I have read a few blogs today that seem to question the effectiveness and the usefulness of providing their time, unpaid, to many American not-for-profit organizations. After reading this, I first became a little sad that so much apathy exists in our generation. Next, I decided that maybe I should do a little research and illustrate why so many organizations desperately need volunteers in order to even exist.
One of the most admirable, in my opinion, not-for-profit agencies is Hospice and Palliative Care. Those who are able to care for people in their very last moments of life truly have hearts of gold. Hospice services are provided for terminally ill individuals with a life expectancy of less than six months and would like to spend their last days on earth at home. For Medicare funding, at least five percent patient care hours MUST be provided by volunteers.
One question addressed was why couldn’t they just pay someone to do it? Well, these are not-for profit organizations. If all the money they raised from donations were used to pay salaries, what would be left? Of course organizations need to employ full-time individuals to stay organized, but these employees can’t do it all. Volunteers are needed to assist the full-time employees complete menial tasks as well as work to collect donations. Do we really want organizations like Hospice to need to charge for their services? Then they would be nothing more than hired private health care workers. If the recipients could afford private nurses, they would simply hire them as opposed to seeking out the assistance of Hospice.
If you do a little research on any not-for-profit organization, you will find that they generally have websites, offices, literature, and many other things that they must invest in to let the public know they exist. They offer their services free of charge, yet still need to employ a full time staff to keep their websites up-to-date, to manage the paperwork and the office, to coordinate with volunteers, to manage the finances, distribute statistics and information on their services to receive any type of government funding, etc. After the money to keep all of these things going is spent, what do they have left? Not very much for their cause if they don’t have any volunteers to help them. The goals of these organizations are to work to keep their spending to a bare minimum so they can continue to make a difference in the community. Volunteers are what make this happen.
Please don’t think that volunteering is a waste of time, or “a new form of slavery.” Volunteerism is how communities can be brought together.
One of my favorite non-profit companies is PBS. They keep the lights on with the help of donations and volunteers. Dig that.
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
only supports the status quo and not effective change.
PBS has amazing documentaries that promote true equality and change of several facets of society. Then there are the science, literature and arts shows, which promote better education. There are several classroom tools on their website, which encourage students to look further into whatever topic PBS has introduced. I find most of their broadcasts to be fair-minded and careful to present both sides of the story, and if the individual broadcast is one sided, there is usually a broadcast that presents the opposition further down the schedule.
I appreciate that you are merely expressing an opinion here, but it prompted me to express my own opinion and some of the reasons I hold that opinion.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
You make some great points - there are a lot of organizations that simply wouldn't exist if the volunteers weren't there.
For those of you out there who think volunteering is a complete waste of time, have you ever done any volunteering? Personally, I think it's the least you can do for your fellow citizens. A couple of years ago, I used my spring break to help build a Habitat for Humanity house in South Carolina, and it was the best spring break I've had yet. Definitely beats sitting on the couch at home complaining of all the wrong in the world.
_________________________________________________
"In and of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing is ever 'in and of itself.'" - Chuck Klosterman, "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs"
http://progressiveu.org/blog/k-moore
Habitat for Humanit is so cool! I did that once and I loved seeing the look on the faces of the homeowners-to-be.
Those organizations where you are able to meet and talk to those who benefit from the nonprofit organizations is probably the best reward that volunteering can offer. It really helps us to see who is being assisted and how.
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
It is beneficial to many!
I agree with all you have said. Volunteering brings communities together because it shows that other people care. I used to do so much volunteering during my sophomore and junior year but now that I barley make time for any events. I love the feeling of doing something that you know will benefit someone in need, plus it is also good for yourself because you are showing empathy towards others. People shouldn't disregard the bad things happening to their communities. If there are things that are needed to be change, volunteering is a great way to rally up the community and act upon it.
I've just recently signed up to the site, but I can see that it will be worth my time. I am one of the few in my group of friends, all who are different (i.e. jocks, bums, drama queens, etc), who actually take the time to volunteer year round. I've been volunteering since the summer after 9th grade at St. Joseph's hospital of Atlanta, tutoring students in Math and Spanish,and offering my services for school activities through NHS. None of my friends really understand why I do this though. It's only been a few years since I've started, but I believe it to be the best investment of my life. Recently I have been considering going to Africa and South America for a few months at a time with the Red Cross, but even my parents don't seem to understand the need for free hands, let alone the desire to give what you can without money in return.
I think it's time that this generation learn what it takes to be part of a successful economy. You cannot have everything for free, the attitude most teenagers take in my wealthy county.
It would be really cool if you did get to go to Africa or South America! You'll have to keep me posted. I went to Bosnia about 10 years ago to bring supplies to the medical and dental clinics and toys to the orphanages. The experience really impacted my life, especially since I went during a war. I learned quite a bit that I never could have if I hadn't taken the opportunity to go.
