Volunteerism in the U.S.

Volunteerism is often touted as an important component of the social fabric and as something that develops character in the volunteer while helping the community at large. Recently, Governor Davis of California has suggested requiring community service as part of the college experience and is exploring ways of bringing this about. International managers have come to recognize that volunteerism among the staff does not take away from their business acumen or work ethic and instead helps develop open-mindedness and other virtues which can then be applied in the business situation, improving company morale rather than damaging it. Different commentators have had their specific reasons for suggesting that volunteerism should be pursued as a policy in society and in business, and many show how volunteering would be useful in improving the business situation. Many companies large and small have indeed followed this pattern and sought ways of serving the community, working to become "good citizens" in the United States and internationally as a way of improving their business situation.

The move to increase volunteerism has been increasing of late. William F. Buckley Jr., the political commentator, has suggested that all Americans, beginning at age 18, be encouraged to devote a year of their lives to civic or philanthropic work such as helping the elderly and the sick, teaching illiterates, or helping with environmental work. He says that there are more than 3 million slots wh

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ionhelping others" (Luks 39). A large study was conducted looking at "the experiences of more than 1,700 women who were involved regularly in helping others highlights these surprising effects. In many cases, this 'helper's calm' was linked to relief from stressrelated disorders such as headaches, voice loss and even pain accompanying lupus and multiple" sclerosis (Luks 39). Nelton cites Janice Zarro, who says that to do the best job for your company and escalate your own career, you have to be "multidimensional," with one way to achieve that being through carefully selected volunteer work. Zarro is vice president of federal and state affairs for Avon Products, Inc. and spends much of her time lobbying the members of Congress, but since 1982, she has also made time to chair the Women in Business Committee of OEF International, a Washingtonbased nonprofit organization aimed at helping poor women in Third World nations improve their economic and social conditions. One of the goals of the organization is the development and expansion of small businesses run by women. The group works in 16 countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, and Zarro's committee consists of nearly 100 businesswomen from around the coun

Category: Government - V