Toolkit for associations

The purpose of the tool kit is to strengthen ethnic diversity in voluntary social associations. The tool kit also contains tools that can be used if you wish to form a new association but do not know how to do so. 

A portion of the content in the sections regarding the formation of associations may seem elementary to established associations, but to people who have not grown up with the traditions of Danish associations, these will hopefully serve as useful tools. 

One way of strengthening ethnic diversity in associations could be to start a cooperation between a voluntary social association and one of the many existing ethnic minority associations. A number of associations have already established such cooperations. Examples of cooperation between ethnic minority associations and voluntary social associations can be found throughout this tool kit. 

Download the Tool kit (pdf-file)

This tool kit is a part of the project, “Voluntary Social Work in Many Colours”. 

The project has two aims:

1. To ensure that more ethnic minorities become a part of the traditional voluntary social association culture, both as volunteers and as users
2. To increase the cooperation between ethnic minority associations and traditional associations, in part by associations entering into partnership agreements 

The project is a collaboration between the Council for Voluntary Social Work and the Council for Ethnic Minorities. The project, which has received financial support from the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. 

The tool kit can be found in Danish, Arabic, Turkish, Bosnian, Somali and Urdu. (Choose a language in the language selector right) 

You can request a copy of the tool kit from Project Manager Pernille Agerbæk on tel. 33 18 82 11, or download it at frivilligraadet.dk. You can also read more about the project on this website. 

Voluntary social work

As a volunteer in a voluntary social association, you help other people who need help. To be a volunteer means that you are not paid for your work. The work is performed in your leisure time, in addition to your normal paid job. You do this work because you wish to do so, and because you get something other than money out of it. 

The voluntary organisations are able to play a special role in meetings between people. And it is precisely this meeting between people that is essential when we discuss integration. 

A great deal of voluntary work is performed in many of the original home countries of ethnic minorities in Denmark. However, voluntary work in these countries is often not as institutionalised as in Denmark. People help each other from person to person without ties to an organisation. The Danish system, in which one must be a member of an organisation to perform volunteer work, is quite unknown in many places. 

Being a member of a voluntary association is also something that some ethnic minorities associate with danger. As Katja Jorgensen explains in “Many more – on ethnic minorities, associations and voluntary social work”: 

“In many of [the ethnic minorities’] home countries, most legal organisations are sponsored by the government, and most independent organisations are in opposition to the government and therefore exposed to persecution and oppression, such that being a member of an organisation is associated with a great risk.” ^[1]

Therefore, it is a significant change for some groups and individuals to find themselves in a democratic country with free and independent organisations. 

Good reasons to work as a volunteer in a voluntary social association:

• Many volunteers point out that it gives a good feeling to do something good for others and to feel needed.
• It is possible to improve your Danish and learn more about Danish society.
• Participation in associations is also a good way of expanding your network. Many close friendships have begun in associations.
• Expanding your network is also beneficial if you’re seeking work. Over half of all jobs in Denmark are never listed, but are filled via networks. Furthermore, most employers have a positive view of applicants who participate in voluntary work, so it is beneficial to list on your CV.
• Working as a volunteer provides the opportunity to have influence in an association
• You learn something new, both by participating in voluntary work and in the courses many associations offer to their volunteers 

Definition of voluntary social work

Voluntary social work is understood as efforts which: 

• are voluntary
  This means that the work is performed without physical, legal or financial force. A person may not be threatened with financial or social sanctions (e.g. being cut off from a social network), if he/she no longer wishes to perform the work.
• is unpaid
  However, this does not exclude the possibility of a volunteer receiving compensation for expenses incurred in connection with performing the work, e.g. transportation or telephone expenses; a person may also receive a symbolic amount of money for voluntary work.
• is performed for people outside of the volunteer’s family and relatives
  Voluntary work is hereby limited to work apart from standard household work and care for family members
• benefits others than oneself and one’s family According to this standard definition, participating in a self-help group is not voluntary social work
• is formally organised
  This means that everyday helpfulness or spontaneous actions, e.g. helping an elderly or handicapped person cross the street, carrying shopping bags home from the supermarket, etc. cannot be termed voluntary work. 

Official definition of voluntary social work  from  the Ministry of Social Affairs’, see also the homepage of The Ministry of Welfare

What is association work?

In Denmark, there is a long and rich tradition of associations. The Constitutional Act of Denmark states, “Citizens shall, without previous permission, be free to form associations for any lawful purpose.” ^[2]

What are the advantages of forming an association?

