[lbo-talk] Volunteering

[ravi]

On 8 Oct, 2007, at 15:25 PM, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
>
> 3. I agree that most "religious" volunteering is really  
> volunteering for
> social causes rather than for religious activities per se.  It  
> would be
> really nice if that effort were classified by the activity of the
> establishment where it takes place (e.g. shelter, hospital, school,  
> etc.)
> just as paid employment is.  But even with that in mind, it is really
> depressing that churches can act as conduits for these social  
> activities,
> ...
>

Indeed! As I have posted before on this list, I have been entirely  
unable to find a non-religious entity that will use me in any way  
than as a source of funds. Some of them even have FAQs that say that  
they appreciate my wanting to contribute time, but really, they would  
rather have my money and hire "experts" to do the work. Many  
organisations do not even respond to requests. When I was in college  
in Philadelphia I used to tutor non-maths major undergraduate  
students in mathematics... I was hoping to do similar things for  
school or college students, but couldn't find a way to do so (the  
local college(s) do not permit that sort of ad hoc thing). What the  
churches provide is also a community and a network, which enable such  
contributions by providing a framework.

	--ravi