Deer River, Minnesota
190 students participated
Poll Analysis - Pre-selected options
Personal Intangible Wishes
1st = fun 2nd = meeting new people 3rd = good feeling
7th = role model 6th = putting own values into practice
Personal Tangible Wishes
1st = class credits 2nd = apprenticeships 3rd = free passes
11th = TV coverage 10th = published 9th = awards in school assembly
Wishes for the Community
1st = auditorium, skate park etc. and community computers etc. 2nd =
upgrade schools
5th = inexpensive and good childcare 4th = library upgrades
Reasons for NOT Volunteering
1st = no time 2nd = need money 3rd = require specific times
14th = parents not approve 13th uncool 12th = tasks insignificant and
can't make a difference
Volunteer 5 hours a week
During school year?
Yes = 97 No = 42 (12 of the 42 will volunteer during summer)
During summer?
Yes = 95
Currently volunteer?
Yes = 28
Poll Analysis - Hand Written Comments
Random Sampling
Trades
"Work to get a community swimming pool."
"A teen center or something for teens to keep busy so there isn't a lot of drugs and alcohol use for teens."
"Sports festival or tournament (baseball, softball, golf etc.), more money [resources] put into activities."
"Scholarships and sponsors for cheer leading."
"Bike trail, beach parties and roller blade rink."
"Recognition (award certificate, ceremony, newspaper article, thank you etc.) educational opportunities (technological advancements in school, scholarship etc.), volunteers' party (trip to ball game, amusement park etc.) and funding for a broader selection of classes, clubs, extracurricular activities at school."
"Positive feedback from the community, a community center and recognition of work done."
"Computer, grants and tutor for school."
"A place where tees could hang out, activity center and upgrading schools."
"Acknowledgment to be used later on resumes, awards, self-esteem and in-school incentives."
"A week off school, help on college expenses and an out of state trip."
Volunteers
"I referee basketball for elementary school kids. It is 1-2 games a week which takes 1 or 2 hours in the evening or on weekends. I also teach Spanish to a 4th grade class once a week. This will continue for the entire school year. It is for my Spanish 3 class, but it is optional. I play the organ for my church's masses. I play and my dad sings. I also do a variety of volunteer work through my church."
"I made a video against alcohol use and showed it to young kids in school. I hung posters too."
"I volunteer at a nursing home. I am mainly in the Activities Department, but I tend to travel all over. I have made several new friends. It has really helped me decide what I want to do after school. (Activities Director!)"
"I have volunteered for many things in the past, including [gathering, wrapping] Christmas presents for poor kids, Halloween parties and worked on city clean ups and so forth. I like to do worthwhile things!"
"Every Christmas season I volunteer my time to help little children put on a Christmas pageant."
"I am involved in Project Northland. We work to lessen the alcohol use among teens in our community. We meet for a few hours every other week. It doesn't seem to be working because the lack of interest to try and change things. Also, teens already have their mind set and it's not going to change."
"Just lawn care for the elderly as a church youth group member."
Why Not Volunteer?
"I think it's [volunteering] boring."
"I don't think anything would be done in our town for our work."
Deer River Press Release