Should individuals volunteer because it’s the right thing to do or because it’s a good thing to do? I recently thought about the differences between right and what is good. The “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day” campaign seems like a great example of this question. Disney will be giving day passes to one of their theme parks for those who register and volunteer at participating organizations. But I wonder, should volunteers be lavishly rewarded for one day of volunteering when there are many, many volunteers who have been involved for years?

I liken it to this analogy:
A professional cleaning company is called in to clean up a mansion after a big house party. One person shows up for the job and is promised a day’s worth of pay. At 3 pm, the owner of the home calls another company in to assist, and also receives a day’s worth of pay.

The owner of the home has not necessarily been unfair to the first cleaner; he/she has been given what was promised. But was it fair?

Getting back to my original point, it might not be optimal for Disney to be giving such lavish rewards for short-term volunteers, but the greater good benefits from this. Perhaps this campaign will encourage new volunteers to get involved and hopefully, “get hooked.” The chance that an organization could benefit with a new regular volunteers is definitely a sign that the greater good has been accomplished.

So I’ll ask you, readers, what you think? Is the “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day” promotion fair? Will it benefit the community?

Writing is a lot like volunteering, something I’ve just figured out, because like volunteering writing requires inspiration, diligence and passion.

It is my hope that this blog acts as a catalyst between passion and community commitment. I hope to evoke your determination and to inspire! However, I think it would be best if I told you all a little bit about myself.

· I am a first year university student at the University of Manitoba majoring in English and minoring in Linguistics
· I have worked for not-for-profit organizations on two continents and had a brief volunteering experience in a third: Take Pride Winnipeg!, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, The Cancer Council New South Wales and the World Society for the Protection of animals.
· I am extremely attached to the arts, particularly writing, literature and film.
· I prefer sour candy to sweet candy
· This is my first time ever blogging, please comment and ask questions!

So, now that we’re no longer strangers, I hope you all are as excited as I am for the continuation of this blog and the information & discussion we will engage in!

Until next time,

Sean Gee