At CISV New York, part of the program application process includes an interview and selection. We hope this guide clarifies how we select applicants, dispels common myths, and offers tips to improve applicants’ chances.
To many CISVers, it is a mystery why CISV is not in every community and why there are not opportunities for every child who wants to travel. What a wonderful world it would be if there were! But CISV program opportunities are finite. Each fall, we receive program invitations from other chapters, often specifying a precise number of delegates and, occasionally, their gender, based on well-considered research.
We in the CISV New York chapter have to make some tough decisions. We have a large Junior Branch in a thriving, involved community where children are motivated to excel and succeed. Our Selection Committee members struggle with selection when we have a plethora of great applicants. Often, the toughest decisions are in the Junior Counselor program, but any program where applicants exceed available spots requires difficult decisions. The Selection Committee carefully considers applicants and delegate combinations to match each program’s goals.
Program Goals and Selection Criteria
Each CISV program has unique goals and selection criteria, yet all emphasize building global friendships and exploring CISV’s four educational themes — conflict resolution, human rights, sustainability, and diversity. Let’s review the programs one by one:
Village: This program fosters mutual understanding, communication, and cooperation amongst children, who learn from each other, live, and play together during the experience. Selection is based on a child’s maturity, openness to new experiences and people, enthusiasm about participation, ability to be away from family for the duration of the program, and how they might complement the group’s dynamic.
Youth Meeting: Participants explore an educational theme using CISV’s fun experiential methodology and reflect on applying their experience and skills to their communities. Selection criteria are similar to those of Village.
Step Up: This program challenges youth to take a leadership role, developing activities within CISV’s peace education framework with guidance and support from adult leaders and staff. Leadership potential, knowledge of CISV, maturity, and good judgment are key selection criteria, along with a well-balanced delegation.
Junior Counselor (JC): Few positions are available for this program, so the selection process is highly competitive. As JCs play an integral leadership role in the Village program, successful candidates must demonstrate maturity, leadership, a knack for working with children, and strong knowledge of CISV’s goals. Chapter involvement and genuine enthusiasm for CISV are a plus. The same applies to JC positions in our Mosaic Faces of New York program.
Seminar: Unlike other invitations, the selection process for Seminar camps is done by CISV USA. Upon receiving the New York chapter’s endorsement, applicants submit their forms directly to CISV USA. The selection process is highly competitive. A Seminar participant represents the New York chapter and the U.S. on an international stage and must demonstrate maturity, leadership, and strong knowledge of CISV’s goals.
Fortnight: Like other individual participation programs, few positions are available for Fortnight, which is akin to a “national Seminar” camp. The selection process is highly competitive. A Fortnight delegate represents the New York chapter on a national stage and must demonstrate maturity, leadership, and strong knowledge of CISV’s goals. Chapter involvement and genuine enthusiasm for CISV are a plus.
Selection Myths
Sometimes there are misconceptions about the selection process. Here are some common myths:
Members of the Junior Branch who fulfill certain roles in the Junior Board (JB) are entitled to a Step Up/Junior Counselor/Fortnight/Seminar spot. While involvement and leadership in the JB and increased knowledge of CISV are valued, selection is never an entitlement. Program invitations are not offered to CISV New York with any particular youth in mind. Program invitations are received based on chapter demographics, gender fairness, diversity of destinations, and time period. Everyone has a fair shot.
You have to be extroverted/have a super bubbly personality/be a top student/etc to be selected. Not so. Can you imagine 48 people who share the same kind of personality together at a camp?! The key to a good delegation — and to a good camp — is balance. Diversity of all kinds makes the world go round. Introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between have a place in CISV. A diverse delegation enhances the experience for all.
Your parent is on the board or volunteers for/contributes to the chapter in a significant way. The selection rate for board members’ youth is higher. This has much more to do with the families’ general increased involvement in CISV, and thus the youth’s involvement in CISV and knowledge of the organization’s goals, than with their parent’s role as a board member or super volunteer. Being tuned into the chapter deadlines, contributing to chapter events by showing up and participating, and being able to articulate your interest in CISV at the selection interview are a plus.
Improving the Odds
So you really want to participate in a CISV program, and you know that there are finite opportunities. Here are ways to strengthen your application:
Stay involved year-round. We have meetings, activities, mini-camps. Not everyone can go to everything, but the more you participate, the more you will know about CISV.
Take the interview seriously. This is your chance to show the Selection Committee what you have to offer. Don’t minimize it or play with your phone during the interview! Make a good impression. Treat your interview as an opportunity to share your enthusiasm and fit for CISV.
Wait and see what Round Two brings. If you did not get selected in Round One, Round Two could result in new invitations or “chapter shares” (when chapters fill their delegations with youth from nearby chapters). Your chapter’s President and/or International Programs Chair will inform you as program spots become available — usually by mid February.
Be flexible. Didn’t get a spot in a summer program to your favorite destination? Consider a winter program or an alternate location. Not selected for a Village JC spot? Consider being a JC at our Mosaic Faces of New York camp. You could also be eligible for a Fortnight or Seminar spot, or vice versa. Wasn’t selected for Step Up 14? Consider applying for Step Up 15 the following year.
Get your CISV fix in short bursts! Mini-camps and National Junior Board Meetings are a great way to get the CISV experience in weekend doses. Many JBers never attend any international, multi-week program and get just as much out of CISV by attending local meetings, activities, and mini-camps. It’s all fun and all good. You will still meet lots of new friends from all over. Save that long camp experience for when you can apply to be a leader!
When all other factors are equal among candidates, the Selection Committee may use additional criteria to make final decisions. These include:
- An effort to ensure delegations reflect the diversity of the applicant pool.
- Observations from Junior Board leaders and adult board chaperones during chapter events and at previous camps.
- The family’s involvement with the CISV New York chapter, the family’s history with other CISV chapters, and potential for future engagement.
- Whether this year is the candidate’s last opportunity to attend a specific program, such as Youth Meeting.
We hope this helps clarify the selection process. Please reach out with any questions — we’re here to help.