[W2CRA] Timely Article

[Bill Powell]

Why Don't YOU Volunteer?
Allan Kush (WV7R) on August 28, 2006

I would appreciate only those hams that DO NOT currently volunteer any of their time for ARES, RACES or public service events to answer this posting. Anecdotal stories by those who are already volunteers is not what I am looking for, so I ask you to respectfully not post a reply here.

If you are a licensed ham and do not currently volunteer time to help in your local communities, I would appreciate knowing why. Do you not have time for volunteer work of any kind? Do you not have time for monthly training meetings? Do you not know whom to contact to express your willingness to help out?

IF regular training meetings is one of the primary reasons you do not have time to volunteer with a local, credentialed team, would you have time for and be willing to work a parade, a bike ride or some other community event once or twice a year?

Any information would be appreciated. We in the public service community are interested in how to get more hams involved in their local communities, and would be appreciative of being able to identify some of the impediments that may exist to potential volunteers coming forward. Thanks for your help!

Read the excuses and experience the whining here: http://www.eham.net/articles/14635

Bill - WB1GOT

PS: I'm working out a (rough) "cost" to "replace" volunteers with what are called paid, trained second  responders.  Right now it looks like a (county) tax increase of ~$800 per year might do it.  But I'm still counting.
What's YOUR time worth?