About This List | The List
| Action | Benefit to Poland | Benefit to Polish Americans and Friends of Poland | Benefit to You | Notes, Examples, Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go on vacation to Poland. | Supports Poland's tourism industry. Helps create jobs in Poland. Strengthens people-to-people links between the Americans and the Poles. | If you are Polish or a friend of Poland, you will be able represent Poland better in your community because you will become more knowledgeable about the Polish culture, geography, history and current events. | You will have fun. All travels make you smarter. You will broaden your horizons. Some of the Poles you meet or your fellow travelers may become your new, life-long friends. | polandtour.org |
| Study in Poland. Take a summer course in Poland, enroll for a semester or a full academic year at a Polish university or complete an entire academic program in Poland. | Supports the livelihoods of everyone employed at the Polish educational institution of your choice. Supports the livelihoods of all the service workers and entertainers whose businesses or arts institutions you will patronize. By interacting with you, the Poles in Poland will practice their English and learn more about America. | What's good for Poland is good for the Polish American community. Upon your return to the U.S., you will share your experiences with fellow friends of Poland in America. Americans who have studied in Poland are likely to stay involved in Polish or Poland-related activities in America, thereby strengthening the overlapping communities of Polish Americans and friends of Poland in America. | You will gain knowledge. If you are at least partly Polish, you will become much more aware of your heritage and your roots. You will become more experienced with global travel. You will broaden your horizons. You will make life-long friends. Your travel experience and international education will give you additional marketable skills. | Summer Schools of Polish Language and Culture |
| Research and publicize the lives of prominent Poles. | Raises worldwide awareness of Polish history. Improves the image of Poland internationally. | By association, improves the image and reputation of Polish people in American and everywhere. | You will learn interesting stories. If you are Polish, you will become better educated about your Polish heritage and more proud of being Polish. | See Roman Solecki's Prominent Poles Web site. |
| Buy Boleslawiec pottery, for yourself or for someone else as a gift. | Sustains jobs in the city of Boleslawiec. | Introduces beautiful Polish pottery to the homes of Polish Americans and friends of Poland. Supports the livelihood of an American distributor of Boleslawiec pottery, who brings Polish artisans' products to America. | You will own beautiful pottery, lead-free, dishwasher-safe. It's pretty, it's functional and it's a great conversation piece as well. Alternatively, you will have a good, original gift for someone special. | The largest list of Boleslawiec pottery dealers is here. |
| Write a book about the history of Polish immigrants in your area. | Increases awareness of Polish contributions to America and your local area, which in turn improves the image of Poland and promotes greater ties with Poland. | Promotes knowledge about the Polish heritage and Polish contributions to your general community. Dispels negative stereotypes about Polish immigrants and their descendants. | You will become an accomplished author. You will be respected and admired by your readers and the descendants of Polish immigrants in your area. |
Poles in Minnesota by John Radzilowski (A signed copy of this book is available directly from the author. Send a check for $16 to John Radzilowski, 2933 Blackstone Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN 55416, USA.) |
| Buy a book about the history of Poles in your area. | Increases awareness of Polish contributions to America and your local area, which in turn improves the image of Poland and promotes greater ties with Poland. | Promotes knowledge about the Polish heritage and Polish contributions to your general community. Dispels negative stereotypes about Polish immigrants and their descendants. | You will become more knowledgeable about the history of the Polish community in your area. You will be better prepared to talk on this subject with anyone who has something to say about Polish immigrants. | Polonia Bookstore |
| Host an exchange high school student from Poland. | Opens the world to a Polish student who would not be able to spend a year abroad otherwise. Increases ties between the Polish society in Poland and the American people. | Exposes your family and your community to a nice Polish student. The student's school peers will learn about Poland and its culture. | You will become more familiar with the Polish culture and the Polish language by daily conversations with someone who is straight from Poland. | It looks like the American Intercultural Student Exchange facilitates student exchanges with Poland, but if it does not, you can easily find an organization that does. |
| Buy a book that was published in Poland, for yourself or for someone else as a gift. | Supports the livelihoods of an entire chain of people involved in the writing, editing, printing and distributing the book in Poland. | Promotes Polish culture in America and possibly supports the livelihoods of people involved in the distribution of Polish literature in America. | You will enjoy reading the book or you will have a good original gift to give to someone special. | Polonia Bookstore |
