Charity in the USSR: There is something for us to learn
There was an abundance of various charity organizations in the USSR that were administered by the state. The Water Rescue Society, The All-Union Fire Society, The All-Union Society for the Protection of Monuments of History and Culture, The Soviet Children’s Fund, The All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation, The All-Russian Choral Society and even The All-Union Voluntary Society for Book Lovers. Their system was formed in the 30s and almost did not change until the restructuring in the 90s. Any Soviet citizen could become a member of these societies. The agitators came to schools, to work, to houses of culture, printed advertisements and participated in major events.
Muscovite Vladimir Petrovich, born in 1953, remembers:
“I joined the DOSAAF — Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Army, Aviation and the Navy as a boy. The membership fee was 10 kopecks per month. The money went to veterans, the wounded and for the improvement of military camps. You pay the fee and receive in return a stamp that was pasted in the membership card. It was like a game and collecting at once. But I usually paid irregularly and six months in advance, when I needed something from society. As a member, I was entitled to participate in parades, go to military facilities, and go karting in the House of Pioneers.”
Yuli Ivanovich Tulchanin, born in 1938, remembers:
“There was a 10 rubles entry fee and once a year membership fee of 5 rubles. These were the conditions of the Union of societies of hunters and fishermen of the RSFSR. The money went to maintain populations of animals and fish, and the fight against poaching. The membership allowed me to stay at any Soviet hunting base and spend the night there for free.”
Tatyana Olegovna from Novorossiysk, born in 1964, remembers:
“Having paid the membership fee to the Union of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (RACS and KP), I immediately went to the circle of sanitary training of activists. Since then I have been able to travel around the country at public expense. I participated in the prevention of epidemics in Central Asia, flew on AN-28s, prepared GTO events in Moscow (ready for work and defense events), went to assist the victims of the earthquake in the Armenian SSR. By the age of 25, my ID was stamped all over. There were awards, for regular and anniversary contributions, for participation in festivals and volunteer assistance. And once I went to Bulgaria for free to relax as recognition from the society.”
Naturally, there was no talk of any accountability in Soviet charity organizations. But, we have a lot to learn from them. Most of all, we have to learn about the ability to work with volunteers and donors. The level of engagement was awesome. In the 21st century, we can involve donors even more. This is exactly what the W12 crowdfunding blockchain platform is designed for. Read more about it here.
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