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Mission

The mission of PIBV is to make use of our acquired business and leadership skills to identify and solve operational problems of NGOs (non-government organizations) in developing countries, move them towards sustainability, and enhance their long-term social impact, as well as to promote locally the importance of using higher educational skills for the benefit and service of those in need. Over the past four summers, members of PIBV have worked with a total of organizations in Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, India, Mexico, China, Ghana, and South Africa in industries including education and vocational assistance, ecological stabilization, microfinance, and documentary film making. Penn International Business Volunteers strives not only to make an impact abroad but also locally by increasing awareness of international development on Penn's campus.

Membership Impact

The focus of those joining PIBV as club members is on working to increase PIBV's internal structure, organization, awareness, fundraising opportunities, and trip development, with the aim of making PIBV a resource center for anyone interested in non-profit work abroad. These goals are executed through the collaborative efforts of our five committees.

Furthermore, through the joint efforts of our members, PIBV has hosted two conferences on corporate social responsibility and several speaker events including Jorge Cosano, Former Director of Marketing and Fundraising for Greenpeace and Keith Weigelt, Penn Management Professor and microfinance specialist. We also sponsor events aimed specifically at preparing trip members for their respective projects, such as presentations by Merck Six Sigma consultants, cultural panels and speakers and meetings with project mentors for guidance in trip planning and research. Also, to raise funds for our trips and awareness of our club’s mission, we have held three International Dinners and two fundraising parties.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Penn International Business Volunteers accepts new members at the beginning of every semester. Members can be from any of the four schools at Penn, at any point in their college careers. No prior business-related knowledge is necessary!

(In regards to summer trips, you do not have to be a member of PIBV to participate on a summer trip, though trip priority will be given to an active member contingent upon his/her having paid the $15 semesterly dues and having attended at least 80% of all PIBV meetings.)

Membership into PIBV is done through a selective application process. We are looking for people who are motivated and committed to our mission and the work we do. Thus, if you are interested in joining PIBV, the Fall 2009 application process has closed. But, the Spring 2010 application process opens in January 2010. To keep updated when applications come out, join the PIBV listserve by signing up on the bottom right-hand corner of the home page.