Thirteen million teens, more than half of America's teen population (59%), volunteered in 1995 (latest available statistics). They gave an estimated 3.5 hours per week, totaling 2.4 billion hours of volunteer time. (Source: Independent Sector)
Approximately one-third of young people in grades 7-12 identified "working for the good of my community and country" and "helping others or volunteering" as very important future goals. (Source: Primedia/Roper National Youth Opinion Survey, 1998)
Celebrity involvement does not always help a cause.
In evaluating whether or not a company is a good "corporate citizen," most Americans say they are influenced by the "cause itself" or the direct involvement of company employees in the effort, and are least influenced by a company's celebrity spokespersons. (Source: Hill and Knowlton and Yankelovich Partners, 1999)
Episodic Volunteering
Volunteering is a sporadic, one-time activity for 41% of volunteers.
More than one third of those who volunteer (39%) prefer to serve at a regularly scheduled time (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Only a small number of people (9%) report that they volunteer only at specific times of the year such as Christmas or Chanukah. (Source: Giving and Volunteering in the United States, 1999; Independent Sector)
Thanks go to Points of Light Foundation and Kimberli A. Meadows for permission to use this series of Volunteer Facts.
The SPCUG could not function without its volunteers. We are depending 100% on our volunteer force. And we will need an even stronger force in the days ahead to meet the challenges of even more sophisticated computer users. Our members depend on us to get the information out; we depend on them to supply us with new volunteers to replace our overworked.
See if you can help! Check the SPCUG Web site and our Sacra Blue and eBlue newsletters for new volunteer openings on this page each month. Or let me know that you are interested in volunteering for a new position.
Welcome, New Volunteers
Our new Publicity Chairperson is Marty Harwell-Weiler. Marty has been a member of the SPCUG since September 2001. This is a pivotal position for the our group if we are going to extend our reach into the community. I thank Marty and Diana DeMuth, who was responsible for this position during the past several years and did a terrific job with it.
Also taking on new duties, but certainly not new to volunteering his time to the group, is Tom Anderson. Tom will be filling in as Book Review Editor, taking over for Evelyn Kaehler, who is temporarily unable to fill this spot right now. Thanks again, Tom.
New Volunteer Openings
Please take a look at the following volunteer openings. If you think you can help, contact the "contact person" for that position or email me directly.
Door prize Manager
We need someone to go out and purchase prizes for the next General meeting and for each monthly meeting thereafter. You will be reimbursed for prize
purchases up to $150. These are the prizes that are given away in the raffle during and at the end of the meeting. Please contact Tom Anderson if you think you can help.
More Openings
Training Media Librarian: The Training Librarian maintains the Training Media Library and sets the library up at the general meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. This material is available to members only (a definite benefit). At the meetings, material is checked out, a refundable deposit taken, and a record is made of the material the member checks out. Deposit amounts are determined by the librarian based on the value of the material, but generally not less than $10. When the material is returned at the following months meeting, the deposit is returned. Contact: Mary Lint
Online Service Tutorial Coordinator: These duties will involve directing and organizing a team of volunteers that will go out to members homes on an "on-call" basis to help the members with setting up and accessing the Internet. More specifically, this is designed to encourage and assist new members with using the eBlue Web site. Operating procedures and a disclaimer have already been written and approved by the Steering Committee, and are now ready to be implemented.
Group Benefits Coordinator: We need someone’s help right away. Marsha Leonard was the last GB Coordinator and did the job of listing the many benefits available to members that you may not be aware of from month to month. Is anyone interested in filling the "Group Benefits Coordinator" position? Contact: Stan Morris
Computer Store Representative: We need several volunteers who will visit as many computer stores as possible on a monthly basis and ask them to have our membership information available to their customers. If we could get into the big stores like Fry's, CompUSA, and Computer Warehouse, we would probably get a lot of coverage. Other big computer sellers include office stores like OfficeMax, Staples, and Office Depot. Also, include electronic stores like Good Guys, Circuit City, Best Buys, and even Radio Shack. Then the other computer-specific stores like the Gateway stores, and all the mom-and-pop computer stores. Contact: Ken Hopkins
Newsletter Writers: Writers are needed for both Sacra Blue and eBlue. You could be writing tips for tips column (may also be used as filler). Also could write news articles about current events. Evaluate hardware and/or software and write product reviews, or write stories on how you solved some computer problem. Contact: Ken Hopkins
Newsletter Typists: Many articles in other user group newsletters would provide useful information to our members. Unfortunately, we cannot always obtain these articles in electronic format. We need volunteers to type up articles the editors have already selected. Contact Tom Anderson
I am sure you will find this volunteer work very rewarding and it could even create some interesting opportunities for you. You may be surprised how little time is involved in some of these volunteer positions.
