shareBE THE CHANGE CONFERENCE: ARE YOU READY TO BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD?
"....You guys have ignited the fire, set my passion in motion, and for that I am so grateful." Tania Martin
Be The Change will provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference. You will understand better than most people how you fit into, and can help, our global family of humanity. Make no mistake about it; this is an experience that you won't want to miss. In 2013, we will be hosting Be The Change programs in Taupo and Costa Rica – please take a few minutes to read about how this program could help you achieve your goals. Here's what a few of our recent participants have said:
Feedback from Past Participants
Tania Martin
I just returned from Be The Change in Cape Cod and did not want to waste any time in thanking you for your amazing work. I think that what sets you apart from others is your amazing hearts, your sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of the participants. I spent a week that I am well aware will change the course of my life. I will forever be grateful. I had a vision, but you guys have ignited the fire, set the passion in motion, and for that I am so grateful. I recommend everyone to take a week off and participate in Be The Change. If you have an idea, it will give you the direction you may be lacking, and if you don't have a clue, it may engage your soul to let you know your purpose in this world. Dont miss the opportunity.
Staci Alziebler
I had started launching my dream nonprofit early in 2010 but lost momentum when I hit some complications. The 'Be the Change' program was just what I needed to restart and refocus through the energies and ideas of amazing people from all around the world. Not only am I nearly ready to launch now, but I updated my skills and made friends and connections that would not have been possible, all while seeing one of the prettiest countries in the world, New Zealand. If you truly want to make a difference in the world, then I recommend the 'Be the Change' program. It will inspire you to 'be the change you want to see in the world.'
Patrice Dorrall
It is extremely challenging to write within the confines of one paragraph about the impact that the "Be The Change" training had on my life, my personal dreams and the massive vision that I hold in my hands. I could not have imagined or pictured in my mind the in depth, soul searching and eye opening journey of conversations, information driven and personally challenging sessions provided to the participants against the background of the swaying brush and tinted water of picturesque Taupo, New Zealand. Being one that firmly believes that, "HE without a vision will perish" the Be The Change facilitators, Caitie, Colin and Eliza, reminded me that there is a place for MY vision in this world and that it is my rightful responsibility to breathe new life into my vision which will impact the masses. Be The Change offers something for everybody – the young, the elderly, those finding their way, those at the crossroads and those needing that extra push to see what is on the other side of all the work that have already put into place to make a dream a concrete reality. The facilitators were personable, energetic and equally inspired. The beautiful rainbow of nationalities and cultures in attendance made me feel like I had visited 6 countries at once. Be the change inspired me, invigorated me, pushed me, challenged me and demanded that I "Be The Change" that I want to see.
To read more feedback, click here.
So tell me more about the conference?
Be The Change helps you transform your ideas into action. Whether you want a job where you are living your passion, or if you want to start something new, this program caters for people at both ends of the spectrum.
Be prepared for a week like nothing you have experienced before. You will discover a group of likeminded individuals who will all be in your corner willing you to win. The exciting thing for me is seeing the potential in each person and guiding them towards unleashing their passion on the world.
The workshops are flexible and the facilitators will focus each workshop on those skills that will most benefit the group as a whole.
The workshops include:
- Marketing: How to Tell Your Story
- Website Production: Get online
- Communications: What is your message and who is your audience?
- Fundraising: How to raise money for your cause
- Social Enterprise vs. Nonprofit: Who's doing what?
- Skill/Passion Identification: How are you wired?
- United Nations: Who does what and how can I work there?
After workshops, the afternoon will be a time to rest, or get outside and do some exercise. We choose stunning places around the world to hold our program because we want to ensure there is an abundance of healthy and fun activities to get involved in.
To see images from BTC around the world click here.
Activities include:
- Tennis
- Climbing
- Hot Pool Swims
- Morning Exercises
Before workshops each morning, participants will have the option to join in a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. Each meal will be healthy, nutritional and tasty... and often accompanied by wine.
The 'Be the Change' groups are kept small so that each participant gets a great deal of individualized instruction. Plus, participants for Be the Change are always innovative, fascinating and motivated people from all over the world. Many people find their plans and ideas grow exponentially during discussions with the group (at the dinner table or in workshops). You will leave with new friends and you will become part of our 'Be the Change' alumni network.
To see what some of our past participants are up to and learn about how this program has helped them shape their own dreams, click here.
Program Schedule
Costa Rica August 2013
AUGUST 25 - 31, 2013
Facilitators, including Colin Salisbury, live in accommodation with all the Be The Change participants during the course and spend the entire week with the group.
The week starts with a discussion about how each participant wants to contribute to social change. From there, facilitators will take the group through a series of workshops designed to address the skills needed to start a nonprofit organization, development project and /or social enterprise.
The workshops are flexible and the facilitators will focus each workshop on those skills that will most benefit the group as a whole.
