Livingston High School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Iowa-Grant 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 Iowa-Grant students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Iowa-Grant students:
"Better educationómore school classes, better teachers, smaller classrooms. Less school. I estimate about 20% of my school day is wasted time. Let the excellerated kids go to less school and experience better extra-curricula activities. Respect."
"Free unlimited use of something that belongs to the community: computer or free food."
"For so many hours of service you get a free book you'll need for a college class."
"More freedom and trust shown to students by allowing them to use school facilities in off hours. For example, hold a dance, meetings and play games in the gym."
"Younger kids following in my footsteps. Make it known that community service is good! Prizes for those who help the most--perhaps a grand prize to the most dedicated."
Iowa-Grant students comment on personal volunteer experiences
"During the summer, I helped put up posters, and raise money for an organization that helps run away teens. During the Christmas season I spent time with an elderly man in a local nursing home. I bought him little gifts and my mom and I sang and played guitar for him."
"During the summer I was a counselor at a bible camp."
"I volunteer at Memorial Hospital, tutor, baby-sit and am a Bible School teacher during the summer."
The Foundation's latest project addresses the obstacle raised by one Iowa-Grant student:
"There aren't many agencies that ask for our help."
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."