Lubbock High School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Lubbock-Cooper 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 Lubbock students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
Atypical trades suggested by Lubbock students
"Build a public skate park, a scholarship and a recreation center."
"Trips--organized meetings with students from other areas; better computers, software and internet access for the school and CDs, music."
"A T-shirt from the organization; a pin to wear on a shirt."
"A small party upon completion of the project; gift certificates and recognition for the service."
"Just to know I helped someone; knowing I was a role model; putting my abilities to good work."
"Plaques; lifelong friendshipsóelders and young kids; shirt, hat, other memorabilia."
"A park, scholarship and community center."
"Help in learning a specific job or task, commendation for a job well done and the help of experienced adults [mentors]."
"Passes for all shows for one year in the Depot District; a tiller and some grass seeds for my mom's yard and a brand new dirt bike."
"Not being treated like a lesser by other workers, a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth."
"A position in a doctor's office so that I could learn more; a job with elderly people and a scholarship to help me go to med-school."
"Better homes for people, no drugs and for the police to not be so strict."
"I would like in trade for my community service, thanks a community award and pride."
"New truck, girl friend, party, scholarship, day off school and off-campus lunches."
"To be recognized as a hard worker, to get a scholarship
and something to drive."
Lubbock students commented on their personal volunteer experiences
"I volunteer for Carpenter's Kitchen through church one Sunday every three months. This soup kitchen feeds lunch to the homeless, or less fortunate, every Sunday. It takes 41/2-5 hours and is really rewarding and fun."
"Helping the homeless, helps me understand what life is like for people with nothing of their own. It makes me think I'm making a difference."
"I work with Civil Air Patrol. I have been a member for almost 7 years now. I have helped locate numerous crashed civilian/private aircraft. I have also done crowd control and various other tasks for the community."
"I volunteer to teach the junior high youth group and volunteer at the Salvation Army and South Plains Food Bank on special occasions and when needed."
"Every year since I could walk I've worked with Lions Club, especially with their Pancake Supper. For the past couple of years I've been in charge of the mascot (the lion suit). Through church, I've painted, scrubbed, cleaned and had fun!"
"Through my church, I visit people who have been checked into hospitals and make meals for their families. I put into the computer who attended services that particular Sundayóone month out of the year, so it's usually about four Sundays. I contact those who have missed several services in a row."
Some students volunteered for the wrong reasons: "Well I got caught doing something bad so they put me in jail. Then when I got out I got a judge who gave me 20 hours of community service. We drove around in a van and painted over graffiti." It's hard to make volunteering prestigious when a community uses it as a punishment. It's debatable: sometimes it opens up other opportunities: "I had to go to court for three traffic violations and chose community service instead of paying a fine. I am currently working at a local hospital."
Other students flat out didn't want to volunteer: "Just apathetic; doesn't sound fun." Some were disillusioned: "I showed up to volunteer at a hospital and the lady I had an appointment with had gone to a party the night before. She didn't bother showing up and I wasted two hours waiting before I found out that she had taken off work." One student declared, "I think community service is stupid. People get people to work for them for free and that's not right."
The Foundation's latest project, Another Way, addresses the obstacles raised by many students. The following quotes are representative: "I have never had any way to actually do these things. Like, the things that sound interesting aren't really available.", "I don't hear of volunteer work in our city.", "I have never had an opportunity to volunteer", "I would if given an opportunity. I just don't truly know of any." and "I don't know if there is volunteer work where I live. I would love to know more information."
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."