Volunteer work
Agape is based on volunteer work and on the donations that many people make to the Center every year. Volunteers experience community life in Agape through work and the everyday life, along a path of personal growth and change.
The Center uses volunteer work to promote both individual responsibility and involvement in community life, creating a context in which everybody can contribute in their own way. Volunteer work covers all aspects of life in Agape, ranging from simple tasks like “servizio” (setting and clearing tables at mealtime and helping to dry dishes) to the staff’s organization of everyday activities, the more practical tasks of the Workcamp and the Committees’ institutional functions.
There are different ways to collaborate with Agape:
Workcamp
The Workcamp is a group of volunteers who help the residents manage the Center during high season. Workcampers come from all over the world and work in different sectors of the Center.
The sectors of the Workcamp are:
- Kitchen;
- Cleaning;
- Bar;
- Maintenance;
- “Servizio” (setting and clearing tables at mealtime and helping to dry dishes);
- Baby-sitting (when necessary).
The Workcamp includes six days of work per week, with a weekly rotation in different sectors. Evening activities are organized to share thoughts (on volunteer work, community life, the Agape project) and to foster cohesion in the group.
Staff
Staff groups develop, organize and manage Agape camps. The Center offers staff members specific training programs, under the guidance of supervisors. Staff groups work autonomously and meet several times throughout the year to organize the camps.
Staff groups are typically composed of five to ten people who usually have specific skills for the topic or the target group of the camp. Each group must include a member of the Resident Group, to guarantee communication and logistical organization with the Center. Staff groups meet at least four times. Three meetings focus on the organization of the camp and one on its assessment. If you are interested in joining a staff, you have to contact the Director of the Center and take part in the training offered.
Resident Group
The residents live in Agape all year long and manage different sectors when the Center holds camps and events and welcomes guests. The Resident Group includes about ten people, from different countries and backgrounds, two of whom are the Director and Vice Director of the Center.
Residents experience a very intense community life, where group dynamics are explored together. The weekly meetings and two annual seminars aim at fostering collaboration and personal growth. You can apply to be a resident for an extendable period of one or two years. Each resident is responsible for one of the work sectors of the Center and coordinates the corresponding group of Workcampers.
Interpreting service during international camps
Since Agape is an international center, volunteers with very specific language skills are absolutely necessary. Several interpreters collaborate with Agape during the international camps, whereas translators make communication possible throughout the whole year.
The main languages of Agape are Italian, English, French, Spanish and German. The Center has the necessary equipment for simultaneous and consecutive interpreting during the international camps. Moreover, there is a group of volunteers who translate all of Agape’s promotional material, its website and the online magazine “Agape Immaginaria”.
- Italian 90%
- English 60%
- Spanish 80%
- French 75%
Work Groups
Agape is supported by the work of different groups with specific functions. Members of the groups use their specific professional skills to make the Agape Project a reality in the best possible way.
The work groups in Agape are:
- The General Committee – it is the managing body of the Center, in charge of the direction of Agape’s activities. It also defines the political stance of Agape’s activities and assesses their implementation. It includes a member of the Tavola Valdese (Waldensian Board), three members of the Protestant Youth Federation in Italy (FGEI), three members elected during the AAACE – Assemblea degli Amici e delle Amiche di Agape Centro Ecumenico (Assembly of the Friends of Agape Ecumenical Center), a member of the international ecumenical movement, the manager and the deputy manager of Agape, a member of the Executive Committee and a resident.
- The Executive Committee – it is the body that organizes practical activities. It includes five people appointed by the General Committee, Agape’s manager and deputy manager, and a resident.
- Assemblea degli Amici e delle Amiche di Agape Centro Ecumenico (Assembly of the Friends of Agape Ecumenical Center, AAACE) – the Assembly gathers every one or two years and has two main functions: appointing three members of the General Committee and suggesting possible subjects for the Agape project to be discussed with the General Committee. The AAACE is at the very heart of community life at the Center, and anybody who has taken part in at least two activities organized by Agape can join it.
- Staff Council – it supports the creation and training of staff groups. It also organizes the Staffissima, an event to foster debate between staff groups.
- Agape Communication – it includes those who write for the online magazine “Agape Immaginaria,” and professionals who work in communication, video-making, IT and graphic design. It takes care of Agape’s promotional content, such as the website, social networks and printed promotional material.
How to donate to Agape
Agape lives thanks to the support of all of us. If you wish to support us make a donation!
via bank transfer: Our bank account at Banca Popolare Etica
Account holder’s name: Agape Centro Ecumenico
IBAN IT72A0501801000000000110460
BIC CCRTIT2T84A
ATTENTION: the following bank details are NOT to be used for the payment of registration fees or camp fees!
