Romania so much that he went on to accept a six-month assignment as a volunteer!
Why Be a Volunteer?
Each volunteer expert that participated in the first year of the CIPE/USAID Business Association Development Project has a unique story to tell, and each was integral to the success of the project. Through their efforts, Romanian business associations have gained additional knowledge, strength and financial capacity. When asked why he volunteered for the assignment in Romania, one expert stated, "Who would pass up an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many people? It's rewarding work, regardless of the pay." The leaders of business associations have been overwhelmed by the level of expertise and support they've received from individuals who are not receiving a consulting fee for participation in the project. One association manager commented, "The level of support we've received has transformed our thinking and given us the capacity to build for the future."
CIPE/Romania's Chief of Party, Mark McCord, applauds the work of the volunteers. "Any member of CIPE's team in Romania will state without reservation that our volunteers have been the backbone of our project. I can't imagine having a more talented or committed group of individuals with whom to work."
In year two of the project, which begins in October of 2001, CIPE will utilize 15 more volunteers to provide technical assistance to Romanian business associations. For more information on the Volunteer Expert Project, please email Mark McCord at mmccord@cipe.org.