"Me Generation becomes We Generation"
Like most individuals, I learned the power of volunteering from my parents. I remember volunteering at a soup kitchen with my father at a church on the East Side of Detroit, watching my parents work on school projects, or just making a meal for someone who had a death in the family. Being involved beyond your work has been a fabric of my upbringing that I work to model in my actions today.
At least once a week, I will have someone mention to me either two things: 1) how much being involved in a volunteer activity/project means to them personally or 2) how someone feels something is missing in his/her life --- wants to connect to the 'greater whole.'
In a recent USA Today article, Daniel J. Kadlec writes about how the baby boomers are changing: "'Me Generation' becomes 'We Generation'." The change is already taking place as boomers now have a higher volunteer rate (33%) than seniors (24%) or young adults (24%) according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
As Kadlec observes, the challenge isn't how to pay for a soon to be aging society, but it is 'how to harness the skills of a vast, willing and able new crop of maturing Americans who want to stay in the game longer, give something back and help cure society's ills."
The power of involvement -- volunteering--- is clear. We see it in research and in everyday experience. When we contribute, we learn, grow and become healthier individuals. As Aron J. Ain said in Sunday's New York Times article titled "Volunteering to Learn", "It's just being part of something that gives back." Simply, be part of the greater good.
At United Way we ask others to become involved in improving community by giving of your time, talents and treasure. We recently just changed our own personnel policy to encourage our entire work force to incorporate volunteerism into their month. At our core, we know it makes us and the community better.
Getting involved is easier than people realize. In metro Detroit, one just has to call 211 or go to United Way's web site and look up volunteer opportunities in your area.
Is there a volunteer experience you want others to be aware of?
At least once a week, I will have someone mention to me either two things: 1) how much being involved in a volunteer activity/project means to them personally or 2) how someone feels something is missing in his/her life --- wants to connect to the 'greater whole.'
In a recent USA Today article, Daniel J. Kadlec writes about how the baby boomers are changing: "'Me Generation' becomes 'We Generation'." The change is already taking place as boomers now have a higher volunteer rate (33%) than seniors (24%) or young adults (24%) according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
As Kadlec observes, the challenge isn't how to pay for a soon to be aging society, but it is 'how to harness the skills of a vast, willing and able new crop of maturing Americans who want to stay in the game longer, give something back and help cure society's ills."
The power of involvement -- volunteering--- is clear. We see it in research and in everyday experience. When we contribute, we learn, grow and become healthier individuals. As Aron J. Ain said in Sunday's New York Times article titled "Volunteering to Learn", "It's just being part of something that gives back." Simply, be part of the greater good.
At United Way we ask others to become involved in improving community by giving of your time, talents and treasure. We recently just changed our own personnel policy to encourage our entire work force to incorporate volunteerism into their month. At our core, we know it makes us and the community better.
Getting involved is easier than people realize. In metro Detroit, one just has to call 211 or go to United Way's web site and look up volunteer opportunities in your area.
Is there a volunteer experience you want others to be aware of?
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