March 11 is celebrated as Village Head’s Day. It is celebrated by over 40,000 people in the country. Politicians associated with the Ministry of Agriculture have not forgotten about their wishes.
Three words about history
The name village head comes from the German language, from the word “scholtis”, meaning judge. At the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, this was actually the role of village headmen – they supervised the village, resolved matters of fees and easements, and represented the inhabitants in contacts with the feudal lord.
This position became so important that in the 14th century there was even talk of creating a separate social class. Of course, the growing rank of village heads could not have escaped the attention of the nobility, who felt threatened in their own way and forced Władysław Jagielle to issue the Statute of Warta. Under it, they could take over the farms of unruly village heads and expel them from the village. However, the site has not lost its importance, and although its character has changed over the centuries, it has survived to this day.
A turning point in modern times came in 1990, when the village head became the executive body of an auxiliary unit of the commune – the village council. This allowed for legal conditions for functions – including: he is entitled to legal protection like that of public officials.
Tasks of the village head
The list of village head tasks is long. However, the basic duties include:
- representing the interests of residents,
- convening village meetings,
- implementing resolutions of the commune council,
- collecting local fees,
- providing residents with the most important news
- taking care of the economic and cultural development of the community.
Recently retired village heads can count on a supplement to their pension. Village heads who have served for at least two terms, for not less than 8 years, and have reached retirement age may apply for a pension supplement. The amount of the benefit is PLN 300 per month, and the act assumes annual indexation of the benefit from March 1. This year, on March 1, 2024, as a result of indexation, the amount of the allowance increased by PLN 36.36.
The ministry sends wishes to the village heads
The Ministry of Agriculture remembered the wishes on the occasion of the Village Head’s Day.
Dear Mr. Sołtyski! Dear Mayors! On the day of your holiday, I would like to wish you satisfaction in your role and prosperity in your personal life – wrote the Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski, in his letter.
It will not be an exaggeration to say that, to a large extent, it is the village heads and village heads who build small homelands. Thanks to your commitment, initiatives and ability to unite people, you are able to deal with many specific issues that concern residents – emphasized the minister.
Wishes also came from the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Adam Nowak.
Dear Village Heads and Dear Village Heads! On your holiday, thank you for your commitment and the work you do for the Polish countryside.🌾🍀🌻
I wish you satisfaction, social recognition and success, and I declare further support and kindness for your activities from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – wrote Nowak.
Wojciech Legawiec, president of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture, did not forget about the wishes.
Fulfilling the role of a village guardian and host requires great commitment, unlimited working hours, and the ability to integrate residents and involve them in deciding on matters most important to them. It is up to the Village Head, who represents the interests of village communities, to determine how many of their demands will be accepted by the municipal authorities and implemented – wrote Legawiec. – I wish all of you good health, satisfaction with your role, optimism and strength for every day, as well as many successes in your professional life and good luck in your private life – he added.
Farmer’s editorial team also wishes all the village heads (and there are over 40%) all the best!
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