Why be part of it?

In post-modern societies, there has been a gradual dissemination of values hinged on competition, individualism and personal success, thus generating cultures geared to consumption.

In the Post-industrial period, with the democratization of the Web and the propagation of communication services hinged on the low-cost concept, we witness the compression of time and space, making it possible to perform multiple activities simultaneously, physically and virtually, where distances no longer make sense.

In social terms, high-profile cases in the media are [over]rates, as we witness reality shows while e-mails alerting us are exchanged... but realities are overlooked, which are known to exist, though people don’t wish to see them.

Within this context, NGOs, Charitable Institutions and Associations emerge as a sort of backwash in this mad dash. With lines of action outlined from statutes adapted to social realities, but with a noted openness to innovation and undeniable emphasis on quality, it is incumbent on institutions to act with professionalism and effective and scientifically underpinned interventions. To this end, it is crucial for civil society to get to know/recognize this work and to actively integrate these projects.

To facilitate such interconnection, the GAF saw the emergence of the GAF Friend concept, aimed at rewarding all those who, directly or indirectly, seek to collaborate, by providing them with the chance to actively take part at events and activities while benefiting from perks in access to products and services.

General Conditions

Kinds of Friends

Individual Friend - A person who signs up individually.
Contribution (annual minimum): 20 euros

Volunteer Friend - A person who provides volunteer service to the Institution.
No contribution required.

Honorary Friend - A person holding an honorary title.
No contribution required.

Institutional Friend - An organization that signs up as a legal body.
Contribution (annual minimum): 250 euros

Patronage Friend - An organization with a patronage partnership (social patronage).
Contribution (annual minimum): 1000 euros

Suspending and cancelling the sign-up

For all due purposes, the friend sign-up is suspended when the (annual minimum) contribution amount has not been settled by the last business day of the month of April of each year. During the period when the sign-up is suspended, the friend is prevented from benefiting from his/her rights.

The amount of the contribution quotas can be settled and back in good standing at any time, by paying the full amount in arrears (annual minimums corresponding to the calendar years in question).

The sign-up is definitively canceled after three consecutive years without settling the quota amounts, and a new sign-up shall be contingent on payment of the full amount corresponding to the three years in question.

Means of settling the contribution quotas

The amount corresponding to the annual quota can be settled in cash, by cheque, postal money order or bank transfer to Bank Identification Number: 0007 0000 0062 9490716 23 of the BES bank. (Following a bank transfer, proof of transfer needs to be sent, by e-mail, fax or post, along with the Friend’s identification, in order to validate the payment.)

Rights of the GAF Friend

GAF Friends are given the Friend Card (up to 3 copies when dealing with an Institutional or Patronage Friend), which entitles them to the following benefits:

• 10% off on the hand-washing of cars (WashGAF);

• 10% off on product purchases;

• 50% off on event participation;

• Income tax-deductible receipt in the amount of the annual contribution;

• Information on the Institution’s initiatives (GAF Bulletin).

Obligations of the GAF Friend

The GAF Friend is under obligation to settle the (annual minimum) amount of the contribution quota by the last business day of the month of April of every year.

To become a GAF Friend, fill out the registration form and send it to: Rua da Bandeira, 342 4900-561 Viana do Castelo Correio electrónico: geral@gaf.pt Fax: (+351) 258 811 313

The friend card is issued after the (annual minimum) amount of the contribution quota has been settled.

Payment can be made in cash, by cheque, postal money order or bank transfer to Bank Identification Number: 0007 0000 0062 9490716 23. (Following a bank transfer, proof of transfer needs to be sent, by e-mail, fax or post, along with the Friend’s identification, in order to validate the payment.)

Volunteering

Why be a volunteer at the GAF?

Are you familiar with the work undertaken by the GAF and would you like to contribute toward our mission? Have you always wanted to volunteer to a social cause? Do you want to meet people and the local community? Do you have time and wish to invest it in serving others? Would you like to apply experiences and knowledge to the benefit of others? Would you like to gain new skills and do something different?

For these and other reasons, we believe in the very special sensitivity of each volunteering act. By freely, selflessly and responsibly giving your time, according to your own aptitudes, this is synonymous with active participation in your community.

We invite you to invest your time, energy, will and your abilities to benefit the community. Offer your services and gain unique experiences.

Because at the GAF, your time is valuable.

How can you become a volunteer at the GAF?

So you can volunteer at the GAF, please sign up at the Banco Local de Voluntariado (Local Volunteering Bank) of the Gabinete Cidade Saudável (Healthy City Office) of Viana do Castelo City Hall, with which we have a protocol.

At that Office, after signing up, you will await the chance to receive specific training for volunteering, which could take place either during or outside normal working hours.

In that training, you will be informed about every institution where you can volunteer, including the GAF. After the training, you can contact the GAF’s volunteering service and, from there, offer your time.

The GAF has emerged and grown thanks to the efforts of volunteers while providing the community of the District of Viana do Castelo with various community intervention services. This is why it offers a variety of volunteering opportunities: from the scientific sphere to family support services; from direct support to less visible but no less important indirect means of support. Volunteering at the GAF can serve to both support teams in intervention with families and in the design and intervention in prevention or local development strategies and cohesion in the community, or for enhancing scientific knowledge in social intervention.