GSL engages leaders on globalserviceleaders.org, an online community of peers now located in over 100 countries. Members are invited to share best practices, define what volunteerism looks like in other countries, and explore collaboration on international volunteerism awareness campaigns. GSL redefines traditional norms, bridging the gap between the volunteer and the beneficiary, testing new volunteer models and recruiting new communities to serve. Among other programs, an ongoing effort of GSLI is to recruit volunteers from marginalized populations, including at-risk youth, the elderly, people living with HIV/AIDS, people living with disabilities, indigenous and other communities.

In partnership with U.S. Embassies around the world, Meridian’s GSL developed a model for convening current and emerging leaders from all sectors to explore how volunteerism can be scaled to address increasingly complex social challenges. This replicable model will move around the globe to target key issues, connecting local participants with their counterparts in the U.S. and throughout the region. In March 2012, this model was brought to Spain in the inaugural Service and Innovation Summit, where international participants were able to share best practices and explore collaborative opportunities. In Spain, the Summit focused on the role of volunteerism in addressing unemployment. The impact of the Summit has been far-reaching, with service projects, international leadership exchanges, intergovernmental collaboration, and academic research stemming directly from the relationships, discussions, and strategies formed during the Summit.

GSL programs target the individual, community leaders uniquely positioned to mobilize resources – including human capital – to address key areas of social concern. Membership in GSL’s community is open to non-profit leaders, educators, private sector CSR executives, and all persons tasked with volunteer management. GSL offers leadership development worldwide in the following ways:

• Access to online network that links leaders in a virtual community of interest, facilitating introductions, and sharing of innovative approaches
• Direct hands-on experience to learn strategies for volunteer management and test practical tools while leading service projects
• Peer-to-peer exchange and mentoring to build bridges, develop skills, share success stories and challenges, and explore collaboration
• Invitations to attend and speak at international conventions hosted in partnership with the U.S.
• Embassies around the world which position volunteerism as a strategy to address the most pressing local social issues

Meridian honors and supports these leaders, promoting a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspiring others to make service a central part of their lives.

These 16 members of the GSL community form the International Committee, lending regional guidance and their unique voices to the service and volunteerism conversation and GSL programming worldwide.

In-country mentorships empower service leaders as social entrepreneurs who are uniquely positioned to mobilize resources and volunteers if given the right tools. Mentees are given the goal of doubling the impact of volunteerism in their community over the course of a one-year assignment. Alumni will act as mentors to future participants, growing the international network in the "pay it forward" model.

GSL oversees and nurture these relationships, providing key resources to meet members' greatest needs and introducing them to strategic partners who will help move their organizations and projects forward.

GSL partners with strategic U.S. and international volunteerism leaders to provide network members with toolkits comprising innovative solutions for issues such as volunteer recruitment, management, and retention. Shared virtually through the technology platform, these resources continue to be updated as new needs are identified in the field.

GSL and its members organize simultaneous service projects and international awareness campaigns, highlighting emerging trends in volunteerism. 2014 will mark the fourth annual International Day of Service, which builds upon GSL’s expanding leadership in uniting these international communities with a spirit of volunteerism. International Days of Service have already engaged thousands of volunteers and service leaders in over 100 countries. Collaborative, community-focused projects have also focused on volunteer recruitment from marginalized groups, such as people living with disabilities, indigenous communities, seniors, and at-risk youth.