Volunteering is an important part of Polish culture and society. There are over 45,000 non-profit organizations in Poland that rely on volunteers. The Volunteer Centre Network was established in 1993 and now includes 8 regional centers and 60 local centers across Poland that promote volunteering. Volunteering occurs in many domains including social welfare, education, healthcare, the environment and more. Motivations for volunteering vary from person to person but commonly include altruism, learning new skills, and social interaction.

1. Volunteering in Poland. Acknowledgement s and PR www.wolontariat.org.pl

2. Acknowledgements

5. The Volunteer Centre Network Słupsk Gdańsk Elbląg Warszawa Łódź Lublin Kielce Katowice 8 Regional Centres in Poland, 60 Local Centres Volunteer Job Exchange Offices Training for volunteers and coordinators of volunteers Thematic volunteer programmes Assistance in Volunteer Bureau establishment Consultations on social programme development and implementation

8. The NGO’s supporting Workshops for volunteers, company workers, NGO workers or other institutions workers Consultations for organizations, institutions The Box of Charity – Internet database contacting people in need with volunteers www.wolontariat.org.pl Free hotline concerning volunteering 0 800 300 594 Since November 2006 consultations have lasted for over 300 hours! Mentors advising coordinators of volunteer

9. Volunteering Programmes (examples) Volunteer Job Exchange Volunteering in Welfare Centres Volunteering- first step on the labour market Volunteering in hospitals Volunteering in schools

10. Volunteering Programmes (examples) Corporate Volunteering Voluntary Skills Academy Strategy for volunteering in Poland Volunteering for refugees

13. Promotion & PR

14. Volunteer Centres Network in Poland: www.wolontariat.org.pl Program „Corporate Volunteering”: www.wolontariat.biz.pl about 2 500 guests monthly Program „Volunteering in Social Welfare Centres” www.wolontariat.ops.pl about 3 000 guests monthly www.wolontariat.ngo.pl Campaign „Helping makes you stronger” http:// www.arcww.com.pl/wolontariat / Websites

17. I. Promotion campaign „Who is first to volunteer?” 2001 Partner: Commercial Union Polska Date: September 2001 Reach: nationwide Channels of communication: press, Internet Principal: Volunteer Centre Executer: advertising agency Leo Burnett Media House: Starcom

18. II. Campaign „You can be my legs” Partner: Commercial Union Polska Date: September 2001 Reach: nationwide Channels of communication: press, Internet Principal: Volunteer Centre Executer: advertising agency Leo Burnett Media House: Starcom

19. III. Campaign „Helping makes you stronger” Partner: Polish Telecommunication, Commercial Union Polska Date: September 2001- December 2007 Reach: nationwide Channels of communication: press, Internet Principal: Volunteer Centre Executer: advertising agency Leo Burnett Media House: Starcom EFIE 2007 – Bronze winner EPICA 2006 - Silver winner eurobest 2006 – Bronze winner

20. Since 2001 Nationwide Competition „Colours of Volunteering” Gala of Volunteering is a ceremonial end of the competition- presenting statues The Best of the best; transmitted live on Polish Television Channel 2 Candidates are nominated in such spheres like: · Social Welfare and Health Care System · Education, Sport, Culture · Helping disable people · Ecology · Local development and democracy · Corporate Volunteering Stars of Gala of Volunteering: The famous Polish singers/bands: Kaja, Lady Punk, Grzegorz Turnau, Janusz Radek, Edyta Geppert, Kukiz, Edyta Górniak, Raz Dwa Trzy, Stachursky, Perfekt, Wojciech Młynarski, Laureaci Festiwalu Zaczarowanej Piosenki 2005 etc. Competition „The Colour of Volunteering” and Gala of Volunteering

21. The Media December 5th The Press conference

22. Volunteering in Poland. Motivating the volunteers www.wolontariat.org.pl

25. Research 2007 4 000 000 Poles volunteered in 2007

26. Age of the volunteers

27. Education of the volunteers

28. Number of hours/month

29. 60 ,0 % for religious/moral/political reasons 35,2 % i f I help others, they will also help me 34,4 % f or pleasure 23,0 % to meet new people, to feel useful 20,7 % I cannot refuse Why do I volunteer ? RESEARCH 2007

30. 17,4 % my friends and family members are volunteers 11,5 % to learn, to develop my skills 3,9 % to repay my debt to others (someone has helped me in the past) 0,6 % another answer 5,8 % I do not remember Why do I volunteer? RESEARCH 2007

31. 34,8 % I do not have a time 33,6 % I’m not interested in, I’ve never though about volunteering 14,8 % I must care of my family 14,3 % no one asked me 6,8 % I don’t know what can I give W hy do I not volunteer? RESEARCH 2007

32. 5,4 % I don’t know any interesting group/organization 3,1 % I don’t trust the organizations 2,7 % I don’t know where I can find the information 2,0 % I have a bad experience W hy do I not volunteer? RESEARCH 2007

33. Youth: Education, experience, curiosity, determination of one’s own identity, a way to find a job Middle-aged citizens: Personal fulfilment, a way to abreact stress suffered at work, counterbalance to everyday hardship, to bring more ‘humanitarian’ aspects to one’s life Retired citizens: A need to be active, share one’s experience and knowledge with others, contact with other people, a chance to follow passions one never has had time for Volunteers motivations

34. M aslow's hierarchy of needs The need for self realisation - need of realisation of one's own possibilities The need for positive self esteem , the need of ego - self esteem, status, authority The social needs - friendship, belonging, acceptation The need for safety - protection against being hurt or threaten, deprivation The physiological needs - food, drink, roof over one's head

35. Volunteer Centre Association Nowolipki 9b Street, 00-151 Warszawa phone: (+48 22) 635-27-73 fax: (+48 22) 635-27-73, w. 34 www.wolontariat.org.pl