A Picture of Volunteering in Diaconia. A publication by Eurodiaconia, May 2011.

Description: This publication is one of Eurodiaconia's activities carried out on the occasion of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 as a means to celebrate volunteering in diaconia and to promote the sharing of best practice in volunteering among Eurodiaconia's members. This publication is aimed at volunteer managers in diaconal organisations and churches and volunteering policy makers in diaconia. It is also targeted at anyone who would like to learn more about diaconia and in particular what volunteers do in diaconal organisations. The publication is also available on Eurodiaconia's website: http://www.eurodiaconia.org/publications-and-resources

Belgian Red Cross practice guide on volunteering management

At the occasion of the European year of Volunteering, Belgian Red Cross French Community published a practice guide to help non-profit organisations working with volunteers. The contents is the result of the report written by a working group of 30 volunteers and employees who have met during more than one year and half to propose new solutions to improve the volunteering management in our organisation. A lot of the recommendations and tools (based on the scheme presented by the International Federation of Red Cross and red Crescent Societies) are easily transferable to every kind of non-profit organisations. As no similar guide existed in Belgium, we've decided to share it. You will find the pdf in attachment.

Further contact:
Volontariat de la Croix-Rouge de Belgique – Communauté francophone en collaboration avec Education Santé Société asbl
email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Volunteer Academy Kazan, Russia

Executive Committee Kazan 2013 organized the camp for volunteers on 20th-24th September 2011 in Kazan, Russia in the cooperation with the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and the Youth Policy of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Tatarstan.

ENGSO Youth representatives, Natasa Jankovic and Damir Stajner, took active part in the Volunteer Camp as guest speakers during lectures and workshops on the following topics: "Communication and Motivation as important elements of the Volunteer Management process"; "How cultural and sport events influence on the development of volunteering" and "Recruitment and Selection of volunteers for major sport events".

Around 500 participants took part in the International youth volunteers camp "Volunteer Academy" which took place in the Universiade Village in Kazan. Participants on the Camp were young volunteers from all over Russia as well as from Europe.

The purpose of the camp was to gain together young people who are actively involved in volunteering and have experience in the field of international communication. Volunteers were given the opportunity to work with the representatives of the Executive Committee of XXVII World Summer Kazan Universiade 2013, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan, the members of the State Duma of Russian Federation and famous athletes. The educational program of the Volunteer Academy helped young people to get necessary knowledge and skills of how to involve, train and select volunteers for Universiade 2013 as well as to learn Russian and Tatar culture and traditions.

27th World University Summer Games will be held in 2013 in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Universiade is the second major sport event after Olympics. Therefore, in order to provide successful organization of Universiade 2013, 20.000 qualified volunteers have to be recruited. The preparation for the Universiade 2013 in Kazan is gathering pace, the number of volunteers involved in projects is growing.

 For more information abouth the volunteering opportunities visit the official website http://kazan2013.com

ENGSO Youth on the II Youth Convention on Vounteering in Brussels

During the II Youth Convention on Volunteering in Brussels, 7th-11th September 2011, ENGSO Youth Committee Members took active part in the Volunteer Village on the Esplenade of the European Parliament together with their partners – Executive Committee of Universiade Kazan 2013.

Besides workshop "Motivational tools for volunteers – Best practices in sport volunteering - Universiade Belgrade 2009 and Universiade Kazan 2013" an interactive sport game "Funny Universiade" was organized for all the visitors of ENGSO Youth stand. Aims of the activities were: to improve the practical organisation of sport voluntary programs; to improve volunteering within organisation through good structured motivational programs; to motivate young people to become part of the project Universiade Kazan 2013; to promote sport and healthy lifestyles and promote sport volunteering as a developing part of youth activity in modern society.

"The Convention was a great opportunity to present our work, exchange best practices, to learn from each other and develop new ideas. Sport is the biggest sector for volunteering in Europe and a great tool for promotion of true values among youth. This kind of events are always inspirational and it was very excited for us to be in the European Parliament and engage with MEPs and political decision makers", said Natasa Jankovic, ENGSO Youth Committee Member during her speech in front of the workshop organisers on the closing ceremony.

During the ENGSO Youth workshops participants had the chance to hear good practices when it comes to motivation of volunteers in sport sector, as well as to discuss and give their own ideas and recommendations. Through second activity "Funny Universiade", an informative-interactive game, some sports of Universiade 2013 were presented with slightly changed rules. Participants had the opportunity to show their skills and team work in track and field, beltwrestling and football.

Each activity lasted for 1,5 hours. All visitors had a chance to sign up for volunteering positions and start their unique volunteering journey in sport sector.

To find out more about ENGSO Youth activities, visit our website http://www.youth-sport.net/

 

Recognition of learning in Scouting and Guiding

Scouting Netherlands, in intensive communication with the WOSM - European Region, invited National Scout Organisation to join Europe wide project to stimulate recognition of learning within Scouting. At the European Scout Conference representatives from interested organisations met and agreed on the basics of the project, which was designed later in the summer. The project on Recognition of Learning in Scouting was then submitted and grated by the Youth in Action programme of the EU. It involves associations from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. WOSM and WAGGGS European Regions are supporting the project providing expert support if and when needed.

In the scope of the project, two meetings of the project managers were held in December 2010 (to exchange ideas and methods, make plans and set goals for each project team) and in May 2011 (to start writing a national project plan and to start working on establishing a project team in each partner country)

The meeting held from 14 to 16 October 2011 in Apulia, Portugal brought together project teams from all 8 participating countries. This network meeting was focused on sharing ideas, discussing approaches, exchanging methods and developing activity plans for each pilot project team.

The meeting showed that all national teams are well underway in their projects in area of recognition. Project teams from Belgium, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Portugal held workshops to present methodologies they developed during the project.

The Academy

Over 140 participants enjoyed 5 days of interesting workshops and a lot of fun at the 2011 Academy, organised jointly by the WOSM - European Region and European Region WAGGGS. The event took place in the inspiring city of Paris from October 28 to November 1. Participants from all around Europe had the choice between 22 sessions, all related to the overall theme of the event "Growth through Quality". Some of the sessions were dealing with the issue of volunteering, especially those on:

• Recruitment, management and retention of adults

• Advocacy and value of volunteering

• Development and recognition of skills learned through Scouting

• Mentoring and Coaching

• Reaching out to volunteers from immigrant groups

• Lifelong Learning/active ageing in Scouting

This year's Academy provided great learning experience, space for exchange of knowledge and best practices, but was also used for a lot of fun during the sessions and after the official programme. The hosts from Scouts et Guides de France organized a funny game to discover Paris by using mobile phone technology.

The Academy was extensively followed by Scouts and Guides through social media networks.

More about the Academy is available from http://academy.europak-online.net/.

EVS training and evaluation cycle, guidelines and minimum quality standards, European Commission, Youth in Action Programme, May 2011.

Investing in volunteers UK quality standard for organisations that involve volunteers. 2010.

How To Get Volunteers To Work For You! - a dissertation and local survey by Jana Berkhan. Anglia Ruskin University. 2007

Get it Right from the Start For Everyone Who Works With Volunteers Volunteer policies – the key to diverse volunteer involvement. This booklet is published as part of Volunteers' Week UK 2002 (Volunteer's week 2002 planning group: The National Centre for Volunteering, Volunteer Development Scotland, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, National Association of Volunteer Bureaux, Development Agency, The Active Community Unit at the Home Office)