International Volunteer Day and Choices

On December 6th Vinnytsia English Club with a leader Mila H. organized an event dedicated to marking the International Volunteer Day which is celebrated worldwide on December 5th. The panel discussion during this event offered the audience a chance to learn more about volunteering opportunities on local and international level. Mila Hooten, PC Volunteer, gave information about the strategies of implementing volunteerism. The following questions on ‘how volunteerism relates to modern ‘global values’ and exchanges of culture, and the main benefits of volunteer work were in a spectrum of an active discussion among participants of this Club’s meeting. 

Fun Fact of the Day: “Maine makes more toothpicks than any other state” (http://johnb0127.hubpages.com).
Topic:

1. What is volunteerism? Do you think that volunteer work is necessary and important? Have you ever worked as a volunteer? If so, what did you do and who did you help? 

2. Every year, the 05 of December is “International Volunteer Day.” Have you heard of this special day? Do you think that it’s important to have a specific day devoted to volunteerism? How might this day promote selflessness and volunteer activities?

3. What are the main benefits of volunteer work? How do you think that volunteer work affects volunteers themselves? Do you think that this is emotionally meaningful and fulfilling? What motivation and incentives do people have to do volunteer work? 

4. Do you think working as a volunteer is a kind of “dilemma”? How would you feel about working as a volunteer vs. having a job that pays lots of money but is boring and uninteresting? Have you ever experienced such a dilemma? What other dilemmas have you had in your recent history?

5. How does volunteerism relate to modern “global values” and exchanges of culture? Do you think that volunteer projects promote discussions about cultural traditions and values? Do you think that the idea of being a volunteer is at all related to cultural upbringing? 

6. Have you ever changed your mind or gone against your basic instincts to pursue a particular project or adventure? Even if this was not volunteer work, have you ever stepped outside of your usual comfort zone to try something new or to help others? Was this pursuit a dilemma for you?

Schedule: Please put topic ideas in the Suggestion Box!

Saturday, 08 December at 10:30
Thursday, 13 December at 5:30