The Value of Service: How much are volunteers worth? Independent Sector released new research with an “estimated dollar value” - the amount of benefit volunteers create for an organization. On average, in 2007, a volunteer in the U.S. was worth $19.51 an hour. Independent Sector admits that this is a somewhat subjective exercise, but partly because there are additional intangible benefits–”for example, volunteers demonstrate the amount of support an organization has within a community, provide work for short periods of time, and provide support on a wide range of projects.” All in all, the numbers are a very interesting attempt to gauge the value of volunteer time, which is a pretty useful exercise.
Take Action: New Orleans is still struggling, even though nearly three years have passed since Hurricane Katrina. To address this problem, CEOs for Cities has announced the Urban Next Summit, to take place in New Orleans July 24-25. Here’s a draft agenda (pdf), and it looks really interesting - there’s an idea round robin, an advocacy 101 panel, and a city tour - plus a ton more. You can apply here - check it out!
Changebloggers, Unite! Have Fun, Do Good has posted an awesome list of changebloggers. We’re on there (thanks!), and there’s some other great blogs listed. There’s also now a Changeblogger Facebook group. If you blog for change, join up. Maybe we can actually launch, umm, a movement.
Change the World: Up at University of New Hampshire’s graduation, City Year’s CEO and co-founder Michael Brown asked new grads to do one simple thing - change the world. He also told the graduates to be idealistic, and to think about pubic service. In his speech, Brown stressed the double value of service - the value to the volunteer, and the value overall. “It will not always be easy,” Brown said, but “being part of something larger than oneself is exhilarating.”
“Sure, Michael, we’ll help you change the world. Right after we wear our funny glasses to a few graduation parties.”
(Photo: John Huff/Foster’s Daily Democrat Staff photographer)
