The call to service
14/10/15 05:31
It was October 14, 1960 when then presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, in a campaign stop at the University of Michigan, proposed that the United States create a Peace Corps. The proposal was simple, create a group of volunteers who would serve around the world serving those in need and working to end violence and conflict by bringing education and higher living standards. Kennedy was elected and the Peace Corps was formed. Over its history, the Corps has had ups and downs in the numbers of recruits, but it has maintained a steady group of volunteers. Over 220,000 Americans have served in over 140 countries, working at the grassroots level developing sustainable solutions that address challenges in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth development. In the process volunteers have helped to promote a better understanding of the United States in the countries where they serve.
This year is proving to be a banner year for Peace Corps volunteering. About 23,000 citizens have volunteered to serve in the Peace Corps in fiscal 2015. That’s a whopping 32% increase from last year and more than double the number of applications in 2013. Although they are different paths of service, for comparison, the U.S. Army recruits about 57,000 per year, a decline from 80,000 per year a decade ago.
“What these application numbers tell us is that Americans today are as passionate about service as they have ever been, and that they are clamoring for the opportunity to make sustainable change in communities around the world,” Hessler-Radelet said in a statement to The Washington Post. “Today’s Americans, from all walks of life, are ready to put their skills to work making a difference, and when given the opportunity to make their mark on the world, they will raise their hands to serve in record numbers.”
Peace Corps Volunteers serve two-year appointments. One of the reasons cited for the increase in applications to serve is that in contrast to prior years, the Peace Corps now allows volunteers to pick their favorites from a list of 65 countries. Volunteers are also allowed to select a specialization once they have been deployed. The process of application has also been streamlined. Applicants can now complete their online application in about an hour, down from the estimated eight hours that it took before.
Cynics cite the rising difficulty of finding suitable employment for recent college graduates as one of the reasons for the increase in applications. While this may be a factor for some applicants - after all, service in the Peace Corps looks good on a resume - it is clear that our nation continues to have a large number of people who are interested in not just imagining a bretter future for the world, but also rolling up their sleeves and doing something to make the world better.
In four decades of working with youth and young adults, I have not experienced any decrease in the idealism and willingness to serve others. The youth with whom we work today are different in many ways than was the case when we began our ministry. They are more technologically savvy. In general they are more affluent. They have busier schedules and less free time. Despite the differences, however, they appear to be eager to make a difference in the world. And despite a lot of negative media, today’s youth continue to believe that it is possible to contribute and to live meaningful lives of service.
Interestingly, however, many adults seem to be timid when speaking to young people about sacrifice and service. I hear a lot of talk about the benefits and financial rewards of university education. I hear a lot of conversation about potential earnings and job placement. I probably shouldn’t be surprised by this. Mid-career adults in their 40’s and 50’s went through college in a time when volunteerism had dropped off and volunteer agencies were having difficulty recruiting. They were more focused on career success and financial gain and it showed in a general decrease in volunteerism.
The source of volunteerism, however, doesn’t come primarily from the outside. While it is true that an inspirational speech can motivate volunteers, the primary thrust has to come from within the individual. People volunteer because they experience a call to serve that comes from within.
I believe that it is time for us to renew our commitment to the concept of vocation - calling. We need to be bold in speaking to children and youth about a higher calling that comes from God. In a society and culture where pursuit of profits seems to be celebrated at almost every turn by the media, the path of service doesn’t have the same flash and flare. It is, however, a deeply meaningful investment of a life.
I celebrate the recent increase in Peace Corps volunteers as a sign of the character of the people of our nation. Despite the rhetoric of candidates who speak as if our nation is in decline and everything is going wrong, the people of this country continue to demonstrate that we are capable of rising above legislative gridlock and money-bloated politics.
At our core, we still believe in the value of serving others.
At our core, we are still willing to make sacrifices for the good of the world.
I was just a kid when then Senator Kennedy was traveling around the country campaigning by making live speeches. I was, however, able to feel some of the idealism he inspired in the adults around me. Some of his ideas continue to be bright spots in the story of our world.
