We have discussed the topic of needing people to step up and be a volunteer in the community. I noticed commercials on the TV network MSNBC promoting the concept. It is almost as basic as reintroducing people to cloths lines in the backyard.
Yes the society has changed and people are described as me first, but there are things we can do to promote the importance of being part of a community. That is what being a volunteer is, being part of the community. We can extol the virtues but if we don’t address the pitfalls we will just spin our wheels.
First we should understand, not every slight or mishap needs to be an insurance claim or lawsuit. We as part of the community must understand, there are a few negative people that can find a problem for every solution. Listen to the downers – then carry on. A fear of being sued or accused of something is playing a roll in decreased participation a sad comment on society
In the realm of sports there are good people who want to coach or referee or even sit on the main decision board of the association. Why don’t they? All too often they have to put up with the slings and arrows of parents and adults who think the games revolve around them and not the children playing the game. When adults undermine the referee and the coaches they are really undermining their own parenting skills. These actions teach the kids being ignorant is a virtue. Then as adults we question in public why some kids are rude and disrespectful.
Volunteers are needed in communities whether it is caring for home bound seniors, or helping with troubled youth or being a big brother or sister. There are all kinds of needs in communities everywhere. When adults become involved with community programs such as Boy Scouts, sports or other activities you are also introducing the concept of respect and teamwork.
The schools have for the last several years taught community service in the later grades as part of the education process. I do believe we could start much earlier and instill a sense of community pride in the elementary grades. Find projects that are age suitable to introduce the concept. It would teach the understanding the world was here before their arrival.
Oliver and surrounding area is a community that can already be proud of its achievements. Daily I read the pages of the Oliver Daily News and I am reminded of the level of community activity from theater productions to service clubs. What I am pointing out is how much more could be done with more hands to share the load. Autumn is the best season to become involved with anything from the Poppy Campaign to Christmas Hampers, or to serve a longer term need.
Fred Steele
Robin Hopkins says
I totally agree that public service/volunteerism should be part of the school curriculum starting at a young age. The “needs” of society should be provided by the state, not corporate P3s, and volunteerism a part of it. As an example, long-term care facilities should be operated by the govt as private corporation owned and operated facilities provide as little service as possible to residents as a means of maximizing profit because they care a lot more about money than they do people. I would not volunteer at these facilities but I would at a govt run facility as it is owned by us, for us.
Publisher: The small l (liberal) in my is awake. I voted this time for the best person running a man I know better than all other candidates, I met and like his leader Jagmeet Singh but I do not believe in a one sided argument where the state (us) is totally in charge. I do not believe I represent wealth. Through circumstances I created, I own a modest home and drive a car that will serve me until I die. I am well fed.
Now back to Robin’s argument. Just about everything government does can be done better by a corporation, a small business or a non profit organization. What those three entities cannot do well is to regulate others. Government should not be in the service industry. Examples of ineptness abound in the health and education sector (the 2 biggest categories of wasted tax dollars).
Government should act like an auditor – interested in the efficacy of the loonie folks. You live here you gotta love the loonie – something those Americans envy next to the Canadian Medicare System (CMS).
Now some may take me to task – but even a private RCMP org might run better than the one we have. I had a boss once who said unions are not bad because it is easier to deal with a rep than 45 ego’s all trying to one up the other. So I do believe in unions but think that they must also… control themselves.
Now you might want to argue that government is wonderful so answer these questions:
What does the federal government do for you that you do not pay for ? Do you receive a notice with you tax bill what services are performed for you?
Same for the province, regional and local government.
The best buck you spend is on local government roads, sewer, water, recreation, fire safety. The rest of big government hides in their regional offices designing budgets and keeping as far away from a voter – until they need an X on a ballot.
Thank god for volunteerism – I would not want government run food banks, thrift shops, cancer bus rides to Kelowna, boy scouts, girl guides, air cadets, senior centres, men sheds, animal safety, etc etcetera…..
Argue with me..
Fred Steele says
Good grief I was talking about the social aspects of volunteerism at the local community level not the operation of institutions. Having people involved adds to a vibrant community