• Associations have better opportunities for applying for financial support, e.g. for various activities for the association’s members and volunteers, courses, interpreting, etc.
• Many groups or clubs have a difficult time finding suitable facilities for their activities. Associations often have better opportunities than loosely organised groups to apply for financial support for renting facilities or borrowing facilities through the municipality.
• Association members become part of a community which meets on the basis of a shared interest, for example. They thereby have a good opportunity to gain knowledge related to their interests. 

Cooperation: Multicultural Association NV and DaneAge Association (Ældre Sagen) 

Since 2005, Multicultural Association NV has run a project called, “Ethnic Senior Citizens in Focus”. The senior citizens meet twice weekly. At the meetings, they often speak about their expectations of old age. At the beginning of the project, many of them said that they could not stand thinking about what would happen if they no longer could care for themselves, others said that their children would take care of them, and others still said that they expected to move back to Pakistan.

The chairperson of the association, a younger man with a Pakistani background, found these answers a bit worrying. He did not believe that it was realistic that their children would care for them, as they had jobs and busy lives. Nor was it realistic that they would move back to Pakistan; their children and grandchildren, who had grown up in Denmark would not move back with them. 

Therefore, he made an effort to inform the senior citizens about the opportunities for a good life as senior citizens in Denmark. One of the ways in which he did this was to begin a collaboration with a Danish senior citizens club in the DaneAge Association. The two groups of senior citizens visited each other and through their conversations, the Pakistani senior citizens acquired insight into how one could live as a senior and the possibilities for assistance offered by the Danish society to senior citizens. The two groups also went on excursions together, including a visit to a nursing home and sheltered housing units for the elderly. 

Since then, many of the senior citizens have said that they have become more secure about the thought of old age in Denmark, thanks to the information they have received through the association. They now know more about their opportunities and have more realistic expectations of their family. The thought of a nursing home is no longer as frightening, and only a few still expect to return to Pakistan. 

How do you form an association?

An association is formed by a group of people who choose to form an association based on a shared interest. For example, this could be that they are interested in helping a specific group in society with difficulties, e.g. women without a social network, lonely elderly people, or young people with problems. It can also simply be a group that has the same cultural background and wishes to meet with people who have the same background. 

The principal organisers invite others from their network, whom they believe might be interested in joining the association, to a founding annual general meeting. 

An annual general meeting is a meeting in which all of the association’s members are welcome to participate. All major decisions in the association are made at the annual general meeting. The annual general meeting is thereby an association’s utmost authority. 

Example of an annual general meeting agenda:

1. Election of meeting leader
2. The chairperson’s report on the association’s work in the past year and plans for the coming year.
3. Financial accounts presented for approval
4. Handling of submitted proposals
5. Setting of membership fee
6. Election of chairperson
7. Election of vice chairperson
8. Election of board members and deputies
9. Election of accountant
10. Other

The meeting leader serves as the moderator of the annual general meeting. 

The founding annual general meeting

When a group has decided to form an association, a founding annual general meeting is held. Prior to this meeting, the primary organisers have typically prepared a proposal of the association’s purpose and a proposal of regulations. See attachment: Proposal for standard regulations for an association. 

The regulations are reviewed one by one and those in attendance vote on each individual regulation. The most common form of voting is a simple vote, in which the majority rules. The vote can either be open, e.g. take place with a show of hands, or closed, in which each participant writes their vote on a piece of paper/election ballot. A basic rule is that if even only one participant desires a closed vote then the voting must be conducted in this manner. 

What is a board?

The board sees to it that the decisions made at the annual general meeting are carried out. 

A board typically consists of a chairperson, a vice chairperson, a treasurer, a secretary and a couple of rank and file members. The board is elected at the annual general meeting. 

The chairperson can summon members to a meeting and prepare an agenda in collaboration with the secretary and vice chairperson. The chairperson presents a report of what has occurred in the association since the last meeting. 

The vice chairperson takes over the chairperson’s role, if he or she is not able to attend the meeting. 

The treasurer oversees the association’s finances and is responsible for keeping the financial accounts of how much money is spent. 

The secretary is responsible for noting down what is discussed at the meetings and annual general meeting. The meeting minutes are sent to the association’s members. 

The rank and file members participate in board meetings and at the annual general meeting. 

The board often prepares rules of procedure, in which the rules by which the board operates are written down. For example, this can include how often meetings are to be held, voting rules and division of responsibilities in the board. 

