Entries for Volunteers for The Future Awards closed at midnight on December 4, the day before International Volunteer Day. We regret we cannot accept any more volunteers.
Volunteering: What is it all about?
The Future Volunteer Program: In Nigeria , loads of people want to be a part of various worthy causes in the country, and a very good way of being part of such causes is by volunteering with such organisations. Volunteering takes many forms: many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work in, while some are only used for emergencies. The Future Awards has easily the largest army of volunteers in the country, and we are proud to be able to build this force of young Nihgerians eager to make change and learning greatly in the process as well as being open to a vista of valuable opportunities whilst they are engaged in adding concrete value to their country and society. Practically, their major reward is that they are able to participate in every one of our programmes and trainings free of charge. They also get a yearly Volunteer of the Year Award, and are celebrated on International Volunteers Day.
Volunteering is an act of people working on behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain. Volunteering is generally considered as a selfless activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. People also volunteer to gain skills without requiring to be paid any token.
Volunteering takes many forms and is performed by a wide range of people. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work in, while some are only used for emergencies.
In Nigeria, loads of people are able to find free time and want an opportunity to make an impact in the society even without being paid. They want to be a part of various worthy causes in the country, a very good way of being part of such causes is by volunteering with such organizations. Volunteering gives people a feeling of accomplishment and makes them feel useful in the society and for others it serves as a means of acquiring skills. Volunteering is gradually becoming a popular trend in Nigeria.
What is expected of The Future Awards Volunteer….
A Future Awards Volunteer is any young person that is willing to join the worthy cause that The Future Awards represents. Referred to by the London Metropolitan University last year as “Africa’s biggest youth event”, The Future Awards is easily the most respected and popular Nigerian youth platform that is effective and produces concrete results in relation to Nigeria’s youth.
The aim of “The Future….” is A) to inspire young Nigerians by showing them others as young as themselves who have managed to conquer the ‘difficult’ Nigerian environment. B) to show Nigerians proof (through the nominees, who are presented as role models) that there is concrete hope, for the nation. C) to inspire young people into concrete attainments i.e. building new businesses, entrepreneurship and creating new ideas.
The Future Awards Volunteer is a person that is willing to support this cause, such a person is expected to be able to speak about The Future Awards anywhere and represent the organization anywhere. Such person doesn’t necessarily have to be a graduate or in Lagos, any one that is willing to spare his time is welcome from any part of Nigeria and even abroad.
DUTIES OF A VOLUNTEER
The Future Awards comes up every year, there a series of events before and after the Awards that the staff Of RedSTRAT (organisers of The Future Awards) alone cannot handle. This is where volunteers come in to lend a hand, while helping they are also learning on the field.
There are various areas the Volunteers can be of help;
- Campus coordinators
- State coordinators
- Town Hall Meetings
- Aspire Program
- Volunteer program
- Branding
- Merchandise/Ticket sales
- Logos and Artwork
- Ushers and Security
- Online Content
- Graphics and Design
- Decoration
- Press Liaison
- Celeb Spotters
- Colloquium and Conference
- Sitting Arrangements
- Red Carpet and Media
- Certificates distribution
- Various needs on the event day as they come up
Note; some volunteers may not exactly be the one doing all of these activities e.g.; Security and Ushering but are needed to help out with supervision.
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FUTURE AWARDS
Apart from the exposure, The Future Awards gives to the Volunteers; it serves as a means of them learning during their free time.
The major benefit for the Volunteers is The Future Enterprise Support Scheme; this is a mentorship and training program that runs for six months, mostly but not exclusively, for young secondary school graduates and University students. This program aims to equip them with the leadership, managerial, and facilitation skills that is required in today’s labor market. Volunteers get to participate in this program for free. The program is powered by RedSTRAT Communications (organisers of The Future Awards) and the trainers are RedSTRAT Directors, Tara Fela Durotoye, Cohbams Asuquo, Gbenga Sesan, Mosunmola Umoru, Bukola Adubi, Uche Nnaji, Dr Dayo Osholowu, Fate Foundation’s Anwuli Ojogwu, LEAP Africa’s Oje Ivagba, Kaine Agary, Akin Rotimi, Gbenga Sesan, Victor Gotevbe, Emem Ema, Charles Anyanwu, Bamidele Odufuye and Mrs. Detoun Ogwe. The training is done in conjuction with AGDC (Afterschool Graduate Development Centre). Majority of the speakers are The Future Awards past winners.
The training topics are aimed at improving the business, entrepreneurial and management skills of Volunteers. As a result of these programs, Volunteers are expected to be able to go to the workplace with a clearer perspective of the components and steps necessary for improved business management either through individual effort and/or effective teamwork.
Volunteers are given certificates after the duration of their service with the organisation and a prize is awarded to the Best Volunteer of the year after The Future Awards. This prize is endowed by Emmanuel Etim, The Future Award winner for Best Use of Advocacy 2009.
Another benefit to the Volunteers is ‘The Volunteers After Party’ which happens after the awards, this is a way of appreciating Volunteers and giving them an opportunity to interact and socialize.
The Future Awards also motivates Volunteers to make an impact in the society; it opens them to opportunities to meet with other young people that are already making big achievements.
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