Building community through volunteering: The Volunteer Club

For Jana Tepuš, a Global Business Management sophomore, volunteering has always been about more than simply helping others. Shortly after arriving at RIT Croatia, she decided to create a space where students could connect, grow, and make a meaningful impact together. “Volunteering is not only about helping people, it’s also about building empathy, confidence, leadership, and friendships.”

Creating a space for connection and impact

What began as one student initiative has since grown into a community of around 85 members involved in projects supporting retirement homes, children’s organizations, animal shelters, and humanitarian initiatives. Alongside leading the Volunteer Club, Jana is also active in AIESEC, an international youth organization, and she launched the Dance Club, reflecting her passion for creating opportunities for students both on and off campus.

Today, the club organizes a wide range of activities throughout the academic year, often collaborating with other student organizations to expand its impact. Their projects include retirement home visits with music, art workshops, social activities, donation drives, bake sales, volunteering at animal shelters, and workshops for children.

One of the club’s most successful initiatives has been its charity party project, which introduced a new approach to student volunteering. Instead of traditional ticket sales, students participated through donations, while sponsorships from 16 companies helped support the event and provide gifts and activities for attendees. Across two events, more than 130 RIT Croatia students participated, helping raise over 700 euros for Caritas and other organizations.

Why volunteering matters

Among the projects that impacted her the most are visits to retirement homes, where students spend time talking with residents, organizing entertainment programs, and listening to their stories and advice. The club even created a book based on the life advice shared by residents during those visits. “One moment that stayed with me was when residents who normally could not speak much due to illness suddenly started singing along while our Music Club members were performing,” Jana explained. “The staff told us they had not sung in a very long time.”

The club’s work with children has been equally emotional. Through projects such as “Growing Through Art,” organized in collaboration with a children’s home in Laduč, volunteers created creative and sports workshops for around 30 children. “After one workshop, some of the kids told us it was one of the best days of their lives,” Jana shared. “Moments like that remind me why volunteering matters.”

Leaving a lasting impact

Balancing volunteer work, leadership roles, and academic responsibilities requires strong organization and teamwork. Jana credits both the Volunteer Club team and her experience at RIT Croatia for helping her develop the skills needed to lead the clubs successfully. “At RIT Croatia, we are constantly encouraged to try new things, develop our own ideas, and take initiative,” she said. “The college motivates students to turn ideas into reality.” She also emphasized how teamwork and collaborative projects throughout studies help students learn how to communicate, adapt, and work with different personalities, skills that play an important role when organizing community initiatives and working closely with people from different backgrounds.

As the club continued to grow, so did its leadership team. Jana highlighted the importance of having reliable members who help coordinate projects and create a welcoming atmosphere at every event. Klaudija Palić, the club’s Vice President, Ema Poprženović leads PR and communications, coordinates partnerships, and keeps volunteers informed about upcoming initiatives, while Helena Bleništa supports event coordination and helps ensure activities run smoothly from the moment participants arrive. Ana Blažević oversees the club’s visual identity and social media presence. “Without the full team, we would not be able to do many projects,” Jana shared.

Over time, the Volunteer Club has become more than just a student organization. For many members, it represents a place where they build friendships, gain confidence, and discover how meaningful even small acts of kindness can be. Whether spending time with retirement home residents, organizing donation drives, or helping children and animals in need, students are able to see the direct impact of their efforts firsthand.

For students considering joining, Jana’s message is simple: “Don’t be afraid to come, even if you arrive alone.” As the club continues to grow, its mission remains focused on creating meaningful connections and reminding students that sometimes the smallest gestures can leave the biggest impact.