Attitudes, skills and important duties of the volunteer: Commitment and respect

Firm and responsible. We must consider at least four components in this commitment.

 The most important is that contracts with the beneficiary of the program, possibly a person accustomed to fail and you fail. Volunteers seek to bring these people, among other things, a little honesty. Their commitment is limited, simple, no unreasonable offers, but radical.

 A second aspect of commitment is the requirement of the organization intends to meet targets for those who need to know what resources and how people account. The organization and carrying out programs are tools to provide continuity of service. The signing of a compromise document, the acceptance of the rules of each program, the convening of meetings, etc.. aim to safeguard the trust that the outcast has on the volunteer.

 There is a moral commitment to yourself that lies in the freedom of choice of each volunteer. One is voluntary because he wants, freely accepts the rules and responsibilities so that morally agrees to comply. Freedom in the acceptance of a task is the largest source of commitment.

 can also speak of a commitment to society and the volunteer, in a way, represents it in environments of social exclusion. The volunteer assumes a certain responsibility as a representative of civil society to exercise their citizenship in favor of the weakest.

Respect

More than tolerance, which is required to perform volunteer work in marginal environments is a great respect for life, choices, ideas or attitudes of people. Respect, beyond tolerance, not "support another ...?, although the contrary seen in the differences of others rich.

Respect is manifested, first, to the fellow volunteers. It must be assumed that the partner that I have at hand can move for reasons different from mine and know that this difference in motivation will never be an obstacle to the successful completion of a volunteer program. Volunteering does not put their energy, usually in the pursuit of a quantitative targets. Most of the time, his work is difficult to measure and, in fact, social volunteerism becomes a way of doing things, a way to build a democratic society and a school of ethical values. To achieve these objectives is essential dialogue between people who are not afraid of their differences and just a great belief in their equality as human beings worthy.

If it is important to respect for fellow volunteers, more importantly, which has to show to the marginalized. It is not unusual to find the legal situation of lawlessness, sexual options different from the majority, marginal situations, differences of culture and customs, etc.. and in any case it is very unhealthy and less effective volunteer service shocked by all this.

Respect and understand no means justify all the attitudes, one must qualify the respect with a certain firmness and assertiveness required by many programs and which is not incompatible with love. In a prison, for example, volunteer work is not to judge the crime of the inmates, for that society and has its legal channels. But neither the closeness and affection for them should be interpreted as encouragement to criminal behavior. A prisoner would welcome also to be admired by crime, whatever their situation, although not deemed to be asked for explanations for the crime for which he is serving.

Finally, the volunteer must respect and accept yourself. Self-acceptance is essential to convey mood and self esteem to others, because no one can give what does not. It is a reflection that people should do that, not accepted, try to "love the neighbor as themselves?. Poor fellow, if no one taught us to love!

J.C.G.F

Partnership for development

ccs@solidarios.org.es