Newspapers / Philanthropy Journal of North … / April 1, 1995, edition 1 / Page 8
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Volunteers 8 Philanthropy Journal of North Carolina Gathering of volunteers A statewide conference on volun tarism is set for May 8-10 in Sunset Beach. It is sponsored by the N.C. Assocation of Volunteer Administration and the Governor’s Office. Call (704) 465- 1702. April 1995 Compulsory service Nonprofits cope with reluctant volunteers Not all volunteers work ydllingly. Nonprofits that deal with stu dents seeking credit for gradua tion or people working off a court sentence must deal with volunteers who lack sincere dedication and commitment. By Ealena Callender I A /hile voluntarism most often I/I / is motivated by a desire to v V help others, many organi2a- tions also use volunteers who are ful filling educational or legal require ments. Some North Carolina public schools, such as Chapel Hill High School and the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham, require students to perform volun teer hours in order to graduate. Some universities require or encour age students to volunteer to get hands-on experience for majors such as physical therapy and leisure stud ies. And the courts regularly sen tence offenders to perform communi ty service hours. In some cases, charitable organi zations are faced with workers who lack sincere dedication to service and are unwilling to make a long term commitment. For other organi zations, mandatory volunteer pro grams are viewed as a way to help stimulate a genuine interest in ser vice that could lead to continued vol unteer work. At Chapel Hill High School, stu dents are required to perform 50 hours of community service to gradu ate. While some parents and stu dents have complained about the requirement, more than 100 charita ble organizations have signed up to work with the students. “I think the principle behind [mandatory volunteer programs], in helping people develop a community service orientation, is important,” says Colleen Lanigan, coordinator of the Orange County Special Olympics, which uses volunteers from Chapel Hill Hi^ School. “It’s something that we don’t foster in our society any more.” But she notes a difference between volunteers who come on their own and those who are required to volunteer by local high RESOURCES schools, UNC-CH and service clubs. “Their commitment level and the depth of their sincerity is not as much, and I have problems with them as soon as they complete their hours,” Lanigan says of volunteers who are fulffiing requirements. On the other hand, she says “those who sign up because they have a real sin cere interest are much more enthusi astic.” UNC Hospitals also work with vol unteers who are required to work for hi^ school credit. “The only difference is how long they stay,” says Jenny Fisher, assis tant volunteer coordinator who runs the junior volunteer program at UNC Hospitals. “The kids that are here to do it on their own tend to be a little bit more vested, they don’t really even ask about their hours.” In addition, the hospital places volunteers who are sentenced by the courts to community service. “Some have a real chip on their shoulders and they’re angry at the court sys tem,” she says. “And some think it’s unfortunate but I’ll pay my dues that I have to pay. It’s all an individual point of view.” Offenders are assigned to com munity service projects through the state Community Service Program. The program interviews the workers and places them with public or non profit agencies based on the needs of the agency and of the volunteer. The agency regularly makes placements to the Salvation Army, homeless shelters and state parks. Director Gary Eichelberger says nonprofits generally are eager to work with these volunteers. “They get a lot of work done that they would have to pay to get done,” he says. “It allows them to do other things with some of their money.” He says the quality of work depends more on the level of supervi sion by the agency than the motiva tion of the workers. “The agencies do an excellent job of supervising and making sure that you do it like they want,” he says. At Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, volunteer coordinators say there isn’t a distinct difference between those volunteers sentenced to community service by the court system and other volunteers. “These folks, just like everyone else, take pride in what they’re doing.” says Marie Johnson, volun teer service specialist. “If some body’s a sloppy worker, they’re going to be a sloppy worker no matter what reason they’re here.” The coordinators say the volun teers usually stay beyond their required time. They estimate that 90 percent of them continue working for the hospital. “A lot of them stay with us, that’s the really positive thing about it,” says Bethany Kelly, volunteer service specialist. “Many of them continue on their volunteer work because they enjoy it so much.” Some volunteer coordinators say that one significant problem with mandatory volunteer programs is finding jobs for the increased number of volunteers. Some organizations can accommodate only a certain number of volunteers and they are finding now that they may have to turn people away. “Volunteering is now competi tive,” says Fisher of UNC Hospit^s. Working with diversity Wake County high school students participated in a diversity workshop at the Wake County Health Department on a Saturday in early March. At right, students attempt to stand up as one while locking arms. The Student Service Council, a United Way program, organized the event. Photos by Gory /^len Learning by serving Team provides alternatives for young offenders Instead of being sent to over crowded training schools, some Durham youngsters are getting the chance to help their community and them selves hy participating in the Youth Team, a project of the Durham Service Corps. By Ealena Callender Durham I A /hen volunteers finished 1 /1 / planting the vegetable gar- V V den behind the offices of the Council for Senior Citizens in Durham, Bill Anderson says it grew like never before. The Council for Senior Citizens was one of the first nonprofits to work with volunteers in the Youth Look for OFFENDERS, page 9 BRIEFLY Association offers certification exam The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administrators will give a certification exam May 8. Volunteer administrators with five or more years of experi ence who have completed the Governor's One on One training program are eligi ble. Applications must be filed by April 17. Tar Heel nonprofits to debut in PBS series The all-volunteer Human Service Alliance of Winston- Salem is one of several nonprofits profiled on a new public television series called "The Visionaries," which will begin airing this summer. Hosted by actor Sam Waterston, the series will portray the work of ordi nary people who have dis covered the joys of volun teering. Producer Bill Mosher is seeking more organizations to profile. If interested in applying, write: The Visionaries 145 Wood Road Braintree, MA 02184. For more information, call (617) 356-6804. Accountants have tax tips for donors The North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants has these tips for taxpayers: have a receipt for any charitable contribution of $250 or more (a canceled check is no longer adequate proof of a gift) and be sure to deduct out-of-pocket expens es in connection with non profit volunteer work. For details, call (800) 722-2836. Seeking volunteers v/ith a classic touch Classic radio station WCPE in Wake Forest needs volunteers to donate daytime hours dur ing weekdays on a regular basis. And in April, the station wants extra volunteers to help out with its annual fundraiser. For details on shifts and responsibilities, call Terry Marcellin-Little at (910) 556- 5178. Experienced mothers helping new moms SAFEchild, a nonprofit pro viding support for families in Wake County, seeks volun teers to participate in the Welcome Baby program. The program pairs a new mother with an experienced mother to act as a "friendly mentor" for the first six months of the infant's life. Call (919) 231-5800 for details.
Philanthropy Journal of North Carolina (Raleigh, N.C.)
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April 1, 1995, edition 1
8
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