An Overview of 2009 Volunteering in Rhode Island

The new data is out from the Corporation for National and Community Service on Volunteering in America.  Nationally, more people are volunteering but overall are not giving any more hours to organizations - hours remained flat.

Locally, we are ranked 42nd in the country on the percentage of people that volunteer.  In 2009, approximately 196,000 people volunteered in RIgiving 26.5 million hours of service to charities around the state.  On average, Rhode Islanders who volunteer contribute about 31 hours a year to volunteering.

The full report for RI can be found here.

I always look forward to this report being released.  I like to see where RI ranks among the other states, and I like to see nationally where we are at.  I'm pleased to see more people are volunteering but it's interesting that they aren't necessarily giving more time.

From a STB perspective I can understand that.  As our fiscal year comes to a close in a few weeks, I'm noticing on our early reports that we have a lot more people who volunteered this year than in the past, but overall our hours aren't really any different than in the past.  One thing I have noticed since starting at STB over 4 years ago is that our volunteers really tend to stick to the projects they like and just give time in those areas - which is great - but I can see how that doesn't allow for growth of hours at the organization.  So it makes me realize that maybe I'm not alone in this feeling - that other nonprofits have the same situation.

I really was anticipating that the number of volunteers and hours was going to increase this time around because of the recession.  I know we've seen an increase in volunteers who are looking to give time since they aren't working right now.  But perhaps people are still just coming out one or two times to participate and not giving more hours during the work day to organizations.

I'll be curious to hear from volunteers: do you think you give 31 hours a year on average to organizations you volunteer for combined?

And from nonprofit organizations: did you see your hours increase or just your numbers?

Happy World Oceans Day

Ok so I may be a day late, but none the less - really shouldn't every day be World Oceans Day?  Just like every day should be Earth Day?

I think the oceans and other bodies of water are things that have been on people's mind lately with the oil spill in the Gulf.  We're seeing the oiled birds and fish, the loss of precious habitat, it's heartbreaking for any water lover.

So this WOD really should make us all reflect on the importance of our oceans and what they do for us.  They help provide us with the oxygen we breathe, generate food, provide recreation and income for millions, medicines, you name it! 

Take a little bit to read this piece on The Daily Green about what you can do to help the oceans - better yet, locally, come join us for a Shoreline Cleanup, and Eelgrass Restoration or other events!