Print periodicals in our field emerged in the late 1960s. What were the topics of interest back then? Browse the tables of contents of the forerunners of today's publications and discover what has changed--and what hasn't.
The refrain is heard time and time again in the groups and organizations of modern society. Schools have been crying out for ages about the shortage of math and science teachers. Corporations have been wailing about the lack of skilled workers. Community issues go un-addressed for lack of passionate people. There is a leadership crisis; a volunteer crisis, a "can't find the person I need when I need them" crisis. Why such a shortage of people?
Yet people increasingly ask us, "Why aren't there more leaders?" Why are people reluctant to answer the cry for leadership? ... We believe this cautiousness results not from a lack of courage or competence but from outdated notions about leadership. (Kouzes, Posner. The Leadership Challenge)
Recent events have made the public more aware of the role of volunteers in protecting lives and property during fires and emergencies. Throughout the U.S. and many other countries around the world, communities (particularly small, rural ones) depend on citizens to assume those duties. These volunteer roles demand extensive training, time and commitment. In these days of busy lives and young people leaving their small communities in large numbers, how are these all-volunteer or combination staff-volunteer fire stations faring? This article will examine the issues, and how these programs are adapting to changing times while remaining true to their volunteer roots!
Alec Dickson is a name not enough newcomers to the field of volunteerism know, yet he was an active and outspoken advocate for the importance of volunteering from the 1950s up to his death in 1994. He founded the British organization, Voluntary Service Overseas, which directly influenced the development of the Peace Corps in the United States. Then he began Community Service Volunteers, a domestic program still placing over 3,000 full-time volunteers a year into service throughout the United Kingdom. The ripple effect of his influence was international, if not always attributed, as he was one of the first to articulate many of the principles we now value in this field. On the other hand, many of his opinions continue to be provocative -- reason enough to keep his words circulating and discussed.
No ancient holy book mentions "volunteering" by that name, but every religion in the world encourages charity, service to others, and personal risk for one's beliefs. This unique article compares the major religions of the world in terms of charity.
On December 1-3, 2000, the Planned arenthood Federation of America (http://www.ppfa.org) convened its first conference for those staff members responsible for volunteer program management at the affiliate level. They formed a new group called "PPNOVA": Planned Parenthood Network of Volunteer Advocates. While PPFA started from a volunteer base (remember Margaret Sanger and the pioneering birth-control efforts of her supporters), over time their focus has shifted to services provided by paid staff. At this point in their development, PPFA wants to revitalize volunteer contributions at every level of the organization, finding new ways to recruit and involve volunteers who believe in PPFA's mission.
The opening speaker for the PPNOVA conference was Mary Shallenberger, chair of the PPFA National Board. Several guest speakers in the audience were stunned at the clarity of thought and the level of determination evident in Mary's presentation. Never had we heard someone in her key position speak so eloquently about the importance of volunteer involvement. Even more amazing was that, on behalf of the National Board, she shared several concrete benefits local affiliates would get if they joined the effort to expand volunteerism at PPFA. This was indeed "putting your money where your mouth is."
Mary generously agreed to be interviewed briefly for this issue of e-Volunteerism. We specifically asked her to repeat how her board was tangibly encouraging local affiliates to hire volunteer program coordinators and to make volunteers visible and valued.
Please note we intend for our audiotape quality to improve over time. This was our first attempt using new equipment and a novice technician, Susan Ellis! There is a bit more background noise than we would have liked, but at least you know we were really there at the conference.
It is almost preordained that keynote speakers and casual essayists, when asked to address the topic of volunteering in the United States, will eventually quote Alexis de Tocqueville, the famous Frenchman who keenly observed American life and then wrote Democracy in America, published in France in 1835 and 1840. Ask anyone what he said, and you'll hear some variation of "America is a nation of joiners." Since de Tocqueville wrote in French, whether or not he actually used this phrase may be buried in translation, but his extensive commentary on early nineteenth century life is absorbing reading even in the 21st century.
I first read Democracy in America in 1976 when Katie Noyes Campbell and I were researching the first edition of By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers. I was impressed then and am even more impressed today. In rereading the book to prepare for this "Voices from the Past" article, I was struck by how clairvoyant many of de Tocqueville's observations seem. If you are so inclined, I urge you to read -- even skim -- Democracy in America. Among other things, it delineates why there are similarities and differences in civic participation between the United States and various countries in Europe. It is not an uncritical work, either. As you'll see below, de Tocqueville tried to be as objective as possible.