1. Perspectives and good practices on the development of voluntary work
in Poland
Mariusz Granosik
Department of Social Pedagogy
University of Lodz, Poland

2. Traditional and modern volunteer engagement
in Polish language: ochotniczy, wolontarystyczny
generally, it means the same...
... but sounds differently

3. Traditional voluntary engagement
limited to an area (region, village, community), no national structure/agency, professional PR, and fundraising
anchored in institution and culture, usually long- term, intergenerationally transmitted “from mothers to daughters” and „from fathers to sons”
grounded in tradition, usually a supplement of everyday activity, “small” goals (leisure time activity, saving the regional tradition, etc.)
not (self)recognised as very important
low attractiveness for mass media

4. Modern voluntary engagement
wide-scale, sometimes world oriented (especially “exotic” countries with low GDP), a kind of adventure, survival
anchored in impulse, usually short-term, many times changed
based on „hot hearts”, often with full-time involvement, radical and large-scale goals (poverty on Earth, animal welfare, equality)
organised by (inter)national agencies, professional PR, marketing, and fundraising?
very attractive for mass media

5. Traditional VE

6. Koło gospodyń wiejskich: “country club” for village people :-)
The Club/Circle for Rural Housewives (CRH) – voluntary, self-organised and independent social organisation of women, operating mostly in rural areas.
The first CRH was founded by socialist activist Filipina Płaskowicka in village Janisławice in 1877, but very similar organisation The Society of Housewives” had been operating since 1866 in village Piaseczno.
Formally Clubs are coordinated by National Board of CRHs but the board has no influence onto regular activities of members and was erected only to make the activity legal in totalitarian system.
The main Clubs activity depends on internal regulation (each CRH has own one) but usually they:
- defend rights and social position of housewives living in rural areas and their families
- developing entrepreneurship of women
- activate people to improve health protection and social welfare in rural area
- developing inhabitants' participation in local culture and folklore
source:

10. How they develop volunteer engagement
“blood infection” and heritage (traditional dresses, tools etc.), socialisation
they have a lot of fun, they are happy and very often smile
they are just on the corner, they are neighbours (not anonymous)
they are active and creative

11. What is being criticised
activity limited to a small area
replication and transmission of traditional (positional) family patterns
low artistic value: simple music, simple text, no enhanced aspiration

12. Modern and trendy

13. The Great Orchestra of Christmas Help
Founded in 1993 by Jerzy Owsiak, the creator of TV show „Róbta, co chceta” and some radio music programs.
The aim of the Orchestra is to work in the field of health protection by saving patients’ life and supporting their treatment. Additionally, the Foundation promotes health and medical prevention.
Each year, the Foundation chooses a theme. So far, they have collected money for: child’s heart surgery, saving children victims of accidents, saving infants’ life, saving children with inborn defects, etc.

14. The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity
The Foundation runs six nation-wide medical programs:
The National Early Cancer Diagnostics in Children Program
The Universal Hearing Screenings Program;
The Premature Retinopathy Prevention Program;
The Infant Flow Program;
The Personal Insulin Pump Children Therapy Program;
The medical CPR for Schools Program (teaching first aid in primary schools).
Besides, the GOCC is the organizer of Europe’s biggest open music festival called “Przystanek Woodstock”.

15. Some achievements
almost 110 million USD have been collected and spent on the medical devices, this year ,49 PLN ($ ,53)
around of people took part in the last „Przystanek Woodstock” in Kostrzyn nad Odrą
there are almost 1500 Great Finale collection centers, and more than120 thousand volunteers engaged
approximately volunteers in each edition for last 10 years

16. How they develop volunteer engagement ?

17. charismatic leader

18. effectiveness (millions collected in one day)
attractive music and popular bands (for youth)
anarchy-like, subcultural atmosphere
decentralised governance
very strong mass medial support (almost whole day live program)

19. What is being criticised
too much freedom for young people: the historical slogan „do, what you want”
occasionality (once a year)
drugs and alcohol on festivals

20. Social work education developing VE

21. Social project
activity constructed in close relation to different organisations (institutional basis)
being in sympathy with other colleagues and people in need (emotional basis)
long-term task (biographical basis)
conclusion: it is not easy to finish the activity/engagement

22. Thank you for your attention
Mariusz Granosik
Department of Social Pedagogy
University of Lodz, Poland