Join CED

When getting involved with CED, you will either fit into the Diplomat category or the Volunteer category. Both diplomats and volunteers are active participants in CED programs and cultural exchanges, and seek to be involved in Washington’s diplomatic community. Volunteer members serve with the intention of meeting the needs of the diplomatic community and so they additionally participate in behind-the-scenes work to make all of our events as enjoyable as possible for our diplomatic members.

Diplomat Eligibility

Cultural Exchange for Diplomats is a nonprofit independent organization serving the embassy personnel posted to Washington, DC with diplomatic status listed in the Department of State’s Diplomatic List, as well as diplomats at the Organization of American States, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

CED primarily serves diplomats and families on A-1 and A-2 visas. An A-1 visa is issued to diplomatic personnel such as ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomatic officers or consular officers, and members of their immediate families. An A-2 visa is issued to other accredited officials and employees of foreign governments and their immediate families.

CED also serves G-1, G-2, G-4 and NATO-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 visa holders.

G-1, G-2, and G-4 Visas

  • Accredited representatives of recognized foreign governments entering the US to work for the United Nations or an International Organization, such as the IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank, OAS (Organization of American States), the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Union, the African Union, or other such organizations.

  • Staff of principal representatives of recognized foreign governments

  • Immediate family members of G-2 visa holders

NATO-1-6 Visas

  • A person and his/her immediate family members traveling to the US under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters Set Up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty.

Even if a spouse or family member of a CED recognized diplomat is a US citizen, we will still consider them part of the diplomatic community and treat them as such.

Volunteer Eligibility

Qualifications for CED volunteers include an interest in communicating and interacting with representatives of different countries. Skills or proficiency in art, entertaining, languages and organization are great assets, but an inquiring mind, a willing hand, and an open heart are essential.

All applicants must be United States citizens or have lived in the U.S. for three years and have permission to reside in the U.S.

There are three ways for an applicant to decide to become an active CED volunteer:

  1. An applicant is referred by a current volunteer or a diplomat member of CED, who then emails the CED office and/or Volunteer Chair to vouch for the suitability of the person they are referring for volunteer membership.

  2. Individuals learn about CED on our website and decide to apply for membership.

  3. Diplomat members who leave diplomatic status and take up residence in the United States may join CED as volunteers. They will be liable for all standard dues and fees. New volunteers who are former diplomatic members must meet all other volunteer requirements, save the need for recommendation letters and interviews.

Once individuals decide to become active volunteers, they will complete the following steps:

  1. All applicants complete the volunteer application found on the CED website at culturalexchangefordiplomats.org.

  2. The Volunteer Chair confirms receipt of the application via email to the applicant and the referring volunteer (if applicable).

  3. All applicants will be invited to an interview. Note: Former members whose memberships have lapsed for a minimum of one year will be required to reapply for membership as new members.

  4. Following the interviews, the Volunteer Chair will inform applicants of their acceptance as active volunteer members and ask them to pay the membership dues and handbook fee. Once that’s done, they will receive CED’s handbooks.

  5. The Volunteer Chair will support orientations for new volunteers in which they’ll learn about Program, Cultural Exchange, and Administrative Committees they can join.

Referrers, Committee Chairs, and Volunteer Committee members are expected to monitor and support the participation of new volunteers for the first year. It is important that new volunteers have positive experiences, especially during their initial months as a member of CED.