A Volunteer’s Guide To Better VRG Reporting With ChatGPT
While, as Peace Corps volunteers, we know that it is important to report our work, especially to Congress. That’s so the people know what their tax dollars are being spent on. But I don't know of any volunteer who loves to fill out the quarterly VRG (volunteer reporting and grants). I think one of the main reasons is we just don't know either what to say or how to say it. That's why I've started to take advantage of the capabilities of AI, like ChatGPT, to help me report better on my VRG.
Below are prompts I use to fill out "Activity Questions" that are needed for each activity. I still write what I think is the information it is asking for. But once I've done that, I plug the text into these prompts. And ChatGPT gives me a much better response to the activity questions. I still need to check it because ChatGPT can make changes that are not true, but for the most part it has really improved my reporting.
I've only tried these prompts with ChatGPT, but I feel they should work with many of the other AIs available. If you have comments, questions, or other suggestions, please leave them in the comments. I'll be reposting this before every VRG deadline for future reference.
AI prompt:
Below are the details for a quarterly report I have to file with the US Peace Corps about my work as a volunteer.
Activity: <from VRG>
Project Associated with Activity: <from VRG>
Post Activity: <from VRG>
Associated Project Goal: <from VRG>
Associated Project Objective: <from VRG>
Description: <from VRG>
Activity Questions: Please respond to the prompts below to provide additional information beyond the details included in the Activity Description above.
VRG Prompt: Locally Defined Priority: How was the activity identified as a priority and by whom? Please describe the desired outcomes and/or results?
<just write whatever you feel is the answer to this question - kind of like a mind-dump. Don't worry if it rambles, poor grammar, etc. AI will make sense of it>
Using the above information, how can I improve my answer to the prompt "locally defined priority"?Remember, more information is better than less. And then, ChatGPT will give you a revised version of your answer. It may also give you ideas how to improve it. These are great points to remember for the next VRG you have to fill out.
2nd prompt:
Sustainability: How will the outcomes be sustained after the activity has been implemented?
<just write whatever you feel is the answer to this question>
Using the previous information and the above information, how can I improve my answer to the prompt "Sustainability"?Because ChatGPT remembers what you asked before, there is no need to repeat information.
3rd prompt:
Implementation Results: Were activity outcomes/results achieved as anticipated? Please describe any unanticipated outcomes/results or shortfalls.
<just write whatever you feel is the answer to this question>
Using the previous information and the above information, how can I improve my answer to the prompt "Implementation Results"?4th prompt:
Lessons Learned and Promising Practices: What recommendations could you make for implementation of this activity in the future? Please describe any lessons learned and/or promising practices that should be shared.
<just write whatever you feel is the answer to this question>
Using the previous information and the above information, how can I improve my answer to the prompt "Lessons Learned and Promising Practices"?And now, you've finished answering all the "activity questions" for that activity. For other activities, I recommend you start a new ChatGPT conversation. And just repeat all these steps again. And that's it.
I've only tried these prompts with ChatGPT, but I feel they should work with many of the other AIs available. If you have comments, questions, or other suggestions, please leave them in the comments. I'll be reposting this before every VRG deadline for future reference.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT can turn the dreaded VRG into a more manageable task. By using simple prompts and allowing AI to help structure and polish your answers, you can save time and improve the clarity of your reporting. Just remember to review the output to ensure accuracy and authenticity. Give it a try for your next report—you might be surprised at how much easier the process becomes!
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