Little Travellers Recruiting for Leadership Positions in MB, Canada

Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative Recruiting for Leadership Positions in Manitoba

Who We Are

The Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative is a campaign by concerned global citizens whose mission is to facilitate the empowerment of South African women affected by HIV/AIDS, through the impassioned marketing of Little Travellers – small, beaded doll-broaches that are made as an income generation project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.  Moreover, all further proceeds from the sale of the Little Travellers go towards helping the Hillcrest AIDS Centre to provide care and support to the people of the AIDS-ravaged Valley of a Thousand Hills in South Africa.  One by one, Little Travellers have spread across the globe, carrying with them messages of hope and upliftment; our group of volunteer has sold more than 80,000 dolls and raised nearly $200,000 in three years, thereby creating and maintaining employment for over 100 families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Since our inception in 2005 as a student-run humanitarian project at the University of Manitoba, the Little Travellers Initiative has proven to be a true grassroots success story.  With generous funding from University of Manitoba student groups, the project is able to send 100% of funds from the sales of the dolls directly to South Africa to support individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Having expanded beyond university campuses to include the contributions from volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, our project has also expanded its operations across Canada and the globe; Little Travellers has established respected chapters from North Carolina to South Korea, with an even larger network of dedicated volunteer sellers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.  Nevertheless, our initiative headquarters and leadership base remains in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Our Needs

We are currently in search of passionate and committed individuals to join our working board in Winnipeg, Manitoba to help in the coordination and direction of this important project.  We are looking for anyone who would like to share in the amazing opportunity to make a real and tangible difference to communities affected by poverty and disease in Africa.  Previous experience with the Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative is not necessary. We are looking for the following:

Volunteer Coordinator.  This person must have the following attributes:
•    Dedication and hardworking
•    Excellent interpersonal skills
•    Absolute fluency with the mission and purpose of Little Travellers; confidence when speaking to potential customers and volunteers about what we are and what we do
•    Organize and lead volunteer meetings; establish and enforce rules created by LT for the Volunteers
•    Access to an efficient means of transportation; willingness to sometimes pick up displays and drop off when needed
•    Ability to recruit and maintain continual list of volunteers
•    Maintain a file of all volunteers with a survey listing specific details concerning their possible involvement in LT
•    Ability to ensure proper record keeping before and after events
•    Willingness and ability to recruit volunteers for a particular event in a timely fashion (as is allowed by the booking of the event)
•    Prompt response to volunteers offering to help OR expressing their regret at not being able to help. Must always respond to every email from a volunteer.
•    Access to email and phone before, during, after event times for emergencies/questions

Events Coordinator.  We are looking for someone who has the following:
•    Dedication to the cause and mission of the Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative
•    Strong organization skills
•    Ability to work as part of a team, communicating closely with Volunteer Coordinator and Distribution Coordinator, among others
•    Must be able to be proactive and take initiative in finding and researching suitable events at which to sell Little Travellers
•    Must be able to communicate effectively and passionately with organizers of said events, in order to negotiate our presence
•    Must be willing to help the Volunteer Coordinator in recruiting amongst our volunteers to fill slots in manning tables and selling Little Travellers at the events
•    Must be able to attend and contribute to monthly or bimonthly board meetings
•    Must be able to coordinate other volunteers to help with the above

Retail Coordinator
•    Dedication to the cause and mission of the Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative
•    Fluency with the mission and purpose of Little Travellers;
•    Confidence to address staff and/or management of retailers to discuss what Little Travellers are, what we do and why, as well as how they can help us
•    Strong organization skills to maintain accounts for the retail stores in Winnipeg selling Little Travellers (of which there are presently two dozen)
•    Ability to work as part of a team, communicating closely with Distribution Coordinator, among others
•    Access to transportation in order to visit retailers to replenish their stock, provide informative materials, and to address needs of the retailers; this may need to occur especially frequently around the holidays
•    Have the time during extended work hours to visit stores, as mentioned above
•    Must be able to attend and contribute to monthly or bimonthly board meetings
•    Must be able to coordinate other volunteers to help with the above

Other Volunteer Opportunities:
We are always looking for volunteers, and are happy to find a role for everyone interested, based on your skills and expectations.  If you do not feel well suited or cannot commit the time or energy to serve in the above positions, we’d still love to find a place for you within our organization. Please email ilan@littletravellers.net to discuss further.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who think that they may be suitable to fill the above positions and join the Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative working board should email a cover letter introducing themselves and stating for which position they would like to be considered, and explaining how and why they feel that they can contribute to the Little Travellers’ board.  Applicants are also encouraged to forward CV (or resume), so we can have an idea about previous experiences and expertise that you can bring to our campaign.  Applications should be sent via email by Wed., September 17th, 2008.