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Blog - Mandated Volunteerism: The Great Irony

May 28, 2010

It’s that time of year again. It’s the time of year when volunteer centres across the country start getting the phone calls.

“My son has to volunteer 10 hours before the end of June. What do you have that I can give him?”

Every year.

You see, some schools (or school systems) mandate that a student has to volunteer a certain number of hours before they can pass. Sometimes it’s 5 hours. Sometimes it’s 40. Sometimes Grade 12 graduation is on the line. And inevitably, we get the last minute panic phone calls.

First of all, let’s start with the fundamentals of why this is being mandated. And I’m sure it’s done with all good intentions. But the argument is that the student is being introduced to volunteerism with the hope that they’ll continue doing it after their required hours are finished. Likely there’s a community awareness piece in there somewhere. And it’s probably also being done to try and increase the rate of volunteerism in youth. Which is really unnecessary since the rate of volunteerism among youth is already the second highest demographic, topped only by the 35 – 45 year olds.

So – let’s take at look at this. Are we even correct in calling this volunteerism? They HAVE to do it, don’t they? Isn’t volunteerism done of one’s own free will? That’s my understanding, at least. I’ve heard it argued that volunteerism is one of the purest forms of the expression of democracy. I’m reminded at this point, of volunteerism guru Linda Graff’s quote “Community service is a slightly less severe punishment than going to jail.” No, I’m not comparing school to jail, but in this context, “volunteerism” is almost the same thing, isn’t it? Ya GOTTA do it!

So, it looks like a great idea on the outside, but what is actually being accomplished? Anything? Are youth going to be more inclined to “volunteer” in the future or, are we turning them off by forcing then to do something more than half of them are going to do of their own free will anyway?

I’m all in favour of a short practicum. That’s really what mandated “volunteerism” is. So let’s call this what it really is and lose the risk of having kids look at volunteering as a chore or an obligation. Because it isn’t really, is it?

And to the well-intentioned parents out there – we really appreciate the fact that you want to be involved in your children’s school, but it’s really best if we talk directly with your child. They know best what they would like to try. And, if it’s something they actually WANT to do, the chances of them sticking with it after their school requirement is fulfilled increase. Check out the youth section of our website with your kids to see what interests them. We would be happy to help you!

Posted by: Scott | In: IVC

What others are saying

  • Well said, Scott. Mandated volunteerism ultimately defeats the purpose of why it is implemented. As in every aspect of life, I think teaching by example is the surest way of ensuring that our youth become engaged in volunteering. As you said, it is also important that you talk directly with the youth to get them all excited about something they really want to do.

    from Anna Attademo on June 11, 2010

  • I have to come out as a fan of “mandated volunteering” (aka getting school credit for volunteering). Motivation isn’t a unidimensional thing. Volunteering is something we do for multiple reasons, all at the same time, so you can do something because you think it’s a good thing to do, plus you’ll get to meet new people, plus you’ll get a sweet t-shirt, plus you’ll get credit. And you can come away from any volunteering experience with a positive lifelong view of volunteering, regardless of how you got into it. How many stories of volunteering start with my wife/husband/sister/friend made me do it, and end with now I’m hooked?

    In fact, the research I’ve seen backs this up. Imagine Canada and Wilfrid Laurier University have done studies comparing youth experiences of volunteering that was mandated vs non-mandated, and volunteering youth reported similarly positive experiences, and the same increased level of volunteering and civic engagement in the future, over non-volunteers. It was the quality of the volunteer experience itself that determined future volunteering, not whether it was “mandated” or not.

    School is full of learning experiences that you may or may not like at the time (I hated PE, and loved Math; lots of other people reversed that) but to which we as society think it’s important to expose kids. As things I want kids exposed to, volunteering is way, way up on my list.

    Can we do more to help youth have positive volunteer experiences, along with class credit? Yes. But class credit is a perfectly acceptable perk to volunteering (as is resume-building, scholarship-getting, and all those other advantages volunteering brings).

    Imagine Canada research:
    http://library.imaginecanada.ca/files/nonprofitscan/kdc-cdc/report_youth_volunteerism_sutherland.pdf

    Wilfrid Laurier U Research (great read!):
    http://www.wlu.ca/lispop/PDF%20working%20paper/WPS6.pdf

    from Stacy Ashton on June 15, 2010

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