As part of its effort to improve its capacity to respond to the requirements of its membership, the Georgetown Chamber of Com-merce and Industry (GCCI) has announced the launch of an Intern and Volunteer (I&V) programme aimed at recruiting skilled persons to undertake research and other assignments associated with the Chamber’s delivery of services to its members.

The programme, which begins in January 2009, enables six-month voluntary assignments to students of business and management studies and persons experienced in the practical running of business to undertake ongoing research-based and other projects the outcomes of which will directly benefit the membership of the GCCI.

GCCI Executive Director Jean Bacchus told Stabroek Business that “the volunteerism approach” to building capacity within the Chamber derives from its inability to recruit skilled personnel to execute the Chamber’s strategic plan. She said that the Chamber’s initiative had been patterned after what has become an increasingly popular approach to building capacity within organizations.

According to Bacchus the volunteer opportunities being offered by the Chamber are open to both nationals and non-nationals, She added that the I&V programme also provided “openings for promising individuals to learn and contribute to critical areas of business development locally.”

Under the GCCI’s  i&V  programme interns are recruited either directly or through negotiated arrangements with the institutions of learning which they are attending. Internship positions will be integrated into the GCCI’s Work Plan. Bacchus told Stabroek Business that the Chamber will be seeking to recruit outstanding students to fill intern positions and the appointments will be made “on a competitive basis.”

Volunteers are expected to come mostly from the business community though persons qualified in aspects of business and management will be selected to serve based on their knowledge and experience in areas relevant to the objectives of the GCCI.

Bacchus said that while the GCCI was prepared to recruit persons from overseas to its I&V programme they would be required to meet all of the expenses associated with their travel and stay in Guyana.