Strengthening the structure of civil society in Gagauzia and Transnistria;
Creation and strengthening of the spirit of solidarity and social responsibility among young people.
OVERALL OBJECTIVES:
The primary goal of the project is to sustain and spread the volunteer network «M-league”, and develop deeper in whole territories of Gagauzia and Transnistria and establish and support local groups of volunteers in 20 communities.
The project provides potential volunteers with the tools and resources needed to take active civic position, and to promote in idea of volunteering among local youth as an opportunity to both do well and engage in invaluable personal and professional development on the base of Volunteer Resource Center development in Transnistria and Gagauzia.
The main principles of work organization with young people
Free choice of work area
The project volunteer positions suitable for members of “M-league”, which are classified by work area (ecology, work with children, social work, information etc.) Volunteers have the right to choose the work areas they are interested in. (Ecology, work with children, social work, information etc.).
Focusing on personal interests and abilities
As volunteers are given the opportunity to choose the work area, they can realize their own interests, develop individual abilities. So, the unique potential of each volunteer is identified, supported and developed.
Construction of the space of self-determination
Volunteers have the opportunity to solve a number of problems, to analyze the choice of future career, to raise their status in the group within offered evaluating scale. As the most important for youth is a lot of opportunities to be involved in common actions in peer-groups and also realize own ideas in social area. The tolerant and friendly space make them self-enough persons and “train” adult skills. The process of professional orientation is realizing in practice which is important aspect.
Varied communication
Volunteers expand their social circle of communication, learn the rules and forms of cooperation, learn to build a dialogue, to communicate in command, etc.
Common agreement of collective work of the district group
Volunteer groups in each community voluntary choose the area of work which corresponds to main goals of “M-league”.
Assessment of implementation of Action activities
The structure of the «M-league” cover all areas of activities and management of the organization. Coordinators of three programs: 1. Program “Join us”, 2. Program “SMART”, 3. Program “Development. Collaboration. Partnership” have supporting staff: paid assistants and volunteers – Regional Group Facilitators. We have two types of volunteers of “M-League”, – volunteers which are leaded by the coordinator of the Program “Program “SMART”, and Regional Group Facilitators, which are in charge to support coordination and management of volunteers actions in eight Transnistrian districts and twelve Gagauzia ncommunities. It has been organized 7 Volunteer regional groups/clubs in each region. 7 TN + 7 UTAG. Regional Group Facilitators have been trained in peer group-coordination and held volunteer clubs in regions in addition to their average volunteering.
Program “Join us”
The aim of the program is to promote idea of volunteerism in local community and recruiting new volunteers. Renewing the volunteer group on a constant basis, providing training and involving them in social activities.
We are trying to recruit for a volunteer position that can be done by most young people, either because no special skills are required or because almost anyone can be taught the necessary skills in a limited amount of time. That’s why we spread the message about the potential volunteer position to as broad youth audience as possible. The theory is that somewhere among this audience are those who find this position interesting. We recruit from 10 to 12 volunteers from each of 8 districts of Transnistria and 12 communities of UTA Gagauzia.
a) Recruiting campaign
The primary methods of recruiting are:
a. Implementing volunteer social activities for keeping M-League active during the period of advancement |
b. Updating information and planning using current volunteers. |
c. Selection of volunteers: advertising in mass-media, recommendations from NGOs, on the basis of motivation letters; |
d. distribution of brochures, posters or other informational material |
e. use of public service announcements on television or radio, or newspaper advertisements; |
f. speaking to community groups (at schools, colleges, universities, etc.) |
g. Providing introductive seminars with presentation of volunteer network and the idea of voluntarism |
b) Screening and selecting
Among all the candidates we have selected those who have a certain intellectual potential, desire for self-actualization, responsibility, etc. Special attention is focused for those non-privileged young people which face exclusion in their life in rural communities and youth in need.
The primary methods of screening and selecting realization are:
a. completing the questionnaire (Candidates complete a questionnaire in which they show educational background, training, experience working as volunteer, sphere of interests, etc.) |
b. conducting a personal interview with recruiting coordinator |
Each selected volunteer is assigned identification number. It is helpful while making electronic volunteer database. Also each selected volunteer signs a civil law agreement with the organization to define his rights and duties.
A set of materials:
- Questionnaire form,
- Informational and work files set for Volunteer Club facilitators
- Curriculum of recruiting meetings, Power Point presentation, informational flyers, position duties for volunteer and facilitator is drafted commonly by Interaction and MSFMMCI
Preparation points
During the period 01.05.2011 – 31.10.2011 there were updated the following materials elaborated at the beginning of the year by Alina Bazarenco from Interaction and by Serghei Pascov and Vladimir Hotincki from MSFMMCI
a. Curricula of recruiting meetings
b. Power Point presentation;
c. Movie Maker Video-clips and flyers “What is – a volunteer?”
d. Questionnaire form for potential volunteer;
e. Informational and work files set for Volunteer Club facilitators
f. position duties for volunteer and facilitator
g. Additional informational materials as to realize recruiting activities with youth in frame of the program “Come with us”
All these products were applied within the recruiting meetings those were carried out during the reporting period in both regions – Transnistria and Gagauzia.
Recruiting volunteers
In May- October 2011 the Program “Join us” continued. As a result of recruitment meetings in TN work seven facilitators for 7 volunteer Clubs. In communities: Tiraspol, Ternovca, Dubossari,Grigoriopoli, Rybnitsa, Camenca, Nezavertailovca. A list of active volunteers of TN – 84 young people (boys – 17, girls – 67) is attached (Spreadsheet #3).
In Gagauzia work seven facilitators for 7 Clubs and 3 initiative groups of volunteers in communities: Comrat, Congaz, Congazchic, Chadyr-Lunga, Kazaclia, Taraclia, Cahul, Vulcaneshti, Kirsovo, Beshgioz. A data base of volunteers, just involved in period May-October 2011 of UTAG – 27 young people (boys – 5, girls – 22) is attached (Annex #4).
Resource Centers “M-Liga” in Tiraspol, Comrat, Vulcaneshti supplies volunteers all necessary materials and equipment for realizing by them their social initiatives.
List of recruiting visits in UTAG
# |
Venue |
Date |
Responsible person |
Number of participants |
Gender |
|
M F |
||||||
1. |
Tomai, liceum |
25.05.2011 |
Pascov S. Uzun G. |
25 |
3 |
22 |
2. |
Djoltai, school |
25.05.2011 |
Pascov S. Sargheoliu M. |
27 |
14 |
13 |
3. |
Chirsovo, school no.2 |
26.05.2011 |
Pascov S. Sargheoliu M. |
18 |
1 |
17 |
4. |
Vulcanesti, House of Creativity, M-Liga office |
26.05.2011 |
Pascov S. Sargheoliu M. |
16 |
10 |
6 |
5. |
Comrat, Pedagogical college |
22.09.2011 |
Pascov S, Hotinschi V. |
18 |
2 |
16 |
|
Total: |
|
|
104 |
30 |
74 |
It has been organizing and held various motivation events for volunteers of both regions TN and UTAG – summer school, teaching seminars, trainings, birthday parties, concourses ( Concurs of the Best Idea for Club action - 28 September 2011), traditional for M-Liga Yearly Festival of the most active volunteers and peer-educators in October. At time of motivation events the best volunteers get diplomas, certificates, presents. In 2010 it was established the special challenge Prize for the Best Club – The Globe (photo- and video-materials at the M-Liga website).