What is volunteerism?

At first, volunteers were people who eagerly and of their own free will served in the war in certain European countries (for example, in France and Spain). There is no longer a required connection to the war, although “volunteerism” still implies “voluntary”, or “of their own free will”. It has also taken on the connotation of being “without pay”.

Volunteers come in many forms, but it is widely accepted that a volunteer is a person who helps his or her neighbours, fellow citizens and those who need help either at home or abroad. Volunteers work in schools, hospitals, libraries, refugee camps, preserving the environment – they are everywhere.

At some point in our lives, practically every one of us has willingly taken on work obligations, without expecting monetary compensation. Volunteer work is recognized as the basis of economic development, attracting the attention of the governing and business elite of developed countries, where there exists a system for finding volunteers and working with them.

The rise of the volunteer movement dates back to 1859. This was when French writer-journalist Henri Dunant, was shocked by the horrible images of war witnessed at the battle of Solferino, and suggested the creation of the Red Cross – an organization that worked on a voluntary basis and offered first aid for injured soldiers on the front lines. Today, volunteer organizations all over the world continue to be governed by these principles formed by Dunant.

In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, volunteer work is seen as an instrument of social, cultural, economic and environmental development.

“Volunteerism” in the contemporary understanding

The definitions of “volunteer” and “volunteerism” are vast. Behind both of these words is the idea of good-will, which implies the completion of tasks without personal benefit, often anonymously, for the good of others. Therefore, some time, energy, knowledge and experience is spent on accomplishing a task that brings benefits to other people or to the community-at-large. The term “volunteerism” is above all based on goodwill.

Volunteerism is:

- a voluntary choice which, exemplifies one’s personal outlook and position;

- an active participation in community life and social work;

- self-fulfilment through community work in diverse associations, charitable organizations and community groups;

- promoting an increased quality and standard of life, personal development and reinforced feelings of solidarity;

- promoting the inclusion of basic human needs for the sake of fairness and peace in society. [From the Universal Declaration on Volunteering, accepted at the XI Congress of the International Association of Volunteers (Paris, September 14, 1990)].

Volunteers are divided into different groups of activity:

1. Adolescents, youth, students in high school as well as those in specialized institutions, form various groups at the Centres of Social Services for Family, Children and Youth (CSSFCY), in clubs for the young and disabled, in creative collectives, leadership school, self-help groups, youth and child groups, etc. Their level of preparation for any voluntary social work is non-professional.

2. Post-secondary students (usually in the discipline of pedagogy, psychology, social work/sociology), who turn to the CSSFCY for supplementary training in the activities of the centre, or for practical experience. Their level of preparation for voluntary social work is near a professional level.

3. Parents of problem children and adolescents (disabled children, high risk children: autistic, behavioural, etc.), who form self-help groups. Their level of preparation for voluntary social work is non-professional, and they are self-educated.

4. Experts – volunteers (psychologists, pedagogue, social pedagogues, social workers, lawyers, doctors), who offer consultation help to social workers and other volunteers, or practical assistance to the clients of these social services. Their level of preparation for voluntary social work is professional. 

Student volunteers can acquire knowledge for future careers, learn work habits and network with clients. It is an opportunity for them to communicate with professionals in the field, become acquainted with new methods and techniques, learn all that they can to help in their future qualifications and to find employment in new social functioning conditions. 

Directions for possible volunteer activities:

- Organization of youth leisure time;

- Linking volunteers to mass work projects;

- Advertising, interviewing, sociological research;

- Leading intellectual and entertaining games;

- Promoting broader worldviews and intellectual development of disabled children;

- Consultation work in various institutions and on the city streets;

- Individual in-home work with the disabled;

- Conducting work with youth;

- Development of the interests and needs of youth (development of the creative potential of talented youth);

- Educating youth;

- Conducting meetings with youth groups;

- Advertising healthy ways of life;

- Social rehabilitation, awareness and overcoming of negative incidents at a young age;

- Socio-psychological care, social patronage (disabled, at-risk or homeless children);

- Participation in various demonstrations.

Volunteers experience:

- Satisfaction with the results of their work, acknowledgement of their activities by colleagues and inclusion in a professional group;

- Gratefulness of people, a feeling of being needed, and the possibility to make positive changes;

- Positive emotions;

- New acquaintances and friends;

- New adventures and attain new work habits;

- Opportunities to initiate creative approaches to work obligations;

- Self-development, self-fulfilment, self-direction, self-education, self-discipline, etc.