Joliet High School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Joliet 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 Joliet students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Joliet students:
"Assistance with higher education, public recognition, learning new skills, gift certificates or passes to sporting events."
"A place where science students can go to experiment, with supervision, with electronics, chemistry, computers and physics."
"A day off school; a day with no homework; a day you could come to school late; free passes; extra credit."
"Internships ,counseling [mentors] and financial help with college."
"An educational advancement; recognition and respect of officials."
"More activities to do around our community; to see the results of my work."
"In this world, if I do something I will do it from my heart. I am not concerned with what I'll get back."
"Just being a help is enough of a reward. Knowing I did something worthy for my community and that I made a difference."
"Getting the job done. Being able to walk anywhere safely. Having pride for the city."
"A computer, set of encyclopedias and books."
"Nintendo 64, a car or a nice stereo. I wouldn't have to have something. I would do it out of goodwill."
"Some kind of recognition; more teenage independence (legally more responsible for things), better school systems that are at least financially stable."
Joliet students comment on personal volunteer experiences
"I've had experience working at a daycare center and I've also volunteered at the Humane Society."
"I am a youth leader at the Christian Youth Center."
"I enjoy community service because I am with my friends and I just have fun. Also I get a new experience and I get to meet new people."
"Joliet Police Department: communication skills, people skills, responsibility and experience."
"I help teach first grade religious education. I enjoy it, but it's a lot of work to stay organized and plan lessons. I am also involved in Key Club."
"I like the good feeling I get when I know that my skills have helped someone to learn something new. This is my reward for volunteering as a tutor."
"I work once a month in the City's homeless shelter called Day Break."
"I dance at fund-raiser for Cornerstone Services and the Kiwanis Club. I also volunteer for scholarship fund-raisers for my mother's sorority."
"I am very involved with my church group. We do community service which has included a mission trip to help needy children and work in a soup kitchen."
"I volunteer at the local hospital every Wednesday, helping the staff members. I work with newborns and sick patients. I try to foresee their needs so their visit to the hospital is comfortable."
"I helped Big Brothers/Big Sisters with their Santa Train."
"I have over 50 hours of service at Silver Crow Hospital. I work at the reception desk admitting and discharging patients. I enjoy what I do because people appreciate a smiling face when they are about to be admitted and a cheerful good-bye when they are leaving. It may sound cheesy, but it really has had a positive affect on my personality."
"I work with eighth grade basketball players."
"I work with little kids at daycare. Besides having fun, I have learned to understand children better. You can really learn a lot from little kids. I observe insecurities and strengths."
"I work with handicapped and mentally disabled people everyday."
"I enjoy dancing and entertaining children with my dance studio. I also volunteer at the county clerk's office and am developing my secretarial skills. I learn interesting things, especially while working during election and tax season."
"Every Friday night from 5:30 -10pm I help out with a junior high program at the Christian Youth Center. I am a team leader and make announcements and work with the kids on projects. I also volunteer of Saturdays from 8am-3:30 for the basketball program. I am a statistician and run the scoreboard. I have a lot of fun watching the kids play basketball and sometimes playing along."
Student volunteers currently 12/hours/wk
"I help the district with small jobs,
like clean and set up classrooms, organize games and concession
stands."
"I have a leadership position with my church youth group, teach Sunday School and am an office runner at school."
"I recently donated blood in a school blood drive."
"I have after school activities such as drug prevention group, environmental club and I help the elderly and perform other services."
"I am involved with Scouts, band, Central Against Substance Abuse and am a Snow Team leader."
"I work with trainable mentally handicapped students. It is a unique experience. The students are wonderful to be around. They really show you that they are just different."
The Foundation's latest project addresses the obstacles raised by a few Joliet students:
"No available opportunities in my area of interest."
I don't really care about this godforsaken town."
"It doesn't matter. The community doesn't care about me anyway." This student wanted a way to solve the gang problems in the community.
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."