Vallejo School Participates In Multi-State Poll
Students at Solano Junior 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 Solano students compared to the 21 state average and to each of the other 33 schools."
A few atypical trades suggested by Solano students:
"I would like to have friendship, a bike and video games."
"Points for grade point average, awards and certificates and free food."
"Shopping spree for clothes, gift certificates and free passes to movies, amusement parks etc."
"I would really want money, but just to feel good is good, I guess."
"New lockers in gym, new books and new desks."
"Fun day! Play sports, water fights etc."
"I would just want people to be happy; to make the community better."
"A 14k gold ring for my mom; a CD player and food so I can give to the homeless."
"I would like to help old people. I wouldn't like to have anything out of it."
"Someone thanking me for a job well done. A big party inviting everyone and a shopping spree ."
"Computers, free public transportation and paint."
"Go on television and get a certificate or something like that."
"Maybe something that the whole community could be proud ofóa plaque or trophy for the whole community. A personal medal for myself only."
"More activities after school, more materials for school and more opportunities."
"Awards ceremony, gift certificates, free store coupons, barbecue, money, name in the newspaper."
"Clothes, bike, basketball hoop."
"I would take younger kids fishing to keep their minds off drugs if I got a boat. Help clean up schools if I got the materials for it. Build more lakes and parks if I get the right people."
"Movie passes, free admission to concerts, shows, rinks etc. and gift certificates."
"A pager, a computer, a calling card and CDs."
"I would like to have respect and friendship."
"People congratulating me and a reward presented to me."
"A place where kids can go before and after school for help or assistance with their homework,"
[Think Big!] "Car of my choice; house of my choice and job of my choice."
"Sony Playstation."
Solano students comment on personal volunteer experiences
The Foundation asked students to comment on any personal volunteer experience. "It was boring." This student volunteers two hours a week and is willing to volunteer five hours a week during the school year and seven hours a week in the summer!
"I volunteer by tutoring during and after school."
"I was a volunteer to fix up an elementary school and I tutor."
"I volunteer at the old peoples home. I talk to them and play games."
"I volunteered to help clean up and restructure a bathroom for the entire school."
"I help out washing dishes, mowing lawns for the elderly and helping elderly people at hospitals."
I have been a camp counselor."
"I distributed flyers to raise money for better schools."
"I recently volunteered at my local Humane Society. It was a great experience."
A few Solano students offered reasons for not volunteering:
"I don't feel like I fit in with others who volunteer; I'm too shy, but I know I can make a difference."
"I really never did volunteer in anything, but would like to volunteer."
"Don't want to."
"Need a real job."
"Committed to other obligations."
"Wouldn't be interested."
"Librarians don't treat you good."
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."