Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17 Most travelers set out with a mission in mind – including a list of expectations regarding what they hope to achieve during their sojourns. But how many of us go beyond what we expect to receive to consider what we might be able to give while we are touring? This is the question that volun- tourism asks you to consider. Voluntourism is all about following the law of reciprocity. By giving of your time and effort, ultimately, your travel experience is richer knowing that you have helped to enrich the lives of others. Voluntourism combines travel with participation in a volunteer project for a charitable cause. Well- established volunteer programs, such as Habitat for Humanity, have been offering these experiences for years. However since 1995, volun- tourism has been a growing trend and now many destinations are offering programs designed for both the leisure traveler and busi- ness groups. As far as corporate travel is concerned, voluntourism provides an opportunity for com- panies to combine business travel with their corporate responsibility initiatives — to truly make a differ- ence around the globe. The US Virgin Islands is one destination that is proactively pro- viding volunteer programs for groups of every size. Judi Nagelberg, president of Island Meetings and Incentives, Inc., pio- neered the original push for volun- tourism in the USVI. Her inspira- tion came in 2001 as a result of a client program that she planned in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. The volunteers built a ramp for the home of a local family with two special needs children. One of the two girls rarely left home due to the difficulties in transporting her. Judi saw first hand how the project transformed their lives by mak- ing it possible for this family to mobilize and participate more fully in the outside world. Judi has since planned countless volunteer projects, from reading to children at the local orphanage to coordinating a group of over 500 people on various improvement projects around the island. I recently had the opportunity to participate in one of Judi's projects on the island of St. Thomas. We spent a morning painting the basketball court shared by the Jane E. Tuitt School and Savan Boy's Club, which is a hangout for many of the local children and home to various summer programs. As I worked alongside the young men from the Savan Boy's Club and other local volunteers, I got a sense of the com- munity's needs and who would be benefiting from this renovation project. One of the local residents stopped to personally thank me for my participation. He felt that giving the kids a place to play provided a needed outlet for them to direct their youthful energy, which unguided, could otherwise result in mischief or local violence. While I thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous beaches of the USVI and exploring downtown Charlotte Amalie, my most impactful memory will be the look of joy on the boy's faces as the fresh coat of paint brought their basketball court back to life. Whether you are exploring the cultural heritage of St. Croix, basking in the natural beauty of St. John, or enjoying the fine food and shopping on St. Thomas, the USVI has some- thing for everyone. The USVI contin- ues to be a popular choice for group travel because it combines the best of the Caribbean with the convenience of home. As a US territory, you do not need a passport to travel, the local language is English and the currency is the USD. Plus, there are several on- island Destination Management Companies with experience planning local voluntourism projects of any size. Voluntourism in the USVI is truly a win-win for all. FAM REPORT#1 BY REBECCA BERNARD GIVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE – VOLUNTOURISM IN THE USVI The Romeo Malone Savan Community Center - Home of the Savan Boys' Club Meeting Planners give the bleachers a new look Fam Participants, Department of Tourism, Marriott and IMI Representatives with Savan Boys Club members