Two Spokane High Schools
Participate In Multi-State Poll
Students at Lewis & Clark and East Valley High Schools 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 Spokane students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Lewis & Clark students
"Swiss chocolate."
"A hot meal, a smile and a waffle iron."
"Video, computer and a coupon book."
"Nothing. Community service is an act of the heart. The reward one gets is personal experience and knowing that your service has helped someone less fortunate."
"No library fines."
"Never having to pay for your library card."
"Candy, pop, pizza."
"The satisfaction/relief of really feeling I made a difference. Recognition that people are doing stuff to change society. Access to more opportunities to serve."
"Nothing. That's the whole point of doing service."
Atypical trades suggested by East Valley students
"Basketball tournaments."
"Funding for senior citizen dances; new bats and balls for softball and a bus to get to community activities."
"My opinions to be heard."
"You could have prizes (the more work you do, the better the prize). Food at the end of doing hard work. Transportation to and from."
Lewis & Clark students comment on personal volunteer experiences
"Very boring and tedious, but it felt good!"
"I was a junior counselor at a summer camp for three weeks and will continue there."
"I volunteer a bunchótutor Math and English to kids with Attention Deficit Disorder. I'm an attendance review board National Honor Society officer, so I organize many projects."
"I work at a school for homeless children."
"I volunteer at a store that sells things to support the artisans of third world countries."
"I don't feel needed. My time is being wasted and they don't truly appreciate my sacrifices."
From East Valley students
"I have volunteered at the Food Bank, Special Olympics and distributed gifts and baby-sat for free."
"At my high school, we have a program called S.O.C.S. (Student Oriented Community Service). I am currently in this program and I plan to go for my last three years of high school. I have handed water to runners during the Rabbit-Rabbit-Run and donated five hours on a Saturday to the Food Bank. I am also in a club called Strolling Strings. We play for groups for free. I have donated clothing and a total of 35 hours to my community in the last eight months."
"I volunteer for S.O.C.S. and it is a lot of fun if it is organized and runs smoothly."
[Volunteers a lot.] "It is really fun and makes you feel good. The only reward we need is the people's gratitude."
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."
Unsolicited Comments
"My personal opinion about Another Way is I think it will work out. I think it would work because it would give us teenagers something to do besides sit on our ____ all summer long."
"I think this would be a great idea for all schools and teens. It would help teens get jobs and have more skills to get better jobs. I don't think this should be required because it should be a choice. This is a great idea. I would be willing to give ten hours a week to make a differenceóto help peopleóto give back. I have volunteered, but I didn't like it. It was boring and I saw no reason for me to have been there. If I were to do this I would like to have someting to do. Great idea. Thanks!"
"I think teens would do this because if you volunteer you will get something back for yourself or for your school. I like it because you can learn new stuff to help you in a job in the future."
"I think this would be a good new way of thinking if it is available to all teenagers and we can [easily] find out how to get involved."
"I never have time for anything, and neither do a whole
lot of other teenagers, with jobs and school etc. But I think
it's a pretty good program and I'm sure someone will
volunteer."