This FAQ section is a conglomerate of questions made by various age ranges and communities which have been answered by NHI HQ Members!

This is to serve as a quick information resource for ALL volunteers. If there are any questions that should be added, please let us know.

Information here is subject to change, and is continuously being updated throughout the year.

• "What forms do I need to have completed?"

If you are a HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR or OLDER, you will complete the Volunteer Agreement Form. If you are a HS sophomore/junior, have crossed over to your next program, and completed the Parent Release - that can count as your VAF. Some universities require additional forms to complete so keep an eye out in case you need to do that. You will also be filling out a travel form as well, closer to the program.

• "I am a participant as well as a volunteer, do I need to complete both forms?"

No, if you are attending and LDZ or CWS, you can technically just complete the PR Form as the information can be used from both forms. No need to do additional work.

• "I don't have enough recruits, what do I do?"

You can earn credit by hosting meetings, making calls to potential NHI Applicants, and nominating students. Vols need to let us know if they want a list of students to follow up with. Check announcements on our Google Classroom for any opportunities or invitations to meetings. 

• "What if I can not afford to crossover because I was previously sponsored by a school, community, etc.?"

Please remember that any scholarships are given AFTER you've applied to a program. A quick and easy way to talk about this is by emailing admissions@nhimail.com where they can guide you throughout this process. There are also different ways for paying for your program such as gaining donations, fundraising, the 20 for $20 plan, etc. Every school is different but we aim to see everyone succeed and at a program this summer!

• "I am a senior and cannot recruit due to being so busy, what can I do?"

We understand where you're coming from - being a HS senior is a LOT of work and takes up a lot of your time. We offer call campaigns throughout the recruitment season in which you can call prospects who've attended NHI presentations earlier in the semester. Every 3 calls = 1 recruit credit so, calling 15 prospects could earn you 5 credits, which is the minimum amount to complete this requirement. They also range from 9th graders who would attend a GD, 10th graders who would attend an LDZ, and 11th graders who would attend either an LDZ or CWS. If you'd like to participate, please email us as soon as you can because the spots could be filled quickly upon release.

• "I am currently an undergrad...what am I supposed to be doing before March?"

If you are an undergraduate volunteer member or alumni, you must communicate with us asap. Granted, there aren't as many continuous requirements for you all to be working on as there are for high school members; so it could seem as though you aren't expected to do anything right now. If you are an undergrad. that would like to staff a specific program/role - you need to message us at your earliest convenience, as we are going to place key staff members early in 2024. We additionally offer JFL Internships (in-person and remote) specifically for our undergrad. Volunteers. 

• "How do I know if I'm going to the program / am confirmed / drop-proof?

You will be receiving bi-weekly status updates starting in October 2023. Once you have completed all of the necessary requirements and have been reviewed by NHI HQ, you will receive an acceptance letter to the program you're most interested in. Once YOU give us a "100% YES, I will be attending this program as this role", you will then receive a clear confirmation of your program/role placement. Do not buy tickets until you've directly spoken with an HQ staff member (so, either Reilly Garcia, Julio Cotto, or Nicole Nieto!) Also, please relay all information to Volunteer@nhimail.com (CC any of our NHI HQ members, your regional PA, or forward it) so I can make sure that it's been entered into our system.

• "How do I know if I am exempt from the $40 Volunteer Fee?"

Those that are exempt from this fee are: Education Directors, Assistant Education Directors, Secretaries of States, Onsite Directors, Assistant Onsite Directors if not also an SC, Parent Chaperones, School Chaperones, NHI HQ Staff Members, JFL Interns, Stay Safe Officers, and New Mexico Volunteers. You are required to submit this fee if you are a: JFL, Junior Counselor, Senior Counselor, Senior Mentor, Head Coach, Umpire, Production, Assistant Secretary of State, Assistant Onsite Director if also an SC. 

• "When should I be purchasing my flight ticket?"

