Okay Why Don't You Go To Work For Free

Wow, this has to be one of the coldest posts that I have ever seen. If they're doing a job for PAY, then their position is not VOLUNTEER. Some job positions pay stipends which is usually just to cover the cost of bare minimum basic necessities.People that do volunteer work (as a choice not forced community service) do it for the reward of knowing that they are helping out those around them and their communities. Other people choose to do certain jobs as a profession. Most of these jobs require intense schooling and training - and that all costs MONEY. Many times the first 1-3 years of salary that a teacher makes simply goes back to paying student loans. Most of the jobs you mentioned are stressful, physically demanding, and hazardous. I'm sorry for sounding rude, this has just angered me. Alot. What do you do for your community?

Hi gewcew...Volunteer work should be just that - a choice. I do volunteer work but I also have to have a full time job to make sure I can provide for my family.

Yours is a faulty and angry argument. The people you mentioned are not volunteers,they work for pay, although in many small communities you do have volunteer firefighters. America is known for its great volunteer spirit and generosity. What sad places would hospitals be without the volunteers who man the gift shops, take books around and assist patients in many other things. Believe me I have been to countries where volunteerism is absent. What sad places hospitals and long term care institutions are without volunteers. Being a volunteer is a two way street and has to be a two way street. You give of your time and expertise and you get something back, namely satisfaction that you are a valuable and valued member of your community. I live in Canada and kids cannot graduate from High School until they have done their quantum of volunteer hours. Do you realize how many students have set their sites on this job or that profession but after they do their volunteer time in their chosen field they realize, that this is not for them. There are buckets of money saved by parents who do not have to pay tuition for a year or two and then their son and daughter tells them "this is not for me." Some kids also realize by voluneering that they would like to get into a field that they had never thought of and make career choices because they had an enjoyable experience as a volunteer. It builds character, it turns shy and insecure young people into delightful self assured individuals when they voluneer in the right places and are valued. It is a joy to work with these youngsters. Where I live in my condo building there are a lot of older retired people. Do you know who are the most active, alert, healthy and pleasant seniors? It is those who have little volunteer jobs. Some do a lot, some only a few hours a week or month but you can truly see the difference between those who do volunteer and those who don't. So, please do not knock a precious thing.

I actually do quite a bit of volunteer work on a regular basis. But, I have to earn a living to buy food, clothing, shelter, etc. We have a cash-based system, so I have to earn cash in order to buy things. I do volunteer work because the organizations I am volunteering for can't afford to hire people as they're spending all the money they get to feed and clothe people who can't find jobs or take care of themselves. The work we do is actually very hard, too.

Out of curiosity therefore are farmers going to produce food for free? Factories produce clothes for nothing?

Because people have families to support and bills to pay, gewcew, as I'm sure you're very aware. I understand and agree with the objections to forced volunteering but that doesn't make it any less rewarding to those who choose to give some of their time and talents to their community for free. The world works the way the world works. No one can live without a paycheck unless they are being supported by someone else.

I just about do! I volunteer more than get paid. I would all of the time if the mortgage company would accept warm fuzzies for payment!

I think its good to volunteer to do things but these people still need the money to provide for their family. Unless the organization that they work in promises to provide for the basic needs of their family, then I think they do deserve to be paid. After all, they are giving their time, energy and skills to the goverment or whatever organization. Though I do know of some volunteer workers that don't get paid, the difference is they don't do it full-time, they still have day jobs that supports their family

I'm proud of my 15 year old son who does volunteer at our library. He helps with the book club, even had his pictue in the paper for that, volunteers his time for the card catalogue and loves it and no pay. He just hopes to work at the library one day. This is a good way to do it and a wonderful experience for him. Volunteering, besides getting experience and knowledge, is very rewarding and in more ways than one. It would be nice if we all could just do what we love for nothing, but that's not practical. It's not like we get clothing, food, transportation, car insurance, medical insurance, school functions, electricity, and anything else the we need as a necessity, (Not a want)for free. There are places out there that you can get help if hit upon a hard time, but there's always stipulations or guidlines you have to come under. There's all kinds of places to volunteer which alot of people try to do and help out, but everyone needs to have some kind of career/job to get anywhere in life and we all need an income, plain and simple. Every volunteer job I've ever heard of does not pay an hourly wage. Sometimes, through fundraisers or just contributions, some places do something for their volunteers just to show their appreciation for all their hard work. Volunteers should'nt and usually don't expect anything. As for Work, Work, yes, of course one expects to get paid, we are'nt volunteering, we are surviving. Have a great day, gewcew.

Well everyone can do that but they have to run their house as well. Even all the heroes you have mentioned are working somewhere for someone and so they should be paid for that. Every job someone will appreciate you it doesn't mean that they are heroes and should work there freely. You should ensure that you are being loyal employee and work hard for your firms. People in government sectors are mentioned because at some places these employees has less payments then private sector.

Coz PPl need money for food shelter and clothing their is no simpler answer then this .