Taupo (New Zealand) November 2013
NOVEMBER 24 - 30, 2013
Facilitators, including Colin Salisbury, live in accommodation with all the Be The Change participants during the course and spend the entire week with the group.
The week starts with a discussion about how each participant wants to contribute to social change. From there, facilitators will take the group through a series of workshops designed to address the skills needed to start a nonprofit organization, development project and /or social enterprise.
The workshops are flexible and the facilitators will focus each workshop on those skills that will most benefit the group as a whole.
Please note: Upon your arrival you will be taken to your accommodation. Workshops aren't scheduled on the first day to allow people to rest after their flight. That evening we will have a group meal and a chance to talk/get to know the other participants and facilitators.
The next day the course formally starts. You will start your first full day on the course with a workshop designed to identify your future dreams and goals. From there each person will discuss their project/idea for social change with the group. Facilitators will then tailor each of the following workshops to address the needs of the group. Have a look at our example schedule.
About the Facilitators
Facilitators, including Colin Salisbury, live in accommodation with all the Be The Change participants during the course and spend the entire week with the group.
The week starts with a discussion about how each participant wants to contribute to social change. From there, facilitators will take the group through a series of workshops designed to address the skills needed to start a nonprofit organization, development project and /or social enterprise.
To read more about our facilitators click here.
Conference Cost
Conference Package – US $2497 ($300 Earlybird Discount Available)
What You Get – Pre-Conference
- All the support you need from our experienced Be The Change coordinator to help you plan and prepare for this program. This include unlimited phone and email access!
- An 'optional' pre-conference reading list of articles and books
- A pre-conference survey formulated to provide the facilitators with insight into the group and workshops designed around participant objectives and projects
What You Get: During Conference
- Training: A range of inspirational and skill-development workshops to provide you with the focus and tools you need to develop your idea
- Interview: A one-on-one interview/brainstorming session with the Be The Change facilitators to help you formalize your idea and develop a plan of action
- Network: The opportunity to be in a supportive environment and connect with like-minded people
- Inspiration: Visits to local tourist attractions to provide you with space and inspiration to help shape your idea
- Facilitators: Learn from our experienced team of conference facilitators, specialized in areas such as marketing, fundraising and business
- Accommodation: Clean and comfortable twin share accommodation
- Meals: Three meals daily plus snacks
- Airport pickup/drop-off: At beginning and end of conference
- USB filled with additional readings and resources
- One day highlighting the local area which may include excursions to local cultural locations and/or meeting with area social entrepreneurs or projects
What You Get: Post-Conference
- 3, 6 and 12 month follow up to check in and continue to support you
- An opportunity to debrief and provide feedback
- Free access to GVN Changemakers program which alerts you to future internship/job opportunities at GVN
- Access to the GVN Alumni group, a network of over 100 social entrepreneurs around the world
- A Certificate of Completion
- A personal reference letter on request
- Access to the Be The Change Database
- An opportunity to network with previous participants
Be The Change Partners
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 Member of Wango World association of non-governmental organizations |
 GVN Foundation has special United Nations Consultative Status |
As the President of the Global Volunteer Network Colin Salisbury has an intimate understanding of our programs needs. He has extensive development experience both locally and internationally with time spent in Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines and Thailand. His background in Community Development and achieving a Masters Degree in International Development has enabled him to not only launch the extremely successful Global Volunteer Network but also co-found The GVN Foundation. Colin brings extensive management, business, and development experience to the Foundation.
Caitie Goddard was born and raised in the United States but has lived in Madrid, Uganda, and most recently, New Zealand. Attending the University of Detroit-Mercy on a full scholarship as a Division I women's basketball player, she received a degree Summa Cum Laude in Business Administration. Primarily focusing her studies on international business and marketing, she achieved the top marketing student award in her graduating class and went on to accept a position at Chrysler LLC working at the World Headquarters.
Eliza Raymond has ten years of experience studying, volunteering and working in the field of international development. Eliza's Masters Degree focused on good practice in international volunteer programs, and involved researching a variety of different volunteer programs in South America, Africa and Australasia. Following her studies, Eliza ran GVN's volunteer programs in Peru for two years where she also helped administer their partner's humanitarian projects budget. She then returned to New Zealand where she has been working for the GVN Foundation for two years as their Grants Coordinator. Eliza is British/French by nationality but calls Motueka (New Zealand) home. Eliza spends her spare time volunteering at Refugee Services, and recently climbed to Mt Everest Base Camp to help raise US$42,000 for a children's home in Nepal.
Andrea Suica : Founder of the GVN Foundation Anti-Trafficking Fund
After Be The Change in New Zealand in July 2008, Jan returned home and founded the organization 'A Helper’s Hope'. 
Rafe joined a longer version of our Be The Change Program in November of 2007. 
Nicola joined an extended version of the Be The Change Program in March 2007. 
Danny joined an extended version of the Be The Change Program in November of 2007. 
Kenya. 
Vietnam. 
Peru. 
Nepal. 
