Medicine Lodge High School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Medicine Lodge 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 Medicine Lodge students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Medicine Lodge students:
"If I were to help out I would expect the community to impose fewer restrictions on kids. Let us have a place to hang out uptown and don;t be so quick to try and punish us."
" If I had a positive effect on the community, I would be happy. I would like to have in return, happy people. Also a scholarship to be given out at the end of the year and free admission to a certain place, like a swimming pool."
Car Related: "No tickets on speeding." "Clear my driving record." "Gas and repairs." "A Get Out Of A Traffic Ticket Free card." "A dependable used car."
"To have the respect of the older generation."
"The good feeling that I helped make a difference would be enough."
Maybe if we did something good for the community, the community would fix up the baseball and soft ball diamonds."
"Maintaining the welding and woodworking curriculum at the school."
Modest demands: "Coupons to get something cheaper, or even just a can of pop."
"Things, like food, donated to school for special activities."
"I don't feel you need anything. You are helping your community, which in the long run will help you."
"Just recognition and the satisfaction of doing good are enough."
Medicine Lodge students comment on personal volunteer experiences
"I volunteer through my church. We do various things like clean the house and yard of a blind church member."
"I work with older people."
"I volunteer for the soil conservation service."
"At the Natural Resources Conservation Service I help plan and design terraces and waterways. Currently we are putting together a calendar."
"I volunteer at the preschool. I go and teach or work with kids four days a week during school hours."
"I volunteer through the 4-H program. I pick up trash and help run some events."
The Foundation's latest project addresses obstacles raised by a couple Medicine Lodge Students
"Volunteer service is not publicized enough to youth. We don't hear about opportunities."
"Businesses don't care. They work you too hard."
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."