 |
Receive monthly quick tip |
|
|||
Volunteers, Not Institutions, Spark the Cycle to Social Change
Q: Who threw the tea into Boston Harbor and changed the course of American history? Answer: Volunteers! Q: Who established the first libraries and museums to share knowledge and culture? Answer: Volunteers! Q: Who had the vision to preserve Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks? Answer: Volunteers! Q: Who responded first to the AIDS epidemic? Answer: Volunteers! What did Paul Revere do to earn a living? He was a silversmith, but we remember him more for his volunteer work as a Revolutionary patriot. Always remember, no one is paid to rebel! Just about every American institution, organization, and profession began with the actions of a small band of founding volunteers. Major innovation and change rarely occur within established institutions. In fact, those very organizations often put obstacles in the way of visionaries. In their new book By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers (Energize, Inc., New Century Edition, 2005), Susan J. Ellis and Katherine H. Campbell tell the story of those visionaries—the multitude of citizens who fall between the lines of history books but stood on the front lines when history was being made. The authors recount how Americans affirmed their rights and responsibilities as citizens by becoming involved, shaping their own future, and sparking the cycle of social innovation. The cycle begins with one or two people seeing a need before anyone else and starting to shout about it. These first agitators are often met with hostility. After all, who are they to tell us that spouse abuse is a serious problem?…that we don’t know how to treat the dying and their families?…that AIDS is an epidemic? It may take a long time for pioneering volunteers to break out of isolation. It takes courage and staying power—but not necessarily money. Passion drives the activity and these volunteers accept the role of mavericks until... Next, others start to see the validity of the cause and raise the decibel—and acceptance—level. Those visionaries, who succeeded in articulating something that others can see and accept, begin to attract a few followers. This small band of volunteers support one another and develop some synergy to move their plans forward, but they still view the Establishment as indifferent, if not antagonistic. Eventually, more volunteers join in and social approval follows. At some hard-to-define stage, the core of founding volunteers realizes that the cause has reached critical mass. Enough new supporters have joined in the work that the organization is no longer “underground” and is even gaining in popularity. There are enough hands to start new projects. Enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment keep volunteers engaged. Thought is seriously given to incorporating and some small fundraising (often dues assessed to each member volunteer) underwrites out-of-pocket expenses such as postage and supplies. Finally, someone says: “Hey, we all have paid jobs to do and this unpaid work is exhausting us. Let’s find some money and hire staff.” An institution may be formed and the cycle begins again as a new set of volunteers see the need for more change. Too often the impact of volunteers has been “lost history,” implied but not recognized. Every time we speak of a social “movement,” whether temperance, abolition, or peace, we are talking about the cumulative effect of the efforts of countless citizens on behalf of their beliefs, above and beyond what they did to earn a living: activists, visionaries, volunteers. The book By the People tackles this and many misconceptions about volunteering and shows that it is has a rich tradition as well as a vibrant present—and certainly a vital future. To learn more about and order By the People, go to www.energizeinc.com/bookstore.html or call 1-800-395-9800.
-------- Note to editors: You have permission to reproduce this press release as an article in your publication without needing to contact Energize further. We simply ask that you include the full contact information included below in anything you print and please send us a copy of the actual publication. Thank you. Contact Information for Reprints: |
|
Energize empowers and inspires leaders of volunteers worldwide. Our specialty is creating and selecting the most relevant, innovative resources in volunteer management. We’re advocates for the power of volunteers and for the recognition of the leaders who unleash it. About Us
Energize, Inc., 5450 Wissahickon Ave., Philadelphia PA 19144 Phone: 215-438-8342, Fax: 215-438-0434 Contact Us By E-mail
Register for our free monthly e-mail update
[Hot Topic] [Bookstore] [Library][Referral Network ] [Recognition] [Jobs] [Search] [About Us] [Site Map] [Home]
[Home: http://www.energizeinc.com]
