Keeping the ethics of volunteerism alive

It was the late, great Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

About a quarter of Americans consider the question in earnest and take action.

The Corporation for National Community Service reported, as of 2016, 62.8 million Americans volunteered for an average of 32.1 hours apiece, equating to 7.9 billion hours of service or $184 billion worth of work.

Given these numbers, it is difficult to deny that service plays a critical role in helping society run smoothly.

Yet, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a steady decline in volunteerism across the nation.

From 2014 to 2015 (the most recent year for which their report is available), BLS stated, “24.9 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 16 volunteered at least once… In 2011, this percentage was 26.8 percent, and in 2005 it was 28.8 percent.”

The question looms: why is volunteerism declining?

Surely there is no definite answer.

On Engaging Volunteers, a blog through VolunteerMatch that recruits and partners volunteers with organizations, Tess Sebro wrote, “There’s an endless supply of reasons that could explain why volunteer rates are falling.”

She mentions an insufficient investment of resources into nonprofit organizations, busy citizens who lack the time to volunteer, and an increasing sense of laziness as potential influences in the downward trend.

Sebro continued, “I personally think it could be attributed to a shifting trend away from community involvement, due to the emergence of online communities, young people moving more often, and other factors.”

However, her theory is contradicted by the Corporation for National Community Service’s report that volunteerism is spread out evenly among age groups.

Citing the report, CEO and Founder of DollarDays International, Inc. Marc Joseph explained, “Volunteers under 24 years old account for 22.6 percent of all volunteers, while ages 25-44 are 26.7 percent, ages 45-64 are 27.4 percent and those over 65 account for 23.6 percent.”

Joseph added, “ is encouraging…that all ages volunteer, so the ethics of volunteering is being passed down from generation to generation.”

It can be theorized, then, that whatever the cause, trends in volunteerism are declining across all age groups. Therefore, in order to keep the ethics of volunteerism alive in the United States, no one can assume that service is someone else’s role.

Championing this mentality, anyone can take initiative and ask themselves: “What am I doing for others?”

Opportunities for service can be found everywhere.

Likewise, inspiration can be drawn from anywhere. Students at Washington and Lee University in Virginia participate in Alternative Break Trips, traveling across the nation and the globe to engage in service projects with alumni over winter and spring breaks.

Washington and Lee University’s website explained, “Alternative Breaks are a unique way for students to serve and learn about real issues impacting people and cities around the country.”

Similar opportunities for community engagement exist across the nation. Anyone interested in making a productive use of their time can find an existing cause, or start their own.

At any rate, service is critical to the success of society and it is the responsibility of each individual to make the commitment to not only keep the ethics of service alive, but to help it thrive.