This document discusses volunteering and provides information about: 1. The legal limits of volunteering, including fundamental rights to free assembly and association as well as distinguishing volunteering from paid employment. 2. The advantages of volunteering, such as connecting with your community, making new friends, and improving social and relationship skills. Volunteering can also benefit mental and physical health. 3. Options for volunteering even with limitations, such as volunteering by phone or computer.

1. C Z E C H R E P U B L I C – I T A L Y – P O L A N D - T U R K E Y
2011-2013
Eurokid involves in the society needs
Comenius Project
Theory and Practice
TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES: TODAY’S SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW’S JOBS

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/ VOLUNTEER’S GUIDE /
Table of Contents:
I. Introduction
II. Legal limits for volunteering
III. The advantages of volunteering
IV. Ethical code for volunteering organizer and
volunteer
V. Competence acquired by volunteers
VI. Volunteering options in partner countries
I. INTRODUCTION
Euro-kid is a name for a demographic of teenagers and young adults in Europe in the
21st Century. We can see changes of philosophical ideas, values, needs and methods of
communication at present society and therefore an educational system its content and
organization is also forced to adopt such changes.
The aim of the multi-culture education is to eliminate barriers among children and
youths with different culture by providing information about foreign cultures. That
should lead them to appropriate communication.
The idea of the project is: to help an imaginary person, en European child = Euro-kid (a
student) to develop professionally and personally by undergoing of five levels:
1. Euro-kid learns
2. Euro-kid create its future
3. Euro-kid becomes a businessman
4. Euro-kid is involved into society needs

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5. Euro-kid celebrates culture differences
The social needs in Maslow’s hierarchy include such things as love, acceptance and
belonging. At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior.
A person soldiering on with a serious illness, mentally or physically handicapped person
or people in home for the elderly may tell you they depend on good doctors, latest
treatments and a positive frame of mind. But it is more likely they will dwell on the
support they have received from family, friends, their community, their church, their
beliefs - or the lot.
Important support is quite often provided by volunteering work. People who do this
kind of work - volunteers need to have strong moral values, the ability to work in a team,
and a social conscience. Volunteer work is work done not for profit. It contributes to a
greater cause that is for the good of your fellow man and society in general.
II. LEGAL LIMITS FOR VOLUNTEERING
In the absence of a clear legal definition of what constitutes voluntary work and a
volunteer, some laws and regulations can inadvertently have an impact on voluntary
action. States should pay careful attention to the way in which international and
domestic regulations can affect volunteerism in their country.
Fundamental rights and freedoms
International and domestic laws on fundamental rights and freedoms protect volunteers
and delimit the legal scope of voluntary activity, when they provide for:
• the right to free assembly and peaceful association;
• the right not to be required to perform forced or compulsory labour;
• the right to participate actively in the political, economic, cultural, and social life of the

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country;
Social welfare and health care are areas where volunteering has traditionally been very
strong. Although the State has ultimate responsibility in these sectors, in many countries
citizen participation is considered to be of fundamental importance to help meet these
needs. Laws regulating social welfare and health-related work have a considerable
impact on volunteerism. Social welfare laws which have an impact on the nature of
volunteer engagement can directly influence social inclusion and integration of certain
social groups, such as the elderly, or members of migrant or ethnic minorities.
There is no universal model for a legal definition of the terms “volunteer” and
“volunteerism”. Different national laws and regulations establish different definitions,
depending on traditions and culture. Sometimes, the absolute need for volunteer
support leads to different definitions being used within a single country, depending on
the circumstances.
When considering the wording of these definitions, legislators should take care not to
disregard the potential benefits of all existing kinds of voluntary activity. It is of
paramount importance that a framework law on volunteerism provide the most
comprehensive and flexible definitions possible for volunteers and voluntary activity.
For example:
• “Volunteerism is the group of activities carried out by individuals, associations or legal
entities, for the common good, by free choice and without the intention of financial gain,
outside the framework of any employment, mercantile or civil service relationship”; or
• “A volunteer is an individual who, by free choice, offers his or her time, work and skills,
occasionally or on a regular basis, without expectation of compensation, other than
reimbursement of reasonable expenses and subsistence allowance necessary for the
accomplishment of his or her assignments as a volunteer, for the public benefit,
individually or within the framework of informal or officially registered non-
governmental non-profit organizations or national or international public entities”.
The legal definitions of volunteers and voluntary activity should allow for a clear
distinction between what constitutes voluntary unpaid work and paid employment.
Volunteers require legal treatment and protection distinguishable from that applicable

