Indicator: 76 - Volunteerism

 

Why This Is Important

Participation in community organizations is an excellent indicator of community vitality, and
it bodes well for long-term economic growth. Adults who participate in community
organizations help to establish this positive behavior as a community norm.

Where We Stand

Since 1995, a sample of Mainers has been asked: “ In the past 12 months have you devoted
time outside of your regular family and work schedule for…

A. Helping out in the public schools with academic or other school-related activities?
B. Community organizations that help young people such as little league, Big Brothers
     or Sisters, and scouting?

• Organizations which assist the elderly, home-bound, and people in poor health ?
• Organizations which assist the needy or under-privileged?
• An activity sponsored by an environmental organization?”

The percentage of respondents who said “yes” to at least one of the five was about 60%
from 1995 to 2000, rose to 71% in 2001, then fell again in 2004 to previous levels. The
most frequently cited volunteer work was with youth organizations (39.4%), followed closely
by helping in public schools (38.9%).

 

 

Data Sources and Context

Data on this indicator comes from a statewide telephone survey of Maine households with
children present who are age 18 or younger. The respondents to this survey were adults in
the household who self-identified as a parent. The indicator is similar to indicators used by
the Maine Development Foundation in their previous surveys of Maine citizens, or other
national surveys of families, so that the data could be used to monitor trends over time and
to compare Maine to the nation. This 2004-2005 survey was conducted by Critical Insights,
a strategic marketing research firm in Portland, Maine. During the months of December
2004 and January 2005, 400 Maine adults responded to the survey.

The adults were asked the following: “In the past 12 months, have you devoted any time
outside of your regular family and work schedule for...”

• Helping out in the public schools with academic or other school-related activities?
• Community organizations that help young people such as little league, Big Brothers
  or sisters, and/or scouting?
• Organizations which assist the elderly, home-bound, and people in poor health?
• Organizations which assist the needy or under-privileged?

An activity sponsored by an environmental organization?