| Buy a book written by a Polish American author, for yourself or someone else as a gift. | Indirectly, Poland benefits from the emergence of successful Polish authors in America, as those authors strengthen the Polish community in America and a stronger Polish American community is better able to support a wide variety of activities that are directly beneficial to Poland. | Benefits the literary career of a Polish American writer. A successful Polish American author serves as a role model for other Polish Americans. Polish American groups searching for viable project ideas can organize meetings with published Polish American authors. | You will enjoy reading the book or you will have something to give to someone else as a gift. |
Thaddeus Kosciuszko: The Purest Son of Liberty by James S. Pula and Michael Sendzimir Children of Strangers by Anthony Bukoski Polonaise by Anthony Bukoski Pears on a Willow Tree by Leslie Pietrzyk Poles in Minnesota by John Radzilowski (A signed copy of this book is available directly from the author. Send a check for $16 to John Radzilowski, 2933 Blackstone Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN 55416, USA.) |
| Support a sister city relationship between between a Polish city and an American city. | The Polish city expands its international ties, broadens the horizons of its inhabitants, learns from experiences of its American sister city. | The Polish American community benefits from greater interest in Poland-related activities. Through the sister city activities, some Polish Americans and friends of Poland may find out about and attend or join other Polish American or Poland-related events or groups in the American city. | You may gain valuable experience which may be useful to you in your career. It may simply be interesting to you because of your interested in everything Polish. You may make new friends. |
Seattle-Gdynia
Sister City Association Charlotte-Wroclaw sister city relationship |
| If your American city does not have a sister city relationship with a Polish city, start or support an initiative to establish such a relationship. | The Polish city expands its international ties, broadens the horizons of its inhabitants, learns from experiences of its American sister city. | The Polish American community benefits from greater interest in Poland-related activities. Through the sister city activities, some Polish Americans and friends of Poland may find out about and attend or join other Polish American or Poland-related events or groups in the American city. | You may gain valuable experience which may be useful to you in your career. It may simply be interesting to you because of your interested in everything Polish. You may make new friends. | Sister Cities International |
| Start a Polish cafe or restaurant in your town. | If you offer any beverages that are made in Poland, you will help sustain the livelihoods of all people involved in the production and distribution of those beverages. The same pertains to any other products from Poland you may choose to serve or sell. | Your local community will enjoy Polish cuisine. Your local Polish community will have a natural place to hold small events. Local Poles and Polish Americans will have a place to take their friends to show Polish dishes. You will create jobs for local Poles or Polish Americans. | You may produce some income for yourself. You will become an important person in your local Polish community. | For You Cafe in Plano, Texas |
| Patronize a Polish restaurant, cafe or deli. | Polish restaurants, cafes and delis are likely to serve or sell food products imported from Poland, which sustains the livelihoods of people in Poland who make and distribute those products. | The more customers they have, the better the chance that these restaurants, cafes and delis survive and thrive for years to come. | ||
| Read a book about Polish cuisine and culinary culture. Give it to someone as a gift. Use it as a fundraising item. | Polish food stores and restaurants can serve foreign visitors better if the visitors are more educated about what to buy or order, and how to order. As awareness of Polish food products grows in America, Poland's food and beverage producers and distributors receive more orders for their products in America, which sustains jobs in Poland. | Polish and Poland-related groups in America can use books such as "Eat Smart in Poland" as fundraising items. Higher awareness and appreciation of Polish cuisine create favorable conditions for American purveyors of Polish food products and American restauranteurs who offer Polish dishes. | If you read the book yourself, you are certain to learn some things about Polish dishes and the Polish culinary culture that you have not known before. If you use some of the recipes, you and the people you cook for will enjoy new dishes. You will be appreciated. The book can also be a nice, original gift for someone else. |
Eat Smart in Poland on Amazon.com
Eat Smart in Poland authors' Web site |
