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We have been privileged to travel internationally during the past few years, which gives us a very different perspective on volunteerism than anyone working only in their home country. Unfortunately, we admit to being close to despair about what is - or, rather, isn't - happening in the United States right now, particularly in comparison to other countries. The total lack of interest by the American federal government in the International Year of Volunteers is only one indicator of the problem, but before we simply complain, we need to determine exactly what we need and want from government to assist in our efforts to promote volunteering.

Most people in the world have mixed emotions about their government, and humor mocking political figures and government officials is pretty universal. But it is unique to the United States for organizations to proclaim proudly on their literature: "We accept no government funds." Americans see independence from government "interference" as a sign of legitimacy. In other countries, meanwhile, it is considered a sign of success when the government acknowledges the value of something that has been pioneered by a nonprofit and/or volunteers by either funding the program or even making it an official service of government.

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