Business Council For Peace, Inc.
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
January 31, 2013
I'm ending my incredible 2.5 years as a Bpeace staff member, though I won't stray far from this organization. The Bpeace community is like a family.
Our Afghan entrepreneurs are smart, engaged and intelligent. I have learned so much from their deep passion and commitment to their businesses. I stand in awe of them every day--they surmount incomprensible obstacles. They are all hungry for knowledge and support and handle themselves professionally as they learn from our members, staff, and each other.
Bpeace members/volunteers are unstoppable. Many lead their own businesses or work at some of the most prestigious companies in the U.S., yet they make time to work one on one with our entrepreneurs to teach them best practices and transfer the skills and knowledge they worked so hard to attain. Bpeace members are generous with their time and understand how to articulate their knowledge and share it in order to make a real impact.
I may be biased, but the staff at Bpeace is stellar. Toni and Marla both have long, varied careers that inform how they manage Bpeace. The organization is run like a business--efficient, effective, and proven. They are honest and communicative and it has been my pleasure to work with them.
I am looking forward to my changing role at Bpeace as I go from staff to a member/volunteer. I am eager to stay involved in this community as it continues to evolve.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
October 16, 2012
Bpeace does extraordinary work mentoring entrepreneurs in post conflict countries to help create jobs for others. In Afghanistan, Rwanda and El Salvador, Bpeace is helping women grow their businesses and create new jobs. As an all volunteer organization, Bpeace members are passionate and personally involved in the work. There is no other organization like this one!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 25, 2010
I have met with some of the associates that Bpeace has mentored in Afghanistan and seen firsthand how Bpeace has helped them learn new business skills to grow their companies. These women have expanded their businesses, created many jobs for other women and are "paying it forward" by training new employees. Bpeace is providing skills and informational support that helps grow economies and keep the peace in post conflict countries.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Afghanistan and Rwanda
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Hands on, person to person contact and seeing exactly how my efforts can impact specific women.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Realistic, experienced, passionate about what they are doing and very knowledgeable in their fields.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help promote the peace in many countries.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
October 9, 2012
This past August I had a great opportunity to volunteer for a Bpeace research project in Rwanda. It was an amazing experience and the Bpeace team couldn't have been more helpful during/after the project. The commitment Bpeace shows to its Fast Runners is undeniable. I hope to volunteer with Bpeace again to help in its efforts of creating jobs and making an impact
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
October 8, 2012
I had a great experience as a volunteer with Bpeace. I went on a research mission to Rwanda and the team was extremely helpful and committed to arranging the trip. They were always quick to respond and lovely to work with. They have a great track record of creating jobs in countries recovering from conflict and their work really makes an impact.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 10, 2012
I was trolling VolunteerMatch.org one day a few years ago, something I do ever so often to get a sense of what kinds of volunteering opportunities organizations are promoting, which organizations seem to be using it best, etc. And a posting by Bpeace got my attention. Bpeace was looking for someone to help them find funeral home managers who might mentor a funeral home director in Rwanda. I was completely intrigued by the posting - it's just NOT a volunteer posting you see posted every day. I went to the Bpeace web site and read more, and I became even more intrigued - as a researcher regarding volunteerism, particularly online volunteering, Bpeace looked like a model organization that I should know more about.
Because of my experience in Afghanistan and passion for empowering women, I decided to support Bpeace in some way. At first I was just going to promote them on my blog - but then I decided to volunteer formally, and to become a coach for a "fast runner" (an entrepreneur) in Afghanistan. Bpeace asks volunteers to pay a membership fee (something the Girl Scouts and many other organizations do as well). So, I joined, and I mentored a gentleman who was trying to expand a cleaning business in Kabul, and wanting to better cater to foreigners living in the country. I wrote about that experience here:
http://www.coyotecommunications.com/development/bpeace.html
It's not for entirely philanthropic reasons that I volunteer with Bpeace; if I'm going to remain an expert and trainer in volunteer management, I have to be a practitioner as well. I really intended to stay with Bpeace just for one year - and here it is, four years later. This experience has served me VERY well professionally, and when I'm train, I'm able to use experiences with Bpeace to illustrate various models of volunteer engagement (corporate volunteering, online volunteering, skills-based volunteering, pro bono consulting, etc.).
