5. JUNIOR COUNSELLOR
Each Village has a number of Junior Counsellors (JCs). Invitations are offered to National Associations by the International office on a similar basis to the Child Delegate invitations. The JCs are selected by the National Associations and Local Chapters.
In Villages of 10 to 12 delegations, the number of JCs is 6. In Villages where it is only possible to host 8 or 9 delegations then 4 JCs will be the norm. In either case, one boy and one girl should come from the host nation.
The number of JCs expected at the Village should be indicated to the International Office at the same time as it is informed of the number of delegations invited (I June)
JCs are 16 or 17 years old and are usually past 11 year old delegates, (although many who have not been past Village delegates, have been selected because of their active involvement in Local Work.)
5.1 Selection of Junior Counsellors
The lCs should be selected by March to insure training before the Village.
The qualities for suitable JCs are:
- A genuine love for children and enjoyment in working with them.
- Ability to work with and gain the respect of both adults and children.
- A liking for Village life and enjoyment of Village activities.
- Open, enquiring personalities and good communication skills.
- A desire to further personal knowledge and ability in Village leadership techniques.
5.2. Role and Responsibilities
Suitable JCs at 16 / 17 years of age are able to relate to both children and the adults and to act as a link between them.
In the Village, the JCs are an important part of the staff, performing specific duties and contributing to the planning and operation of the daily activities. They have the same status as the rest of the staff and participate in leaders' meetings and lead activities. It is the responsibility of the staff to integrate the JC group into the adult group.
One of the staff members should be assigned particular responsibility for the JC group. During the daily delegation time, this staff member should meet with the JC-s and share their thoughts and feelings and help them to find ways to solve possible problems.
5.2.1 Before the Village
Once selected, the JC should learn as much as possible about his/her new post by:
- contacting his/her local/national CISV branch
- participating in a training programme in his/her home nation/Chapter
- participating in the preparations of a delegation in the local Chapter.
- getting in touch with former JCs and those within the country who will be JCs in the same year.
The JC should write to his/her Village Director>
- to introduce himself/herself and give details of his/her special talents and experience relevant and useful in the Village.
- to request pre-camp information.
- to find out what his/her responsibilities and assignments will be.
- to get instructions as to arrival date, how to get to the Village site, etc.
With the assistance of the local Chapter/National. Association/parents or on his/her own, the JC starts working on ravel arrangements at the earliest possible time. This includes passport, visa, vaccinations, health forms, legal forms insurance, traveler's cheques, etc.
As part of his/her preparations, the JC collects information about his/her country and culture which can be shared with other in the Village. Small souvenirs, while not a must, would be nice to bring to the Village.
A few days before departure, the JC makes sure that he/she has everything ready. This check-list enumerates what he/she takes to the Village:
- Passport with necessary visas
- Vaccination certificate if needed
- Insurance documents
- Health and legal forms
- Traveler-s cheques and cash (extra money for emergencies)
- Instructions for finding the way to the Village site
- Important addresses and telephone number (e.g. Village site, contact person, Village director, embassy, etc.)
- All other documents/papers concerning the Village
- Luggage marked, with name and address
- Small presents, exchange articles, slides or pamphlets, and dictionary of any language that will be needed.
5.2.2. In the Village
The JC should be prepared for almost anything as his/her task is many sided!
He/she should be sure to help all the children and never show favoritism. Some children are shy, homesick or lonely and, just be talking to them or keeping them busy, the JC can help to overcome these difficulties.
Communication. It is of great importance that the JC use his/her imagination and creativity in finding ways to work without words in communicating with the children.
Many eleven/year/olds will be unable to talk easily with the JCs, much less with the adults. Thus the JC acts as a special "bridge" and passes on useful information acquired about individual children to the adult staff.
5.2.2. In the Village continued.
How the JCs look upon their role.
Feeling of special responsibility to see to it that the children are happy in the Village:
- Wish to get to know all the children
- Wish to develop a friendship with as many children as possible.
- Wish to have meaningful pieces of work and responsibility related to the children.
- Wish to have time for the children, particularly in situations when a child shows a special need of contact.
- Wish to gain the children-s confidence.
- Wish to have a good relationship with the adults, particularly the staff.
- Wish to be equal to the adults and respected in the adult group.
- Wish to take part in all discussions about the children-s well being.
- Wish to take part in the leadership of all activities that they themselves master,
- Do not wish to be the adult's errand/boy/girl.
- Do not wish to be imposed in an authoritarian role in relation to the children, unless in cooperation with an adult, and for a limited time.
- Do not wish to have so many jobs to do that they miss time for informal gatherings with other participants.
The Children-s Relationship with JCs.
- All the children need to feel liked and loved by the JCs who appear like older sisters and brothers. Some will more easily than others obtain attention and contact and quickly develop a close relationship to a JC. JCs must avoid favoritism, be aware of and care for every child.
- JCs will more easily than adults be the children-s models. JCs must be very conscious of the influence their positive/negative behavior has upon the children. Is the JC a constructive or destructive model ?
- The children arc often more open minded towards JCs
- The children are often more open minded towards JCs about their personal feelings and likes/dislikes for other individuals, or activities. This demands a particular responsibility as to how the JC responds to a confident child. Does the JC encourage a positive way of thinking ?
Relationship amongst JCs.
It is important that all the JCs work in close harmony. They share with each other and with the children their CISV experience and Local Work.
Village Programme.
The Village timetable must be respected at all times. JC@/ should keep fit and get sufficient rest in order to take their full share in activities and responsibilities. They should not be afraid to offer new ideas or suggestions for the day/to/day programme which is discussed at the planning meetings.
Learning about CISV
The JC stands on the best training ground possible; the Village where he/she can pick up tips on numerous aspects of the CISV organization. He/she should ask for help or advice if there is anything too difficult or not clear enough to be understood. Besides absorbing CISV ideals, a good JC can learn much about the practical side of running a camp. The staff will probably ask the JC to help with administrative work, edit a Village newspaper, run the Village shop or post office, help to put the children to bed, etc.
At times, a JC will be asked to take over some of the Adult Delegates- tasks, when they have a free day, if they are sick, etc. A JC can also be helpful during swimming sessions. (A JC should be able to swim, of course!) Not all things that have to be done in a Village are interesting, but the same applies in all organizations. One has to accept the dull jobs as well as the interesting one!
Language.
It is obvious that a good knowledge of the camp language is desirable for a JC, and one should do one-s best in this respect. On arrival, a JC may be asked to welcome delegations. All through the Village it will be expected that he/she help in gathering the children for meals, flag raising etc.
Representing one-s own country.
A JC may be the only representative of his/her country at the Village. In this case the JC is not expected to present a national day or a national evening. If there is a delegation from his/her home nation, a JC should keep in close contact with this group before the Village, but mix with the other nationalities more during the Village.
5.23. After the Village
Follow/up work for JCs is to take part in the Local Work Programme to continue receiving CISV education. Upon arriving home, JCs should send a letter of appreciation to their host country. A report to the national board or committee is a must.
Correspondence with fellow Villagers will help to keep CISV alive. This applies especially when a country has no Junior Branch.
The ideal is for a JC to keep in touch with everyone and to realize that the end of the Village is not the end of the friendships, but the beginning.
5.3. Forms
Forms applicable to Junior Counsellors are Travel Information Form (D/JCTI.87), Legal/Insurance Form (TWAL.87) and Health Form (HF.87 1-2). Please refer to Appendix 10.6.2., 10.6.5. and 10.6.6.
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