Good (Re)Turn on Investing - In Your Community

Easter is a time of inspiration — to look for the positive side of life.  The economic crisis and its impact has been devastating, and the doom-and-gloom forecasters tend to get the headlines.  Despite this, I know we’ve survived worse, and we’ll get through this as well.  On reflection, it occurred to me that the distinguishing characteristic of a healthy, vibrant society is the willingness of its members to help others; to volunteer their time for the good of the whole; to invest — time, talent and money — in the community.

This year - 2010 - marks the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the United States.  Founded in England in 1908, and promoting the principles of doing a Good Turn and urging everyone to Be Prepared, Scouting programs now involve over 30 Million participants in over 160 countries around the world.  Here, in Santa Clara County, we have over 4,000 adult volunteers who help leverage the small number of professional staff to provide quality programs, leadership training and opportunities for outdoor fun and activities for approximately 16,000 youth members.  In 2009, over 220 boys earned the highest rank in Scouting - Eagle Scout — an accomplishment achieved by only 2 out of every 100 Scouts.  As one of these 4,000 trained volunteers, I truly appreciate the sacrifice in terms of time and effort, but I also recognize the value of this collective contribution to my community.

According to studies by Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer’s time in 2008 was calculated nationally at  $20.25 per hour, slightly higher for California ($22.79).    It is estimated that each of the 4,000 adult Scout volunteers devote approximately five (5) hours a week, or around 260 hours per year, on average.  Each of the 16,000 Scouts contributes at least an hour per month on a service project, and each Eagle project involves approximately 100 service hours towards a community benefit.  Added together, Scouting in Santa Clara County generates more than 1,250,000 hours of community service, for a combined value over $28,487,000!

Of course, the dollar value  — at best, only a rough estimate — does not tell the whole story.  Serving by example, these Scout volunteers provide leadership and inspire others, by fulfilling their promise to follow the Scout Oath and Law, and to Do a Good Turn Daily.  Whether building a new trail or working with autistic youth, honoring Veterans or collecting food, cleaning a creek or restoring a public park, Scouts not only improve their community, they show others the true meaning of citizenship.  By their actions, these volunteers are investing in their community, and in their future.  For a historical perspective, you can review a brief summary of Scouting’s contributions to the Nation since 1910 here.

A Scout is Thrifty, which is the theme of this year’s Friends of Scouting campaign.  Scouts have been at the forefront of the Green movement since their inception.  This year, the Friends of Scouting campaign goal for Santa Clara County is a modest $784,500.  Yet, this money will be leveraged by the combined volunteer effort to produce more than $28 Million in community benefits this year alone!  $36 for every $1 donated works out to a really Good (Re)Turn on your investment!  So, Do a Good Turn, and make a contribution to Friends of Scouting — and help the volunteers and staff to continue their work serving the community.  You can donate online, or send a check.  For a copy of the Friends of Scouting brochure and donation form, click here.  Any and all contributions of any amount are welcome.  And even if you cannot afford to contribute money, think about what you can do to volunteer some time in 2010 to help your community.  Thank you.