In concept, the idea of compelling high school students in Gilroy to volunteer is a good one. What's not to like?
Students learning about their community in a service-oriented setting is a very good thing. Whether it's practical and should merit priority status is another, more difficult, question.
In the first phase of the "volunteer" program, the idea is to encourage volunteerism. In a perfect world, that first phase would work so well that moving into compulsory volunteering - truly an oxymoron of sorts - is unnecessary.
By Dispatch Editorial Board
About Me
- Volunteer Southern Maryland
- Volunteer Southern Maryland is a community resource housed at the College of Southern Maryland. Volunteer Southern Maryland (VSMD) proudly opened its doors on July 17, 2002 after one year of planning. It started when a group of community members began meeting to assess the need for a volunteer center. Today VSMD is placing volunteers in various opportunities throughout the community. The primary role of VSMD is to recruit and mobilize citizens to meet local needs through volunteer service. VSMD provides consultation, training and technical assistance to businesses and nonprofit organizations that work with volunteers to build their skills in recruiting, managing, retaining and recognizing volunteers.
