The Levels of Ambassadorship
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What Are the Ambassador Types?

Ambassadors can be one of six types: Nomadic, City, Family, Country, Global, and Alumni. All Ambassadors start as City, Family or Nomadic Ambassadors. As they become more experienced and participate, they may be chosen to become Country Ambassadors. A small number of those will become Global Ambassadors. We have one of the largest teams on CouchSurfing. Many thousands of people are impacted by the actions of our Ambassadors on a daily basis.

The Ambassador community is a good example of an organization that is supportive in its role. The City Ambassadors serve the members in their individual area, the Country Ambassadors serve the to support the City Ambassadors, and then the Global's are task specific and manage the community as a whole. They are supported by a special team called the Ambassador Support Team. This is composed of several members, and includes one member of the Leadership Team, who serves as the coordinator. Ambassadors are all peers. There is no increased benefit in being a Global or Country Ambassador versus a City one. It's all about your available time, your resources, and your interest. Those who possess advanced information, experience and/or tenure in CouchSurfing can best serve the larger community, and that is where you may think of that is perceived of as a reward or entitlement. Not true! Global Ambassadors give large amounts of time and love to the community and are some of our most dedicated surfers and hosts. They deserve all the empowerment and respect we can give them, but we are all here for the same reasons and all of us are peers as members.



Core Requirements to become an Ambassador

You will need to meet several basic, core requirements before you can be considered for Application to the Ambassador Corps. Becoming an Ambassador is not instantaneous. It is not a destination, it is a process. There are requirements for education, certification and other items once you acquire your Ambassador status. Being an Ambassador is a real honor to many that feel our community is centered around values and ethics that can make this world a better place. The requirements are:

  1. Be a member of CouchSurfing for at least 6 months
  2. Have at least 10 hours per month to participate in activities, meetings, online, etc.
  3. Have a complete profile that can be seen by members
  4. Be recommended by other Ambassadors *
  5. Log into the CS system a minimum of once per month
  6. Have a working knowledge of the English language or translation tools that are the equivalent **

* This means that when you apply for an Ambassadorship appointment, the other Ambassadors from your level, or direct peers, in your city, nation or otherwise will be asked for input about your application. This is not something that you must complete. It will be completed for you by the AMT. This is for Ambassador applicants only. The opinion of your potential peers is not the deciding factor in your application. The final decision will always be the decision of the Ambassador Support Team.

** We want to make it clear that this is not meant to exclude any person or group. If a Country Ambassador can translate, or a member that is a local City Ambassador can communicate via a translation bot, etc. then exceptions can be made, on a case by case basis. CouchSurfing is made available in many languages as a rule, but nearly all Ambassador communications are in English and the subtleties of the conversations may be missed. Therefore although we do not want to exclude anyone from participating, we need a provision for this.

 

Nomadic Ambassadors

Description:

Nomadic Ambassadors are experienced travelers for whom traveling has become a lifestyle. As avid travelers, they may have multiple places of residence and/or be constantly on the move. They are CouchSurfing field agents, and act as connectors between the many local communities they visit. The Nomadic Ambassador selection and intake process typically happens every three months. 


Activities that a Nomadic Ambassador may wish to participate in:

Nomadic Ambassadors are encouraged to join and participate in one or more of CouchSurfing's volunteer teams, such as:


  • New Member Welcome
  • Local Events Organizing (wherever you may happen to be)
  • Assisting the local community and Ambassador colleagues where you are at the time

Position Requirements:

  1. Meet the core requirements
  2. Submit an application
  3. Have at least 10 hours per month to participate in activities, meetings, online, etc.
  4. Have at least 10 successful hosting/surfing experiences
  5. Have at least 10 positive references
  6. Have at least 3 vouches
  7. Have created or attended at least 5 meetings in their location
  8. Travel as a lifestyle or more than 6 months per year traveling from your verified home


 

City Ambassadors

Description:

This type of Ambassador makes up the largest percentage of the team, by far. City Ambassadors are the focus of much of the time, energy and efforts of the team. City Ambassadors are usually the first people to answer questions, help in times of need, and otherwise be the support system for local members. This is a critical function to the CS organization. City Ambassadors are also the voice and ear to their local community for the team, and a source of information for all the members of their local community. The City Ambassador selection and intake process typically happens every three months. 


Activities that a City Ambassador may wish to participate in:

We want to make sure all Ambassadors love what they do. Please always feel free to ask for help. You can contribute in many ways according to what interests you the most. We especially recommend the following teams or activities for City Ambassadors:


  • New Member Welcome
  • Local Events Organizing
  • City Online Group Moderation

Position Requirements:

  1. Meet the core requirements
  2. Submit an application
  3. Have at least 10 hours per month to participate in activities, meetings, online, etc.
  4. Have at least 10 successful hosting/surfing experiences
  5. Have at least 10 positive references
  6. Have at least 3 vouches
  7. Have created or attended at least 5 meetings in their location


(If you live in a less populated or rural area, without a lot of travelers that has not given you the opportunity to meet the above requirements, we may be able to make an exception)

 


Family Ambassadors

Family Ambassadors are a type of City Ambassador. The same requirements apply.