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to "paid workers". This is necessary to protect volunteers and the organizations in which
they are involved from the potentially pernicious application of certain labour, social
welfare and tax law provisions, as mentioned above. In this regard, the most important
issue relates to the absence of financial reward for voluntary activity.
III. THE ADVANTAGES OF VOLUNTEERING
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of
volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. The right match can
help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your
career. Volunteering can also help protect your mental and physical health. Learn more
about the many benefits of volunteering and find tips on getting started as a volunteer.
One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community.
Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering
allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However,
volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the
cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new
friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
Volunteering connects you to others
One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community.
Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering
allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However,
volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the
cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new
friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
Volunteering helps you make new friends and contacts
One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to
commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people,

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especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the
community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common
interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.
Volunteering increases your social and relationship skills
While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting
new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social
skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests.
Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.
Volunteering as a family
While it might be a challenge to coordinate everyone’s schedules, volunteering as a
family has many worthwhile benefits. Children watch everything you do. By giving back
to the community, you show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference and
how good it feels to help others and enact change. It’s also a valuable way for you to get
to know organizations in the community and find resources and activities for your
children and family.
Volunteering is good for your mind and body
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.
 Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy
boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing
good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of
accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and
identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a
positive view of your life and future goals.

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 Volunteering combats depression. Reducing the risk of depression is another
important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social
isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you
develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and
depression when you’re going through challenging times.
 Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Volunteering is good for your
health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found
that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even
when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also
been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.
I have limited mobility - can I still volunteer?
Whether due to a lack of transportation, time constraints, a disability or other reasons,
many people prefer to volunteer via phone or computer. There are many projects where
you can help. Writing and graphic design lends itself to working at home, and in today’s
digital age many organizations might also need help with email and websites.
If you think home-based volunteering might be right for you, contact organizations you
like and ask what some of the possibilities might be. Some volunteer organizations may
require you to attend an initial training or periodical meetings. You also want to make
sure that you are getting enough social contact, and that the organization is available to
support you should you have questions.
Volunteering can advance your career
If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your
area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing
careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the

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workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task
management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings
at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.
Volunteering can provide career experience
Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term
commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. In some fields, you
can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you’re interested in.
For example, if you’re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a
nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations
or internships that could be of benefit to your career.
Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills
Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many
volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, you could become
an experienced crisis counselor while volunteering for a women’s shelter or a
knowledgeable art historian while donating your time as a museum docent.
Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to
benefit the greater community. For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you
raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further
developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.
When it comes to volunteering, passion and positivity are the only
requirements
While learning new skills can be beneficial to many, it’s not a requirement for a fulfilling
volunteer experience. Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any
volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed,
and a positive attitude.

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Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life
Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing
volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape
from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also
provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into
your personal and professional life.
Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. For
instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider
volunteering to help plant a community garden, lead local hikes, or help at a children’s
camp.
IV. ETHICAL CODE FOR VOLUNTEERING ORGANIZER
AND VOLUNTEER
In order to further delimit and clarify the essential elements of voluntary activity, laws
should foresee a set of general principles governing the development of volunteerism.22
Principles of volunteerism may vary significantly from country to country.
Generally they include many of the following basic standards:
• volunteers participate on the basis of freely-expressed consent;
• volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken in order to receive pensions or
government allowances;
• volunteering is not carried out in expectation of any financial gain;
• volunteering complements, but must not result in, the downsizing or replacement of
paid employment;
• volunteerism should be encouraged with a certain degree of autonomy from the public
authorities, to safeguard its independence;
• volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate actively in the
development of community and social life and address human needs;

