Volunteers are the core activators of AGBU's work and network. For generations, individuals have served in various ways to make meaningful impact: offering professional expertise and mentorship, serving in the homeland and leading communities. We offer countless engagement opportunities, in-person or virtual, locally or abroad. AGBU is committed to building our already vast community of active citizens.
Read about the different ways you can give back, in-person or virtually, locally or in Armenia.
AGBU has a number of programs for volunteers looking to spend time in Armenia, ready to roll up their sleeves. While we host teens in our Discover Armenia program which includes a community service component, our volunteer offerings are for young adults:
Arménie, Terre de Vie: Spend three weeks in a rural location in August and get involved with the local community needs. Past groups have renovated and refurbished classrooms and community centers, distributed goods and clothing and contributed to the general well-being of a village. Participants ages 18 and up are encouraged to join.
Armenians Come Together (ACT): For those who wish to spend one week in Armenia in a meaningful way, AGBU ACT is for you. Volunteers are welcome to stay in AGBU housing and distribute humanitarian packages throughout the region. Other past activities include working with children with disabilities and hosting family events. Participants ages 18 are up are encouraged to join.
Headed to Armenia and looking to help out? Contact us at volunteer@agbu.org to see if there is an upcoming activity looking for assistance.
Connect, Teach, Learn
The human capital in Armenia is our most valuable asset and for those looking to contribute their time and expertise, AGBU has a number of opportunities.
AGBU Business Mentors: Share your professional expertise with participants and alumnae of AGBU EmpowerHer. Volunteer mentors can serve as guest speakers or workshop leaders, or offer one-on-one guidance to address specific business challenges. Commitments can be varied in length. [In-person and/or virtual]
ANI Language Coaching: Many participants in our Armenia programs are looking to fine tune their English conversational skills. Virtual coaches can make a tremendous impact by helping to build confidence and fluency. AGBU provides a curriculum guideline and coaches are expected to regularly connect with participants. [Virtual]
TUMO Workshops: Our TUMOxAGBU partnership also encourages diaspora experts who would like to lead Learning Labs and connect in-person with teens in Armenia and Artsakh. [In-person and/or virtual]
Global Leadership Program (GLP) Mentors: Our longstanding GLP mentorship matches professionals with college and graduate students spending a summer together in various cities. The program encourages networking between established professionals and those taking early steps in their careers. Opportunities include one-on-one mentoring as well as speaking to larger forums. [In-person and/or virtual]
Goriz Leadership Program Speakers: Professionals in Europe various fields with an interest in career and community leadership and advocacy converge for various workshops and conferences. Program speakers can offer important insight and advice for these high achieving individuals. [In-person and/or virtual]
GenNext Mentorship (California): For 20 years, teens in Glendale, CA have benefited from the guidance and presence of positive adult role models through GenNext. Mentors are screened and matched with area teens who seek extra support navigating challenging years. [In-person]
Local Young Professionals (YP) Mentoring: Many of our YP groups have launched local career mentoring between seasoned and early professionals. In addition, our YPs host lectures and speaker series always looking for expert presenters. [In-person and/or virtual]
Mentor in Armenia
The human capital in Armenia is our most valuable asset and for those looking to contribute their time and capacity as industry experts or teachers, AGBU has a number of opportunities both in-person and virtually.
ANI Language Coaching: Many participants in our Armenia programs are looking to fine tune their conversational skills. Virtual coaches can make a tremendous impact by helping to build confidence and fluency. AGBU provides a curriculum guideline and coaches are expected to regularly connect with participants. [Virtual]
TUMO Workshops:Our TUMOxAGBU partnership also encourages diaspora experts who would like to lead Learning Labs and connect in-person with teens in Armenia and Artsakh. [In-person and/or virtual]
Volunteers serve local communities in many capacities - managing our overarching Chapters or Young Professionals Committees, executing events or running programs like performing arts initiatives, scouts, sports and camps. Most communities have committees for each of these interests and in the case where they do not, we invite you to start a new committee.
Chapter Committees: Develop local programs including educational and cultural initiatives, host events and fundraisers and often oversee other local arts and youth committees.
Young Professionals Groups: Individuals ages 22-40 unite under the AGBU umbrella to host thought-provoking events and forums, fundraisers and social events providing opportunity for networking amongst peers. In recent years our YP groups have taken a larger role as activists locally and globally.
Scouts/Sports (AYA): These committees serve a more focused goal of running local scout groups and sports leagues. Volunteers are often needed as leaders, organizers, coaches and more.
Youth Programs: Depending on the demographics of a community, volunteers are appreciated to initiate or maintain youth engagement programming, like camps, after school programming, etc.
Arts Committees - From choirs to dance groups, theater troupes and more, local committees come together to create opportunities for artistic expression. In addition, volunteers can also work with our AGBU Performing Arts Department to produce impressive showcases of Armenian talents on stage, screen and in galleries.
To learn more and find out what opportunities exist near you, contact volunteer@agbu.org.
Our volunteers keep AGBU evolving and supported. We rely on the generosity of donors to sustain our programming and volunteers can join a committee to plan a fundraiser event or host their own individual event.
No event or initiative is too big or too small. The funds can be directed to AGBU’s Opportunity Fund (areas of greatest need) or to a specific AGBU program or cause.
Examples of events planned by volunteers include themed parties, silent auctions, workshops or conferences, book launches, concerts or dinners. Some volunteers opt to dedicate a run, walk or bike-a-thon race to AGBU. Others host receptions at their home to raise awareness and funds or AGBU initiatives.
Interested in volunteering? Have a new idea? We love hearing from motivated individuals ready to give back. Complete the Volunteer Interest form below.
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Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds but share one common interest: making a difference.
See what recent participants have to say:
AGBU Volunteer Impact
Read about how our volunteer network gives back locally and globally.
"AGBU is a community of highly educated and motivated people, and this has inspired me to be someone they can count on to lend a hand with my own skills and resources."
"Most of us seek connection and acceptance and after having personally received that through AGBU programs, I wanted to be part of creating the same for others."
"AGBU resembles the fabric of the global Armenian nation in its ability to create impact by engaging communities throughout the world for more than 115 years."