| Enroll in a Polish language course. | Polish language textbooks and other study materials may be ordered from Poland for you, generating income for those who write, publish and distribute those books. In general, diffusion of knowledge about Poland is in Poland's interest. There is a chance that Poland's relations with the United States will grow is some way because it will be easier for you to interact with your Poland-based contacts, equivalents or associates in the future. Knowing the Polish language and Polish culture may motivate you to travel to Poland and spend your money there. | By enrolling in the course, you will help sustain the course, which is of critical importance because the availability of these courses is dependant on their popularity. See "Organize a Polish language course" for information on more benefits to Polish Americans and friends of Poland. | You will be able to read Polish literature, magazines, newspapers and Web sites. You will understand Polish films without subtitles. You will be able to speak with Poles who do not speak your language. You will be able to do business in Poland or interact with the Poles who come to the United States on business visits. Knowledge of foreign language always looks good on resume. It will be easier for you to get around Poland when you travel there. | Learn Polish in the Baltimore-Washington area |
| Organize a Polish language course. | Polish language textbooks and other study materials may be ordered from Poland for course participants, generating income for those who write, publish and distribute those books. In general, diffusion of knowledge about Poland is in Poland's interest. There is a chance that Poland's relations with the United States will grow is some ways because it will be easier for course graduates to interact with their Poland-based contacts, equivalents or associates in the future. Knowing the Polish language and Polish culture may motivate course graduates to travel to Poland and spend their money there. | Generally speaking, greater familiarity with the Polish language and culture is in the in interest of Polish American organizations. In fact, promoting greater awareness of Polish culture and art is the primary mission of many Polish American groups. In addition, persons who attend Polish language classes and have never belonged to any Polish organization in America are likely to join such an organization during or after participating in the course, as a follow-up, to stay in touch with the language and culture they studied. | You will make some extra income and gain teaching experience which may come in useful in your other professional endeavors. | Learn Polish in the Baltimore-Washington area |
| Promote a Polish language course. | Polish language textbooks and other study materials may be ordered from Poland for you, generating income for those who write, publish and distribute those books. In general, diffusion of knowledge about Poland is in Poland's interest. There is a chance that Poland's relations with the United States will grow is some way because it will be easier for you to interact with your Poland-based contacts, equivalents or associates in the future. Knowing the Polish language and Polish culture may motivate you to travel to Poland and spend your money there. | By promoting the course, you will help sustain the course, which is of critical importance because the availability of these courses is dependant on their popularity. See "Organize a Polish language course" for information on more benefits to Polish Americans and friends of Poland. | Besides having the satisfaction from supporting a program which is valuable to Poland and your local Polish community, you will gain the gratitude of persons whom you refer to the program. In addition, you may enjoy the benefit of professional networking: after you refer students to the Polish language instructor, he or she may refer clients to you. If you lead a Polish organization, the Polish language teacher will refer prospective members to your organization and promote your events. | Learn Polish in the Baltimore-Washington area |
| Sign your child or grandchild up for an insurance policy with one of Polish-American benevolent societies (insurance fraternals). These include PNA, PRCUA, Polish Falcons, Spojnia, Polish Women's Alliance and many others. | Insurance policies and savings plans help keep Americans of Polish descent financially strong, which translates into many benefits for Poland, as Polish Americans often travel to Poland to discover their roots and rekindle relations with relatives. In addition, policy premiums and profits from selling other financial products help fund various Polish activities in America, which in turn benefits Poland through public relations and advocacy work on behalf of various causes that are important to Poland as well as through the Polish American organizations' charitable support for a host of humanitarian projects in Poland. | An added plus the commercial insurance companies cannot compete with: the fraternals offer scholarships, sponsor Polish language and folk dance classes as well as social and cultural events, operate summer youth camps, conduct excursions to Poland, hold contests and do many other things to keep the Polish heritage alive among the younger generation. | These organizatons provide competitive insurance benefits (life insurance, savings plans, annuities, investment funds). |
This idea comes from Robert Strybel. |
