Responses to:
California Governor "Pumps Up" Volunteering
Posted on 5 March 2008 by Andy Fryar,
OzVPM,
Director & Founder,
Adelaide South Australia
While I agree that this is a great opportunity which should be embraced by the entire volunteerism community I wanted to add a few words of caution (sorry to be a wet blanket!)
Here in South Australia, our state government created a Ministerial post for volunteering and a government office for volunteers nearly a decade ago. For a long time, this post was actually even held by the Premier of our state.
In looking back, I have to say that there have been some good developments for volunteering in this part of the world as a result of this initiative.
However there were and still are (I believe) two key issues that I think need to be mentioned in the hope you can learn from our experiences.
The first was the result of boundary ownership - and what we saw was the government office taking ownership over areas of volunteering traditionally 'operated' by volunteer centres. This redefined our volunteer landscape and has taken many years to settle.
The other ongoing deficit I see is the ongoing lack of understanding about the importance of supporting volunteer management as a conduit to creating better volunteering opportunities. That's not to say good things have not happened - but more could have been done.
I do hope that the Californian model can learn from what has happened elsewhere and be a shining model for the rest of the world.
Finally, it seems ironic that a wrestler destroys a state volunteering office and now the terminator creates another ...am I allowed to say 'only in America!' :O)
Posted on 5 March 2007 by H Roberts,
PLNJ Inc.,
President,
Keyport/NJ USA
The June 2004 Hot Topic raised a number of questions regarding the ongoing collaboration amongst ngo's, volunteers and nonprofit professionals. Perhaps more community-based Volunteer Centers will see this state level achievement in CA as a positive sign in keeping their own doors open.
I agree that this news can spotlight volunteerism beautifully (and I'm quite fond of the do-gooder visual) but it is my hope the "sunlight" stretches across the country and not solely for the efforts both organized and organic in the state of CA. On the heels of tremendous enthusiasm should be an emphasis on state to state collaboration and why our profession benefits when we unite the power of volunteer leadership and support everyone working in it.
Posted on 4 March 2007 by Gilda Kaplan,
Vail Police Department,
Volunteer Coordinator,
Vail, Colorado USA
This action is the greatest thing that could happen to volunteerism and volunteers. Rather than look at us as "do-gooders", we will be seen in a different and more professional light. Because we are unpaid does not mean we' re unqualified.
I'm passing this "hot topic" on to our County Agency for Volunteer Services and will press them to get it to the state level.
It's time the word "volunteer" takes on a new meaning!
Posted on 4 March 2007 by Ann Stretch,
Travelers Aid, Program Manager at Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington VA/Washington DC USA
What a wonderful boost to forwarding our profession of volunteer administration. Makes me wonder what could happen in my state of Virginia!
Posted on 4 March 2007 by Deirdre Araujo,
Exploratorium,
Manager Volunteer Services,
San Francisco, CA USA
I flew down for the day to show support for this event. I was surrounded (rightly so) by Emergency Response volunteer teams in uniform, but was equally delighted to find myself seated next to the volunteer manager from Santa Ana's Discovery Science Center. I spoke with one of the students on camera about the value of service - no matter the area you choose - and will keep my fingers crossed that this momentum will further conversations about effective volunteer engagement/management in all sectors!
Posted on 4 March 2007 by Gypsy Petz,
CASA of the Northern Hills,
Executive Director,
Spearfish, SD USA
This is empowering. Volunteering is so important in this day and age. I am glad we have a serious "Voice." I am excited to see what the future holds!
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