NEOGENESIS
Start date: Aug 1, 2014,
End date: Sep 30, 2015
PROJECT
FINISHED
As an organization whose primary mission is putting alternative culture in the art of music into practice, we first and foremost host 2 volunteers who wish to gain knowledge in the field of musical arts, where we can provide them with a vast knowledge base (organization of events, musical and theatrical technique light technique, promoting events, photo/video, writing reviews... ), though we also welcome volunteers who wish to learn and improve in other areas of the arts (literary, performing, visual, media etc) and youth (critical round tables, lectures, creative workshops, youth exchanges, etc.) because as an association with a broad spectrum of activity, we enable abundant and efficient flow of information and knowledge both between ourselves, as well as guest volunteers and external fellow workers.
We will offer access to objective, clear information on the processes and activities of the association and knowledge base that can be obtained during the EVS project. We want clear written motives for carrying out the EVS project in our organization from the volunteers who will send the application, and specified goals regarding skills you would like to obtain, since we would like to know whether we will be able to offer a path to the realization of the goals or not. Gender, age, religion, social status, subculture, and similar irrelevant definitions, will not affect the selection of volunteers; the people working here are from very different backgrounds, and they joined the organization because they saw a possibility of acquiring certain knowledge and working in areas of interest that already existed, or developing areas within the capability and need of the organization.
With the arrival of both volunteers we discuss expectations, abilities, desires and ideas. Based on mutual wishes and needs, we coordinate schedules. EVS Coordinator is responsible for their stay in the hosting country, for medical health and of course for their free time outside of the organization. Members realize how important the involvement of other participants and social activities outside the hosting organization is, so based on their wishes and interests. We will offer full support and assistance in integrating into the new environment. Our interest is that the volunteers fully meet their needs in the association and also outside of it, in a relaxed and a creative atmosphere. The coordinator is also setting tasks and coordinating the work of their learning. This is to be achieved through regular meetings, conversations about the wishes and of course, the realization of these.
The role of an external mentor is not only negligible, it's extremely important. The mentor is actually the volunteers? best friend, who supports them, listens and helps them with any disagreements in the hosting organization. Mutual trust is necessarily important and at the same time neutral, because in the case of a conflict between the volunteers and the association, he acts as a mediator. Mentor is also the person who assists the integration into the new environment and helping out with the wishes of any other extracurricular activities.
Understanding and learning a foreign language is crucial for the volunteer to communicate in and outside of the work environment, both in everyday situations such as shopping and in case of emergency (crisis situations, such as calling the police, ambulance?). Fixed schedules are constructed every Tuesday at the meetings of the EVS Coordinator and the volunteer, for one week in advance, plus a vague two to three week schedule. When we have hosted EVS volunteers through PMM, meetings were always held in the English language. If the volunteer was directly involved in a project, the programme coordinator met with the volunteer after the meeting of the collective and explained to the volunteer the details more clearly. We have also had volunteers with minimal knowledge of English, where communication was slower, but nevertheless, we managed to arrange everything, as we gave the volunteer a sense of security, patiently trying to understand them all and, if necessary, demonstrate every move. Over time (due to exposure to the environment and a lot of practice), volunteers also upgraded their English and meetings could run smoothly. For a person to feel safe, comfortable and included in the new environment, the volunteer will initially take time to perform simple volunteer work. After a period of assimilation, the work and responsibilities will be upgraded (based on expressed interests and abilities).
The meetings with the EVS Coordinator and the EVS Mentor will occur individually, whilst both the coordinator and the mentor will be in touch all the time, solving any potential problems/conflicts.