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National Volunteer
Week
By
Joan E. Thompson |
For the past three
decades, Americans have said “thank you” to our nation’s
volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Let’s plan to
work together to bring life to this year’s campaign theme
“Inspire by Example.”
Organizations, large and small, often schedule volunteer
recognition events during or near National Volunteer Week as
part of the campaign. Hopefully you have heard a hearty
“thank you” on more than one occasion every year as a
recipient in this annual event!
What about the volunteers who help others without being part
of an organization? What about the volunteer who offers a
helping hand to a neighbor just home from the hospital? Or
the stranger who voluntarily invites you to step in ahead of
them at the cashier’s line?
Let’s bring those quiet, unaffiliated volunteers to this
year’s campaign so they too will hear a resounding “thank
you!”
Join me each day from April 23rd to 29th in search of
someone to thank who offers their helping hand – whether or
not they were asked. Extend your appreciation to those who
go beyond what is expected. Your example will surely bring
pleasure to those you thank – it’s unlikely they will think
of National Volunteer Week as their own. Who knows, perhaps
the recipients of your positive example will somehow
duplicate it, spreading the theme in their own manner.
Sponsored today by the Points of Light Foundation & the
Volunteer Center National Network, National Volunteer Week
began in 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed an
executive order establishing a week long annual celebration
of volunteering.
Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting
National Volunteer Week with governors, mayors and other
elected officials in most states making their own public
statements and signing proclamations in support.
This year help me spread the “thank you’s” to everyone who
helps others. Perhaps what we begin locally will spread –
then what a truly national campaign we’ll have! |
About The Author
Joan Thompson is the Executive Director for Mayflower RSVP,
Inc., a non-profit organization mobilizing Volunteer Service
Activities in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. She has
directed RSVP’s Retired & Senior Volunteer Program for
nearly 30 years, working with 200 public/private, health,
human service, and educational organizations to provide
meaningful volunteer service opportunities for members in
the RSVP program. She is a trainer in Volunteer Systems
Management for local and national organizations and a member
of AVA, the International Association for Volunteer
Administration. She may be contacted at RSVP’s Plymouth
County headquarters, (508) 746-7787 or MayflowerRSVP@Verizon.net.
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