Once again, regular full-time staff and faculty at U of G have an opportunity to volunteer their knowledge and skills during short assignments in developing countries overseas. For the fifth consecutive year, U of G is sponsoring employees to participate in the Leave for Change Program, which is offered through Uniterra, a joint initiative of World University Service of Canada and the Centre for International Studies and Co-operation.

Under the Leave for Change program, participating employees use their vacation time to volunteer abroad. Canadian volunteers are assigned overseas for two to four weeks.

A public information session for interested U of G employees will be held Feb. 10 from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the University Centre, Room 442.

Uniterra screens all applications, interviews short-listed candidates and chooses participants. Employees selected must attend pre-departure training on campus before leaving for their volunteer assignment in 2011.

“We’re very excited to be celebrating our fifth year as a participating employer for this program,” says Annette Boodram, manager of human resources planning. “To date, the University has sponsored 24 employees and will sponsor seven more in this next year. It is truly a remarkable experience.”

For more information, call Boodram at Ext. 56495.

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