The land is worth
on eighty whale-fish
smaller and three big fish.
According to the ancient cosmogonic legend, three whales from our epigraph are the basis of dreams, the foot of the whole world. Modern society is also based on "three whales". And each of them already has its own name. The first whale is named – Power, second – Business, and the third whale – modest and simple – Third sector. If everything is clear with the first two giants, then the third scientists call and non-state, and non-governmental, and also independent, non-profit and non-profit. Also write, that this original voluntarily, is active without any coercion, being a philanthropist and benefactor. Here is such a cute!
And although this story began in a somewhat humorous form, his goal is quite serious: tell about "smaller whale fish". And one of them – Hesed Besht Charitable Foundation. so, in order.
Good man – this is not a profession?
Any organization needs money to work successfully., and people. And not just people, and a team of professionals – like-minded people. Exactly, in the exact meaning of this term. That is why even during the period of the organization's formation, a group photo of the team appeared in the most prominent place with the inscription “Personnel decide everything!». And it wasn't just a slogan – it was a paradigm. And again I want to focus the attention of readers on the exact meaning of this word. – example, model, sample. It is according to this high standard that the team was formed, thanks to which all the successes of the Foundation were achieved.
Is it easy to work in such an area, as the third sector? I'll tell you straight – no. The realities of today pose more and more complex tasks. To solve them, you need to be an economist and psychologist, marketer and educator, be equally good at working with people, and with papers, be empathetic and attentive, communicative and conscientious. From artistry to scrupulousness – here is that wide range of professional qualities, which a modern specialist should have, employed by such an organization, like ours. But that's not enough. To be a social worker, you need to love people, be able to empathize, be honest and loyal, not indifferent and purposeful. Are these not the qualities of a good person?? Therefore, I can confidently say: good social worker – he is a good person and a good specialist.
And learning, constantly learning: stopping here is tantamount to degradation and sliding down. Our motto: Only forward! This is the only way we have been effectively working for the benefit of society for fifteen years.
And so that this phrase does not seem like an overwritten template, let's try to briefly answer the question: "What does a charitable foundation do?». After all, he does not sow and does not reap, does not produce or sell, does not seek power and is not supported by budget money. What does a charitable foundation do??». In short, you can say so: «Improves the quality of life!"And this is its main purpose.
If required, the third sector will stand up to protect the rights of its clients; in difficult times will support you with a word, and deed; will fight loneliness, will reveal talents and help to realize them. After all, it is very important for a person of any age to know, that he is not alone, what do they think of him, remember and care, what is protection and support, – a kind of "umbrella" in bad weather and friend, with which you can share the light of joy.
Who needs it?
The question is not idle, and I think it is quite timely. Firstly, the presence of a third sector is an integral part of a developed civil society. Indeed, without such a society, no state can be called democratic..
The topic of civil society is now very relevant, although they talk and argue about him for more than one thousand years. For the first time this term appeared in ancient times in the writings of Aristotle, which called civil society communities of free and equal citizens, interconnected by a certain form of political structure.
A lot of articles have been written in recent years, textbooks, theses, research, and nevertheless, there is still no strictly defined designation of this concept. For example, I will give the first two of the set, Caught on the Internet:
– Civil society – it is the sphere of self-expression of free citizens and voluntarily formed associations and organizations, independent of direct interference and arbitrary regulation by
state power.
– Civil society – it's a union of people, living in a certain area, united by the system of public relations,
which serve the realization of their general and private interests, protected and
protected by the state.
And in us, Jewish, there are philosophical prerequisites for the formation of a “society of citizens of high social status, creating developed legal relations together with the state ".
In the treatise "Perkey Avot" (Teachings of the Fathers), which the, as is known, is the moral and ethical code of Judaism, read: «If I'm not for myself, then who is for me? But if I'm only for myself – what am i worth? And if not now – then when?». What is not a guide to action?
There are many interpretations to this postulate.. And their main conclusion is: a person has great opportunities to improve and change the world for the better. But for this, he himself must awaken in himself the strength for a worthy life and creative creativity., otherwise he should not expect help, neither from people, nor from Heaven.
From all the above, the conclusion suggests itself: civil society and its third sector are needed, as each individual, and society as a whole.
For fifteen years we have done a lot. How many people have we helped with medicines and products?; with our help, the homes of many of our clients have become warmer in cold winters, They dont have
need for essential goods, clothes, shoe, linen. Grocery set for grandmother, satchel and school supplies for grandson, parties and concerts for all family members, more peace and confidence in the future, – this is our daily work and our joys.
And in today's difficult time, we – with people. When the country is restless, people need psychological support, and sometimes psychological rehabilitation. That is why we invite everyone to our holidays, concerts, hobby classes. We conduct lectures and trainings. Excursions, nature trips, exhibitions of creative works, musical evenings, – it all calms people down, instills in them confidence and gives them the necessary foothold.
