C Z E C H R E P U B L I C – I T A L Y – P O L A N D - T U R K E Y

2011-2013

Eurokid involves in the society needs Comenius Project

Theory and Practice

TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES: TODAY’S SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW’S JOBS

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/ VOLUNTEER’S GUIDE /

Table of Contents:

I. Introduction

II. Legal limits for volunteering

III. The advantages of volunteering

IV. Ethical code for volunteering organizer and

volunteer

V. Competence acquired by volunteers

VI. Volunteering options in partner countries

I. INTRODUCTION

Euro-kid is a name for a demographic of teenagers and young adults in Europe in the

21st Century. We can see changes of philosophical ideas, values, needs and methods of

communication at present society and therefore an educational system its content and

organization is also forced to adopt such changes.

The aim of the multi-culture education is to eliminate barriers among children and

youths with different culture by providing information about foreign cultures. That

should lead them to appropriate communication.

The idea of the project is: to help an imaginary person, en European child = Euro-kid (a

student) to develop professionally and personally by undergoing of five levels:

1. Euro-kid learns

2. Euro-kid create its future

3. Euro-kid becomes a businessman

4. Euro-kid is involved into society needs

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5. Euro-kid celebrates culture differences

The social needs in Maslow’s hierarchy include such things as love, acceptance and

belonging. At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior.

A person soldiering on with a serious illness, mentally or physically handicapped person

or people in home for the elderly may tell you they depend on good doctors, latest

treatments and a positive frame of mind. But it is more likely they will dwell on the

support they have received from family, friends, their community, their church, their

beliefs - or the lot.

Important support is quite often provided by volunteering work. People who do this

kind of work - volunteers need to have strong moral values, the ability to work in a team,

and a social conscience. Volunteer work is work done not for profit. It contributes to a

greater cause that is for the good of your fellow man and society in general.

II. LEGAL LIMITS FOR VOLUNTEERING

In the absence of a clear legal definition of what constitutes voluntary work and a

volunteer, some laws and regulations can inadvertently have an impact on voluntary

action. States should pay careful attention to the way in which international and

domestic regulations can affect volunteerism in their country.

Fundamental rights and freedoms

International and domestic laws on fundamental rights and freedoms protect volunteers

and delimit the legal scope of voluntary activity, when they provide for:

• the right to free assembly and peaceful association;

• the right not to be required to perform forced or compulsory labour;

• the right to participate actively in the political, economic, cultural, and social life of the

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country;

Social welfare and health care are areas where volunteering has traditionally been very

strong. Although the State has ultimate responsibility in these sectors, in many countries

citizen participation is considered to be of fundamental importance to help meet these

needs. Laws regulating social welfare and health-related work have a considerable

impact on volunteerism. Social welfare laws which have an impact on the nature of

volunteer engagement can directly influence social inclusion and integration of certain

social groups, such as the elderly, or members of migrant or ethnic minorities.

There is no universal model for a legal definition of the terms “volunteer” and

“volunteerism”. Different national laws and regulations establish different definitions,

depending on traditions and culture. Sometimes, the absolute need for volunteer

support leads to different definitions being used within a single country, depending on

the circumstances.

When considering the wording of these definitions, legislators should take care not to

disregard the potential benefits of all existing kinds of voluntary activity. It is of

paramount importance that a framework law on volunteerism provide the most

comprehensive and flexible definitions possible for volunteers and voluntary activity.

For example:

• “Volunteerism is the group of activities carried out by individuals, associations or legal

entities, for the common good, by free choice and without the intention of financial gain,

outside the framework of any employment, mercantile or civil service relationship”; or

• “A volunteer is an individual who, by free choice, offers his or her time, work and skills,

occasionally or on a regular basis, without expectation of compensation, other than

reimbursement of reasonable expenses and subsistence allowance necessary for the

accomplishment of his or her assignments as a volunteer, for the public benefit,

individually or within the framework of informal or officially registered non-

governmental non-profit organizations or national or international public entities”.

The legal definitions of volunteers and voluntary activity should allow for a clear

distinction between what constitutes voluntary unpaid work and paid employment.

Volunteers require legal treatment and protection distinguishable from that applicable

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to "paid workers". This is necessary to protect volunteers and the organizations in which

they are involved from the potentially pernicious application of certain labour, social

welfare and tax law provisions, as mentioned above. In this regard, the most important

issue relates to the absence of financial reward for voluntary activity.

III. THE ADVANTAGES OF VOLUNTEERING

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of

volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. The right match can

help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your

career. Volunteering can also help protect your mental and physical health. Learn more

about the many benefits of volunteering and find tips on getting started as a volunteer.

One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community.

Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering

allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However,

volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the

cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new

friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.

Volunteering connects you to others

One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community.

Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering

allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However,

volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the

cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new

friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.

Volunteering helps you make new friends and contacts

One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to

commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people,

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especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the

community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common

interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.

Volunteering increases your social and relationship skills

While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting

new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social

skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests.

Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

Volunteering as a family

While it might be a challenge to coordinate everyone’s schedules, volunteering as a

family has many worthwhile benefits. Children watch everything you do. By giving back

to the community, you show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference and

how good it feels to help others and enact change. It’s also a valuable way for you to get

to know organizations in the community and find resources and activities for your

children and family.

Volunteering is good for your mind and body

Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.

Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy

boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing

good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of

accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and

identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a

positive view of your life and future goals.

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Volunteering combats depression. Reducing the risk of depression is another

important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social

isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you

develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and

depression when you’re going through challenging times.

Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Volunteering is good for your

health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found

that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even

when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also

been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

I have limited mobility - can I still volunteer?

Whether due to a lack of transportation, time constraints, a disability or other reasons,

many people prefer to volunteer via phone or computer. There are many projects where

you can help. Writing and graphic design lends itself to working at home, and in today’s

digital age many organizations might also need help with email and websites.

If you think home-based volunteering might be right for you, contact organizations you

like and ask what some of the possibilities might be. Some volunteer organizations may

require you to attend an initial training or periodical meetings. You also want to make

sure that you are getting enough social contact, and that the organization is available to

support you should you have questions.

Volunteering can advance your career

If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your

area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing

careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the

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workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task

management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings

at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.

Volunteering can provide career experience

Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term

commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. In some fields, you

can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you’re interested in.

For example, if you’re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a

nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations

or internships that could be of benefit to your career.

Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills

Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many

volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, you could become

an experienced crisis counselor while volunteering for a women’s shelter or a

knowledgeable art historian while donating your time as a museum docent.

Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to

benefit the greater community. For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you

raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further

developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.

When it comes to volunteering, passion and positivity are the only

requirements

While learning new skills can be beneficial to many, it’s not a requirement for a fulfilling

volunteer experience. Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any

volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed,

and a positive attitude.

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Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life

Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing

volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape

from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also

provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into

your personal and professional life.

Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. For

instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider

volunteering to help plant a community garden, lead local hikes, or help at a children’s

camp.

IV. ETHICAL CODE FOR VOLUNTEERING ORGANIZER

AND VOLUNTEER

In order to further delimit and clarify the essential elements of voluntary activity, laws

should foresee a set of general principles governing the development of volunteerism.22

Principles of volunteerism may vary significantly from country to country.

Generally they include many of the following basic standards:

• volunteers participate on the basis of freely-expressed consent;

• volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken in order to receive pensions or

government allowances;

• volunteering is not carried out in expectation of any financial gain;

• volunteering complements, but must not result in, the downsizing or replacement of

paid employment;

• volunteerism should be encouraged with a certain degree of autonomy from the public

authorities, to safeguard its independence;

• volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate actively in the

development of community and social life and address human needs;

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• volunteers act for the common good and on the basis of a social commitment;

• volunteering promotes human rights and equality;

• volunteerism respects the rights, dignity and culture of the communities involved;

• volunteer recruitment is based on equal opportunity and nondiscrimination;

• volunteering is inspired by democratic, pluralistic, participative and caring social

tenets.

V. COMPETENCE ACQUIRED BY VOLUNTEERS

Being a volunteer requires more than professional skills and experience. You will also

need a unique set of personal competencies to cope with being in a new place and

culture, to enable you to share skills, and to connect with the people around you.

Integrity

Maintains and promotes social, ethical and organisational norms.

Managing stress

Maintaining stable performance under pressure and/or opposition (eg, time pressure,

job ambiguity); able to relieve stress in a manner acceptable to other people and the

organisation or situation.

Self-reliance and self-confidence

A Volunteer should be able to confidently manage own affairs and look after own needs

and possesses belief in self.

Self-awareness

Demonstrates an awareness of own strengths, limitations and personal values.

Understands how own beliefs, thoughts and emotions influence behaviour and actions.

Resilience

Volunteer should be aware of personal signs of stress and able to respond positively to

challenges and to recover quickly from disappointment, setbacks or rejection.

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Cross-cultural sensitivity

Volunteer should remain open to all people regardless of race, religion or culture. Seeks

opportunities to learn and understand other cultures. Volunteer should be able to

communicate and interact effectively with people from different geographies and

organisations.

Working with and developing others

Volunteer should have the ability to impress upon others a sense of humility, humour,

friendliness and sensitivity. Establish cooperative relationships.

Flexibility

Volunteer should modify style and approach in order to achieve a specific objective(s)

and adapts behaviours to meet the situational needs.

Problem solving

Demonstrates an ability to analyse a situation, to develop solutions to problems and

implement the solutions.

Achievement oriented

Staying with a position or plan of action until the desired objective is achieved or is no

longer reasonably attainable.

VI. VOLUNTEERING OPTIONS IN PARTNER COUNTRIES

In Europe, as in all developed nations, there is still a need for volunteers to help with

social programs that help the disadvantaged. Despite the wealth of these nations, there

are still always people who need more help than the system seems to provide.

In most countries in Europe, there is volunteer work to be found with orphanages, food

programs that feed the homeless, and affordable housing programs such as Habitat for

Humanity. In many countries there are also volunteer programs where you can help

with refugees. On the lighter side, countries like Romania and Poland, and even Greece

and Portugal, have need of volunteers to teach English to children.

