Online Reading Workshop: Interassistantial Proposal for Sustainability of Volunteering in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemia

Abstract

This article presents the methodology and main results of the first year of work with the Online Reading Workshop, from IIPC CEA/Porto Alegre/RS. Registrations were carried out through the Event Bright platform, meetings via Google Meet, biweekly meetings. It is a longitudinal, descriptive, experiential design, with evaluation in three timepoints (T1=at the end of the first meeting; T2=after seven weeks; T3=after the last meeting of the workshop) regarding the importance of the theoretical reading for self-research, intraconsciential recycling and perception of paraphenomena.  22 volunteers participated, mean time of volunteering 10.17 years (SD=7.28), penta 6.96 years (SD=6.91). The instruments were: Initial (T1), intermediate (T2) and final assessment forms (T3). Repeated measures ANOVA results showed significant differences between means with improvement in the evaluated items. Qualitative results indicated an increase in the perceptions of energetic signage and intraconsciential recycling based on the work carried out in the Workshop. Suggestions for the next edition include a survey of the most pertinent day/time, periodic recording of intercurrences/demands (facts/parafacts) in relation to the meetings’ topics. The data obtained suggest the Workshop is an important interassistantial tool for volunteers.