Ho hum, another quality of life study, another poor showing for Nevada. This time it’s the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service raking us over the coals for low volunteerism rates—a lowest-in-the-nation 17.5 percent, compared to 40 percent for Utahans, tops in the U.S. Show-offs!
I hate these studies because they never consider Clark County’s singularity (since 70 percent of the state’s population resides here, the study’s really talking about us): 24-7, service-oriented economy; explosive population growth; high transience. And would it kill these folks to broaden the spectrum a bit and give us some dap for all the unrecognized volunteer activity (PTA meetings, homeless feedings) and generous corporate philanthropy (millions in funding and employee contributions)?
Fran Smith (she directs the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada), am I way off base here?
“It’s probably statistically correct, but the thing with surveys is that people answer according to what they hear, not always according to what’s true. People do volunteer a lot.
“They help at churches, in Little League, at schools, but those things aren’t labeled volunteering.
“Things are really changing.
“One of the problems is that when people move here, they have to find a place to live and jobs. But once those essentials are set, they can develop an interest in giving back.
“The same with companies: they have to be established as viable before they can get involved in community service. We see, all the time, more people and more companies wanting to get involved.”