Newell High School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Newell-Fonda 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 Newell-Fonda students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Newell-Fonda students:
" A nice used car."
"Gift certificates, new car, my own apartment."
"High schoolers don't always want money. All we need is a little recognition to get our ego up and have a great attitude."
"A place for kids to hang out for fun, gift certificates, free internet access and high school credits."
"As long as I could get there, [and back] I wouldn't need that much in return; just appreciation ."
"Any old car that anyone in the community would give me."
"A computer."
"Have my car fixed."
"Free gas for the rest of my life."
"School could be cut down to less days."
"To ride in a 1997 Malanchi F1."
"Special privileges in school."
"Entry fees paid for all my sheep shows."
"The job experience, priority on a non-volunteer job and discounts."
"Recognition and open campus."
"To be treated fairlyóhave respect."
The Singer Founation's latest project, Another Way, anticipates the trades of the following Newell-Fonda students:
"Help kids to find old cars and help fix them up to make them drivable. This way there is a definite thing to work for. Everyone wants their own vehicle."
"A point system would be good with awards for the most points and making a certain number of points a big deal with a grand honor!"
"Mentors that will help increase your knowledge of future careers."
"New friends, recognition and letters of recommendation."
Newell-Fonda students comment on personal volunteer experiences
"I volunteer at a church nursery, help at library, children's church, and give performances for organizations and the general public ."
"I bale hay, shovel snow and mow yards."
"I volunteer to coach little kids in basketball. when we coach, we feel that we are their role models and they look up to us."
"Mow lawns and play guitar for nursing homes."
"I volunteer through my church and through my 4-H group. I have done things at the nursing home like decorating and performing."
"I visit with elderly people at a nursing home."
"I have worked with the elementary school 2-3 hours each week. I got school credit. I enjoyed it a lot. I now want to be a teacher and found it to be a very good experience."
"I help count money at church, entering data into the computer."
"I help out at the humane society."
"My volunteer experience has included public speaking, art work, running errands, baking and some farm chores."
"4-H: nursing home, Christmas decorating and caroling. Town Parks: clean up and pull weeds."
"I volunteer through Scouts andchurch.
"In speech class we perform for the public."
"I am a candy-striper at the BV County Hospital. We get a chance to not only help the nurses, but we also get a chance to talk with people, play games and just listen. I entertain at the nursing home by dancing. Residents love young people and the things they can do. I have been an organizer and contributor to food and toy drives through my church and school. Proceeds have gone to needy families in my community. At Christmas time, I have gone caroling to the nursing home and to several shut-ins in the community and delivered fruit baskets. Tears in their eyes brings tears to our eyes as well."
"D.A.R.E. high school role model, video producing for community organizations, community choir as accompanist and church work with music."
"Adopt-A-Highway, clean ditches. Play piano occassionally for church services at the nursing home."
"I work about two hours each week for our local historical society. I help to maintain an historical mansion."
A few Newell-Fonda students offered their own personal reasons for not volunteering:
"I sang at the Cave Center a couple times but don't any more becaue all the old people said I sang like [awful]."
"Nobody does anything for me so I don't do anything for them."
"I work and have no free time."
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."