CESO seeks Glass Artists for Assignments Worldwide

Do you have more than 10 years' experience in your craft? Have you the time and the desire to share your knowledge with others through volunteer assignments that typically last just under a month? If so, you and CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization) should get to know each other.

This non-profit Canadian agency was founded in 1967, to match the skills of experienced individuals in Canada with companies and organizations worldwide that seek mentoring, but for whom paid consultants are out of reach. "Since then," says CESO president Charles Beer, "our volunteers have completed 40,000 assignments, in more than 50 countries, including our own."

The CESO roster currently lists some 3,500 Volunteer Advisors. Collectively, they form one of the country's most impressive databanks of creative, technical and management expertise - in everything from health, education and community services; to agriculture, mining and pulp and paper; to textiles, aircraft, boat-building, financial services and more. On each assignment, volunteers use their lifetime of experience to empower others, by transferring skills, solving problems and sharing practical information and ideas.

Yet, despite the number of advisors involved and the range of their skills, CESO has some high-demand areas — such as handicrafts, including glass arts — where we'd like to add more volunteer advisors to our roster. "Requests come from local and regional organizations, such as co-operatives, and from small businesses," says Nicole Gold, roster manager. "We are asked to help with both creative and business issues — everything from training (in both existing and new skills), to design and product development, to market analysis and contract negotiation."

Joining the roster neither imposes nor guarantees an assignment: it means that the volunteer is on our database, and will be approached for all suitable projects. Final selection depends on mutual agreement between client and volunteer. Volunteer advisors receive no pay, but have no expenses, either, for all assignment-related costs are covered. And they come home with something money can't buy — satisfaction. Their skills are now helping other people improve their lives.

Want to learn more?