Read more about rules of procedure on the Centre for Voluntary Social Work’s website at www.frivillighed.dk, under “Counselling”. 

Where can you get help with forming an association?

Centre for Voluntary Social Work in Odense

The Centre for Voluntary Social Work offers counselling services for organisational and network development. You can get information about how to form an association, the tasks and responsibilities of a board, and much more.

The Centre can also help to develop cooperation and partnerships on a cross-organisational level, or with public institutions.

A fee is charged for actual consultant tasks, but not for standard counselling. 

You can read more on the Centre’s website at www.frivillighed.dk, under “Counselling”. 

Volunteer centres and houses

Volunteer centres often provide assistance with:

• Starting new initiatives, e.g. help with where to apply for financial support and finding suitable offices
• How to apply for financial support, project descriptions, and course planning
• Providing office facilities for use, e.g. computers, copiers, meeting rooms, etc. 

On the website www.frise.dk, you can find an overview of volunteer centres in Denmark. 

Copenhagen City, Project Counselling and the Project Workshop

Project Counselling is a service for voluntary associations in Copenhagen that wish to work with promoting ethnic minorities’ participation in voluntary associations. 

Project Counselling, together with Vesterbro Culture House and Culture and Recreation Department, are responsible for the Project Workshop. 

The Project Workshop offers assistance with:

Idea and project development

Applications for financial support

Association counselling, e.g. formation of an association, regulations, laws, etc.

Financial management and budgeting

PR and media relations 

Read more at www.kk.dk/projektraadgivningen 

Where can you apply for financial support?

As a voluntary social association, there are various opportunities for applying for financial support for the association and its activities. It is possible to apply for funding via public and private funding pools, funds and grants. Below is a brief description of some of the most important funding opportunities in the voluntary social area, and where to find more information about them. 

If you need more information, you can contact the Centre for Voluntary Social Work, which provides counselling to associations on where to apply for funding, how to apply, and more. You can find information on fundraising and funding opportunities on the Centre’s website, www.frivillighed.dk, under the section entitled “funding pools and funds”. You can also call the Centre on tel. 66 14 60 61, Monday-Thursday from 9:00-15:00 and Friday from 9:00-14:00. 

Municipal support via § 18 of the Service Law

The municipal councils must work with voluntary social organisations and associations. This means that the municipal councils must allocate annual funds to support voluntary social work. The frameworks for cooperation are determined by the individual municipal councils, and it is a local political decision as to which areas and activities to prioritise and support. 

You can find general information about § 18 of the Service Law on the Ministry of Social Affairs’ website, www.social.dk, under the section entitled, “The Ministry’s Areas”, “Voluntary Social Work”. For more information about how and when you can apply for § 18 funding, you must contact your local municipality. 

Funding pools in the Ministry of Social Affairs

The Ministry of Social Affairs administers a series of funding pools to which voluntary social associations have the opportunity to apply for financial support. On the Ministry’s website, www.social.dk, you can find descriptions of current funding pools and application forms for the pools. You can find information under the sections entitled “Funding pools” and “The Ministry’s Areas”, ”Voluntary Social Work”. 

You can also get more information by calling the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Funding Administration on tel. 33 92 92 50 on weekdays from 10:00-14:00.

The Ministry of Social Affairs’ funding database

The Ministry of Social Affairs has established www.fondsdatabasen.dk. This is a database of funds, councils, etc. in social and related areas. You can search for information here on a wide range of public and private funds, councils, etc. which support activities in social and related areas. 

Funding pools in the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs

The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs administers a range of funding pools to which it is possible to apply for financial support. On the ministry’s website, www.nyidanmark.dk, you can find an overview of the available funds for activities which promote integration. The funds are divided into a series of various funding pools, which are described under the heading “Funding pool applicants”. 

Before applying for funding, you can also call the Ministry hotline and get answers to your questions about funding applications, e.g. regarding application forms, budgets, or if it is relevant for a voluntary social association to apply for funding from the pool in question. The hotline is open on Mondays from 9:30-12:30 on tel. 33 92 26 14.

Sports betting and lottery funding

Some of the funding pools, including some of those administered by the Ministry of Social Affairs are financed by sports betting and lottery funds. In the Danish Lottery database, www.tipsmidler.dk, you can search for information about how lottery funds are allocated and where to apply for funding. Furthermore, you can also find the rules about how to apply for funding and information about how the funds have been distributed since 1998. 

