National Service: Do You Have a Responsibility to Help?
The stumbling blocks that keep us from volunteering and perhaps making a difference in someone’s life are many.
We’re truly busy, and mentoring a kid, teaching an adult to read, or lifting someone’s spirits at a nursing home takes time.
We don’t know how to use a hammer.
We’re not experts.
It’s not our responsibility.
Now, after years of quietly gathering speed, there’s a growing movement to elevate public service to national service and in the process, set up incentives and opportunities that make it easier for each person to help another in need. The goal is to make volunteering as fundamental as voting.
The concept of relying on all able citizens to give back has even garnered the support of both John McCain and Barack Obama. Each has promised, if elected president, to make national service a priority and to promote it as a unifying force for 21st century America.
Even the federal government is trying to make it easier for Americans to roll up their sleeves and volunteer, with a proposed piece of federal legislation called the Serve America Act. Among other things, the Act proposes to establish five new national volunteer “corps” such as international service, disaster relief, green energy, education, and poverty, then train and link volunteers to the projects that suit them best.
One of the toughest obstacles to volunteering is finding the time, but it may be as easy as turning off the TV. Experts note that the biggest statistical distinction between volunteers and non-volunteers, is how much television they watch—15 hours a week for volunteers; 23 hours for non-volunteers. That mathematical difference—more than 400 hours a year—could make a world of difference from a volunteer.
Tell us what you think: Is volunteering a civic responsibility? Should government be involved in public service?
Add Comment Share This
Comments
My civic responsibility
Although I don’t think it is everyone’s responsibility to work for the community, but their indirect help is needed. The government is supposed to be a civic service program already, but they should not have all the say. It is because of the government, why people have turned their backs on others and we have stopped doing what we should in and around our communities. The People know that if it is good for us, then the government will come in and mess it all up. Always making laws and demands on the People that make us tired and irritated with ours.
I write President Obama many times a month about some of my plans and goals for my communities, but still there have been no responses. I live in Columbus, Ohio and everyday there are thousands of people losing their income and livelihood. I have ideas that will start to get the people involved and turn this area back into a community and prepare them for the future. If you would like to help me and my communities with our many projects, PLEASE contact me—any help is appreciated.
WE MUST STAND TOGETHER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
Autumn Daley | 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Mr.
Volunteering is exactly that. To freely give of one’s self for the good of others of your choosing. Mandatory national service is involuntary servitude for the benefit of those in charge. When you know the difference, you can then make a educated rational choice.
Having said that, I am all for involuntary servitude of 18 to 20 year olds. Nothing teaches a healthy contempt for government and those with power like a little bit of slavery.
Daniel Connelly | 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Christian Counseling
Hi,
I enjoy it and think it is wonderful! It is more of a hobby for me in my retirement and very self-rewarding. It’s great that so many people on this blog have time to share but I’m always stealing time, even just to read this.
Thanks.
Christian Counseling Plano | 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Doing the right thing; Grace, not programs or ince
Each person in my family has given their time in mission projects. Churches needed building. Missionary families needed a place to take a break from their ministries and needed someone to watch their children for a little while. Families lived in homes that should have been condemned after a hurricane. Border families needed someone to show them they were not forgotten-someone cared.
Why give of my time? I received grace.
Pete | 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Scary
I volunteer when I can and donate to good causes often. Remember, there is a difference between volunteering and “national service”. I don’t want my government requiring …er, I mean incentivizing me to “volunteer” for whatever they deem as appropriate projects or causes. Would the govnerment “approve” of me volunteering for church related charities? When considering these things one has to think about where the road might eventually lead.
By the way, if private universities and companies want to give incentives to employees and students to volunteer, that’s fine. But please keep government out of it.
Andrea | 7 months, 1 week ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Non volunteering 23 hours a week TV watcher
I attend college and I’m taking an English class and our final is based on a service learning project. The more I learn the more I want to do. I think in today’s selfish society, we all need to give back in some way.
Thanks for the analogy!!
Sharon Norri | 1 month, 1 week ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Government prevention of civic service.
If the guberment would get out of our lives so we can earn a living without being taxed into poverty, we might have time to help within the community more often.
What it really boils down to is people helping their neighbors and friends, it’s that simple. Help when and if you can.
David Challans | 4 days, 19 hours ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
< 1 2 (2 pages)