Photos
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 10, 2011
BPeace has spent nearly 10 years working to create jobs in some of the worlds toughest places--with a particular focus on employing women and training them to be leaders. A non-profit creating businesses is an amazing idea that doesn't happen often enough. That it's run by business people and has high demands for its own efficiency and measurable results is another notable thing about this organization. Fundraising is important but so are contributions of talent. Check out bpeace.org and consider becoming a volunteer.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Working directly with promising business leaders from Afghanistan and Rwanda on projects as diverse as running an ice-cream franchise to manufacturing soccer balls.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes just more people involved!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Great - hope to do more.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
September 21, 2011
Bpeace has a great philosophy to bringing sustainable peace to war torn countries: build local's business capacity and skills, help them be successful in their business of choice. This is accomplished by providing onsite (local to the country) business classes, providing laptops and essential business tools like Intuit Quickbooks, short internships in US based companies that resemble theirs, and matching them with US advocates that help them connect with the right people in US.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen how owners and their staff have grown professionally so much so they can identify areas of weakness and find solutions. I have seen companies grow their revenues and help their community by hiring people locally.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Nothing really. With so little they do so much. It would have been great if I could give them a money tree that would provide them access to unlimited amount of funds so they can expand faster in countries and communities with great need.
September 20, 2010
This is a terrific organization for anyone that wants to make a difference through hands-on work. There are plenty of opportunities aside from mentoring entrepreneurs so if that is not your thing, don't worry about it. I am surrounded by very talented, experienced and passionate people, all of us with one goal...create peace through helping those that are less fortunate create and grow their companies.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I receive daily messages from those that I am working with in Afghanistan. It is touching to see how grateful they are for our willingness to help them. I can see and feel I am making a difference.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Emotionally and intellectually fulfilled all the time.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very intelligent, giving, passionate, experienced in all walks of life, and supportive.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
potentially create economic prosperity in places that have not experienced peace for decades, we could see kids grow up knowing they don't have to pickup arms to keep their family safe, we could see a very happy planet earth! Wouldn't that be nice.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
March 2, 2010
What could be better than joining an organization filled with impassioned women and men that are joined together by a common thread - their love of helping individuals grow their businesses and create jobs? Bpeace, a nonprofit that I joined five years ago, specifically focuses on helping women entrepreneurs (and a growing number of men) significantly grow their businesses in Afghanistan, Rwanda and a soon-to-be named third country. We roll up our sleeves, and get our hands dirty. We learn about the world and have a direct and positive impact in our associates'(the individuals we train/support) lives and their communities. Additionally, we get to know each other and form lasting bonds of friendship and networking. I could go on and on, but Bpeace is an extremely unique and remarkable organization that is appropriate for young individuals all the way up to senior citizens. Bpeace also provides a valuable service. Entrepreneurs in regions of post-conflict lack support in which to run their businesses. We step in to help at a critical juncture and the funds we raise go directly to help such programs. A donor never had to wonder if their funds are getting caught up in bureaucratic red-tape.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the tremendous network of valuble contacts I have built as well as the immense amount of global information I have learned.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all top notch and professional.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
create 10 million jobs
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
March 2, 2010
After a strong volunteering background throughout highscool and college, I entered the "real world" hopeful to find an organization that I could volunteer in which I could actually make a difference. After the standard arts & crafts with under-priveleged children and city park clean-ups and attending numerous fundraising events, I was feeling less than inspired! When I discovered Bpeace I realized I could not only make an impact half way around the world but I was also being exposed to a network of amazing businessmen and women spanning industries and broadening my professional horizons. Working with Bpeace you can find that perfect niche for your specific strengths and commitment level and develop business skills that as a young professional I might not have otherwise had access to for years to come in my full-time career. Bpeace is doing great and effective work in countries affected by conflict and I truly believe in their mission, that creating and sustaining jobs leads to less violence.
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand their reach globally. There are so many regions in the world that would benefit from Bpeace's support of entrepreneurs and sustainable business to create peace.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My Role: Volunteer & My involvement in Bpeace is on the Board level--I deeply believe in this organization, and am inspired by the bravery and tenacity of our assoicates in Afghanistana nd Rwanda and equally moved by the commitment and dedication of the members and staff. Bp.
Login to send private message
March 2, 2010
Because of my involvement with Bpeace, I am no longer a spectator, I take an active role in promoting peace in the world--not just talk, but real results through contributing business expertise to entrepreneurs who operate small and medium sized businesses in conflicted countries. We help them grow their businesses to increase employment because jobs bring hope for the future. Through Bpeace, I have had the opportunity to go to Afghanistan to work with entrepreneurs on communication skills--an essential skill in doing business anywhere in the world. However, in Bpeace fashion, we offer our expertise through the cultural lens of our associates, in other words, we tailor our interactions based on their specific needs and experience.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The relationships I have with the entrepreneurs with whom we work.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Our CEO is the powerful combination of a brilliant creative thinker and implementor. Our Program Director has a vast knowledge of the space in which Bpeace operates and is a highly valuable advisor. The on-the-ground staff are our touchstones.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
create a million jobs in a thousand communities
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews