Additional comments from Susan Ellis
On 31 January, I sent a letter to CyberVPM and PRO-VM, a long
list of colleagues and to the White House regarding the establishment
of the USA Freedom Corps. It is so very relevant to the Hot Topic
that I had written only a few days earlier that I decided to include
it in this hot topic--the letter. |
Posted 28Feb2002
Submitted by Amy Cline, Volunteer Coordinator, Ohio
I prefer to see the glass as half full and would respectfully ask
my colleagues to guard against jumping to conclusions before we take
the time to see the entirety of the big picture.
In response to the perceived lack of information regarding the Freedom
Corps, the www.whitehouse.gov
website homepage has a Freedom Corps link that provides a 33-page
outline of the plan: goals, strategies, and who's in charge. The perception
that existing volunteers are not being consulted is inaccurate from
my perspective. Greater Cleveland's Forum for Volunteer Administrators
(with 80 volunteer management representatives) is already being asked
for input and involvement from our Governor's Community Service Council.
To quote their request, "The Ohio Community Service Council is committed
to working with the existing infrastructure and experts in volunteer
mobilization and will be proactive in convening discussions on how
best to do that within the guidelines and regulation' s that we must
follow."
Points to Ponder...While I sympathize with the volunteer frustration
in Minnesota, has anyone considered the possibility that the Governor
of Minnesota made the decision to reallocate the state budget funding
of his volunteer initiative because he knew that Freedom Corps funding
for state programs would be coming from the federal government? Could
the Freedom Corps initiative be the "glue" that binds volunteer programs
together in a nationally-organized network that volunteer professionals
have being trying to cultivate for years? This is an opportunity.
As volunteer advocates, let's not waste time worrying "what it may
or may not be"...let's get involved to ensure "what it is."
Posted 27Feb2002
Submitted by Timothy Keener, Acting Chair/Admin. TDD America,
Oregon, USA
To Bonnie Esposita:
I completely relate to this Catch-22 of speaking of compassion whilst
pulling the carpet out from under you. Seems the message of volunteerism
is a profound one and it's significance traces to the country's founding,
but...those that pontificate from high places have never done any
and so have no depth or weight or truth to their statements. This
is not to detract from the truth of volunteerism, only the veracity
of the speaker. I'm an administrater of a small nonprofit in Oregon
and know all to well the meaning and delight of true volunteers when
I can recruit them. What puzzles me most is, I think people would
get behind and support volunteer efforts especially now with the vast
amount of communication technology and a dire shortage of skilled
volunteers to meet the need. I have been a volunteer for many years
and will continue to for as long as possible "God willing", to the
disability community especially the deaf. I would say metaphorically
that your organization suffered in a sense a terrorist attack of the
dirtiest sort--bureaucratic summary execution.
Posted 20Feb2002
Submitted by Suellen Carlson, Director of Volunteer Services, Lutheran
Social Services, Jamestown, NY, NY, USA
Having survived many government initiatives over the past 30 years,
my response to the latest from President Bush, and for that matter,
Governor Ventura, is to just smile and carry on. My youngest volunteer
is 2; my oldest is 91. Life will go on. Volunteers are necessary to
the life blood of this country and as we all know, volunteers are
not so easy to legislate, regulate, or manipulate. They will find
volunteer opportunities whether we recruit and train them or not.
We are all professionals and have seen what happens when volunteers
run amuck. Good luck to all those white tower initiators!
Posted 20Feb2002
Submitted by Rustie Brooke, NYC/IYC, New York
Ho, ho, ho? This cartoon adds a twist to this discussion: http://www.comicspage.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?f=20020201eddan-a.gif
Posted 18Feb2002
Submitted by Craig Malina, Co-Founder -- iV3 Media, Bay Area, California,
USA
As a relative newcomer to the world of volunteering, I have been more
than impressed with the commitment and efforts of organizations that
are trying to provide meaningful experiences for both the volunteer
and community. As a newcomer to the politics behind volunteering --
I was shocked to learn (although not entirely shocked) from this letter
that the president's initiative was launched without the consult of
the people who bring critical expertise and passion to the message
of volunteering.
Regardless though of the lack of substance behind the govenment's
call to action, and the incomprehensible exclusion of so many talented
people who could have made a true difference with the additional funds
that was used to erect this flimsy platform, I believe that we need
to spend our energy on what we can do, together as a group, to put
forth a new model for national volunteering that is focused on meeting
the volunteer's desire for a meaningful experience and purposeful
action!
As I look at it, we can either fight tooth and nail for some scraps
from a government that has already purposefully excluded the organized
volunteerism voice -- or we can spend our time joining forces to DEMONSTRATE
a successful working model, and how inadequate the government program
is in comparison. The infrastructure and people are there and now
we have more motivation to work together as a organized group to provide
a single simple message and path for people to get easily involved
with meaningful community volunteering. I hope that we can all move
beyond the obviously insulting way the government is treating so many
devoted leaders so that we can respond swiftly to the new challenges
we face.
Posted 14Feb2002
Submitted by Kurt Zilley, Volunteer Director, AccountAbility
MN, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Last Friday, Feb 8, I attended the "wake" for MOCVS at General Mills
Headquarters. It was an opportunity see many other volunteer professionals
stand in support of MOCVS and all of its work. It was also a time
to highlight the beginnings of MAVA and to recognize now, more than
ever, that volunteer professionals must stand up and be heard. President
Bush's call to action is not the first time that our profession has
been excluded from plans, ideas, and implementation of volunteer concepts
and programs. Too often it the case that volunteer professionals are
called in to "get some people for this program" without having input
or voice in the actual process or program. The volunteer profession
must be looked at and respected as the first call advice and consultation
for any volunteer program initiatives. When government, business,
etc. needs expert opinion on the economy they go to an economist.
We need to display, flaunt and sell our professional expertise in
order to make us the first call for help and guidance when any entity
wants to develop ideas in the volunteer field. AVA, state and local
agencies must work together to make our voices not only heard but
recognized as the experts in the field.
Posted 12Feb2002
Submitted by Charles Checkley, MAYFLOWER RSVP - VISTA , Plymouth,
MA.
With all the emphasis on "Homeland Security" and "No
Child Left Behind," I believe the most efficient use of whatever
money the government is planning to spend should be invested in growing/expanding
existing organizations, like RSVPs. They are already established with
a very efficient and active volunteer recruiting program. Why reinvent
the wheel when there are may existing volunteer organization, many
funded by the government, already in place? These organizations are
capable and willing to take on an additional challenge, especially
when it directly affects not only the local community but everyone
in it -- like being prepared for any and all emergencies (natural
or terrorist initiated.)
Posted 12Feb2002
Submitted by Shwn Shurm, Virginia Youth Service Council, Virginia
Don't cut volunteer centers because it is the backbone of how people
can help the less fortunate.
Posted Feb12,2002
Submitted by Leigh Wintz, CAE, Executive Director, Soroptimist
International of the Americas
It is not only the Volunteer Centers and agencies that use volunteers
that were concerned over President Bush's call to volunteers, Services
Clubs were also concerned that he didn't recognize how so many of
our organizations are already responding and stand willing to do more.
It would seem obvious that the President should encourage volunteers
to join existing groups that are already organized and able to offer
their time, talent and treasure NOW without taxing an infrastructure
not able to accommodate them. Service Club Leaders sent President
Bush the linked letter just to remind
him that our long history of service makes us even more relevant today
and eager to take on the challenges of the changing world we live
in.
Posted Feb11, 2002
Submitted by Judy Rust, Minnetrista Cultural Center/Oakhurst
Gardens, Muncie, IN
Maybe government should not have to legislate volunteerism and it
should come from the heart. But we all know that if people think that
they are part of a group where all are working together and are not
alone more people will become involved. It takes everyone working
together to make a difference, this world is not as simple as it used
to be 50 years ago when you knew everyone in your community and you
all worked together for a common cause. Not so today. Having a community
resource, the backing of government and someone to share the bigger
picture and the results of the efforts is very motivating. We hope
that government will choose not to speak one way and act another.
Posted Feb06, 2002
Submitted by Audray Landrum, Special Projects - Tyler/Smith County
DOVIA, Texas
Volunteer leadership, we need you now. Many of us would like to be
helpful in the face of these bizarre decisions. Please give us a list
of options to pursue, locally and nationally: sample letters, addresses,
e-mails and phone numbers; orchestrated efforts no matter how small
the voice will have an effect.
"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but
still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something
I can do." - Helen Keller
Please lead the way to helping us help ourselves!
Posted Feb04,2002
Submitted by Denny Barnett, AVA Board President,
The closing of the Minnesota Office is not only a gigantic blow for
Minnesota, but to volunteering and to the profession. Equally frustrating
and outrageous is the method in which it was done. Even the WWF does
not allow hitting below the belt! Regarding the State of the Union
message and Freedom Corp... I am always happy to hear a call to action
to be of service to others...especially from the President. However,
there were/are so many unanswered questions. I have written to President
Bush on behalf of AVA to express the concern that volunteers need
and deserve the leadership and supervision of qualified and competent
managers of volunteer resources. The letter will be posted on the
AVA web site.
Posted Feb04,2002
Submitted by Frank S. Bublitz, Volunteer Specialist, American
Red Cross, Michigan
I am furious with the President for the way that this effort is being
slapped into place. I may be too angry to think clearly. But I do
have a devil's advocate statement to make as well. I work for a large
organization and believe that my organization and other large volunteer
agencies are already overextended and unwieldy. Our humanitarian programs,
some of whom are built on neutrality and independence from government
control, also should not interact too closely with the government.
They must also be free to serve the community in a way that their
donors and leaders see fit. Government control of an agency for volunteers
is not the way to go.
Posted Feb04,2002
Submitted by Alice DavisJohnson, Administrator, Bureau of Prisons,
Washington, DC
As the Administrator of the Volunteer Management Branch of the Bureau
of Prisons, Department of Justice, I understand and feel first-hand
the problem with these mixed messages. Our office has been in existence
since November 1991. We have more than 30,000 volunteers that provide
services to inmates within our institutions and community corrections
facilities. We also allow college students to provide administrative
services and gain work experience with the Bureau of Prisons. Unfortunately,
we are continuously the recipients of threats to close our office.
What's most interesting to me is that during this time of so many
inmates in correctional facilities, we are being considered as unimportant
or nonessential to their successful re-entry into communities. There
are too many mixed messages here. Perhaps, the speech writers for
the President and staff from the Office of Faith-Based and Community
Services should visit our offices. We can certainly share much information
about the incredible and horrific barriers we face daily. For more
information on the Bureau of Prisons' Volunteer and Citizen Participation
Programs go to www.bop.gov. Click on links, then volunteer work.
Posted Feb04,2002
Submitted by Dotty Metcalf, Volunteer Program Director, Breaking
Free, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46226
I know that Volunteers of America of Indiana has 75 paid employees
and 12 volunteers. That is not an opinion, just an observation.
Posted Feb04,2002
Submitted by Melissa Eystad, President, World Spirit Consulting, Wisconsin
USA
I am personally distraught by what is going on in Minnesota, and now
nationally. It's as if we are becoming "invisible" as a field overnight.
Politicians are systematically dismantling the infrastructure for
volunteering in the U.S., while extolling the virtues of being a "caring
society" out of the other side of their mouths. If we can't stand
up together and confront this trend, our work to gain credibility
as a profession will, I fear, be a lost cause. Let's get to work!
Posted Feb03,2002
Submitted by Joan E. Thompson, Mayflower RSVP, Inc., Plymouth
MA; USA
I believe Gov Ventura has a perception of "Volunteer" and "Volunteering"
that is shared by many outside our field: Individuals, acting alone
and without any particular operational structure will find a way to
mend society's ills. People everywhere feel motivated "to help." But
motivation, alone, does not deliver results. Action does. When orchestrated
to bring about targeted results, action produces expected and predictable
results. If "Homeland Security" and "Leaving No Child
Behind" ever succeed it will be because operational systems are
designed and implemented that engage people effectively. Such systems
orchestrate volunteers and paid staff, alike, to work together to
bring about the changes we need. If it is in the Public Interest to
expect volunteers to staff such efforts, it is in the Public Interest
to invest public money in experienced Volunteer System Designers who
craft and support the systems in which volunteers will be effective
- with results that continuous! ly improve. As an RSVP sponsor, I
can only hope that the Government Performance & Results Act will be
enforced to insure the effectiveness (recorded and reported) of the
U.S.A. Freedom Corps and the new Defense Department budget as it is
to measure the impact of Senior Corps Volunteer Service Activities.
Posted Feb03,2002
Submitted by Cyrilla , Founder/President, Missouri
Response to original hot topic (Minnesota):
We are also a not for profit organization who sole depends on volunteers.
I personally wonder what he would do if he was the founder of a not
for profit??????? When people like him sit in their big houses, have
maids, waiters, etc. do everything for them but "the bathroom things"
they have NO idea what it is like out here trying to get volunteers
now days and even to keep them long enough to recognize them on volunteers
week each year. It is a sad, sad day when people like him think places
like yours isn't worth funding. It sounds also fishy at the timing
of it also! We feel sorry for you to have to have a Governor like
that.
Posted Feb03,2002
Submitted by Jayne Cravens, United Nations Volunteers, Germany
Local, state and national government absolutely have a role to play
in supporting volunteering. But not to promote volunteers as free
labor ("hey, let's cut government programs and just leave it to volunteers!")
No, volunteers represent community investment and involvement. They
represent citizen action and endorsement. Without volunteers, I believe
its difficult for any community-serving program, NGO or government-run,
to express truthful credibility. Government should be actively encouraging
and supporting volunteer involvement in local, state and, YES, national
government organizations, as well as within nonprofit organizations.
They should be providing funding for volunteer support and management,
passing legislation that encourages and supports volunteers, and looking
to organizations that involve volunteers -- rather than lobbyists
-- for guidance on a variety of domestic issues. Government should
NOT be launching yet another volunteerism drive. Shame on Jesse Ventura,
a! nd shame on George Bush, for using the issue of volunteerism strictly
to further their own political causes. The number of people who volunteer
for nonprofit organizations probably far exceeds the number of people
in any one political party -- I hope these people start exercising
their political will on the issue of volunteerism!
Posted Feb01,2002
Submitted by Susan Ross, Coordinator of Volunteer Services,
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Boulder, Colorado USA
Response to addition to hot topic (Freedom Corps):
I suggest we all sign up to be on a local "Council" and
then ask them the hard questions from inside! It will be interesting
to see if they will consider being a professional volunteer manager
as suitable qualification for serving!! I plan on finding out.
Posted Feb01,2002
Submitted by Susan Camp, Student, School of Public Administration,
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Response to addition to hot topic (Freedom Corps):
Kudos, Susan, to you and the other respondents! I totally agree with
you. As I watched the President's State of the Union address and he
announced the new Freedom Corps, my first thought was, what's wrong
with what we already have? I also thought his call for 4000+ hours
of volunteer time from every citizen over their lifetimes was interesting.
Who is doing the data collecting? So far, not the government!! I agree
that the government has a role in supporting volunteering, but creating
new organizations at the drop of a hat for political gain is not that
role. I agree with what you said in your Hot Topic and previous articles
concerning the role of government in data collection, research, funding
and support. In fact I quoted your information in my very first paper
as a grad student. Do you think this will be the topic that pulls
everyone together so our voice WILL BE HEARD in Washington?
Posted Feb01,2002
Submitted by Marlisa Mizerak, Volunteer Coordinator, Eagle
County Health and Human Services, Eagle, CO
Response to addition to hot topic (Freedom Corps):
Thank you for your articulate posting about the new Freedom Corp.
My office-mate, who runs our RSVP program, and I have been sitting
in our corner of the world wondering about these exact same things.
We really feel like no one in the Administration cares about what
professionals, who deal with these issues every day, think about this.
And I feel like it is using current patriotic sentiment to gain points
in opinion polls. Sort of a "wag the dog" thing.
On the bright side, we had one call from someone who was inspired
by the President's speech to start volunteering.
Again, thanks for saying what many of us are thinking, but couldn't
put into words!
Posted Feb01,2002
Submitted by Jackie Norris, Executive Director, Metro Volunteers!,
Denver CO
Response to addition to hot topic (Freedom Corps):
Thanks, Susan....we at the volunteer centers are extremely
concerned about the huge omission of volunteer centers as a local
resource. It comes at a time when we have been working with and through
Points of Light to obtain funding for local volunteers to be a key
connection and resource for all this new activity from the White House
(even before the State of the Union speech) around increased volunteerism...and
expansion of Americorps. There've been many many hot emails flying
back and forth over the past 36 hours.
As volunteer centers, we expect POLF to be our national voice, especially
considering that they have ongoing relationships with the people making
these decisions, such as Andy Card, White House Chief of Staff, who
used to be on the POLF board of directors. Where was POLF in this
planning process? Once again, they--and we--were left out. And we
at the local level have been let down."
My "large volunteer center" affinity group (to whom I forwarded
your email) is outraged about this. I think there will be some major
follow-up and fallout from this typical and obvious lack of planning
with the volunteer community... Just when we think we might be making
progress, we go backwards!
I went to the Freedom Corps website and signed up to be in the "Citizen
Corps" just to see what I would get (a welcome message), and
to be on the communication list to see what they're putting out. I
think some of it is a little scary ("TIPS"....terrorist
information and prevention service? spying on our neighbors?) Your
1-800 experience just confirms how little they understand about what
this kind of effort really takes.
However, at least from the volunteer center angle, I think we have
a strong group of smart people who are not going to let this go until
we've made our voices heard, and something gives....I'll keep you
posted on our activities.
Posted Feb01,2002
Submitted by Sandy Duncan, DVS, Cabell Huntington Hospital,
Huntington, WV
Response to addition to hot topic (Freedom Corps):
This morning on the way to work, my husband and I were discussing
this
very issue. I asked, "What about the volunteer organizations
that already
exist? This could do us more harm than good." One problem that
we have in this community is that there are so many new/short-lived
volunteer organizations popping up all the time, that people almost
resent being asked to volunteer.
But the most troublesome aspect of this whole thing is item #4! I
am sure that the President's intent is honorable, but you cannot just
create an organization, wind it up, and let it go! We have some of
the most knowledgeable people in the Volunteer Biz contributing to
this list, and if THEY were not consulted on this, who was?
Susan, can you coordinate "write to the White House" initiative
to which we can contribute in an organized manner?
Note form Susan: We have notified the White House that this discussion
is going on and will continue to publicize it to anyone who will pay
attention!
Posted Feb01,2002
Submitted by Bonnie Esposito, Former Director, Minnesota
Office of Citizenship and Volunteer Services, Minnesota, USA
Response to original hot topic (Minnesota):
Just a quick note since I'm off on vacation in a couple minutes. I
DO believe there is a role for government in the support of volunteer
efforts and citizen initiatives. Despite the recent attack by our
Governor, Minnesota has a strong history of supporting volunteerism
not only in the private sector but through state and local government
as well. The outrage to our closing has been overwhelming, and in
the last few days every major newspaper, TV and radio station has
interviewed me. I believe there is a will in the community to involve
government as a partner in promoting and supporting citizens as volunteers.
It's just a shame that one shortsighted elected official has the power
to make such a drastic change in our state.
Let's Hear What
You Think
