{"id":5792,"date":"2019-01-17T10:50:12","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T09:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ivanaj-foundations.org\/web\/?p=5792"},"modified":"2019-01-17T10:50:21","modified_gmt":"2019-01-17T09:50:21","slug":"our-volunteer-hub-plan-became-a-reality-in-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivanaj-foundations.org\/en\/blog\/2019\/01\/17\/our-volunteer-hub-plan-became-a-reality-in-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Volunteer Hub plan became a reality in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our comfortable Library setting on June 21st<\/sup>, 2018, we held\nour first meeting with 11 young candidates that applied for a Volunteer\nposition at our organization and had a round table discussion about topics and\nissues that they felt passionate about.  This resulted in a collection of material and\nfeedback to work upon, and this was the first step in the creation of our\nVolunteer Hub that then grew wider during the following months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topics such as emotional distress, anxiety disorders, self-harm and\nproblems with low-esteem prompted us to think that the need of an expert, or a\nprofessional individual was essential to expand the discussions about these issues\nin a safe and more mature way, so that the workshops and trainings we were\nthinking to organize with our young volunteers would be more appreciated and\nuseful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we started sorting out real help to address some problematic\nsituations regarding youth, word started spreading, and other volunteers\napplied and expressed interest in collaborating with us. During the summer we\nhad ten additional volunteer applications, and one among them had also a background\nand previous experience in conducting workshops that focused on matters that\nconcern the young. With her collaboration, we were then able to organize\nregular, twice a month meetings with our volunteers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We touched upon different topics,\nsuch as Emotional Intelligence and Self-assessment, Social Emotional Awareness,\nRelationship Management, Diversity, Leadership, Time Management\nand Organizational Skills, Self-esteem Techniques and Social Values.  We\nplayed along with Maslow\u2019s Pyramid of needs and, by dividing the group into\nteams, we discussed morality, self-esteem, prejudice, relationships, and family\nissues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each workshop was divided in two\nparts; first there was a bit of explanation of the topic and then we conducted interactive\nand ice breaking games, where all the members of the group had the opportunity\nto bond with each other, create relationships, and achieve knowledge regarding\ncertain items of discussion, working out the meaning and the values of each training\nsession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During these past 6 months we also had\nactivities such as \u201cmovie day\u201d and, outside the premises, volunteer \u201cnight outs\u201d,\nwhich served well in team building our group, giving every member time to feel\ncomfortable with each other and our staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each member of our Volunteer Hub\nholds unique and special skills that are a real resource and not only to our Foundation.\nThey have assisted us during conferences and other training sessions, done\ntranslations and writings stories and blogs, involved themselves with some of\nour other activities, such our annual \u2018toy drive\u2019, as well as other projects,\nlike our Senior Technology (STC) Project. In the latter, they beautifully embraced\nthe concept of creating youth \u2013 seniors relations, setting the project alive\nand giving, since the beginning, a meaning to its main purpose of merging\ndifferent sets of expertise: modern technology with life experiences.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now we count 36 volunteers in total\nfrom age 16 to 33, all of them with different backgrounds and education,\nputting their efforts and their time to serve with us on a volunteer basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On International Volunteer Day, on December\n5th<\/sup>, we managed to finally celebrate them when we addressed and\ndiscussed this year theme \u201cVolunteers Build Resilient Communities\u201d that\nrecognizes volunteers worldwide \u2013 with a special focus on local community\nvolunteer help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plans in this new year of 2019 are for\nus to continue with a program that will support ideas that our volunteers may\nhave in connection to the 17 goals, as reported in the UN Program called\n\u201cVolunteer Based Program (VBP)\u201d.  They\nwill submit to us proposals or suggestions, which could be in the format of a\nproject or event, to support or raise awareness about one of the above goals,\nwhich are: 1. No poverty – 2. Zero hunger\n– 3. Good health and well-being – 4. Quality Education – 5. Gender equality – 6.\nClean water and sanitation – 7. Affordable and clean energy -8. Decent work and\neconomic growth – 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – 10. Reduced\nInequalities – 11. Sustainable cities and communities – 12. Responsible\nconsumption and production – 13. Climate action – 14. Life below water – 15.\nLife on land – 16. Peace, Justice and strong Institutions – 17. Partnerships\nfor the goals.  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the year-end holidays, we are\nnow eagerly looking forward to re-starting work with our group of volunteers,\nwhich will open new horizons and a purpose for our organization to keep, sustain,\nand maintain our progress toward a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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