Volunteer
Overview
Eloquence Academy volunteers are a tight-knit community of high-achieving pre-professionals with a passion for educational equity.
We seek motivated, engaged individuals who demonstrate a passion for debate, educational equity, and our mission throughout their application. Volunteers work collaboratively with dozens of like-minded peers in their geographic area to realize a supportive world where every child has the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive. They support the core of our mission by coaching debate classes, judging at public speaking competitions, developing online resources, staffing events, organizing local fundraisers, and completing other tasks as assigned. In return, they feel greatly rewarded, gain professional experience, promote debate accessibility, learn about nonprofit operations, hone their leadership skills, and have the opportunity to receive valuable recommendation or reference letters. As a more tangible recognition of their contributions, all volunteers receive access to our curated resources with curriculum, videos, outreach tool-kits, and more.
Volunteers can select to dedicate anywhere between one to upwards of 500 hours each year. Opportunities are available for volunteers to assume greater responsibilities as their tenure progresses, including internships and fellowships that are exclusively reserved for volunteer emeriti or alumni.
Program Eligibility
✔️ You are in the 9th grade or older during the current academic year
✔️ Debate experience not required
✔️ Any part of the world
✔️ You have stable internet connection
✔️ You have permission to volunteer from a parent or legal guardian
Volunteer Office
The original of our auxiliary programs, volunteers are constantly discovering, building, and growing in a community that values its shared mission and history yet with equal excitement innovates towards the future.
Opportunities
Regional Director
A Regional Director, in addition to fulfilling the basic Program Instructor responsibilities, oversees a group of 10-15 volunteers in to foster connection and plan in-person programs.
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2 hours per month.
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coach students in-person and online based on provided curriculum
judge at weekend debate tournaments and provide written/oral feedback to students
brainstorm novel outreach strategies and program ideas
assist with curriculum review and other tasks as assigned
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communication and instructional abilities
attention to detail
strong sense of responsibility, punctuality, and professionalism
openness to working with a team, adapting to changing needs, and supporting different aspects of the program as needed
familiarity with debate formats and judging criteria; experience competing or judging at tournaments is highly preferred
Program Instructor
A Program Instructor engages with students directly through online events and in-person programs, all while promoting the value of debate as an ambassador within their community.
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5-10 hours per month.
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oversee a group of 10-15 volunteers (organize meetings, approve service hours, etc.)
institute local programming, including in-person classes and seminars
outreach to NGOs, nonprofits, and secondary schools in your area
apply for grants from regional foundations or local chapters of national organizations
host fundraisers to raise $500-$750 for Eloquence Academy each year
submit a year-end final report with a full volunteer list, images, impact stats, and reflection questions
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the skills required for the role of Program Instructor
prior involvement in community service, youth mentorship, or educational programming
willingness to brainstorm and propose new ideas
ability to articulate mission and build relationships with stakeholders
experience creating and leading local programming such as in-person classes, workshops, or seminars
consistent availability throughout the year to meet deadlines and fulfill leadership duties
leadership experience in school, nonprofit organization, or social sector is highly preferred
Volunteer Benefits
Recommendation Letters & References
Recommendation letters provide credible, personalized insights about a volunteer’s real-world impact and character, highlighting qualities like dedication, teamwork, initiative, reliability, and a commitment to community. These letters can help volunteers stand out in future applications.
Technical & Soft Skills
Volunteering builds a wide range of skills that are transferable to academic and professional settings. These include communication, collaboration, an ability to manage people, problem-solving under pressure, and technical skills such as data entry, fundraising, or specific tools and software.
Service Hours
Eloquence Academy can award official community service hours for Points of Light, AmeriCorps, National Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholars. Accredited community service hours are often a school graduation requirement or a factor for scholarship eligibility.
Preference
Volunteers receive priority for internships, fellowships, events, and leadership opportunities within Eloquence Academy, giving them access to special experiences that may not be available to the general public. Long-term volunteers only further build their skill set through these exclusive opportunities.
Voices of Eloquence Academy Volunteers
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Shakthi Prabhakaran
Volunteering with Eloquence Academy has given me the opportunity to help the next generation of debaters. The students are so funny and intelligent that I always have a great time with them. By explaining concepts and conducting activities, I refreshed my knowledge of debate fundamentals and gained valuable experience in working with others. Overall, I recommend everyone interested in speech and debate to join Eloquence as a student or a volunteer!
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Kira Waldhalm
Working with these students has reaffirmed my belief in the strength and importance of helping students develop research, critical thinking, and speaking skills. Like many of the students I work with, I grew up in a rural area that lacked access to many of the resources that other students may find ubiquitous. Giving these students access to the resources I wished I had during my secondary education has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
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Imad Shaikh
My role at Eloquence Academy has been incredibly rewarding. Coaching debate classes and organizing various events has enabled me to develop valuable leadership skills and a stronger understanding of nonprofit operations. Being involved in a community committed to promoting educational equity has given me an experience that is both impactful and enjoyable.
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Sofia Fleri
Forensics is one of the most beneficial and inclusive activities that anyone can partake in. From my experience in the activity, I have gained not only friendships and relationships with other members, but it helped me gain confidence in myself.
Connect
Celebrating and honoring the student
Our network spans passionate scholars, community leaders, and industry professionals, who volunteer with open arms and shared purpose. In addition to collaborating and co-leading programs, volunteers are invited to optional social events and interest groups, which occur internally and seasonally. Almost all volunteers report that the connections they made through the organization evolved into lifelong friendships or careers down the line.
Remember
Encouraging continued growth from a newly expanded sense of self
Whether it’s bursting into laughter during a Zoom call, bonding over niche interests, teaming for a lively game of Pictionary, or engaging in heartfelt icebreaker activities, every volunteer-student interaction offers joy and genuine connection. Experiences are rich in fun, trust, and meaning. As stories are shared and connections deepen, what begins as a simple activity often evolves into a lasting memory.
Inspire
Investing in youth and self-discovery
All volunteers have frequent opportunities to directly interact with the students we serve. They contribute to students’ overall development and provide them with support and guidance. As a result, volunteering offers an unparalleled opportunity to inspire the next generation, support childhood education, and fuel an organization with a mission of urgent importance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A successful volunteer enjoys interacting with and supporting young people, growing and learning about themselves, and understands the importance of committing to the full time period required by their program.
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All applications submitted during working hours are reviewed and decided upon within 1 hour.
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We do not calculate an exact figure. However, the program is highly selective and prestigious as we receive hundreds of applicants each year.
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You will feel greatly rewarded, gain professional experience, promote debate accessibility, learn about nonprofit operations, hone your leadership skills, and have the opportunity to receive valuable recommendation or reference letters. You will receive access to our curated resources with curriculum, videos, outreach tool-kits, and more.
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All volunteers are added to an email list and Discord server. When there are relevant opportunities, they are announced in these places. Therefore, volunteers can select to dedicate anywhere between one to upwards of 500 hours each year. Opportunities are available for volunteers to assume greater responsibilities as their tenure progresses, including internships and fellowships that are exclusively reserved for volunteer emeriti or alumni.
