Volunteer Application

Cultural Exchange for Diplomats (CED) volunteers give their time and talents to further our mission of promoting international understanding and friendship through educational, informational, and cultural exchanges with members of the diplomatic community in Washington, DC.

Volunteers represent a wide variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Most have lived or traveled abroad, and some are native to other countries. Many are multilingual. All seek and enjoy opportunities to interact with members of the diplomatic community. Roles range from chairing event committees to co-hosting cultural exchanges to driving diplomats to events. Volunteers are expected to volunteer 5 hours in-person a month in the Washington Metropolitan area – Maryland, Virginia or Washington DC.

As a 501(c (3) nonprofit organization, CED is apolitical and nonsectarian. Therefore, in discussion with diplomats, we do not promote political partisan positions, religions or our personal causes or businesses.

Applicants must be US citizens or have lived in the US for three years and have permission to reside here. Those who live outside the DMV region (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) cannot apply, since they won’t be able to participate in our in-person activities. Please complete and submit the online membership application below.

There are three ways for an applicant to become an active volunteer:

• An applicant is referred by a current volunteer or a diplomat member and applies for membership on our website. The current volunteer referring the candidate will be expected to email a written letter of reference to the Director of Volunteers (see template for reference letter below) concerning the suitability of that person for volunteer membership.

• An applicant applies for membership on our website and emails two letters of reference about prior work and/or volunteer experiences to the Director of Volunteers at director_volunteers@culturalexchangefordiplomats.org (see template for reference letter below)

• Diplomat members who no longer have diplomatic status and reside in the United States can join CED as volunteers. Former diplomatic members must meet all other volunteer requirements by submitting an online application and emailing one letter of reference to the Director of Volunteers at director_volunteers@culturalexchangefordiplomats.org (see template for reference letter below)

Director of Volunteers email address:

director_volunteers@culturalexchangefordiplomats.org

All volunteers pay annual dues of $140. For new volunteers joining between Jan to March 31st $75.

We are determined to protect your privacy; we will not share your personal information with outside individuals or organizations.

Step 1: Please complete and submit the online membership application below.

Step 2: All applicants must also complete a Membership Agreement. Please click here to read and sign electronically by typing your name.

Step 3: Please have your references fill out this reference letter, click here to download the reference letter.

Applicant Information:

First Name *

Last Name *

Address 1 *

City *

State/Province *

Zip *

Email *

Phone *

Volunteer Questions:

Do you work full time? *

Volunteer Contact at Cultural Exchange for Diplomats:

Age Group *

Under 35 Years

35-50 Years

Over 50 Years

Work Experience *

Education *

Tell us more about yourself, e.g., special interests, skills and why you think you can make a contribution to CED *

Present and Past Volunteer Activities *

How many hours can you commit to CED on a monthly basis? *

Spoken Languages *

Nationality *

Place of Birth *

Foreign Countries Lived In *

How did you learn about Cultural Exchange for Diplomats? *

Our organization operates from September through May.