Unicef - Bidding

Aspect: Service, Creativity. 
Time: 1 hour 
Supervisor: Mme Hanna Piskorska 
Team Project


Recently, I had a chance to take part in the Unicef's charity action. I was holding the bidding which took place in Monnet International PreSchool. My role was to sell three handsewn rag dolls made by children. The money raised in this a(u)ction were devoted to buy vaccinations to children in Africa. For every 10 zlotys one vaccination was bought.
It is a team project which I conducted in cooperation with Mme Marzena Mroz who is the coordinator of Primary Years Programme.

1. This activity helped me in developing new activities. Even though I previously had a chance to hold an auction it was the first time when its aim was so important. I absolutely believe in the goals which Unicef attempts to achieve and it was a great pleasure for me to host this event.

2. Working collaboratively with other people was very important during this event. It required me to meet with the coordinator two times prior to the auction in order to talk in detail about it, acquaint myself with the rag dolls and procedures.  I was delighted by the contact with preschool's stuff who turned out to be very helpful and I believe we had a great time working together.

3. This activity also engaged me in the issues of global importance. Contributing to supporting UNICEF in a charity is a great opportunity to understand the importance of one's action. I am extremely happy that I could contribute myself and my work to help buying nearly 400 vaccinations, which will save as many as 400 kids from threatening deseases.

Outcomes	Reached or not	Outcome explanation
increase your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth	Yes	I do not have many occasions to hold auctions and this activity helped me to increase the awareness of my own strengths as the auction was considered a great success.
undertake new challenges	Yes	Even though I have already hosted a bidding this was long ago and this auction was the first serious one.
plan and initiate activities	Yes	It was a planned activity to which I had to adjust myself.
work collaboratively with others	Yes	This activity made me work collaboratively with the PYP coordinator.
show perseverance and commitment in your activities	No	It was only one time event and I do not believe it will ever have a continuation.
engage with issues of global importance	Yes	Through hosting this bidding I contributed to achieving the goal of buying vaccinations to children in Africa.
consider the ethical implications of your actions	Yes	Working for charity implies that I want to improve the situation of those in need.
develop new skills	Yes	It definitely helped me to develop a new skill and improved my confidence.

Studniówka

Aspect: Creativity, Service
Time: 10 hours


Organizing Studniówka in our school is immensely difficult since everyone has different opinion on the issue, everyone attempts to say something, and as it was the case this year - destroy my whole plan. Two days ago, one of the students presented alternative plan which in my opinion was a total misunderstanding, however, a part of our year found it reasonable.

All in all, this Tuesday we had a voting, and vast majority supported my plan and finally we are pursing it. Solely, I arranged meeting with the owner of Studniówka after party venue - Theatro 1811 and made it through the process of negotiations.
Moreover, I planned the limousines which will carry us from the school to center, where we will be having an after party.
I knew that if someone did not come up with a plan we would not have a Studniówka, thus I decided to take care of it, and our Studniówka will take place on the 11th February 2012.

1. This activity helped me to develop new skills - I was forced to negotiate the contracts with the owners and I have also developed organizing skills which proved to be immensely important - without them it would have been an impossibility to organize this year's Studniówka.

2. Even though it was very difficult to work collaboratively with others, I knew that it is the most important part and after all it is not only my Studniówka but everyone's, therefore we decided to divide responsibilities and we work with each other!

Outcomes	Reached or not	Outcome explanation
increase your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth	Yes	Once again it has showed me that there is always room for improvement and that organizing events is a complex issue.
undertake new challenges	Yes	Even though I have organized events previously it was my first Studniowka and I enjoyed doing it.
plan and initiate activities	Yes	It required a lot of planning, moreover, it was an activity initiated by myself.
work collaboratively with others	Yes	This project required the cooperation of the whole grade and despite personal nuances the consensus was achieved.
show perseverance and commitment in your activities	Yes	There were many problems I encountered when organizing this event; however, perseverance I displayed allowed me to achieve the success.
engage with issues of global importance	No	Organizing such an event does not engage me in issues of global importance, certainly.
consider the ethical implications of your actions	Yes	In every aspect of our lives one has to consider the ethical implications of the actions and so is with studniowka.
develop new skills	Yes	I've learned during the process of organization a lot and developed many new skills such as persistance, for example.