International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) was formed in early 2007, with the aim of making volunteering possible for everybody through affordable, safe, high quality projects in developing countries.. In addition to providing aid and assistance to these countries, IVHQ endeavors to increase education and heighten awareness through not only the skills and expertise taken by volunteers to their host communities and institutions, but also through the experiences and lessons volunteers will in turn take back to their own countries and cultures.

In 2005 and 2006 after finishing his Master of Business in finance and sustainable logistics, the Executive Director - Daniel Radcliffe volunteered abroad. Naively, he was initially surprised to find there were no opportunities to volunteer abroad for ‘free', unless he wanted to commit himself to 12 months in a service like the Peace Corps. However, after thinking about this (putting his logistics degree to good use ;-)), he came to the conclusion, that this made sense, because if a community was really in NEED, then where would the money come from to pay for these volunteers' food, accommodation and supervision. Despite this, he still could not find a volunteering organization that provided AFFORDABLE and yet most importantly high QUALITY volunteering opportunities.

On returning home to New Zealand in late 2006, IVHQ was born with the goal of providing safe, affordable and high quality placements in areas where there is a real NEED for volunteers. IVHQ provides affordable placements by partnering with NGOs based in the country where volunteers wish to work.

Despite their relatively young age, IVHQ is experiencing unprecedented success signing up a large number of volunteers every week. This has meant the need for expansion and IVHQ is currently in the process of opening new programs in other developing countries. Based in New Zealand but providing volunteering opportunities to people all over the world, IVHQ is growing rapidly and in 2008-09 plans to open programs in Bolivia, Egypt, Mexico, India, China and Ghana to complement our existing programs.

Daniel Radcliffe – International Volunteer HQ Executive Director

International Volunteer HQ

An international internet based volunteer travel agency that provides volunteer “holidays” in developing countries.

Things that take me to my happy place! Scuba diving, fishing, travelling, sport, surfing, socialising, farming

• Having to revise first year forecast for volunteer numbers from 200 to over 1000
• 2.7kg crayfish caught in January diving… Monster!!!
• Getting great feedback from volunteers….. very satisfying.

I usually get party pretty hard with friends or whanau.

• Sorting out minor problems with programs in Tanzania and Peru.
• Opening our new office in New Plymouth
• Hiring my first New Zealand employee
• Opening a new program with a partner in Mexico
• General day to day International Volunteer HQ administration work (busy time of the year)

• Open new programs in Mexico, India and Ghana.
• Become a genuine “intermediate” Spanish speaker
• Buy some farmland before the end of 2008.

I knew I was onto something when:

We doubled our first months forecast.

Concentrate

Violence and rioting started in Kenya over December 2007 – January 2008 with 20 volunteers on programs there.

Having good staff in Kenya who are Extremely reliable and looked after our volunteers/kept them safe.

By going on a program myself and not being satisfied by the options or the program I went on in regards to quality and price.

22

First one

Working on the family farm, Scuba diving and just forgetting about things/getting away from the computer.

At the moment about 90-100 but looking to cut it back when getting our first NZ employee .

Throw my toys then look for other options and ways to overcome the problem(s).

If you want to do something make it happen. Hard work and self belief will get you a long way.

You cannot please all of the people all of the time. No matter how hard you try there will always be people that are skeptical and dissatisfied with the job you have done. “Any fool can complain and criticise……. And most fools do”

Self belief.

Some sort of exercise and also plenty of time doing “other stuff” to keep you fresh for work.

Straight out of university and a year travelling. Before this just did part time work on farms (mustering, crutching, fencing etc)…. Also a week as a financial analyst for Telstra Clear before I threw it in thoroughly dissatisfied with how my life was heading if that’s what I was going to be doing from then on.

Masters of Business and Bachelor of Commerce

Just started a property investment company and looking to start a recruitment company with some friends in Taranaki.

• People management skills (really important with staff from different cultures and countries)
• Patience
• Listening skills (there are a lot of people that can help young people starting a business but you have to be willing to listen).

What are the three most important skills that you would advise up and coming youngsters to develop?

• Planning (always have a plan for your business and make sure you are organized and prepared for every possible outcome).
• Listening (There is a lot of good advice out there)
• Judgment (There is also a lot of bad advice out there, learn to separate the good from the bad).

How do you know when you’ve found a good idea?

You never really know….. you just have to be brave enough to give it a shot and be so well prepared/done enough homework that it cannot fail.

No.

Spending large amounts of money on advertising initially took a little bit to get my head around but I came right.

You need to be confident if you are going to give something a shot. If you’re not you are wasting your time attempting it.

Throw my toys before trying to work out how to get things back on track.