Małgorzata Pietrzak

The association was founded on 12th June The basic objective of the association’s activity is the support of civic participation in order to build and enhance local communities. One of the detailed objectives of its activity is: Work aimed at the promotion of women’s activity in family and society.

The mission of the Association is to contribute to the development of local community by social engagement, fully using spiritual, intellectual, social and physical abilities of individuals, at the same time creating responsible society. Charity – Empathy – Responsibility – Aid to the weak

 Poverty of the inhabitants  Stereotypes concerning the role of women  Low motivation to make changes  Lack of faith in one’s own skills  Lack of stimuli

“Szkoła Animatorów Ekonomii Społecznej” (“A School for Promoters of Social Economy”) Its aim was to spread among 50 inhabitants of the Lublin Province the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to function in a local community as a social economy leader by providing knowledge and improving competence and skills related to establishing and running social economy units (such as Social Integration Clubs and Centres, social cooperatives and non-governmental organisations). „Parasol przedsiębiorczości społecznej kobiet na obszarach wiejskich” (“Social entrepreneurship umbrella of women in rural areas”) The aim of the project was to support and develop the social entrepreneurship of women in rural areas up to 25 thousand of inhabitants in the Lublin Province.

 ACTIVE WOMEN’S CLUBS  ACTIVE WOMEN’S FORUM  ACTIVE WOMEN’S ACADEMY

idea and objectives

* It has been 5 years since the BONA FIDES Association for Equal Opportunities started organising cyclical events integrating active women who reside in rural areas in the Lublin Province, as part of Active Women’s Clubs. * The Forum includes discussion panels, workshops, skills training courses, shows, exhibitions of handicraft products. * Each year, women who stand out thanks to their activity in different areas receive awards. So far, we have awarded 62 women from a number of communities in our province. * During the last Active Women’s Forum on 1st July 2012 in Sawin, we initiated a hyde park – a board where participants could put their opinions, expectations and ideas for the future activity development.

The creation of an Active Women’s Club in each rural community of the Lublin Province, the main objective of which will be to support the personal development of women. One community – one Active Women’s Club. The Club is a place where rural women have access to knowledge, skills and experiences allowing them to fulfil themselves and make their dreams come true. The Club is a place where stereotypes are defied and barriers to development are removed. Active Women’s Clubs offer women some time for themselves and a right to forget about their problems and everyday responsibilities. The Club is a safe place where women can feel exceptional.

Me – a woman Me – a mother Ma – a wife/ partner Me – an enterprising woman

a. The Club is run by an organisation or institution with its seat in a rural commune, conducting its activity in this area. b. The Club has at least 30 members who make a membership declaration and pay monthly fees. c. Participation in the Club’s activities, meetings and workshops is subject to a fee. d. The fee amount will be determined by the organisation in charge. e. The Club’s meetings will be organised at least once every two weeks. f. The Club will be developed by the Club Council, members of which will be 3 leaders/promoters chosen from among the members.

a. The Club Council, together with the Club’s members, will develop a yearly schedule, which will be updated every quarter. b. Meetings over a cup of coffee / tee – celebrating the time spent together. c. Activity on the website and our Facebook profile. d. The use of the name and logo of the Active Women’s Club. e. Openness to new members, performance of undertakings for theme and age groups depending on the demand reported. f. Co-organisation of a yearly meeting of active women during the Active Women’s Forum. g. Participation in network meetings with other Clubs, organised at least once every six months.

* Initiator and originator * Umbrella organisation making sure that the ideas and rules of Active Women’s Clubs are followed * Setting standards for the functioning and awarding certificates to Clubs, together with the organisations in charge * Supporting the Clubs’ development * Supporting the financing of the Clubs’ activity during the first phase of development, based on the arrangements between the unit in charge and the Association * Networking the Clubs and the Clubs’ leaders / promoters – organising and conducting meetings of the network * Organising a yearly event – Active Women’s Forum * Exchanging experiences, knowledge and skills, as needed

Active Women’s Academy Organising the Active Women’s Academy for leaders/promoters who have created or would like to create an Active Women’s Club in their commune, as part of which the following events will take place:  Individual coaching meetings for leaders  Development workshops during 10 weekend sessions  Thematic seminars organised in communes for leaders/promoters who support activities aimed at the development of women’s circles  A study tour to Italy to a women’s organisation which supports women in different fields Meetings as part of the Active Women’s Academy will be free of charge.

5th Active Women’s Forum Organisation of the 5th Active Women’s Forum, this year entitled “Culture is a woman”, the main aim of which will be to increase the participants’ access to different forms of culture such as:  Theatre plays  Recitals  Exhibitions of handicraft products  Vernissages  Plein-air painting and photography  Artistic workshops …and all this starts on the 1st July 2013 in the castle in Janowiec nad Wisłą

 The RAZEM Social Initiatives Association in Miączyn – an organisation embracing women who have dreams but no tools for their accomplishment  Energy and certainty that they can change themselves and their environment in Miączyn (social development)  Readiness to accept changes and perform the work needed to introduce them  An idea for an Active Women’s Club adjusted to the needs of its members  Determination and motivation in action

* Each Monday, starting on 29th April 2013 at 6.15 pm, fitness classes – zumba * On 10th May 2013 – a trip to the Juliusz Osterwa Theatre in Lublin to see Komedia Teatralna – an inauguration of Friday meetings * Every two weeks on Friday at 6 pm – workshops (starting on 17th May 2013) on: 1. “People’s fortification is their self-esteem...” 2. “Spread your wings! Fulfilment of one’s own needs, goals, dreams...” 3. Active Mums’ School or childcare skills training including 3 workshops 4. A meeting with a dietician and a personal trainer

A competition for the creation of two new Active Women’s Clubs – the aim is to choose communes and organisations for new initiatives. The rules of the competition – to fill in an application form, answering the following questions:  Why an Active Women’s Club should be created in your commune?  What are your ideas for the functioning and development of the Club?  Why do you need support to open the Club? Additionally, the form has to include a presentation of 3 leaders/promoters who will take part in the development of the Club.

Criteria for choosing communes and organisations/institutions, with which we will create new Active Women’s Clubs:  Creativity  Previous experience related to activities aimed at the local community, including women  Identification of women’s needs  Feasibility of the implementation of the Club’s development directions The winners: 1. Will be granted a status of an Active Women’s Club 2. Will receive support related to the development of the Active Women’s Club in the form of co-financing the Club’s activity 3. Will be included in the Clubs’ network 4. Will receive support for their leaders/promoters who will become members of the Active Women’s Academy