Presidential candidates these days seem to gravitate not to speaking directly to people, but to televised events with more distant audiences. They seem to appeal to the lowest common denominator and spend most of their energy in attacking their opponents. I admit that I tune out most of their chatter.
Still, I long for just one good world-changing idea from one of the candidates who is running for the office. One really good call to service would get my attention. It might even get my vote.
This year is proving to be a banner year for Peace Corps volunteering. About 23,000 citizens have volunteered to serve in the Peace Corps in fiscal 2015. That’s a whopping 32% increase from last year and more than double the number of applications in 2013. Although they are different paths of service, for comparison, the U.S. Army recruits about 57,000 per year, a decline from 80,000 per year a decade ago.
“What these application numbers tell us is that Americans today are as passionate about service as they have ever been, and that they are clamoring for the opportunity to make sustainable change in communities around the world,” Hessler-Radelet said in a statement to The Washington Post. “Today’s Americans, from all walks of life, are ready to put their skills to work making a difference, and when given the opportunity to make their mark on the world, they will raise their hands to serve in record numbers.”
Peace Corps Volunteers serve two-year appointments. One of the reasons cited for the increase in applications to serve is that in contrast to prior years, the Peace Corps now allows volunteers to pick their favorites from a list of 65 countries. Volunteers are also allowed to select a specialization once they have been deployed. The process of application has also been streamlined. Applicants can now complete their online application in about an hour, down from the estimated eight hours that it took before.
Cynics cite the rising difficulty of finding suitable employment for recent college graduates as one of the reasons for the increase in applications. While this may be a factor for some applicants - after all, service in the Peace Corps looks good on a resume - it is clear that our nation continues to have a large number of people who are interested in not just imagining a bretter future for the world, but also rolling up their sleeves and doing something to make the world better.
In four decades of working with youth and young adults, I have not experienced any decrease in the idealism and willingness to serve others. The youth with whom we work today are different in many ways than was the case when we began our ministry. They are more technologically savvy. In general they are more affluent. They have busier schedules and less free time. Despite the differences, however, they appear to be eager to make a difference in the world. And despite a lot of negative media, today’s youth continue to believe that it is possible to contribute and to live meaningful lives of service.
Interestingly, however, many adults seem to be timid when speaking to young people about sacrifice and service. I hear a lot of talk about the benefits and financial rewards of university education. I hear a lot of conversation about potential earnings and job placement. I probably shouldn’t be surprised by this. Mid-career adults in their 40’s and 50’s went through college in a time when volunteerism had dropped off and volunteer agencies were having difficulty recruiting. They were more focused on career success and financial gain and it showed in a general decrease in volunteerism.
The source of volunteerism, however, doesn’t come primarily from the outside. While it is true that an inspirational speech can motivate volunteers, the primary thrust has to come from within the individual. People volunteer because they experience a call to serve that comes from within.
I believe that it is time for us to renew our commitment to the concept of vocation - calling. We need to be bold in speaking to children and youth about a higher calling that comes from God. In a society and culture where pursuit of profits seems to be celebrated at almost every turn by the media, the path of service doesn’t have the same flash and flare. It is, however, a deeply meaningful investment of a life.
I celebrate the recent increase in Peace Corps volunteers as a sign of the character of the people of our nation. Despite the rhetoric of candidates who speak as if our nation is in decline and everything is going wrong, the people of this country continue to demonstrate that we are capable of rising above legislative gridlock and money-bloated politics.
At our core, we still believe in the value of serving others.
At our core, we are still willing to make sacrifices for the good of the world.
I was just a kid when then Senator Kennedy was traveling around the country campaigning by making live speeches. I was, however, able to feel some of the idealism he inspired in the adults around me. Some of his ideas continue to be bright spots in the story of our world.
Presidential candidates these days seem to gravitate not to speaking directly to people, but to televised events with more distant audiences. They seem to appeal to the lowest common denominator and spend most of their energy in attacking their opponents. I admit that I tune out most of their chatter.
Still, I long for just one good world-changing idea from one of the candidates who is running for the office. One really good call to service would get my attention. It might even get my vote.