Centerville High School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Centerville High School were among 2,000 students in 21 states who, in the spring of 1997, participated in a poll which asked them to rank pre-selected options as more or less desirable exchanges for volunteer services. Money was not an option. Detailed results and an analysis of that poll may be viewed on the home page of the Harry Singer Foundation, the poll's sponsor, at www.singerfoundation.org/main/announcements/polls. For printed copies, call the Foundation office in Carmel, California 408-625-4223.
After years of working with high school students across the nation, the Harry Singer Foundation was convinced that their energy and goodwill was an untapped resource. "Many adults did not believe us when we suggested that the oldest and youngest generations, instead of being problems, were the solution to many of our social ills. So we decided the best way to persuade the skeptics was to have these groups speak for themselves." said Margaret Bohannon-Kaplan, director of the national 501(c) 3 Harry Singer Foundation. "We reasoned that polling young people and retired people would determine (1)the amount of time they might be willing to volunteer, (2) their experience (already acquired abilities), (3) their eagerness to learn (or teach), (4) the return expected and (5) the incentives and disincentives, as they view them.
"When we went back and analyzed what students told us, using their own words, we noted a discrepancy between those comments and the answers that required them to prioritize pre-selected choices," said Director Bohannon-Kaplan. "The most popular handwritten trade suggestion was a desire for coupons for free or discounted merchandise, activities or services. Some form of recognition was a clear second choice followed by the intangibles such as a good feeling, desire to make a difference and a variety of altruistic declarations. Sharing fourth place were things to upgrade schools, scholarships and things that benefit the community at large. Teen hang-outs, school credit, a car or some form of transportation and group celebrations came in fifth.
"When students were prompted to mark pre-selected choices, coupons, the number one write-in, dropped to the fourth spot, trailing apprenticeships, class credits and mentors. On the Foundation web site, the write in comments are divided into 21 categories. Recognition, second out of the 21 write-in categories, was a clear loser when given as a pre-selected option. Visit our web site to see how the answers of Centerville students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Centerville students:
"To be treated to supper."
"All the Caramellos I can eat!"
"I would want nothing. I would do anything for my community."
"The feeling of satisfaction within myself. The looks on the faces of the people I helped. The fact that people would know I am willing to volunteer."
"Respect from community instead of everyone saying the kids are so bad!"
"Personally I wouldn't want anything but for the community to be nicer and to let people know who I really am."
"Respect for the younger people in the community."
Centerville students comment on personal volunteer experiences
"I clean our church every week."
"I volunteer at the church Soup Supper and the MS Walk-A-Thon"
"I have volunteered at a kid's church and painted houses for shut-ins."
"I help out when there is an opportunity. I don't know where they would want my help on a more regular basis."
"Refereeing kids' baseball games; fund-raiser for student council; Natural Helpers."
"I am not currently a volunteer, but I did volunteer at a nursing home for the elderly two summers ago. It was a wonderful experience. I developed a nice friendly relationship with a few of the elderly residents. I had a special bond with one and I was very sad when she passed away. I miss her spirit and I will always remember her."
"Our youth group has cleaned up the town. I have read to little kids during the summer. We have picked up trash around town."
"I help nursing home residents with activities."
Bohannon-Kaplan explained the reasoning behind the polls: "The poll is the first
step in launching Another Way, a nationwide project which overcomes obstacles and
provides incentive for volunteers of all ages while giving donors more social benefit for
their dollars. Polling the residents in neighborhoods determines the most pressing social
problems and suggests reality-based solutions. Compiling the wish lists of operating
public and private nonprofits enables these organizations to focus more fully on their
missions by taking advantage of the previously untapped community resources uncovered by
the earlier polling. Using the information obtained from these school-community-based
learning exercises, enables individual and institutional grant makers to target their
social investments so that the community receives more benefit. Another Way is not
a program; it is a coordination and communication system using the latest
technology."