Families are an important part of Couchsurfing. Often, families host or surf, and this allows the entire family to participate in an Ambassadorship role. Families have unique issues and opportunities. A family can best advise another family about the best ways to get the most from a hosting or surfing experience. This kind of Ambassador is a resource for other families within our community. The city or location of the Family Ambassador is balanced between the location and the family issue. Family Ambassadors should be active in the CS community in which they reside, just like any Ambassador. They also, however, offer specialized advice to travelers in any area that face the issues of family travel. We do not anticipate any Nomadic families, but we remain open to that possibility!


There may be in the future, a way for families to register a profile that says family, but for now, please use the multiple people item. Once we have that in place, it will be easier to search. Also, CS makes no statement about what a family is or is not. So, it's up to you. If you define yourself in this way, then you are welcome. A member who wishes to be a Family Ambassador does not need to adjust from single to multiple people or otherwise adjust their profile for this position.

 


Country Ambassadors

Position Description:

As a Country Ambassador, you really come into a support mode. In some of the larger nations, there are many City Ambassadors and they need all the support and patience that you can give them. A Country Ambassador applicant will have been successful as a City or Nomadic Ambassador previously. The Country Ambassador selection and intake process typically happens once per year.


Activities that a Country Ambassador may wish to participate in:

To be of service to the membership, Country Ambassadors are encouraged to join and participate in one or more of CouchSurfing's volunteer teams in order to perform at least one of the duties listed below. We especially recommend the following teams for Country Ambassadors:


  • Regional Events & Outreach
  • Actively seek opportunities to mentor, coach and develop other Ambassadors
  • The Ambassador Support Team

Position Requirements:

  1. Have been an active City or Nomadic Ambassador for at least 1 year
  2. Submit an application
  3. Have at least 10 hours per month to participate in activities, meetings, online, etc.
  4. Have at least 10 successful hosting/surfing experiences
  5. Have at least 10 positive references
  6. Have at least 10 vouches
  7. Will have a written recommendation from a Global Ambassador or a Member of the Leadership Team
  8. Will complete a telephone interview with the Ambassador Support Team  

 


Global Ambassadors

Description:

Global Ambassadors are those who have demonstrated their ability to lead others. Global Ambassadors are a source of information and guidance to the Country Ambassadors. The Global Ambassador selection and intake process typically happens once per year. Global Ambassadors are selected exclusively by Global Ambassadors.


Activities that Global Ambassadors may wish to participate in:

To be of service to the membership, Global Ambassadors must be supervisors of one or more of CouchSurfing's volunteer teams in addition to performing one or more of the duties listed below. Most Global Ambassadors contribute at least 10 hours per month. We especially recommend the following teams for Global Ambassadors:


  • Actively seek opportunities to mentor, coach and develop other Ambassadors

Position Requirements:

  1. Meet the core requirements
  2. Submit an application
  3. Have at least 10 hours per month to participate in activities, meetings, online, etc.
  4. Have been an active Country Ambassador for at least 1 year
  5. Will complete a telephone interview with the Ambassador Support Team 
  6. Will be voted on by sitting Global Ambassadors. Majority approval required
  7. Will be assigned to the Ambassador Support Team

 


Ambassador Alumni

There are occasions when Ambassadors retire the flag. Most of the time, this signals a change in their available time to volunteer. When this happens, we offer them a blue flag. This is to honor their accomplishments and thank them for their service. Although they do not actively participate in the daily Ambassador community, this flag should tell all that they have been a part of our team at some time, and contributed a great deal.

An Ambassador becomes an Ambassador Alumni by writing a request to us via the CUQ. Please tell us your profile name. Also where and when you were an Ambassador. You also should include a brief about your contributions and activities while on the Ambassador Team. We will consider your request at that time.

How are Transfers of Ambassadors Done?

There are occasions when you may move, change locations within the same city, want to change your location, etc. This is a common situation. Here is the way that transfers work, generally:

** Note: If you change your address in the CS system, it may remove your flag automatically, as you are location based. If this happens, just contact us and we will help.

City to City: If you move in the same city. No changes are required.

City to New City: We ask that you remain in your new city for about 90 days to get to know the place, the people, and the other Ambassadors before considering your placement. When that period is over, we may conduct a light peer review to see if the Ambassadors in your new location. This is to ensure that you have contacted them, asked to participate, and to ensure that they understand their role in helping you as a new local Ambassador too. At that time, the flag for your new location will be placed.

City to Family (or vice versa): This is easy! Contact us via the CUQ's and we will be happy to adjust this for you. There is no qualification. Remember though, if you are a County Ambassador, you should make sure you mention that to us so that you remain a part of the correct discussion groups.

City to Nomadic (or vice versa): Look carefully at the qualifications for Nomadic. If you are entering a life style that is Nomadic, then we are all about it! Contact us via the CUQs and present your travel plans along with your request. Remember, this means truly Nomadic for some time. If you are Nomadic and settle down for a while, please refer to the 'City to New City' above. That applies here too.