| Join a Polish American organization. | In general, well organized, effective and influential Polish American organizations can benefit Poland in many ways. For example, Poland benefits from tourism (group tours of Poland arranged by Polish American organizations as well as individual tourists who go to Poland after their interest in Poland has been raised by their participation in Polish American organizations) and export of consumer goods to the United States (art, books, clothes, all kinds of collectible items as well as food products and beverages made in Poland and sold during Polish American events). On the national level, Poland has benefitted or may benefit in the future from the Polish American organizations' lobbying and public advocacy efforts on issues ranging from Poland's accession to NATO to the visa waiver program for Polish tourists. Some other specific benefits are shown in other entries of this table. | Your membership dues will add financial strength to the Polish American organization of your choice, allowing the organization to hold higher quality events, publish more professional newsletters, hire more professional staff and so forth. Your volunteer support (optional) will additionally support or expand the programs offered by the organization. In case of Polish organizations involved in public advocacy or lobbying, their clout increases as their membership increases. | Typically, you will receive an informative newsletter and invitations to events which you might find interesting and enjoyable. You will learn more about your Polish heritage--culture, art, history, language etc. You will make new friends. Joining a Polish American organization is also a form of social networking which may advance your career. |
Friends of the Polish Library in Washington, D.C., Inc. |
| Make a donation to a Polish American organization. | In general, well organized, effective and influential Polish American organizations can benefit Poland in many ways. For example, Poland benefits from tourism (group tours of Poland arranged by Polish American organizations as well as individual tourists who go to Poland after their interest in Poland has been raised by their participation in Polish American organizations) and export of consumer goods to the United States (art, books, clothes, all kinds of collectible items as well as food products and beverages made in Poland and sold during Polish American events). On the national level, Poland has benefitted or may benefit in the future from the Polish American organizations' lobbying and public advocacy efforts on issues ranging from Poland's accession to NATO to the visa waiver program for Polish tourists. Some other specific benefits are shown in other entries of this table. | Your financial support beyond paying membership dues will add financial strength to the Polish American organization of your choice, allowing the organization to hold higher quality events, publish more professional newsletters, hire more professional staff and so forth. | Your benefits will be similar to those that stem from joining an organization. Moreover, you may be invited to some exclusive events which are reserved for donors or you may receive special seating at VIP tables during gala events, which will enable you to meet celebrity guests or prominent members of your community. | |
| Volunteer for a Polish American organization. This is really a catch-all section of this list, which will be later subdivided into many sub-sections, as there are many different functions which you can perform as a volunteer for a Polish American organization of your choice. | In general, well organized, effective and influential Polish American organizations can benefit Poland in many ways. For example, Poland benefits from tourism (group tours of Poland arranged by Polish American organizations as well as individual tourists who go to Poland after their interest in Poland has been raised by their participation in Polish American organizations) and export of consumer goods to the United States (art, books, clothes, all kinds of collectible items as well as food products and beverages made in Poland and sold during Polish American events). On the national level, Poland has benefitted or may benefit in the future from the Polish American organizations' lobbying and public advocacy efforts on issues ranging from Poland's accession to NATO to the visa waiver program for Polish tourists. Some other specific benefits are shown in other entries of this table. | Your volunteer support will help the organization carry out its mission. Depending on the type of support you volunteer, this may mean that, thanks to your efforts, the Polish organization will have a better newsletter, a better Web site, a more successful fundraising campaign or a more effective community outreach program. If you choose to volunteer during a particular one-time event -- such as a concert, an art exhibit or a gala dinner -- that event, made possible in part by your contribution of time and effort, will be the benefit to the community. | Your benefits will be similar to those that stem from joining an organization. Moreover, you may be invited to some exclusive volunteer appreciation events. You may get to meet and interact with VIP guests, celebrities and prominent members of your community. You will make new friends and enjoy the company of fellow volunteers. You will gain experience in the field which you choose to volunteer. If you are in the early stages of your professional career or if you are starting a new career, you may gain valuable contacts and leads, the persons you support will be happy to write letters of recommendation for you and you will be able to add your volunteer accomplishments to your resume. |
For examples of activities organized by volunteers of the Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota, go to the What is PACIM? / What We Do subsection of the Institute's Web site. Learn about exciting projects run by the American Polish Assistance Association, based in Eastpointe, Michigan. Note that even though the association runs an impressive list of successful projects, the association's Web site states that "The office of the American Polish Assistance Association is staffed by volunteers." |
