The organisation (Förderverein) is a non-profit association. The association aims at encouraging the interest and dedication for environmental protection and also offers environmental education and information about the historical background of the region. There are two permanent employees working for the association, two possible positions for FÖJ participants (Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr, Voluntary Ecological Year) and moreover participants of employment promotion measures. The association has about 80 members and is based in the district Menz in the municipality Stechlin. Menz has about 500 inhabitants. There are several grocery stores, restaurants and a saving bank at the place. The surroundings with its large lakes and straggly woods is known for its extraordinary beauty and therefore visited by lots of tourists. Menz is located at a lake which offers possibilities for swimming, fishing and nature observations.The city Rheinsberg (5.000 inhabitants) with a wide range of cultural activities (classical music, opera) is about 10 kilometres away. In the region of Menz the unemployment quote is high and the drain of young people and increase in the percentage of old people are typical problems.
B.
It is of great importance to give volunteers various educational experiences, e.g. by the participation in educational seminars of the nature park's visitor centre, and also non-formal offers like conversations, supply of literature, contacts to experts and professionals and the like. Together with the volunteer his or her educational expectation will be discussed at the beginning. Furthermore arrangements and methods according to the following work will be agreed. The volunteer will be considered as an adequate team member, whereas his/her "learning role" and the right to learning possibilities will be regarded.
Activities: Assistance in projects concerning the improvement of the exhibitions and environmental education, assistance in the performance of environmental education, participation in species protection, monitoring measures of other actors in the Natura 2000 area Stechlin and the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park may also be possible.
C.
The selection process is open, i.e. there are no restrictions to members of specified ethnical groups, of a religious community, to people with a specific sexual orientation or political opinion. The choice is made collectively by several employees of the nature park and by approved and comprehensible criteria. To bring opposite expectations to an early agreement desired qualities of the candidate are observed, when the choice is made, e.g. interest in environmental education themes and methods, self-reliance and interest in working in a team.
E.
The basic principle to prevent risk is the continuous information exchange with the sending organisation as well as personal support of the volunteer by the qualified tutor. The tutor will be well-prepared to his or her responsibility (e.g. knowledge of workflow and emergency services). In case the tutor is personally involved into a conflict a second contact person is named.
A personal interview (by telephone) with the EVS-volunteer will be conducted and the staff and volunteer team of the nature park's visitor centre will be prepared to integrate the volunteer (e.g. clarification of his/her role and activities). The definition of the volunteer's activities as well as the supply of board and lodging for the volunteer wil be determined in respect of his/her background, specific needs, potential problems, diseases and allergies, age and gender.
After arrival a detailed conversation with the volunteer will clarify questions and rules and inform him/her about emergency services, necessary precautions, contact persons, workflows in the work and living area as well as about handling of misconduct. During the work, legal requirements concerning health as well as security of the volunteer are strictly adhered (e.g. supply of safety equipment and safety instructions for relevant activities). In case of accident the national agency will be contacted as quickly as possible.
If health or security of the volunteer should be exposed to unreasonable risk the breakup of the project will be considered in consultation with the national agency and the sending organisation.
It is not intended to employ volunteers at the age between 16 and 17 years.
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With the integration of international volunteers, the Förderverein "Naturlandschaft Stechlin und Menzer Heide" e.V. (friend's association) lives up to its joint responsibility for the cohesion of Europe and accomplishes the educational function it is comissioned to realise. It is intended to support own initiative and the corporate engagement of young European citizens by giving them the possibility to develop self-confidence and ecological awareness. That is decisive for a successful international nature conservation and environmental protection. Volunteers shall develop a personal and emotional attachment to the region through practical collaboration in projects of nature conservation and environmental protection. As a consequence volunteers can develop openness and understanding for activities in environmental protection and habits different from their own country.
In the rural region of the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park the number of immigrants is low. The Förderverein "Naturlandschaft Stechlin und Menzer Heide" and the Naturparkhaus (nature park information centre) "Stechlin" in Menz, run by the Förderverein (association), encourages tolerance by bringing foreign people in contact with the regional population and by exhibiting and appreciating their successful volunteer activities in the public. Employees of the association demonstrate openness and tolerance towards other cultures and countries in forming and maintaining contacts with colleagues from partner organisations and the integration of foreign volunteers into their projects.
The EVS offers a chance for the association to considerably sustain and enrich the relationships with foreign partner parks and organizations. Furthermore, volunteers with a foreign cultural background make it possible for the nature park to gain a new perspective on current activities and enrich the park's work.
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Der Förderverein "Naturlandschaft Stechlin und Menzer Heide" fördert den Naturschutz, die Umweltbildung und die Heimatpflege in der Umgebung von Menz. Er unterhält das Naturparkhaus in Menz, das offizielle Besucherinformationszentrum des Naturparks Stechlin-Ruppiner Land, das Glasmacherhaus in Neuglobsow mit einer Ausstellung zur ehemaligen Glashütte des Ortes und die Regionalwerkstatt in Menz. In der Regionalwerkstatt findet ein vielfältiges Veranstaltungsprogramm statt. Der Förderverein bietet Umweltbildungsprogramme für Schulklassen an. Weitere Zielgruppen seiner Aktivitäten sind Bewohner/innen und Besucher/innen des Naturparks Stechlin-Ruppiner Land. Neben zwei fest angestellten Mitarbeiter/innen verfügt er über zwei Stellen des FÖJ (Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr) und beschäftigt Teilnehmer/innen von Arbeitsfördermaßnahmen. Daneben wird die Arbeit des Fördervereins von ehrenamtlichem Engagement getragen. Der Förderverein arbeitet eng mit der Verwaltung des Naturparks Stechlin-Ruppiner Land und der Naturwacht zusammen. |