Accounts and finances

When an association has been granted funding, it is important to keep track of accounts and finances. It is necessary to have receipts for all expenses, and the funds must be used in accordance with the project application/grant description. It is a good idea to keep accounts on an ongoing basis, updating accounts every time there has been an expense. In this manner, the association always knows how much money is available.

If accounts and finances are not kept in order, the association may have to pay back the granted funds in a worst case scenario. 

Assessment and documentation

If an association has received financial support from a funding pool, it is very important that the association documents how the funds are spent. Often times, it is a requirement in connection with the grant that the recipient association document its activities. 

It is a good idea to write down all of an association’s activities. For example, you can note what was done, what the aim of the activity was, and how many participated. 

It is also good to have a written assessment of the project if the association decides to apply for funding again. The association can either write the report or hire an external assessor (a person who is not a member of the association) to assess the association or project. 

Courses for volunteers

Educational funding pool

The voluntary associations can apply for funding to conduct their own educational activities. The application form and instructions for applications are available from the Council for Voluntary Social Work: www.frivilligraadet.dk, The Ministry of Social Affairs: www.socialministeriet.dk, or the Centre for Voluntary Social Work: www.frivillighed.dk.

The Centre for Voluntary Social Work in Odense offers various courses for volunteers. It is free of charge to participate, but participants must pay their own transportation expenses to get to and from the course.

Read more on the Centre’s website: www.frivillighed.dk. 

The Centre for Voluntary Social Work also offers counselling support, e.g. planning a course or contacting instructors, to associations who wish to carry out their own initiatives. 

Volunteer centres

Many volunteer centres offer courses to voluntary associations. You can find a list of volunteer centres at www.frise.dk.

Membership fee

A membership fee is a fee you pay to be a member of an association. The amount of the fee is determined at the annual general meeting. The money collected from membership fees is used to carry out the association’s activities. In this way, members reap the benefits of the money they contribute via membership fees. 

It can be a good idea for new members of an association to examine the association’s annual accounts to see how the membership fees are used. It can also be a good idea to find out whether it is possible to pay membership fees in smaller instalments, e.g. paying a certain amount monthly or quarterly instead of for an entire year. In this manner, the fee seems more affordable, and people do not have to obligate themselves to the association for such a long period of time. 

There are many examples of associations which have succeeded in getting a group of people with ethnic minority backgrounds to participate in an activity or association activity for a trial period without paying a membership fee, but as soon as they had to pay the fee they stopped participating. It can be difficult for them to understand that they suddenly have to pay for something which at first was free. It is important to explain how the association’s finances are structured and how the membership fees are used. It is also important to carefully consider starting an introductory project in which participants do not have to pay membership fees. 

The finances of a large portion of the population with ethnic minority backgrounds are limited. Furthermore, many of these people do not come from places with a tradition of formally organised associations, so it can be difficult to understand why they should have to pay a membership fee. In many of the countries from which immigrants and refugees come to Denmark, networks are less formally organised and often based on family ties. 

Immigrants and their descendants from non-Western countries have significantly lower incomes than the overall Danish average income. The ethnic minorities are strongly overrepresented in the group of relatively poor in Denmark. Relatively poor is defined as people who have an income which is under 50% of the median income of all the country’s residents. 11.5% of the immigrant population, as opposed to 3.6% of ethnic Danes are categorised as relatively poor^[3]. 

Cooperation: Pailletten Women’s Association and the Danish Rheumatism Association (Gigtforeningen)

Pailletten is a women’s association for women of various ethnic backgrounds. In the spring of 2007, a group of women from Pailletten participated in a volunteer fair in the city of Kongens Enghave. At the fair, they spoke with some volunteers from the Danish Rheumatism Association who had a booth there. Many of the women in Pailletten had arthritis and were interested in learning more. The two associations immediately agreed to a date on which a representative of the Danish Rheumatism Association would come and talk about arthritis. 

The topics of this meeting included health, and the women members of Pailletten showed great interest. One of the volunteers from the Danish Rheumatism Association offered to find a dietician who could hold a course for the women, who found this offer very interesting because many of them wanted to lose weight. The number of members who signed up for the course was so great that not everybody who was interested could participate. Over 20 women wished to participate, but the dietician had set the maximum number of participants at 10. In the end, approximately 15 women participated in the 10 class sessions which took place over the course of 10 weeks. 

The course was a great success, and the women themselves emphasised that they had got a great deal out of participating. 

The cost of the course was divided between the Danish Rheumatism Association, the local resident counsellor and the women themselves via participant fees. 