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• volunteers act for the common good and on the basis of a social commitment;
• volunteering promotes human rights and equality;
• volunteerism respects the rights, dignity and culture of the communities involved;
• volunteer recruitment is based on equal opportunity and nondiscrimination;
• volunteering is inspired by democratic, pluralistic, participative and caring social
tenets.
V. COMPETENCE ACQUIRED BY VOLUNTEERS
Being a volunteer requires more than professional skills and experience. You will also
need a unique set of personal competencies to cope with being in a new place and
culture, to enable you to share skills, and to connect with the people around you.
Integrity
Maintains and promotes social, ethical and organisational norms.
Managing stress
Maintaining stable performance under pressure and/or opposition (eg, time pressure,
job ambiguity); able to relieve stress in a manner acceptable to other people and the
organisation or situation.
Self-reliance and self-confidence
A Volunteer should be able to confidently manage own affairs and look after own needs
and possesses belief in self.
Self-awareness
Demonstrates an awareness of own strengths, limitations and personal values.
Understands how own beliefs, thoughts and emotions influence behaviour and actions.
Resilience
Volunteer should be aware of personal signs of stress and able to respond positively to
challenges and to recover quickly from disappointment, setbacks or rejection.

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Cross-cultural sensitivity
Volunteer should remain open to all people regardless of race, religion or culture. Seeks
opportunities to learn and understand other cultures. Volunteer should be able to
communicate and interact effectively with people from different geographies and
organisations.
Working with and developing others
Volunteer should have the ability to impress upon others a sense of humility, humour,
friendliness and sensitivity. Establish cooperative relationships.
Flexibility
Volunteer should modify style and approach in order to achieve a specific objective(s)
and adapts behaviours to meet the situational needs.
Problem solving
Demonstrates an ability to analyse a situation, to develop solutions to problems and
implement the solutions.
Achievement oriented
Staying with a position or plan of action until the desired objective is achieved or is no
longer reasonably attainable.
VI. VOLUNTEERING OPTIONS IN PARTNER COUNTRIES
In Europe, as in all developed nations, there is still a need for volunteers to help with
social programs that help the disadvantaged. Despite the wealth of these nations, there
are still always people who need more help than the system seems to provide.
In most countries in Europe, there is volunteer work to be found with orphanages, food
programs that feed the homeless, and affordable housing programs such as Habitat for
Humanity. In many countries there are also volunteer programs where you can help
with refugees. On the lighter side, countries like Romania and Poland, and even Greece
and Portugal, have need of volunteers to teach English to children.

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Historical/Archaeological Volunteer Programs
While the governments of countries in Europe do provide funds for the exploration,
restoration, and maintenance of these sites, it is often not nearly enough to cover the
costs that the site incurs.
To help offset these costs, most sites and archaeological digs use volunteers to do much
of the required manual labour. For archaeological sites, the kind of work you will be
doing will be cleaning and preparing dig areas as well as excavation work. Other
volunteer possibilities include helping with restoring a historical building or helping to
maintain an existing site
Ecological Volunteer Programs
This type of volunteering falls into two categories. The first type is helping to preserve
nature in some fashion. This could range from working in a National Park in Iceland
helping to monitor the huge area to working with dolphins in the Mediterranean helping
scientists to understand their life cycles. These types of programs are usually found
through larger organized volunteer programs rather than self-funding opportunities.
The other type of ecological volunteer work in Europe is in working with sustainable or
organic farming. This type of volunteer work can be found with organized placement
programs, self-funded programs, and work exchange with host families.
Work Exchange Programs
Rather than volunteering through or for a large organization, there is a growing list of
sites that provide a contact point for small charities or individual people who are
looking for help. With this type of volunteer work, the arrangement is usually a straight
trade; you offer a few hours a day of work in exchange for food and accommodation.
These arrangements could be for anywhere from a few days to a few months and
depends entirely on what the host is looking for.
Some hosts are just families looking for help around the house, and people who are
volunteering because they want to truly help people in need won't be interested in that.

