Meet this year’s Distinguished Volunteer Clark, our outstanding Selection Board Member who has dedicated two years to ensure our interview and selection process for the Atlas Corps Fellowship and Virtual Leadership Institute goes smoothly.
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your five facts?
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Name: Clark Halpern Hometown: United States and the Netherlands Organization affiliation: Wageningen University (The Netherlands) and Cornell University (USA) Social Issue/Interest Area: Climate change, combating hunger, and youth empowerment Fun fact: I won the Blue Ribbon Prize in the layer cake category at the 2017 Monmouth County Fair. |
Why did you decide to volunteer for Atlas Corps as a Selection Board Member and Local Ambassador?
I first heard about Atlas Corps from a fellow returned Peace Corps volunteer who was looking for additional people to volunteer in screening candidates for the Fellowship. As I read further into the Atlas Corps mission to create a global network of changemakers, I was inspired to dedicate my time to supporting this incredible organization.
How has volunteering with Atlas Corps impacted you?
Atlas Corps has provided a wonderful opportunity to see the amazing grassroots work that young people are conducting around the world in creating change in their local communities. As a selection board interviewer for this Fellowship and Virtual Leadership Institute, I have the chance to chat with individuals from around the world who are dedicated to using their skills and enthusiasm to improve society. I’m always inspired to hear what people can accomplish and how they plan to use the experience gained from Atlas Corps to create an even larger impact.
What message would you like to send to individuals who are thinking of volunteering with Atlas Corps?
Over my past two years volunteering with Atlas Corps, I’ve built strong relationships with both Atlas Corps staff, such as Zachary Morris, Senior Manager of Global Engagement, and individuals who have finished the program, like Alexander Gunkel (Cohort 1, the Netherlands) of Space4Good and Olumide Idowu (Class 33, Nigeria) of ICCDI. The ability to build your own cultural intelligence through interacting with so many enthusiastic people is an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer with Atlas Corps and support their mission.
Thank you, Clark, and our hundreds of volunteers who help achieve the Atlas Corps mission every day. We look forward to celebrating you on July 20 at 12 pm ET during the Atlas Corps Celebration of Service! Learn more about becoming a volunteer at volunteer.atlascorps.org.
Celebrate Atlas Corps Bonus Day! Donations matched on July 20!
Support Atlas Corps and empower our global community of changemakers who possess the training, skills, and network to solve the world’s most pressing issues. Make a Bonus Day Gift: On July 20th starting at 9 am ET, donations $100+ are matched! Will you #BuildBridges with Atlas Corps?
Photos from Clark’s personal archive
