Chapter 2: - Center for Responsible Travel

Following the Short Course, the Monteverde Institute sought out key community leadersinterested in forming a local Advisory Committee to support in the development of the initiative.In September 2010, five active community members were chosen based on their personalinvolvement in community affairs and the strategic importance of the local organizations theyrepresent. Two local organizations – the private sector Monteverde Chamber of Tourism(CETAM) and the local Integrated Development Association (IDA) – were seen as particularlyimportant players in the development of this new initiative.With the Advisory Committee formed, a work plan was then designed and in October 2010 thecommittee began meeting twice monthly to provide input on key elements of the initiative. Theseinclude:ooooTo support and advise on creation of a18-month action plan for development ofthe Travelers‘ Philanthropy Initiative inMonteverde;To advise on appropriate fundraisingtechniques and models that can beapplied across a range of local tourismenterprises;To support a six-month pilot project in2011 during which time the initiativeplans to test several selected fundcollection mechanisms, and to gaugetheir suitability in the Monteverde contextTravelers‘ Philanthropy Advisory Committee,Monteverde. Credit: Rob BailesTo serve as ―ambassadors‖ for theMonteverde Initiative through localpromotion and a campaign to attract new members and businesses.Step 3. The Pilot Project, 2011During the first six months of 2011 the Monteverde Initiative will initiate a small pilot projectduring which time participating tourism businesses will look to raise money via tourismdonations for the benefit of a pre-identified community development project. The purpose of thepilot phase is to test, in a short period of time, various fund collection mechanisms and the onthe ground practicality of Travelers‘ Philanthropy in Monteverde. The lessons learned from thispilot will be evaluated and used to inform the long-term development of the initiative. This pilotphase will include structured consultation sessions with interested tourism businesses, localNGOs, and government officials.Step 4. The Community Project, 2011During the pilot phase, the Monteverde Travelers‘ Philanthropy Initiative will channel fundsraised into a pre-identified community investment project. That community project is beingchosen by the Advisory Committee, based on a series of locally determined criteria. Theseinclude its visibility, the practicality of completion, and its overall benefit to the Monteverdecommunity. Projects under discussion include the renovation of selected community centreswhere many local community activities take place, including those focussed on youth andeducation.Step 5. An Independent AssociationFollowing implementation of the pilot phase, there will be a short evaluation period during whichtime the Monteverde Institute will head up an assessment of the pilot project, including the level73