The women from Pailletten were so pleased with the cooperation with the Danish Rheumatism Association that they continued the cooperation with new initiatives. In the autumn of 2007, the use of a warm water basin for the women is planned in cooperation with the Danish Rheumatism Association. 

Via this cooperation with Pailletten, the Danish Rheumatism Association has established a channel whereby they can distribute materials and information to a larger group of people with ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Cooperation 

There are many ways to establish cooperation between associations and people of different ethnicities. Two independent associations can establish a cooperation regarding a specific project. 

For example, this could be an ethnic minority association and a family support association who enter into a cooperation to distribute information to families with ethnic minority backgrounds regarding the possibilities of getting support and backing from ethnic families in the same situation. Another example could be two associations which organise a lecture or excursion; or a cooperation regarding a specific activity which takes place over a longer period of time, such as socialising, a mentor programme, or health and exercise.

A cooperation can also consist of two associations committing to provide information about and participate in each other’s activities. 

At the end of this tool kit, there is an example of a partnership contract which associations who wish to enter into cooperations can use for inspiration. The two associations work together to write the partnership agreement, which states the purpose of the cooperation and how the associations intend to work together to achieve their goal. 

Cooperation: DaneAge Association in Aarhus and the Friendship Association for Elderly Danes and Immigrants

In 2004, DaneAge Association in Aarhus took the initiative to begin a cooperation with the Friendship Association for Elderly Danes and Immigrants. They wished to hold a counselling course for the Friendship Association. The course was intended to contribute to helping the volunteers feel better prepared to help refugees/immigrants with contacting public authorities, etc. However, the Friendship Association kindly declined the course offer when DaneAge Association invited them. 

A few months later, the two associations met at an unrelated event and the Friendship Association said that they had regretted saying no to the course. 

After this, DaneAge Association began planning a new course. The content was determined in collaboration with the Friendship Association. Approximately 20 people participated in the two meetings, in which the subjects were housing subsidies and pensions, as well as the new Citizens’ Information Office in Vestbyen. The participants were pleased with the course. In written assessments submitted following the course, they expressed that they could make use of the information acquired in the course, which was very helpful. 

Then, the Friendship Association was invited to one of DaneAge Association’s “Friday Presentations”. Together with the 90 participants from DaneAge, approximately 20 members of the Friendship Association came to a presentation on Hans Christian Andersen. Although many of the elderly participants from the Friendship Association did not understand Danish very well, they still appeared to get something out of the presentation, particularly while socialising during the coffee break. 

DaneAge and the Friendship Association now have a good and trusting relationship. They have acquired insight into each other’s associations and refer to each other when relevant. 

Another form of cooperation is to incorporate a loosely organised ethnic minority group into an already existing voluntary social association. Among ethnic minorities in Denmark, there are many groups that meet and conduct social activities together without having formally organised an association. For example, this could include a group that has received funding for a specific project. 

The advantage of this form of cooperation for ethnic minorities is that they can concentrate on the activities they wish to conduct, as opposed to using a great deal of time on administrative association work, which they otherwise would have to if they formed an independent association. Much time is used in associations on member administration, finances and accounts, assessments, etc. By joining an already existing association, it is possible to draw on the association’s experience regarding administration and association work. 

The advantages for ethnic minority groups of incorporating into a voluntary social association:

• Less association administration: Help with course planning, finances and accounts, legal issues, etc.
• More time to concentrate on activities
• Assistance with applying for funding for new activities
• Increased contact with ethnic Danes
• Opportunity to be heard and make an impact in a larger association 

Advantages of incorporating a group with an ethnic minority background as participants in a voluntary social association: 

• Volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds can better understand users with ethnic minority backgrounds
• Volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds can help with explaining the reactions of other volunteers or users
• Volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds can help to ensure that the organisation identifies the needs of its users
• Volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds can provide new ideas for new initiatives
• Volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds can ensure that the organisation reflects the society of which it is part

From “Ethnic Minorities – Volunteers with Insight”, Council for Voluntary Social Work, 2006 

How do we strengthen ethnic diversity in voluntary social associations? 

