January 9, 2007
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
Just when I thought I would not need to talk about volunteers being paid (see my many previous stories on Paid Volunteer Coordinator at B-R), new Governor Deval Patrick announces the Commonwealth Corps. In a January 8th Press Release, the new program will include 250 individuals in the first year, and hopefully expand to 1000 in five years.
“Governor Deval Patrick today announced the creation of Commonwealth Corps, an organization dedicated to encouraging residents and improving communities across Massachusetts through community service and volunteerism.”
“The Commonwealth Corps will include 250 individuals in its first year, with a goal of expanding to 1,000 members over the next five years. Members will dedicate at least one year of service to a nonprofit organization, civic initiative, or public entity, providing direct service to people or communities in need.”
While the press release did not attach a cost to this initiative, it has been reported as being $3,000,000 in year one (without considering potential increases to include more volunteers). So, let’s do some math. $3M divided by 250 individuals means a cost of $12,000 per individual volunteer. Divide that $12,000 by 52 week and 40 hour weeks and you arrive at $5.77 per hour. I suppose with the recent increase to minimum wage of $7.50 per hour, this is less than the going rate. BUT… why does a volunteer need to be paid $5.77/hour to help in the community?
