Information Sheet for Volunteers
We hope the following information will help you prepare for coming to IBTS as a Volunteer. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there are issues we have not dealt with. There will be a Volunteer’s Handbook sent to you, on acceptance of your Application Form, which will give you more details about transport, restaurants etc.
Our aim is for all Volunteers to work as a team whether they have come on their own or in a group. We hope you will get to know one another, both in your work and leisure time.W e hope too that you will feel part of the Seminary life and get to know its members.
Work
There is work in most areas of our life here. Maintenance (indoors and outdoors), gardening, cleaning/housekeeping etc. From time to time we need help with administrative work and help in the Library. Each year there are special projects that we have in mind.
Leisure Time
There are plenty of things to do both here at IBTS and elsewhere in Prague. Prague, as you will know, is famous for its historical buildings and even the Seminary buildings have their own history. There are the many Museums. The Musical Concerts are well advertised in the City and in the Prague Post newspaper. And, of course, the usual cinemas, restaurants, tours, walks, swimming pools etc. The cost of going into these places is very reasonable and probably cheaper than in your own country.
Provisions made by IBTS Accommodation
The accommodation for Volunteers is more like hostel type accommodation. It might mean having to share a bedroom with people from your own team or other people who are here doing voluntary work. We are not alwyas able to guarantee that married couples can have their own bedrooms, it all depends on the accommodation available at the time.
Meals in the Dining Room
- Monday – Friday: Breakfast and Lunch
- Saturday – Sunday: Breakfast only
Breakfast is always included with your housing arrangemenet.
Lunch cost will depend on your category level.
Linen
Bed linen and towels will be provided. Only one set of towels is provided throughout your stay though they can be washed in the washer provided.
Cost
Please refer to the three catagories and their costs arrangements for each level.
Insurance
We would expect everyone to have Insured themselves for travel, repatriation, health and accident before coming and to have completed and signed the Application Form stating that they are happy with the terms and conditions.
On the Application form there is a Disclaimer for Volunteers section that we ask everyone to take careful note of and sign saying they have read it.
It reads:
The IBTS makes every endeavour to provide a safe and secure working environment for all Volunteers and does not ask any Volunteers to perform tasks beyond his or her competence, or without appropriate training and supervision. However, every Volunteer must take care of his/her own safety and well-being and the safety and well-being of others around them. Volunteers should not undertake tasks for which they do not feel competent or perform work or work in situations at IBTS where they feel their personal safety is at risk.
Clothes
You will need to bring suitable clothes for the job you will be doing.
Money
Our accounting office changes the following currency: GBP, EUR, USD
Visas
You need to check before coming as to whether you need a visa and to how long you can stay in the Czech Republic without documentation. It is possible to go out of the Czech Republic for the day and get your Passport stamped.
The IBTS Directorate Request
All Volunteers agree not to help individual IBTS students directly with funding or with assistance to go to the other countries. Any help Volunteers wish to give to Students for their support or career development must be channelled through IBTS. In the first instance, please discuss this with myself.
At the end of the day we hope you will feel rewarded for the work done and have enjoyed your time here.
Keith G Jones
Rector