Before contacting an ethnic association or group, it is a good idea to be clear about your expectations, and whether the association is prepared to accept volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Good questions for associations to ask themselves:

• Is there agreement throughout the association to focus on ethnic diversity? Both the administration and the volunteers must be willing to make an effort.
• Are our activities conducted for and/or with the target group?
• Are our routines transparent and consistent? Sometimes, an association has a series of unwritten rules and hidden processes. These things can be difficult to figure out, which can easily lead to excluding people who already generally feel excluded.
• Why do we want diversity?
• What boundaries do we have in relation to what is and is not permitted, e.g. in relating to each other?
• Can we discuss offences? Being able to speak about it is the first step in being able to do something about it.
• Have we outlined routines and behaviour which may be viewed as exclusionary or have an exclusionary effect in relation to recruiting and participation?
• In which areas do we wish to make changes with regard to becoming more diverse, and in which areas do we wish to maintain the status quo?
• Does this truly alter our values or identity? 

Making changes in an organisation to meet the demands and wishes of ethnic minorities can be a balancing act. The association must maintain its values while keeping with the times, which means for example that it is necessary to admit that we live in a multicultural society. In most associations, it will be possible to make some changes in order to better welcome the wishes of ethnic minorities without altering the foundation and values of the association. 

Equality is not the same as equal treatment. It may be necessary to treat members differently to achieve diversity. 

Ideas for strengthening ethnic diversity

Clear enrolment procedure

It must be clear where, when and to whom one can refer, if one wishes to become a member of an association or get mere information. If these practical aspects do not function suitably it can seem like an insurmountable obstacle to a person with an ethnic minority background, who perhaps is already unsure whether participation in the association is something that meets their wishes. It is important to greet people with a positive and personal welcome/contact. 

Information about the association

Insufficient explanations of what the association’s work and values are can serve as an obstacle to getting more people with ethnic minority backgrounds to participate in the association. Many associations assume that people know what the association’s work and purpose is. To many people with an ethnic minority background, however, association traditions in Denmark are very different than in their home countries, if there even were association traditions. In many countries, associations are more closed and exclusive with regard to who can be a member, and the associations have more hierarchical forms of administration. 

The various ethnic groups have differing views of what voluntary work is. Therefore, it is a good idea to explain for which group of people the association is intended, and that people with ethnic minority backgrounds are welcome. If information about the association is also available in translation, this is yet another signal that the association is open to ethnic minorities. 

Recruitment: Personal invitation

The Danish National Centre for Social Research’s study of voluntary work shows that being personally invited or elected to perform voluntary work played a significant role for more than half of the volunteers questioned as to why they began performing volunteer work.^[4]

The importance of a personal request or invitation is just as significant when recruiting volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds, if not more so. In many ethnic minority groups, the most important communication in personal contact and conversations takes place “face to face”. 

Therefore, a network is essential if an association wishes to recruit volunteers and members with ethnic minority backgrounds. It is often this network with the ethnic minority groups which the voluntary social associations lack. 

One way of expanding this network is by contacting the ethnic minority associations and establishing a dialogue with their members and network – for example, ethnic minority associations are often in contact with one another. 

It can also be a good idea to establish contact via the local integration council. You can find an overview of the municipal integration councils on the Council for Ethnic Minorities’ website: www.rem.dk. The members of the integration councils often have a thorough knowledge of the ethnic associations in the municipality. 

The municipality may also have an integration counsellor who can assist with establishing the initial contact. 

A number of ethnic minority associations and groups have received funding, e.g. from the municipality, Ministry of Social Affairs, or the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. Therefore, the municipality or ministries can also be a way of gaining information about the ethnic minority associations or groups to be found in an association’s local area. 

It is often a good idea to target recruiting of new volunteers. This is true both of volunteers with Danish and ethnic minority backgrounds. For example, this can be done by recruiting via relevant educational institutions, e.g. people studying to be social workers will often be interested in participating in voluntary social work; in relation to their education, subsequent job applications and actual work, voluntary social work provides relevant competences. 

It is a good idea to define clearly what it is your association is seeking when recruiting volunteers with an ethnic minority background. For example, you can explain what the specific tasks of the volunteers will be, as opposed to simply talking about the association. State what you can offer volunteers, and which skills are being sought. 

Tips for recruiting volunteers with ethnic minority backgrounds

• Cooperate with ethnic minority associations and groups
• Cooperate with the local integration council
• Establish concrete and personal contact
• Take time to establish trust
• Contact the municipality and ministries to locate the ethnic minority associations that have received funding
• Target recruiting efforts
• Clearly define what you are seeking and what you can offer (skills)
• Supplement written communication with verbal communication 

Incentive

It is a good idea to explain clearly what can be gained by becoming a member/volunteer. For example, this could include acquiring new knowledge about a specific topic, having the opportunity to take exciting courses, being part of a better network, etc. Voluntary work provides the opportunity to increase skills in a variety of areas, e.g. communication, conflict resolution, budgeting, finance and mediation. It can also improve career opportunities. 