Did you go to Bosnia through the Red Cross or another organization? I'm just a junior now, so I cannot go anywhere this summer because of my parents, but I only have about a year to plan if I want to go the summer after I graduate.
I went with a group through my mom's church. Her motives for my going were religious, but mine were for the experience, which was completely awesome! My mom actually paid for the trip - in a manner of speaking - she took the money from my college fund for me to go.
I'd love to go volunteer in a third world country. Unfortunately, I can't afford it. All the organizations I've seen charge the amount I would pay to go touring Europe or Australia for 2-3 weeks, and I'm a horrible fundraiser.
~C
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Why don't you get a group of your friends to go with you? Then you guys can plan together for fundraisers. Try a car wash at a Chick-fil-A (they are always willing to help) during the spring and summer, or even ask for donations from big companies that any of you may have networks through. Or you could get a summer job.
I'm about ready to graduate college. I'm getting a job to support myself and to save up money to apply to medical school again. Summer jobs don't pay enough for all that. As it is now, I have nearly $1000 still sitting on my credit card from paying application fees for this cycle. And again, these programs cost 2-3 thousand dollars. That's a heck of a lot of cars to wash between a few people.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
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I really love that you're making this point so publicly. There are so many wonderful volunteering opportunities in every community - not only are they rewarding, but they are so helpful to the organizations you volunteer for! There really is no greater purpose in life than to serve in an attitude of love. I wish everybody understood this view of volunteering!
P.S. I recently saw a daytime TV talk show where a female was speaking to her audience about how society had "told women that they need to volunteer," and how that was degrading to women. !! Wow. It is a good thing for ALL people to give of their time, not just women, and it's definitely the least degrading thing to do.
Do you remember which talk show it was? I am kind of curious to see whether I can find clips of it on the internet.
Sadly, no I don't remember what show it was. If you know your talk shows, maybe you'd know what this person looked like. I just remember it was a middle-aged woman with short blonde hair... but that's it. :( sorry!
My parents, also, do not see the need to help out. They are HUGE introverts. And unless their church is doing it, there is no need to volunteer, etc. Which is so sad because their church only helps the community if it helps them out. Not at all a service or sacrifice. But I would love nothing more than to go to a foreign country with the Red Cross or join the Peace Corps. Although, I should do more research on them, just in case. But, the few times I have helped out and seen appreciation on people's faces...it really gives you a reason to smile back.
Great Blog.
-Monica
I think volunteering is a great idea. Not only is it a way to get out, have fun, and meet new people but it is a good way to get out there and help people that really need the help.
we are the me, not the we generation. It hasn't been instilled in us to volunteer
It's sad that our generation is being conditioned to be so selfish. I honestly wish our society would push values that focus on community rather than individual.
being a volunteer myself, i completely agree. whenever i volunteer, we complete the tasks that the regular staff cannot do because they are too busy with their assigned tasks.
people now seem to mainly care about their own enjoyment, and tend to not think about others. this is why they do not see volunteering as important, although i know many people who are not like that, i know too many who are.
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
I have volunteered in a third world country.
As a Funeral Director I have to say, Hospice volunteers are the best!
This makes me think of extreme make over home edition. They help out families that deserve new homes. They go a little over board but at least they are helping.
I am here to inform and help:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
What I think is interesting is that in Florida, in order to get a full scholarship to a Florida college, you must meet a certain GPA, obtain a high SAT or ACT score, and then volunteer 75 hours of community service.
I wonder how many students volunteer because they want their tuition paid for. At the Conservancy, we have highschoolers who are there because they want to be there and we have others who want their tuition paid for. It's the same at the library.
I would never call it a new form of slavery. That misses the point of what slavery is all about. It takes away someone's freedom of choice. That's what makes it unethical....now that I'm thinking about it, I have a wonderful idea for my next blog!!!!
With the increased level of selfishness I have been noticing lately in high school students, I think it should be a requirement that they spend some time helping the community. Maybe it will help get rid of the apathy of our nation's youth. I know many students do not want to spend their time volunteering, but how else will they ever be exposed to the members of society who desperately need the assistance that students can offer? Aren't people better equipped to meet their full potential as a human by interacting with other humans? Volunteerism can teach much needed life lessons better than a textbook on sociology can.
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
and it has brought me into a life of service in various fields!
I love volunteering and helping those that are less fortunate than me, I agree that volunteers make up those non-profit organizations. I have been volunteering all my life. I started at my church then in my community. I helped in little things like cleaning up a highway to feeding the homeless three meals a day, 7 days a week at my church. I also, admire anyone who volunteers. They have a life like everyone else and they take time out to care and bless others. These days the world is desensitized to what's going on around it. People are dying of starvation and homeless.
God's blessings!
mz_christainpoet