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Historical/Archaeological Volunteer Programs

While the governments of countries in Europe do provide funds for the exploration,

restoration, and maintenance of these sites, it is often not nearly enough to cover the

costs that the site incurs.

To help offset these costs, most sites and archaeological digs use volunteers to do much

of the required manual labour. For archaeological sites, the kind of work you will be

doing will be cleaning and preparing dig areas as well as excavation work. Other

volunteer possibilities include helping with restoring a historical building or helping to

maintain an existing site

Ecological Volunteer Programs

This type of volunteering falls into two categories. The first type is helping to preserve

nature in some fashion. This could range from working in a National Park in Iceland

helping to monitor the huge area to working with dolphins in the Mediterranean helping

scientists to understand their life cycles. These types of programs are usually found

through larger organized volunteer programs rather than self-funding opportunities.

The other type of ecological volunteer work in Europe is in working with sustainable or

organic farming. This type of volunteer work can be found with organized placement

programs, self-funded programs, and work exchange with host families.

Work Exchange Programs

Rather than volunteering through or for a large organization, there is a growing list of

sites that provide a contact point for small charities or individual people who are

looking for help. With this type of volunteer work, the arrangement is usually a straight

trade; you offer a few hours a day of work in exchange for food and accommodation.

These arrangements could be for anywhere from a few days to a few months and

depends entirely on what the host is looking for.

Some hosts are just families looking for help around the house, and people who are

volunteering because they want to truly help people in need won't be interested in that.

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But there are also orphanages and English schools that also work under the same

arrangement and you can find many of these types of hosts on the sites as well.

VOLUNTEERING IN POLAND

A key to Poland's rapid advancement as a free state is the promotion of English as the

language of commerce, technology and instruction. Volunteers have much to offer as

classroom resources and coaches for acquiring easy conversational skill. In the large

cities of Krakow or Warsaw as well as in the bucolic villages of Poland's vast agricultural

countryside, English is heard routinely, and is accepted as the globe's common language.

Opportunities for volunteering throughout the country expose you to the best of

Poland's vibrant culture and hospitable people. Teaching conversational English skills to

youth and adults is a popular volunteer project in Poland. Whether in small groups, at

summer camps or in lively classrooms, you can share your knowledge of the language

with Polish students from all backgrounds.

VOLUNTEERING IN TURKEY

Turkey has opportunities for volunteers to work on a variety of projects, and through

volunteering individuals will discover a different aspect of the nation. The main

language in Turkey is Turkish, with many people also speaking Arabic. English isn't

known spoken very widely which leads to a need for native English speakers to teach

English in the nation. There are many options for volunteers who want to teach English,

including teaching in schools or home stays.

VOLUNTEERING IN ITALY

Italy is one of the most popular nations to visit in Europe, and it is rightly so. Italy is a

nation full of amazing food, fashion, art and architecture. It is a nation with a rich history

and unlimited attractions. There are plenty of opportunities in the nation for individuals

who want to discover a different side of the nation by volunteering.

Agriculture/Farming: Italy has extensive areas meant for farming. There are

opportunities in Italy for volunteers to live on a farm with an Italian family. Volunteers

help with harvesting, animal care, and selling produce in markets, among other tasks.

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Teaching: There are many opportunities for teaching in Italy as there is a need for

competent teachers. As a teacher, you will mostly be working with children in schools.

You will teach students everything from American songs and games to written and

conversational English.

Marine Conversation: Italy is located on the Mediterranean Sea, a sea which contributes

to the beauty of the nation. The Mediterranean Sea is known for its dolphins.

Unfortunately however, the dolphin population has been rapidly declining in the last

several years. As a volunteer, you will help in dolphin research and learn about photo

identification and remote tracking, among other things.

VOLUNTEERING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Volunteering has a long history in the Czech lands. We could trace its origin back to the

National Revival era and later to the time of the 1st Czechoslovak state after 1918, when

volunteer groups significantly influenced the cultural development of the country. At

present, volunteers are mostly involved in activities concerning environmental

protection, humanitarian aid and human rights. Volunteering in medical and social

spheres and in the fields of culture, sport, education and work with children and youth is

also popular.

Since 1989 there has been 20 years of work in volunteer centres and thousands of

volunteers who help in hospitals, pensions for seniors, children´s homes, in

environmental issues, culture, as voluntary firemen, who prepare programs for children

and youth or who help others when floods hit their homes, have had excellent results -

the meaning of the word "volunteering" is free from all political and other connotations

and means "only" a free choice how to spend time.

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Sources:

1. Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide

http://psychology.about.com/bio/Kendra-Cherry-17268.htm

2. caresearch.com.au

http://www.caresearch.com.au/

3. expandperu.org

http://www.expandperu.org/

4. helpguide.org

http://www.helpguide.org/

5. volunteerism and legislation: Guide Note - A joint project of the International

Federation of Red Cross

6. www.australianvolunteers.com

7. www.jobmonkey.com

8. www.gooverseas.com/volunteer in Europe/