This editorial specifically addresses Nazareth Community Basketball, but also mentions in a general sense other groups and organizations.
Nazareth Community Basketball has about 400 children on 35 teams for ages 8 to 15.
The group needs a team coordinator to organize coaches and teams and a league rep to attend meetings and ensure they abide by league rules. Over two years they've not found the two people required to fill these positions.
The ET notes the "I'm too busy excuse" is wearing thin.
I'm not sure of the extent to which volunteerism has shrunk, if at all, but I'd have to think the changing demographics have something to do with this.
- First we have more kids than we did twenty years ago, which requires more volunteers to manage more teams.
- Second, we have more business professionals who commute longer distances than we did then as well. What this means is that they don't have the ability to make after school practices and often don't get home until 7:00 p.m. and many of them also have extensive travel, which means they can't be there all the time.
- Third, we have more people who have moved to the area and don't have a support structure in place to watch other children and generally help out, while they coach or go to league meetings.
While the ET has opted to guilt people into helping, I think the better approach is to be more thankful of those people who do give their time, be it to a sports league, church, civic organization, community group, schools, etc. There are many, many people who are engaged and give their time, not to mention money, to make many, many organizations run and hold events and activities for all to enjoy. To them, thank you. And if you have thought about getting involved or are interested - go ahead and give it a try.
8 comments:
Sorry but you are off base in your characterization of community service. This has been an age-old problem of the same people are asked to do all of the work for a volunteer organization. Many people just assume that the org. is being run and they don't have to help.
That is the problem in today's society. Many people have moved into the area and bought their big expensive house, and now they have to pay for it. In the meantime, they expect everyone else to handle their kids activities, often acting as a babysitting service. Take responsibility for your child's activities, get involved, make the sacrifice necessary to better your child. Don't expect others to handle your responsibility.
maybe these sports organizations have trouble getting volunteers because it is typically run by people who want to win at all cost and are all about promoting their kids as the star player on the team. Then that scares off people from getting involved.
iamroodandcantspil that is a cop-out. Many good intentioned volunteers give up their time to not only help with their kid but also to help out the organization. This organization has specifically set up "travelling teams" , which kids must try out for, and more community basketball oriented teams. I have been actively involved in both types and I can tell you that to provide more competitive teams for those kids that want it helps out both types, and helps the organization as a whole.
If you are a parent, and don't like what is going on in the organization, speak up, get involved, and aid in making the organization better. Don't sit on the sidelines and criticize those that are trying to do right by the kids.
I wish there was an easy answer. We just completed a very successful baseball season. Our parent volunteers (concession stand, coaches, etc.) were great! Many individuals went "above & beyond" while others put in their 3-4 hours. Both types were highly appreciated! And after talking with many of them during the season, I realize it is tough for many to put in their time due to work and family obligations. The problem then becomes that those that put in so much time get burned out after just a few years. I keep feeling there must be individuals in the community that would like to be involved - they just don't know how or who to contact. Maybe they don't have children yet, or their children are grown and out of the house. How do we reach them and solicit their help??
And for those that can't contribute time - monetary donations are usually needed and appreciated.
Most of the coaches and people who run these sports organizations are egomaniacs. No wonder they have trouble getting volunteers.
I've known quite a few people who have coached and helped out in these organizations and they have for the most part been very good, giving people.
Please try to add to the conversation or make a constructive comment.
Gross generalizations about people do little to address the problem, which in this case is a need for more volunteers.
I have had volunteer coaches for my kids and have found both good and bad. I have also spoken with many other parents that have had both as well.
In the case of the bad, there always seems to be a common theme where the person is either win at all costs or doing it to make sure their kid gets a starting spot, regardless of their childs abilities usually at the cost of other kids with greater ability.
Parents are also a bigger issue. I have seen way to many parents that yell at the coach because they aren't happy with their kids playing time or don't think they are getting the right amount of attention. Helping out as an assistant coach at one point disgusted me in the way parents treated the head coach.
These people are voluntees, and to treat them badly only turns them off from doing it in the future. I know it did it for me.
I agree, now days the "helicopter parents" are terrible. Every coach out there has a story to tell about a parent who complained that his or her child did not get enough playing time or is not playing at the right position. This happens as every level, from peewee ball to high school.
I have sat back and watched in disgust as parents have yelled at coaches about their child, and all of this yelling and complaining goes on right in front of their child. The kid is so embarrassed at their parent's behavior that they cannot look at the coach or parent; they just look at the ground or simple walk away.
I do not blame people for not volunteering. It is a thankless job, full of yelling parents and headaches. If people really want this to change, parents need to take a seat in the stands and SHUT UP!
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