Strategic Shift to e
AAE work: Mostly virtual and tasks are accomplished through asynchronous collaboration. Utilizing online communication tools, especially email, community members support one another pro bono. Volunteers may undertake one or more tasks during a volunteering term of service. Strategic shift from “education/advocacy only” model to a “resource mobilization”; workflow of member needs assessment and volunteer task allocation.
- Work schedules are flexible, allowing as much time for all to attend to other important commitments and regular schedules. After completing a task, participants may undertake another task during their active term . If you find any assigned task unsuitable, please feel free to request a change.
- We publish brief descriptions of ongoing projects on the Task Groups page. If you are not already assigned to a task group, then please choose a task under a project that is relevant to your background, professional or learning aspirations. We will send you a detailed task guide before you commence work and provide ongoing guidance, as needed.
- As part of a broader AAE Assisted Connections Program, where supported groups may request for volunteers/interns to provide tailored support, AAE facilitates the search and may participate in the task design, supervision and on-boarding steps. AAE interns/volunteers assigned to member groups receive their completion certificates from the same member group.
Communication: Communication tools typically used for teamwork communication and collaboration are email and virtual conferences.
- Where a task requires official email communications, an AAE email account will be assigned to you. However, sometimes delivery challenges such as messages being rejected by Hotmail/Outlook due to our sending IP being blocked by their anti‑spam system, may occur. In this case, please use your personal email account for the official communication steps.
- We encourage the use of a formal communication tone when communicating with others, and we expect all to do the same with fellow volunteers and entrepreneurs whom they may be working with. In an intercultural/international professional setting, the use of formality and politeness can help avoid confusion and misunderstandings. It will also generate good mutual respect with your audience and this will result in effective teamwork . You must be logged in the AAE website to view the contact email addresses of others.
- Sometimes, email messages are delivered to your SPAM folders in error. Please check to be sure you don’t miss messages from AAE.
- AAE usually responds to email mesages immediately or up to 36 hours of receipt. If you don’t get a response within a reasonable time frame, please resend you message.
- Video conferences between two or more users, group and Inter-group level meetings may be arranged.
Task Completion and Reports: Progress and final reports are expected as agreed, and should be submitted by email. All reports MUST include the department name, date of submission and the name of the reporter. The report file should saved in word format and the file name should contain the full name of the reporter.
- All reports (articles, internal reports should include formatted MLA-style reference list and In-text citations, ensuring that every data point and external source is clearly documented.
- In ensuring that your report meets our standards, please ask an AAE Volunteer Editors of your choice to review it before submiting it.
- Final internal reports may cover operational observations, project outcomes, or professional development insights. Additionally, while not compulsory, video reports may be used as an additional proof of participation . You may post it on a social media platform and then include the link in the textual report.
- Volunteers/Interns who achieve outstanding performance in their tasks will be issued with Letters of Recommendation in addition to the Completion/Appreciation Certificate.
- Please alert your supervisor during the last week of your internship so that we can Initiate the issuance of your completion letter on time. Volunteers/Interns who are unable to complete task(s) and/or do not submit a final report will be deemed “Uncompleted” and may be offered an extension or restart based on sole discretion of the supervisor.
Benefits: Some benefits of serving with us include:
- Contributing to Supporting Sustainable African Entrepreneurship
- Networking
- The AAE Volunteers Directory
- Priority Selection for on-site assignments, when available
- Certificates of Appreciation, and Reference Letters
- Invitations to Training Programs and Development Events