VolunteerSpirit Network (เครือข่ายจิตอาสา)
VolunteerSpirit Network is a rebirth of the conglomeration of social workforce that brought together the volunteers who helped ease the tragic tsunami disaster occurred in 2004 and those who place a significance of volunteerism and giving in society.  It aims to bring the cooperation and to enhance the work of any volunteering organizations and individuals in Thailand. 

BACKGROUND
    As of the tsunami tragedy incident in 2004, stronger cooperation from various approaches was brought to reality among the governmental and private sectors as well as international institutions and civil society groups.  Compellingly, it has revived the volunteering and giving in society, especially in Thailand, which is about helping others or needy in the society that latterly yields more social benefits to both the volunteers and the in-needs.  The tragic incident has also shaped the Thai society to be more responsive to social concord, community involvement, and the practice of innovations for social welfare.  Numbers of organizations are now realizing the importance of volunteerism and are attempting to practice voluntary activities in more tangible and systematic manners.  As the variety of the volunteer jobs, range from local community services to international supports continue to grow, it comes to an agreement to form an alliance of those groups and individuals who determine to enhance and sustain the volunteerism in Thai society.  This cooperation among various voluntary groups is titled as “VolunteerSpirit Network” or in Thai as เครือข่ายจิตอาสา (Kreukai Jit Ar Sa).

THE CONCEPT OF VOLUNTEER SPIRIT
      “Volunteer Spirit (จิตอาสา) is about an individual who willingly spends his/her time, physical effort, and wisdom, especially for social contribution.  It is the spiritualism that does not ignore foreseeable problems of humankind but finds happiness and satisfaction in doing good deeds. The Spirit that is of full merit (or “บุญ” Boon in Thai), which is the tranquility of goodness. This Volunteer Spirit can turn tears into smiles. 
        Phra Paisal Visalo

“Giving” begins with One foreseeing a potential problem or suffering within the others.  So the “Giving” comes into being (by One giving a help).  On the other hand, “Giving” also derives from One offering a chance to others in providing help or happiness (or One allows the help and happiness to come.)  So another manner of “Giving” takes place as well.   
Volunteer Spirit is a dynamic force of “Giving” and “Receiving” that becomes obvious as an individual steps beyond oneself and socially involved in his/her community.  By concerning about the social contribution, the shared knowledge and good thoughts will prevail and serve as a foundation for the ultimate happiness development of mankind.

The development of the Ultimate Happiness State (สุขภาวะ Sukhapawa in Thai) through the concept of Volunteer Spirit, particularly from the voluntary job, usually originates from the Physical state. 

An individual will better comprehend how others undergo their difficulties by exercising through a voluntary work.  This physical action of doing the good deeds will gradually shape his/her mind to be more positive, caring and socially concerned.  It will develop to a higher level of happiness called the Mental state, where happiness from giving comes into being as the physical effort has been taken to contribute to others.  The voluntary work also allows individuals to be associated with each other and, as a result, creating a higher possibility to ease complicated social problems.  This leads to a more secured, peaceful society and signifies the upper dimension of happiness, the Social state. 
A common Thai tradition called “Long Kaek” (ลงแขก) can be a good example of giving and the happiness state.  This traditional harmonious approach is a gathering of members in a community to help neighbors do something e.g. rice harvest, cooking, etc.  It is a long history culture of giving in Thailand that brings people in community to voluntarily accomplish any obstacles they have in spite of time and people constraints.   

Ideally, the three dimensions of happiness development – Physical, Mental, and Social state can steadily nurture an individual to comprehend a wide spectrum of life and later on bring the happiness in the Spiritual state.  The ultimate peace will soon be arisen as the person transcendentally realizes everything as a single entity.

VISION
Effectively Support the Volunteer Spirit culture through giving and volunteering, which leads to a self-reliant society with goodness and ultimate peace.

STRATEGY
1.    Job Placement – To support and exchange information between volunteers and voluntary organizations for more effective collaboration.
2.    Advocacy – To support, develop and drive public policies in regard to volunteering and giving.
3.    Improvement – To develop and build up capacity of volunteers and voluntary organizations.

GOALS
1.    Increasing public awareness of Volunteer Spirit
2.    Increasing amount of donors and donation quantity in term of money donation, voluntary project fund, in kinds and blood and body donation.
3.    Increasing number of volunteers both in quantity and quality

Volunteer and Giving

Contact Information
Volunteer Spirit Network
Office:
+662 319 5017(Tel)
+662 319 5019 (Fax)
E-mail: volunteerspirit@gmail.com
Address: 2044/21 Volunteer Spirit Home, New Petchaburi Road, Bang Kapi, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310 THAILAND