Comments on: The Value Of Volunteers http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-value-of-volunteers Fundraising and advocacy strategies. Trends, tips ... with an edge Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:21:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: David Baker http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-1326 David Baker Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:38:15 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/#comment-1326 Hi Bob, Thanks for your interesting post. I agree, it's very hard to place a value on the contribution of volunteers. May I draw your attention to the work we've done in the Index of Global Philanthropy on calculating the value of U.S. volunteerism in support of international development causes. You can view the latest edition at (www.global-prosperity.org). Hi Bob,

Thanks for your interesting post. I agree, it’s very hard to place a value on the contribution of volunteers.

May I draw your attention to the work we’ve done in the Index of Global Philanthropy on calculating the value of U.S. volunteerism in support of international development causes. You can view the latest edition at (www.global-prosperity.org).

]]> By: Sharon MacDonald http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-1198 Sharon MacDonald Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:42:40 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/#comment-1198 Although the $ value placed on volunteerism is arbitrary, much of the work that volunteers do is for non-profit agencies. Many of these agencies cannot pay their workforce much above minimum wage. So it seems illogical to value the work of volunteers at more than twice that of the workers who are paid employees of these purported opportunities for volunteers. In reality, most volunteers do the grunt work and not the glamorous positions that require specific skill sets. The volunteers with specialized skill sets are in more elitist positions. Most people volunteer in schools, with the homeless, in soup kitchens, etc. None of these organizations can possibly pay their own workforces at the wages assumed by the writer, Bob Roth. So the argument is faulty from that standpoint. Otherwise, it is necessary to find a way to place some sort of value on the work that people do for the better good. I'm not sure this dilemma can possibly be solved by using a logical, but limited, paradigm of all volunteer opportunities. The problem lies in the vast disparity between different opportunities available to people willing to give back to society. I'm not sure that this should be measured in terms of dollars rather than value (which is also subjective). Although the $ value placed on volunteerism is arbitrary, much of the work that volunteers do is for non-profit agencies. Many of these agencies cannot pay their workforce much above minimum wage. So it seems illogical to value the work of volunteers at more than twice that of the workers who are paid employees of these purported opportunities for volunteers. In reality, most volunteers do the grunt work and not the glamorous positions that require specific skill sets. The volunteers with specialized skill sets are in more elitist positions. Most people volunteer in schools, with the homeless, in soup kitchens, etc. None of these organizations can possibly pay their own workforces at the wages assumed by the writer, Bob Roth. So the argument is faulty from that standpoint. Otherwise, it is necessary to find a way to place some sort of value on the work that people do for the better good. I’m not sure this dilemma can possibly be solved by using a logical, but limited, paradigm of all volunteer opportunities. The problem lies in the vast disparity between different opportunities available to people willing to give back to society. I’m not sure that this should be measured in terms of dollars rather than value (which is also subjective).

]]> By: bobroth http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-1188 bobroth Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:17:06 +0000 http://www.theagitator.net/dont-miss-these-posts/the-value-of-volunteers/#comment-1188 As always, love the work that you and Roger are putting in and I thank you for posting my thoughts! Obviously, I believe that a one-size fits all metric could be discovered. It may be less important for its definition than for its existence... simply because Americans want something to count. In my recent return to the midwest, many people in this part of the country want to do something, but they are unsure of where to start. Creating a community where you can see what your friends are doing and that it "counts" could go a long ways toward increasing activity and the good being done in the world. Of course, I also think that a metric in the microcosm of each non-profit is a must! As always, love the work that you and Roger are putting in and I thank you for posting my thoughts!

Obviously, I believe that a one-size fits all metric could be discovered. It may be less important for its definition than for its existence… simply because Americans want something to count. In my recent return to the midwest, many people in this part of the country want to do something, but they are unsure of where to start. Creating a community where you can see what your friends are doing and that it “counts” could go a long ways toward increasing activity and the good being done in the world.

Of course, I also think that a metric in the microcosm of each non-profit is a must!

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