And more importantly. For some reason, we rarely pay attention to that, that the third sector – these are permanent jobs, stable salary, social guarantees. If we talk about our Foundation, then we are acting in accordance with the Labor Law – pay for sick leave and vacations, we allocate funds to pension and insurance funds, we provide all social benefits to young mothers, women, having children.
Such an interesting fact: for fifteen years of the organization's work, thirty-nine children were born in the families of our employees. This is our contribution to demography.
Non-commercial commerce
The third sector is also called "not power and not business" or "non-profit organizations". But for them to work effectively, a stable source of funding is needed., otherwise the infrastructure of the third sector will not be able to exist. And here you can't do without organizations – donors. There are such organizations and we.
This is the "American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee", abbreviated "Joint" – largest Jewish charity, established in 1914 year and "Claims Conference" – Commission on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Donors allocate funds for specific programs in four main areas: helping the elderly; family and child support; development of the Jewish community; international development. These general directions in each region of the world have their own characteristics.. But life is more complex and diverse than clearly defined frameworks.. After all, there is still the history of the people, material culture, problems of young people and problems of people with special needs.
So activity comes to the fore today, which can be called "non-commercial commerce". And you can describe it in the words of the English writer Samuel Butler: «Any commerce – this is an attempt to foresee the future».
So are we, foreseeing the future, mastered such activities, as fundraising (the process of attracting funds and other resources), management (management) in the social sphere. We are looking for grant-giving organizations, preparing projects. All this – big job, requiring certain knowledge, perseverance and dedication. About that, that this activity is effective, demonstrates the successful implementation of such financially intensive projects, as reconstruction and construction of communal real estate (Khmelnitsky, Ternopol), reconstruction and construction of monuments of Jewish history (Khmelnitsky, Kamenetz-Podolsk, Volochisk), successful implementation of such a project, as a "Rehabilitation Center" (from. Pechesky). And there are many more examples of such.
Image – everything!
Does a charitable organization need its own image?? certainly, and not less, than a commercial. And this one- of the important components of the activity, which we have defined as "non-commercial commerce". In order for "smaller whales-fish" to successfully fulfill their mission, you need to have your own face, be recognizable. This is necessary for, for programs to be perceived positively, so that successful models of work are replicated, which will ultimately serve the good of society.
To do this, you need to conduct targeted work to disseminate information about yourself, to establish and comprehensively develop public relations, actively cooperate with the media. What we are doing successfully. Our logo, corporate uniform, design of published materials became recognizable. it – a kind of business card, which disciplines and obliges everyone together and each individually to observe and increase the values of our organization.
Partnership
Only on condition, that all our "whales" are sailing together in one direction, possible dynamic development of society. Scientists call this process social partnership with the state and business.. With a forward-looking strategy, The Foundation has always actively worked in this direction.. We have always boldly declared ourselves, did not close in narrow confines, responded to any call for cooperation and themselves boldly initiated such steps. Conferences and round tables, dialogues and joint activities, – here is an incomplete list of those forms of work, which promote public dialogue and understanding.
Today, the "Hesed Besht" Foundation has social partnership agreements with more than twenty organizations.. And this is not just a document, neatly stored in a folder. Behind this document – active joint work in the social sphere, education, culture. A special sticker, located in an accessible place, will tell about such cooperation to all visitors of this institution. And this – another example of non-commercial commerce.
the main thing: such cooperation is mutually beneficial. The third sector with its already quite powerful infrastructure is ready to fulfill any state order for the provision of social services. We already have such a positive experience. By order of the state social protection authorities, the Fund is working with certain groups of citizens in the Rehabilitation Center in the village of Pecheski, Khmelnitsky District.
Now about cooperation with business structures. Without such a partnership, the Foundation could not have implemented all of its restoration and construction projects.. And over fifteen years of work in this regard, a lot has been done. In the last five years alone, the synagogue and Community Center have been reconstructed, construction of a monument to the victims of the Holocaust in Khmelnytsky and construction of a Community Center in Ternopil.
Now on the agenda is the question of building the premises of the Charity Center. After all, all this is communal property, which will serve people for decades.
All these examples – evidence of public respect for those structures, which are usually called the third sector and to the "Hesed Besht" Charitable Foundation as its worthy representative.
And finally – a little about symbols. In Judaism, fish – fertility symbol, survival, and the image of three fish – symbol of eternity. After all, fish survived in a worldwide flood.
That is why three "whale-fish" were chosen as the symbol of this story as the image of the eternal movement towards perfection, good and harmony.
Director of HBF “Hesed Besht”
Igor Ratushny