As soon as you have been 100% confirmed as attending the program as a volunteer staff member, you need to be getting your ticket. The later you wait, the more expensive the flight will be, which we all want to avoid. If you are a contracted individual, you need to be speaking with HQ staff members, Julio Cotto, Nicole Nieto, or Celeste Polanco (or another HQ member if decided) directly, regarding this information. Everyone's plans are different but we are here to help you figure it all out! Our NHI Travel Guide for Volunteers is additionally posted above.

• "What days/times do I need to be on campus/at the program?"

ALL Volunteers are expected to be at the program on DAY 0! EXAMPLE: If you are a JC for the Texas LDZ that's from July 16-23rd, you must be there on July 15th. Older staff arrive 2 days earlier on Day 00. You must take this into account when planning your travels. It is also stated within the Volunteer Agreement that you are on campus, at the program, the entire duration. You may not leave to go get food on your own, leave to go hang out with friends during the program, or leave early (unless you've specifically discussed something with your ED and OD only). This also means that you are there fully on the first day (Day 00 or 0) and fully on the last day of the program. Volunteers stay on campus until ALL students have left the program, of course unless you've directly discussed this with your ED or OD in advance. 

• "How do I maintain consistent communication?"

Contacting us personally is your best mode of communication. My email is reilly_garcia@nhimail.com and I receive automatic notifications for our Google Classroom as well. The best people to contact in the case that you cannot reach Reilly are Julio Cotto (Head of Volunteerism) at jcotto@nhimail.com, or Brian Cruz (NHI Business Office) at brian_cruz@nhimail.com. For quick and direct communication, call us at 512-357-6137. There is also our Discord server, where you can privately ask an NHI HQ member any of your questions. 

• "How can I participate in a recruitment opportunity?"

Please message us directly if you are wanting to participate in the call campaign opportunity that can earn you recruitment credit. You can also reach out to family members that have 9th-11th graders, your friends, your friend's siblings. Lastly, holding presentations either at your school or within your community is a great way to gain recruits. Feel free to ask us for good contacts who may be able to help you within your own community such as those in Las Vegas, California, the NE, MW, MX, the DR, Texas regions, etc.

• "How can I track my progress as a volunteer?"

The easiest and quickest way to track your progress as a volunteer by reviewing your bi-weekly status updates (these are emailed around the 1st and 15th of every month). The information is drawn directly from our internal system so it's possible there could be a mistake at times, such as an incorrect recruit # or that you haven't crossed over when you actually have. We have found that the usual causes of any incorrect information are TYPICALLY from an incorrect User ID # being listed, prospects not listing their recruiter's name, or a recruiter's user ID wasn't added (which I go back in and add for you for your benefit). If you are not receiving updates you need to let us know ASAP.

• "Do we need to pay for housing, meals, and travel on our own?"

NHI Volunteers do NOT need to pay for housing or meals. Instead, they pay the $40 fee that feeds directly into these costs only. NHI will cover the cost of your dorm room as well as your 3 meals per day during the program at the university. NHI does NOT COVER your flight ticket, travel to and from the airport, or anything additional that you may want such as snacks, drinks, souvenirs, etc. Our best advice is to bring some extra $ with you so that way if you need anything, you're able to get it. Also, keep in mind that some programs do provide things such as transportation to/from the airport so please make sure you are in constant communication with your ED's, OD's, and TD's.

• "How can I help HQ?"

If you're interested in helping us out, please sign up for a call campaign! As we roll through recruitment season, it is crucial that we have an all hands on deck situation. So, by helping HQ, you will also receive the credits necessary for staffing!

• "What if I can't volunteer this summer because I am too busy / have other commitments?"

You need to let NHIHQ know of this as quickly as possible so we can make the note that you've dropped for this summer. You can still of course volunteer locally during the school year or even next summer if you decide to jump back in - just let us know what's going on so we can try to assist if needed.