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But there are also orphanages and English schools that also work under the same
arrangement and you can find many of these types of hosts on the sites as well.
VOLUNTEERING IN POLAND
A key to Poland's rapid advancement as a free state is the promotion of English as the
language of commerce, technology and instruction. Volunteers have much to offer as
classroom resources and coaches for acquiring easy conversational skill. In the large
cities of Krakow or Warsaw as well as in the bucolic villages of Poland's vast agricultural
countryside, English is heard routinely, and is accepted as the globe's common language.
Opportunities for volunteering throughout the country expose you to the best of
Poland's vibrant culture and hospitable people. Teaching conversational English skills to
youth and adults is a popular volunteer project in Poland. Whether in small groups, at
summer camps or in lively classrooms, you can share your knowledge of the language
with Polish students from all backgrounds.
VOLUNTEERING IN TURKEY
Turkey has opportunities for volunteers to work on a variety of projects, and through
volunteering individuals will discover a different aspect of the nation. The main
language in Turkey is Turkish, with many people also speaking Arabic. English isn't
known spoken very widely which leads to a need for native English speakers to teach
English in the nation. There are many options for volunteers who want to teach English,
including teaching in schools or home stays.
VOLUNTEERING IN ITALY
Italy is one of the most popular nations to visit in Europe, and it is rightly so. Italy is a
nation full of amazing food, fashion, art and architecture. It is a nation with a rich history
and unlimited attractions. There are plenty of opportunities in the nation for individuals
who want to discover a different side of the nation by volunteering.
Agriculture/Farming: Italy has extensive areas meant for farming. There are
opportunities in Italy for volunteers to live on a farm with an Italian family. Volunteers
help with harvesting, animal care, and selling produce in markets, among other tasks.

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Teaching: There are many opportunities for teaching in Italy as there is a need for
competent teachers. As a teacher, you will mostly be working with children in schools.
You will teach students everything from American songs and games to written and
conversational English.
Marine Conversation: Italy is located on the Mediterranean Sea, a sea which contributes
to the beauty of the nation. The Mediterranean Sea is known for its dolphins.
Unfortunately however, the dolphin population has been rapidly declining in the last
several years. As a volunteer, you will help in dolphin research and learn about photo
identification and remote tracking, among other things.
VOLUNTEERING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Volunteering has a long history in the Czech lands. We could trace its origin back to the
National Revival era and later to the time of the 1st Czechoslovak state after 1918, when
volunteer groups significantly influenced the cultural development of the country. At
present, volunteers are mostly involved in activities concerning environmental
protection, humanitarian aid and human rights. Volunteering in medical and social
spheres and in the fields of culture, sport, education and work with children and youth is
also popular.
Since 1989 there has been 20 years of work in volunteer centres and thousands of
volunteers who help in hospitals, pensions for seniors, children´s homes, in
environmental issues, culture, as voluntary firemen, who prepare programs for children
and youth or who help others when floods hit their homes, have had excellent results -
the meaning of the word "volunteering" is free from all political and other connotations
and means "only" a free choice how to spend time.

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Sources:
1. Kendra Cherry, About.com Guide
http://psychology.about.com/bio/Kendra-Cherry-17268.htm
2. caresearch.com.au
http://www.caresearch.com.au/
3. expandperu.org
http://www.expandperu.org/
4. helpguide.org
http://www.helpguide.org/
5. volunteerism and legislation: Guide Note - A joint project of the International
Federation of Red Cross
6. www.australianvolunteers.com
7. www.jobmonkey.com
8. www.gooverseas.com/volunteer in Europe/