The Danish National Centre for Social Research’s study^[5] shows that the incentive for people with ethnic minority backgrounds to perform volunteer work is often that they wish to ease the transition to Danish society for immigrants and refugees. This work enables them to use their own personal experiences and background. 

Disease associations – cooperative opportunities

Many people with an ethnic minority background lack information about topics such as diabetes, healthy food and obesity, etc. There is a greater percentage of people with an ethnic minority background who have diabetes than ethnic Danes (8.2% as opposed to 2.7% among ethnic Danes). Lifestyle and a lack of knowledge about health play a significant role in this statistic. In comparison to ethnic Danes, significantly fewer immigrants and their descendants believe that they can do something to improve their health (57% compared to 74% among ethnic Danes). 

Also with regard to other forms of illness, immigrants and their descendants are over-represented. 17%, as opposed to 13% of ethnic Danes say that they suffer from migraine headaches; the same tendency can be found with chronic anxiety and depression (13% as opposed to 4%), and “other mental illnesses” (6% as opposed to 2%). 

Therefore, an important task exists for the associations which represent people who suffer from these illnesses, i.e. that of reaching out to ethnic minorities. Of course, this is also true of all the other disease associations where ethnic minorities suffer from the disease with the same frequency as ethnic Danes. 

Statistics from Working Paper: Health among Ethnic Minorities. Results from Health and Disease Study, Danish National Institute for Public Health and the University of Southern Denmark, 2005 

Open house

Open house events with clearly defined services, e.g. “come and check your blood pressure” or “get help with writing an application” can be a good way of making your association more visible.                

Internships

Many youth education programmes and language schools have a difficult time finding internships for their students. An intern with an ethnic minority background can be a good opportunity for an association to establish a better network among ethnic minorities.                

Food

Many Muslims only eat food which is “halal”; this means that they do not eat pork, and that other meat must be halal slaughtered.

Most places it is natural to show consideration to vegetarians are. Probably the same thing will happen as far as muslim foofd habits are concerned.

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol plays a role in the social activities of many associations. In order to adjust for members of different ethnic backgrounds who do not drink alcohol, e.g. many Muslims, some social activities could be conducted where alcohol is not consumed. In this manner, the Muslim volunteers could also participate in some of the social activities without feeling too different. 

A solution could also be to ensure that there are always alcohol-free beverages at festive events. 

Separated activities

Associations could also consider holding some activities in which men and women are separated. This may be a particularly good idea if your association wants more women with ethnic minority backgrounds to participate. 

Family considerations

The time at which an activity takes place can be an obstacle in relation to volunteers’ family-related obligations. In order to meet the needs of women in particular, associations can plan activities during times where their presence in the household is not traditionally required. 

The length of activities can also be an obstacle to the participation of ethnic minorities. Many are not as willing to participate in events which require overnight stays. Instead, associations could organise activities such that it is possible to participate in the event without necessarily participating in the overnight stay. 

For women with small children, it can also be an obstacle if they cannot bring their small children to activities. 

Relatively more women with ethnic minority backgrounds (23%) care for their children in the home than ethnic Danish women (6%)^[6]. 

Holiday considerations

In the planning of activities and events, associations should consider holidays, e.g. Ramadan / Eid ul-Fitr. Many Muslims who fast during Ramadan may be more tired during the day or be quite busy with preparations for the evening when the fast is broken. Therefore, it may be that they will not participate in as many events or meetings during this period. However, it may sometimes be possible; in any case, it is a good idea to ask those who are fasting in advance if they wish to/are able to participate, and if there are special circumstances of which the association should be aware. For example, if a meeting is held in the afternoon/evening, there should be a meal break at sunset, the time at which the fast may be broken. 

On the website www.vikafi.dk, you can find a calendar which shows when and how the holidays are celebrated within Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism.

Cultural barriers

There are cultural barriers in some ethnic minority groups in relation to participating in voluntary associations. One example is in relationship to mental illness. Among some ethnic groups, mental illness is a taboo which can keep those with mental illness and their families from participating in associations for these illnesses. 

In many immigrant communities in Denmark, there is very strict social control. These communities are so small that nearly everybody knows each other and keeps an eye on each other. It is not permitted to step outside of socially accepted behaviour, because this leads to gossip. Therefore, entering a Danish voluntary association can be a significant step for many people with ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Language

We establish our prejudices about each other through language – we speak of “them” and “us”, which functions to maintain a view of two separated groups. 

