Winrock International Honors Dorene Petersen with President’s Volunteer Service Award
Portland, Ore. — May 24, 2017 — Winrock International announced it has awarded Dorene Petersen, President and Founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.
Established in 2003, the Award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups, and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the Award, Winrock International confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.
Winrock has a long history of international volunteer service, and more than 200 volunteers have been known to perform volunteer service each year on behalf of the organization.
In 2016, Petersen contributed 27 days of volunteer service on international assignment for Winrock’s U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program in Terai, the southern lowland area of Nepal. Petersen demonstrates how local citizens can truly make a difference in today’s world. While overseas, she worked with the Forest Environment Workers Union Nepal (FEWUN) to train farmers and forest workers—many of them women—in efficient and improved methods of essential oil processing, as well as how to assess and improve essential oil quality by focusing on organic, sustainable practices and how to strategically market essential oils in the international market.
Petersen also focused on the FEWUN mission to educate about, and provide support for workers’ rights through the much-needed creation of jobs that emphasize the sustainable conservation of the local forests and Nepalese natural resources. To achieve this, Petersen helped identify forward-looking work opportunities for women and youth (Nepalese millennials) in the organic, natural, personal care market.
“I was humbled by my experience in Nepal,” Petersen says. “My students’ dedication was very impressive. Many had traveled quite a distance to participate, and they showed up with questions, insights, and a daily lesson for me about the rich culture and history of the region. All of the people I worked with conducted themselves with such kindness; I’ve made life-long friends and will make every effort to return to Nepal, as a volunteer or on my own, to continue our work together.”
Volunteers like Petersen find Winrock assignments to be personally and professionally rewarding. Helping people help themselves is a contribution that makes sense.
DeAnn McGrew, Director of Agriculture and Volunteer Programs at Winrock explains, “Volunteerism is a core American value. It connects us to our neighbors, whether they are local or global, and gives us an opportunity to use our skills for a greater good. As a Certifying Organization for the Award program, Winrock International is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives.”
The Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. The Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.
For more information about this press release or to schedule an interview with Dorene Petersen, contact Lauren Shapiro at publicrelations
@achs.edu.
For more information about volunteering for Winrock International, please visit their website www.winrock.org
/volunteer. To learn more about how to qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award and additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit http://www.presidential
serviceawards.gov
About ACHS
Founded in 1978, ACHS.edu is an accredited College offering online, on-campus, and study abroad integrative health education. With undergraduate and graduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and on-demand CEU courses, ACHS makes holistic health and wellness education accessible to a diverse community of learners, including healthcare professionals, military students, stay-at-home parents, and lifelong learners. Specializations include aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and wellness. A Certified B Corporation® and 2016 Top Green Workplace, ACHS is also accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Visit www.achs.edu.
