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

*For 2005, data is being collected differently for this indicator. For the years 2001
and 2004, this question was asked specifically to those with children in the household
under the age of 18. Those results are still presented in the chart with an asterisk*.
Previous to 2001, this indicator was part of the annual report from the Maine Development Foundation – Measures of Growth. For 2005, this indicator is once again similar to the
earlier Measures of Growth indicators as the intention is to once again provide a more
broad based measure that may tell a story that calls attention to all parts of our communities.
This year the question was added to a bi-annual Tracking Survey © conducted by Critical
Insights, a market research firm in Portland, Maine. This survey targets a more broad
population of adult residents in Maine.

On this indicator, respondents are asked, “In the past 12 months have you devoted any
time outside of your regular family and work schedule for…?” For 2005, the percentage
of respondents who claimed to have participated in at least one activity was 66%. Among
specific listed activities, almost 4-in-10 respondents indicated that they participate in
activities or organizations to help the needy, while nearly one-third claim to participate in organizations to help the elderly.

 

Data Sources and Context

As mentioned above, for 2005 this indicator has a different data source. These
respondents are not exclusively households with children ages 18 and younger. This
indicator was the result of a purchased item (question) that was part of the Tracking
Survey © conducted by Critical Insights one of their bi-annual survey efforts in
November 2005. This public opinion survey had 601 respondents with only 30% of
all respondents having children ages 18 and younger in the household.

Respondents 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 needs or under-privileged?