In the event anyone in interested (no offense taken if you’re not :) ) here are the two papers I’ll be presenting at ARNOVA on Thursday… you can see them by clicking HERE.
This week is going to be action-filled in the best possible way…another academic conference! From November 18 to 21 I will be in Cleveland for the 39th Annual Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Conference. I am very much looking forward to the conference because I always come away with an immense flood of new information. I love the multidisciplinary aspect of the conference; it is simply amazing to see so many people from different parts of the world and in various fields converge in one place for a few days to discuss their common (and sometimes not-so-common) research themes.
The theme for this year’s conference is Philanthropy in Communities: Finding Opportunity in Crisis. It is relevant and timely, and I am really excited to see the research that will be presented. I will be presenting two papers: the first is on managerial perceptions of innovation value in public and nonprofit organizations, and the second will be a case study of the now defunct Arizona 2-1-1 Online program. I’m also excited to be participating in a colloquium entitled “Does Real Action Happen Online?” I’m very eager to hear my colleagues’ response to what I view as a question of ever-increasing importance.
In addition to presenting my research, I will also be helping with the social media coverage of the conference. I’ll post a few updates on my blog here and at thirdsectornetwork.org. Also joining me in the social media coverage are:
- Debra Beck (laramieboardlearningproject.blogspot.com)
- Heather Carpenter (nonprofitleadership601.blogspot.com)
- Graham Dover (www.inov8.ca & www.si2.ca)
- Lindsey McDougle (leadershipasafieldofstudy.blogspot.com & thirdsectornetwork.org)
- and guest bloggers Taylor Peyton Roberts, Alice Walker and Debra Weiner
So, even if you can’t join us in Cleveland, we hope you’ll join us online!
The feedback to my previous post has been quite interesting. I have quickly found that if I want to increase my readership, I should find a way to incorporate Glenn Beck. However, that will not be the case as I believe I have given him more attention than was initially merited. I have also found that a majority of people don’t like what he had to say regarding volunteerism, but also, that the “no press is bad press” adage was relatively true. I appreciate those of you who took the time to comment or e-mail.
However, the whole ordeal got me thinking about my own place and why I’ve always tried to maintain activity in volunteer activities. I always wish I could do more, and often get frustrated by the excuses I make. Some are legitimate reasons, but I’ll be honest…some are also excuses. In terms of volunteering, I had the consummate example growing up. My father, John A. Ronquillo, is one of the most selfless individuals I know. And granted, that’s definitely a son’s bias, but one that has taken me nearly thirty years to realize. He rarely backs away from an opportunity to give service, and though his company has a volunteer program in place, much of his efforts have been initiated through personal contact with other individuals.
Though we share a name (different middle initials) we’re actually quite opposite. My adolescence would be considered privileged compared to his, and I am most definitely in the position I am in because of his hard work. As much as he wanted to go to college, and despite being a very good student, a number of things prevented him from doing so. He served in the Armed Forces and received training as a mechanic and later served as a military policeman. After that, he spent decades working as an industrial and commercial painter, electrical lineman, and now as a material handler for one of Arizona’s largest electric utilities. He is blue collar, through and through, and I must be a bit selfish here by saying that I am glad he is such. If anything, it has kept me grounded and always helped me remember the sacrifices he made so that I could go to college (and apparently never stop, because here I am, still in school).
The one thing I can’t exactly tell you is why he does it. Yes, we can generalize and assume quite easily: he does it because it makes him feel good, or because he has a big heart, or because he wants to help kids succeed (all true). But to capture the real intrinsic motivation he and many others have is something that has been a topic addressed by volunteer researchers for some time.
His explanation to me once upon a time: “It’s fun.”
I have always been taught that if you want something done, you need to do it yourself. My dad exemplifies that. Where he sees need, he takes action. His countless hours of volunteer work truly merit a high recognition, but his humble, good-natured persona hardly keeps track of the hours he puts in (and he really only does it because his company wants to know).
My father volunteers because he believes it’s his duty. I don’t know how many checks he’s ever written to charities…or if he ever has. But the amount of time he has put into helping a JROTC unit put up a flagpole, or help tourists find their way, or help Phoenix Zoo patrons enjoy their visits, and everything else he does, rivals the good any wealthy philanthropist does by donating money. My dad’s time is precious because he has taken it upon himself to give it to others. And I am happy to say that others have begun to recognize it. At age 55, he was asked to sit on his first Board of Directors for Youth Evaluation and Treatment Centers in Phoenix, Arizona. Again, he’s not a high-profile businessman, an attorney, or a publicly elected official…but he’s literally built his career with his hands and selflessly given his time to others. May I only wish to follow his stellar example.
I may be engaged in researching the science of volunteerism, but the art of it was taught to me by my dad.
