GRUNDTVIG - IVISOCA CASE STUDY OF VOLUNTEERING

ELSA partner of OAMGMAMR DOLJLondon 2012

Today we’ll be talking about…

Today we’ll be talking about…

The European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) – short introduction

Recruiting volunteers for ELSAMotivation and support for ELSA volunteers

DO’s and DON’T’s in volunteering

What does “volunteering” mean?

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. It is considered as serving the society through own interest, personal skills or learning, which in return produces a feeling of self-worth and respect, instead of money. Volunteering is also famous for skill development, to socialize and to have fun. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment or for a variety of other reasons.

This is !• Founded on 4th of May 1981 in Wien (ELSA Romania – 6th of

December 1990)• International, independent, apolitical, nonprofit• The worlds’ greatest independent law students’ association• Over 45,000 students in over 300 colleges and universities from 40

countries• Consultative statute for some of United Nations’ institutions

(United Nations Economic and Social Council– ECOSOC, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law– UNCITRAL, etc), the Council of Europe, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and cooperative statute for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of UN

ELSA philosophy : “A just world in which there is respect for human dignity and cultural diversity.”

it’s the ground base of all our associations’ activities

ELSA purpose : o Promoting law students’ opportunities, in the spirit of critical dialogue and

scientific cooperationo Contribution in forming bright and cultured jurists with high professional skillso Encourage Law students and young jurists involve and act for a “healthy” society

Steps:1.Know your opportunities• Be sure your volunteer opportunities are integral to achieving your group or

organizations aims and objectives• Prepare volunteer role descriptions which clearly explain what is involved• Acquaint yourself thoroughly with each opportunity, including its purpose,

responsibilities, and what the value of the experience is for the volunteer

2. Create a clear path to your door Put together a process for application and screening (even an interview) everyone involved in the organization knows who to direct enquiries to Respond promptly

3. Make your recruitment message "user-friendly“ Produce publicity that answers the volunteer's unspoken question: Why you should

volunteer for us? What will you be doing? How often and when? Where? Reassure volunteers that they will be trained and that you will support them

4. Get your message out Consider all available methods including word of mouth, leaflets and posters, talks and

presentations, local newsletters, websites, local media coverage

Personal development Professional development Having the chance to have an active

role in the growth of the community we live in

Earn experience points in their personal CVs

Meeting influent people and renown jurists

How to “convert” a simple person into a volunteer?

Does he know what “volunteering “ mean?NO YES

You invite him to one of your associations’ activity

You explain the concept

He still resents the idea

You let him go (he’ll think

you’re crazy if you insist)

Follow the steps of the

recruitment

He finds the idea appealing

We have several ways through which we keep our volunteers motivated:

Trainings law themed personal development (project management, fundraising, negotiation skills, public speaking, etc)

Scholarships or internships at the Bar, with renown jurists Project “Volunteer of the month” Moot Court Competitions – chance to make themselves known + great way to find out which law

career should they follow A successful project brings personal and professional satisfaction of the volunteers that

organized it => they will “auto-motivate” for a while Showing a free spirit and mind, helping the volunteer to grow as a human Themed parties (once in a while) Local, National and International meetings with all the ELSA members, that take place at a certain period of time (disseminating, trainings, socializing, parties)

Strategies to keep a volunteer active:

We give our volunteers job opportunities Make them become more responsible - “active member” (promotion) Permanent skills evaluation (the right volunteer in the right project) Multitude of projects and activities – everybody can be part in any of it Volunteers and the other students are always in track with the laws (discuss, debate, rise against)

keeping active volunteers in our association

Our Alumni are called “seniors” and have a special statute among us The prestige of volunteering in the only independent international

students’ association in the law field Equal treatment between our “plain” volunteers and the volunteers with

responsibilities, as Vice-presidents – democratic system The hierarchy guarantees transparency and continuity (techniques,

information) Permanent communication – internal and external newsletter

(volunteers, professors, partners, sponsors)

Recruiting volunteers without induction or interview

Superiors/coordinators should never promise the volunteer substantial win (money, goods)

You can never compel the volunteer (to do something he doesn’t want to) – after all, he’s only volunteering! (don’t be a tiranic coordinator or VP)

Don’t choose only the young volunteers – everybody should be in!

Never treat the volunteers as they would be paid subordinates of yours!

Keeping a lazy and inactive volunteer, that no longer identifies himself with the association philosophy and purpose

Carefully decide if you are going to work on a project that deviates from your association main idea and purpose

• Open talk about the volunteers’ expectations regarding the association and his present/future activity

• Always give orientation and training sessions• Peer to peer support and budding• Formal supervision – with a member of the management team• Supervise – ordinary and from “the shadow”• Organize panel discussions with the participation of others associations’

members (same field or not) – advantages and disadvantages or their activity in that organization

• Invite known people of the field you’re volunteering in to keep training sessions to the other – grows motivation

• Always keep in touch and talk free with your colleagues and the other volunteers – communication is vital for self-motivation (sessions, annual general meetings, social events)

• Don’t hurry to end a session – listen everybody• Let your partners and sponsors know the details every project you organize

(transparency)• Everybody can be a volunteer – age, rase, sex, religion don’t matter – never

discriminate!• Well-structured hierarchy makes a functional organization– keeps up the

good work (either you cover a field or a bunch of others)• Never brake the rules, philosophy and purpose of your association – those

rules are made to be taken into consideration!• Use all kind of media to promote your activity• Request FEEDBACK for a supervisor• Request self evaluation

Volunteering leads to…Volunteering leads to…

LondonSeptember

2012