Is Arizona Just Not Tracking?

Today I received an article from the Phoenix Business Journal, from my good friend John, who is very active in For Our City Chandler.  His email immediately got my attention with, “this is not good!”  As I read on I realized that new statistics were available on volunteerism and once again, Arizona was lacking in the standings at 37^th out of 50 states.

My question; is Arizona really “lacking” or are we just not “tracking?” 

As I travel throughout Arizona I am privileged to see great people doing great things in volunteerism serving to heal human hurts.  I know of one church that gave more than 6,000 hours in one day to clean up their neighborhood. From Page to Nogales, volunteers are serving in churches, synagogues and other faith based organizations.  Foodbanks, schools, hospitals, emergency and law enforcement agencies are all supported by people helping people.  When you add the “daily” with the community volunteer “events” each month, to me, being 37th simply does not “add up!”

So, when 2+2 does not equal 4, I begin to look for a reason why the reported outcome is different than my experience and maybe find the more accurate solution.  I believe that Arizona is very active in volunteering but because of the good hearted people in Arizona, they don’t see the help that they give as “volunteering” and are not tracking all of the hours.

My friend ended his email to me with the question, “we are working to change this, right?” 

Yes John, CARE INC / For Our City is diligently working and is changing this “miscalculation.”  For Our City has joined the Governor’s Volunteer Challenge of 100 Hours in 2011 in conjunction with Channel 3 and the Arizona Centennial Celebration.  We are assisting communities by supporting and developing service opportunities, establishing Volunteer Leadership education and training and providing a bridge of relationship between community leaders and organizations to maximize local resources and efforts. 

When I served as a Chaplain of the Arizona Legislature, my office was in the old capitol, right down the hall from the museum.  In the museum there are many historical documents and artifacts, and if you have not seen them, then I encourage you to do so in honor of our centennial.  One of these documents is a prayer that was offered October 11, 1910, during the Arizona Constitutional Convention of 1910 by the first Chaplain, Seaborn Crutchfield.

"We pray Thee, Oh Lord, that this body of men, the representatives of the people of Arizona, may frame such a constitution as will meet the approval of every citizen and that it may grant unto Arizona statehood, and place it among the grand galaxy of states in these United States, and that Arizona may be the brightest star in the Union.  Grant us peace and love of country and love of mankind in our hearts... These blessings we would ask Thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son.  Amen." - Chaplain Seaborn Crutchfield

I believe that Arizonans must do four things in order to be “the brightest star in the Union.”

See your value of service – Every hour that is given has a value of over $20 in service.

Talk – Tell others, submit editorials, start a “testimony” page on a website or fb status about your volunteer experience.

Accrue volunteer hours – track and add up all your hours of service. 

Report hours – You can track and report your hours by signing up for 100 Hours of Service

Doing these 4 simple steps will show an accurate picture to the nation, of the compassionate and caring people who live and serve in Arizona. 

For a better Arizona,

Jon