When we speak of that which is normal, e.g. “we normally do it like this”, we are also saying that some other people are abnormal and that their view is not as important as “the normal” view.

Many things appear as normal because they belong to the majority society to such a degree that ethnic minorities are forgotten in our use of language, or they are portrayed as different/abnormal. 

Language reveals how we view ethnic minorities and thereby confirms prejudices. For example, ethnic minorities are often spoken of as a homogenous group, in which individuals are reduced to members of a specific ethnic group. 

Communication never takes place on neutral ground, as one always speaks on the basis of a role and the social power bestowed by that role. We are assigned roles on which we act based on ethnicity, social background, gender, etc. What we say is assigned particular meaning on the basis of our role and the power connected to that role. 

When communicating, it is important to be aware of one’s role and that we don’t ever speak on a neutral basis. 

Get to know the target group

There are big differences between the various ethnic groups and cultures. Therefore, it is important to focus efforts on the ethnic groups found in the local area in question. Get to know your area. Visit ethnic minority associations and find out what their wishes are and what it would take for them to participate in your association. 

It is helpful to identify how well the various groups speak Danish. This can help you to determine whether information material needs to be translated. It is also important to be aware that a large proportion of the people in some ethnic groups are illiterate, in which case written material is useless even if translated. 

By getting to know your target group, you can identify their wishes and needs, making it easier to target your efforts accordingly. 

In meetings with new people, you can come a long way by approaching them first and foremost as individuals before thinking about ethnicity, gender, etc. 

Communication with ethnic minorities

When communicating a message to people with ethnic minority backgrounds, it can be a good idea to consider alternative communication channels than those normally used when communicating with ethnic Danes. Brochures and written material are not often read, but it is good to have them as a supplement to direct, verbal communication. 

TV and video/DVD are also good ways of communicating, as they are not as dependent upon language. A study has shown that the most often viewed TV stations among ethnic minorities are Danish (TV2, DR1 and TV3)^[7]. News programmes in particular are watched. The internet is also a form of media which is increasingly used by ethnic minorities, again primarily to search for news. On the other hand, newspapers and radios typically play a less significant role for people with ethnic minority backgrounds than for ethnic Danes. 

In many ethnic minority cultures, communication traditionally takes place verbally, “face to face”. In this regard, a network is essential. 

Cooperation with ethnic minority associations can be a way of reaching more people with an ethnic minority background. Receiving information about your association from an ethnic minority association contributes legitimacy in the eyes of the target group. 

It is important to be aware that the ethnic minority groups/cultures are very different from one another, and perhaps do not feel that they have much in common with other minority groups. Therefore, their networks will typically be primarily within their own culture or minority group. 

Tips for communicating with users with ethnic minority backgrounds

• Use images as opposed to long texts
• Use the ethnic minorities’ newspapers, TV and radio stations
• Translate information material into minority languages
• Use written material as a supplement to personal contact
• Make sure you follow up quickly after the initial contact

Attachment 1: Proposal for standard regulations for an association

Attachment 2: Partnership contract

 
Bibliography 

Christensen, Gunvor and Stine Røn Christensen, Etniske minoriteter, frivilligt socialt arbejde og integration. Afdækning af muligheder og perspektiver, SFI, 2006 

Dahl, Karen Margrethe: Etniske Minoriteter i tal, SFI, 2005 

Jørgensen, Katja: Mange flere - om etniske minoriteter, foreningsliv og frivilligt socialt arbejde, 2007 

Media Bureau MediaCom, study of media habits among ethnic minorities. Results published in Politiken newspaper 23/08/07. 

Mikkelsen, Claus Lindholdt, Foreninger fremmer forståelsen – inddragelse af etniske minoriteter i foreningerne og mangfoldighedsledelse, Danish Youth Council 

Council for Voluntary Social Work, Etniske minoriteter – frivillige med indsigt, 2006 (brochure)

Koch-Nielsen, Inger, Lars Skov Henriksen, Torben Fridberg and David Rosdahl, Frivilligt Arbejde. Den frivillige indsats i Danmark, SFI, 2005 

Danish National Institute for Public Health and the University of Southern Denmark, Working Paper: Sundhed blandt etniske minoriteter. Resultater fra Sundheds- og Sygelighedsundersøgelsen, 2005

[1] Katja Jørgensen: Many more – on ethnic minorities, associations and voluntary social work, 2007, p. 20