Monday, April 24, 2006
2006 National Volunteer Week is April 23-29
Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week is about thanking one of America's most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public's attention to all that they do to improve our communities.
The 2006 theme is "Inspire By Example" because it truly reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help, as well as, to inspire others to serve!
National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week.
A volunteer gives time and expertise without expecting monetary compensation. The half of the U.S. population who volunteers makes many educational, health, cultural, and human service programs work.
A recent survey conducted by the Gallup Organization for Independent Sector found 44% of Americans volunteering with a formal organization in 2000. Based on in-home interviews of a representative sample of adults over 21, an estimated 83.9 million people volunteered an equilivalent of 9 millon full-time employees at a value of $239 million.
Child care providers are often volunteers... helping out with children in numerous situations, volunteering as youth leaders and teachers, as mentors for youth and other providers, volunteering for non-profit organizations of all types and in many, many more ways.
Some of my favorite volunteer activites are:
- Involvement with early childhood organizations.
- Board and committee membership on several child care organiztions.
- Support and mentoring for families and other child care professionals.
- As a child advocate with Child Care Works organization.
What can you do?
- Here are Ten Tips on Volunteering Wisely from the Independent Sector's Nonprofit Information Center.
- Send a card to a volunteer that you know.
- Looking for a way to volunteer in your area?
To all you people who volunteer your limited time and resources to numerous good causes... my thanks and appreciation.
