Volunteering without a Fee

Dear Future & Present Volunteers:

Just wanted to give you an update on the status of Conviven’s Asocacion Civil (for those of you not familiar with the term it’s the official registration to become a certified NGO). We have a hearing with AFIP on Sept. 30th and will be given a Tax ID number and thirty days later will find out if all our paperwork has been approved. Marcelo Dreon, an attorney who works with Conviven, is assisting with this legal process and without his support we would not be able to get this done this quickly and inexpensively. He’s been a star. Since we are only one step away from becoming independent, Valmir, the dedicated head of Conviven expressed his unhappiness of working with registered NGO’s who charge people to come to Argentina to volunteer. In fact he has always opposed this practice but accepted volunteers from organization like Help Argentina, BA Volunteers and Coined because Conviven simply needed their support to recruit volunteers and donations.

It’s important that everyone who has worked with Conviven in the past and for those who are considering working with us in the future to understand that the organizations mentioned above charge volunteers over $300 to place them IN organization like Conviven. However those organizations only end up receiving 1/3 (33%) of that fee and sometimes they get nothing. Now that we are on the road to independence we no longer will accept volunteers from Help, Coined or BA Volunteers because Conviven and Valmir strongly disagree with the practice of charging Volunteers. With that said, I want you all to realize that Conviven cannot exist without Volunteers like you. Our Volunteer coordinator, Bella, has been diligent about recruiting Volunteers who reach out to us directly through this blog and the main web page and so far it looks like her efforts have secured a steady flow of new Volunteers.

We want to take the opportunity to thank the past volunteers for their support. They spread the word of Conviven to friends and family and support Conviven through their own donations,

Without your generosity we would not be able to continue providing the services and support to the community of Ciudad Oculta. And it is important for new Volunteers to continue the tradition of supporting our initiative at Conviven so that we can continue to help and touch the lives of the less fortunate. Your support through Volunteering is much appreciated and your financial support is also welcomed. Without donations our organization will not survive so please help us with as much as you can.

I can provide bank instructions for donations so please feel free to email me at atsalas@gmail.com. As soon as Conviven has the official Asocacion Civil status we will open our own bank account and set up a Pay pal and Dineromail account to make it easier for you to donate.

Again, thanks so much for your support.

Alexandra Salas