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Responses to: National Volunteer Week: Does Anyone Care?

Full response from Rustie Brooke, Mayor's Voluntary Action Center, Founder, NYC/IYV, New York City USA

It's a good Hot Topic, Susan and thank you for posting it.
As everyone knows, New York City is the first city in the world to actively and continuously mobilize for IYV. Leading this project gives me insight and entrée into some of the issues you write about.

You are asking folks to step outside of their own personal agendas.
You are asking folks to be courageous.
You are asking folks to risk appearing foolish as they reach past their comfort levels.
You are asking folks to question authority.
You are asking folks to stretch past complacency.
You are asking folks to take a historical and global perspective.
You are asking folks to ask "Why?" and "Why Not?"
You are asking folks to believe they can act creatively and with originality.
You are asking folks to challenge the status quo.
You are asking folks to speak with authenticity.
You are asking folks to park their egos at the door.

Susan. Maybe they don't want to.

Maybe it's soothing to sing to the choir.
Maybe it's comforting to collect plastic mugs.
Maybe it's fun to follow the herd.
Maybe it's safe to stay within process.
Maybe it's easy to believe what you see and hear.
Maybe it's pleasant to parrot old rhetoric.
Maybe it's suitable to scatter one's energies.
Maybe it's rewarding to follow ineffectual and/or corrupt leadership.

And maybe all they want is One Big IYV Recognition Event for 2001.
Substantial issues and advocacy isn't for everyone.
Maybe volunteerism in the United States is still about stuffing envelopes
and chatting about opportunities while worshipping opportunists.

It's been hard work these past 2 years. The New York City Committee
has declared April 2001 as NYC Volunteer Month. Launching 5 borough and airport street banners and a Website and a New York Times supplement and the 12 month Volunteer Profile Project fits the criteria you mention for promoting awareness of volunteerism past the inner community. How did we do this?

Happy Volunteer Week everyone and many more!

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