| Attend an event sponsored by a Polish American organization. You do not have to be a regular, but reserve at least one or two evenings or afternoons in a year for joining other fans of Polish art and culture during an event that interests you. | It is in Poland's interest to promote Polish culture and art abroad. The event may be promoting an artist or a work of art from Poland. The event may involve consumption of foods and beverages imported from Poland. The event may promote greater knowledge about Poland--history, tourist attractions, business opportunities, current political causes etc. | Your participation in the event will contribute to making the event a success. After all, how good is an event without an audience? Your presence at the event will be a reward for many volunteers who have donated their hours to make the event happen. If the event has an admission fee, your money will help defray the cost of preparing the event and maybe even generate funds for the organizers' future activities. Many public events are part of a fundrasing effort designed to support worthy Polish causes. | Depending on the event you choose to attend, you may enjoy some good music, see interesting paintings, watch a film which you could not see at a regular movie theater, taste some delicious food or hear an informative lecture or presentation. You may meet fascinating guests from other parts of America or from Poland. Finally, you may make new friends or renew old friendships. |
"2006 Easter Egg Hunt Was A Lot Of Fun For Kids" at the PNA Hall in Baltimore. Participants of this event were able to meet and hear the newly elected president of the Polish National Alliance, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Poland and a number of state legislators from New England. How about a re-union with old friends at America's Largest Polish Festival? |
| Hire a public relations firm to improve the image of Polish Americans. | It is in Poland's interest to improve the image of Polish Americans because if Polish Americans enjoyed a better image and higher respect, they would become more effective in all their activities benefitting Poland. | An improvement in the Polish Americans' image would be a benefit in itself to all Polish Americans. Polonian community organizations would benefit because more people would be attracted to join these organizations or attend Polonian events. American businesses owned or managed by people with Polish-sounding names would have a higher chance of winning contracts and clients. Polish Americans working as employees in companies, organizations and governmental institutions would benefit by having higher chances of promotions and pay raises. | If you are a Polish American, you would enjoy the benefits described in the Benefits to Polish Americans and Friends of Poland column. |
Like many other ideas presented here, this idea has occured to many people. Robert Strybel recently posted one such proposal on the Friends of Poland around the World forum. The proposal was reportedly authored by Dr. Robert Wojcik of Albany, New York. |
| Subscribe to a Polish American magazine. | Polish American magazines help increase the awareness of Polish history, culture, heritage and current affairs among Americans -- that is in Poland's interest. These magazines, both in their feature articles and in the advertisements, often help promote products made in Poland. These magazines relay political and public relations messages from Poland. | Polish American magazines help in building and sustaining Polish communities in America. Polish American magazines increase the awareness of Polish history, culture and heritage among Americans. Polish American magazines provide a communication channel for promoting Polonian events, causes, organizations and businesses. | You will learn about current events in Poland and in the Polish American community. You will learn about Polish heritage, history and culture. You will strengthen your ties with the Polonian community. |
Subscriptions to the Polish American Journal and The Sarmatian Review can be ordered online at thingspolish.com -- Click on the "Polish Interest--Magazines" link on the menu on the left. |
| Advertise in a Polish American magazine or newspaper. | Advertisements provide financial support to Polonian magazines and newspapers, which is crucial because many of these publications work on a shoe string budget. With more funding from advertisements, these publications could become more professional. Polish American magazines and newspapers help increase the awareness of Polish history, culture, heritage and current affairs among Americans -- that is in Poland's interest. These magazines, both in their feature articles and in the advertisements, often help promote products made in Poland. These magazines relay political and public relations messages from Poland. | Advertisements provide financial support to Polonian magazines and newspapers, which is crucial because many of these publications work on a shoe string budget. With more funding from advertisements, these publications could become more professional. Polish American magazines and newspaper help in building and sustaining Polish communities in America. Polish American magazines increase the awareness of Polish history, culture and heritage among Americans. Polish American magazines provide a communication channel for promoting Polonian events, causes, organizations and businesses. | Your business will benefit from having more clients, customers, orders etc. |
Here are a couple examples of Polish American publications which accept paid
advertisements.
Nowy Dziennik (Polish Daily News) |