As we get fully integrated into the new field staff structure, we created a helpful cheat sheet for volunteers to better understand the role of each of their staff people. As a reminder you can find who the specific individual contacts are for your team in the Team Directory widget on MyAFS.

You can also find this article on MyAFS Help + Learning here!

Who Do I Contact?

Below you will find a brief description of the most frequently-contacted staff roles at AFS-USA. If you are unsure of who to contact, no problem! Just send an email to AskAFS@afsusa.org and we will make sure your message gets to the correct person.

Volunteer Services Specialists (VSS)

• Handles AFS volunteer issues not related to student support, hosting, or study abroad
• Volunteer registration and integration contact
• Orientation or event planning
• Compliance
• One VSS per region

 Hosting Programs Specialists (HPS)

• Engages volunteers to identify and screen families for hosted students before students arrive
• Works with volunteers to identify families for hosted students if they need to move while on program
• Builds community and school relationships
• Three HPS per region

Study Abroad Field Specialists (SAFS)

• Promote AFS’s vast array of study abroad
• Engages volunteers in working with and interviewing parents and students interested in study abroad
• Three SAFS nationally

Regional Directors (RD)

• Establish a strategic vision and a work plan for managing and developing their assigned region
• Maintain the health of the volunteer base in their regions
• Keep in regular contact with volunteer leaders.
• Manage the VSS, HPS, and SAFS in the region
• One RD per region

Organizational Development Specialists (ODS)

• Strengthen teams and plan for the future
• Each ODS works with two regions

Sponsored Programs Hosting Specialists (SPHS)

• Work directly with volunteers, especially Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinators, to promote and place our inbound Sponsored Program students.
• Each SPHS works with three regions

Participant Support Specialists (PSS)

• Work directly with volunteer Support Coordinators, Associate Support Coordinators, and Liaisons
• Questions, concerns issues when students are on program
• Some Area Teams have a different PSS for Hosting students and Study Abroad students.

Study Abroad Specialists (SAS)

• Work directly with students/parents interested in study abroad
  • Selecting an appropriate program
  • Completing the application process

Regional Travel and Logistics Coordinators (RTLC)

• Work directly with volunteers to process Travel Waivers, Parental Permission forms, and Program Releases
• Sign DS 2019s for Hosted Students
• Arrange travel for Early Returns
• Coordinate Arrival and Departure events
• Two RTLCs nationally

 Field Finance

• Work directly with Treasurers on all Field Finance issues
  • Area Team/Chapter financial reporting
  • Reimbursements for volunteers
  • Vendor payments
  • Opening/closing bank accounts
  • Obtaining Certificates of Insurance