Abstract: the purpose of this article is to consider such a social phenomenon of today as volunteering. Turning to domestic and foreign sources, the authors highlight the essential characteristics of volunteer activity. The article reflects the issue of the emergence of volunteering in domestic and foreign practice. Considering volunteering as a social phenomenon, the authors point to the basic principles that volunteers adhere to in various types of activities. Areas of volunteer activities are indicated, where volunteers can acquire various social experiences, the most important of which is experience.
One of the areas of volunteerism – social volunteering – was considered by the authors as an example of the organization and activities of the Resource Educational and Methodological Center of the Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University named after Kozma Minin, the purpose of which is to develop and socially realize students by familiarizing themselves with various types of social active involvement, attracting university students to the global volunteer movement.
The authors conducted a study among first-year students of the Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University named after Kozma Minin in order to elucidate the attitude of students to volunteer activities. The results of the study confirmed the correctness of the chosen direction of work with students and the effectiveness of the Resource Training Center.
Keywords: volunteering, volunteer, principles of volunteer activity, inclusive practice, accompaniment, students