Volunteering
Volunteering is an opportunity for more people to become actively involved and to participate in changing the environment in which they live, the Roma community and our entire society, the organization, relationships between people, tolerance, intercultural dialogue and in to make the world a better place for living. Participation in our volunteer network enables everyone not only to give, but to actively participate, to change and to see the result of that change for people. Our volunteers are particularly active in times of crisis – during the floods of several years ago, during natural disasters, during campaigns to increase their motivation to learn and reduce dropping out, and today – during the threat of the COVID-19.
Today, volunteering is one of the values that is more and more common among young people (but not only) – especially those from small settlements and vulnerable communities. Volunteering is a value, but also a rich experience, a personal cause, and above all, satisfaction.
Here are some basic concepts (Source: TimeHeroes, Working with Volunteers – A Handbook for NGOs and Active Citizens)
A volunteer is a person who, of his or her own free will, spends his / her time free of charge to help other people, organizations or institutions. The volunteer does the work according to his / her interest and personal motivation. Volunteer may be 10, may be 100 years old, may assist with special skills or do something for the first time, may volunteer alone at home in front of the computer or out with dozens of others, may spend one hour at a time, may helps hourly a day for years. Every volunteer is valuable and important.
Volunteering (voluntary work) is any activity outside the employment and employment relationship for the benefit of unrelated persons, organizations or institutions, of one’s own choice and without remuneration. Volunteer work is not paid, but can be promoted through prizes, certificates, etc. Volunteering is primarily done for the benefit of non-profit organizations or the community. Voluntary work covers not only the social sector but also activities in the cultural, religious, sporting and political spheres. At present, there is no law on volunteering in Bulgaria. Volunteer work is done on the basis of compliance with all the laws of the country and observance of principles such as free labor, respect for the rights and well-being of volunteers and providing them with the support they need.
Volunteer initiative is an organized form of volunteering with a clearly defined purpose, in which there are two parties – the volunteer and the of volunteer’s work recipient.
Amalipe Volunteer Network
An integral part of the structure of the Amalipe Center is the volunteer network of the organization, which currently includes over 300 volunteers.
They are organized in several ways:
- Volunteer clubs at the Community Development Centers maintained by the Amalipe Center
- Volunteer Parents Clubs partof the Schools in Every Student Will Be a Winner Network
- Amalipe Center Student Volunteer Network: Includes volunteers from school parliaments from schools in the Every Student Will Be a Winner network, participants in leadership academies organized by Amalipe Center, participants in various Amalipe Center student initiatives, mentor students, students from the ” Equal Chance: Access to Secondary Education ‘ program, active young people from different communities who just want to be useful and change
- Active citizens who want to participate in various causes and bring change to the people around them
How can I volunteer at Amalipe Center?
There are two ways to become a volunteer at Amalipe Center:
- to join any of the existing volunteer groups
- if there is no volunteer group in your locality – form one
What should I do
- Familiarize yourself with the job description of the volunteer
- Fill out a VOLUNTEER DECLARATION and privacy statement.
- If there is no Amalipe Volunteer Group in your area, create one with your friends (they also need to fill out and submit documents)
- If you are under 18, the application and the declaration must be signed by your parent / guardian.
- Email them at dobrovolec@amalipe.com
- You can also write on the FB page of Center Amalipe
