The Spirit of Volunteerism

One of the most significant marks of the new millennium is the resurgence of the spirit of volunteerism which has not been that strong and emphasized in the past few decades.  In the Philippines alone, the corporate world has been advocating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and a radical looking back to the roots of their once humble beginnings before becoming an empire whose assets is enough to buy the whole Philippines.  In fact, there is a whole new school of thought and paradigm which has sprouted from this…it’s called Social Entrepreneurship (but I’ll reserve this for my next article).

In the high tech world, the free open source community (i.e. as in free computer programs or software; as in free beer) has threatened the great empire Microsoft into opening itself up to the open source paradigm.  And so we see hear about the completely free Linux operating system in everyday computers at home, in the offices and in schools.  In the Church, we are humbled by the active involvement of the lay men and women through partnerships with CSR projects in sheltering the poor through the Gawad Kalinga.  We see ordinary people becoming overnight heroes during the worst typhoon disasters that hit the Philippines in which Pangasinan was not spared off its wrath.

What is so incredible about the spirit of volunteerism is that its ability to “infect” people and turn it into an “epidemic”!  Pardon the figure of speech but volunteerism, like any positive vibe, feeds on itself.  It nourishes itself with positive output of feelings of people as they help one another.  The feeling of being affirmed of one’s being able to help urges one to help even more, in any way you can.  Of course, we are talking about normal people here.  Sadly though, there are still people in our community who still take advantage of other people’s goodness.  But still, it has not in anyway discouraged nor stop people from becoming their best and consequently bringing out the best in others.

The spirit of volunteerism is very much alive in Rotary.  Rotary has been successful for years not just because of the millions of dollars in its disposal but by the spirit of volunteerism of its members.  Through their actions, they are able to teach the minds, touch the hearts and transform the lives of people around the world.

PAID IN FULL WITH A GLASS OF MILK

Recently, I overheard my brother coin the phrase “Paid in full with a glass of milk” whenever his close friends would ask how much he charges for the legal services fee. After his friend left smiling, I asked him how and where he got the phrase. He told me that he got it from a forwarded e-mail and that the story – a true story – made such an impact on him he used it in his dealings in his firm. The next day, he e-mailed the story. Here it goes:

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said….. “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words….. “Paid in full with one glass of milk”
(Dr. Kelly is a founding doctor of the Johns Hopkins Hospital.)

In my experience in the Rotary, I have noticed that those who share themselves without strings attached are those who have gained the respect from other Rotarians. Sharing and respecting are two intertwining virtues which is present in charitable situations. The lesser is the string attached, the bigger is the respect given to people who share.

This is the miracle of giving. And this is the value I always want to impart in the school where I’m at. Values are very important in the school setting: they are the fuel which drives a child to work hard and eventually succeed, not only in his own profession but in touching the lives of the people around him. This in turn inspires others to be good and do good as well. And the “paid in full with a glass of milk” syndrome spreads and does it magic again and again.

This, I see exemplified in true blue Rotarians. Truly, “Rotary Shares, Rotary cares” is not just a motto for them. It is a life lived, a life fulfilled. May we always strive to be true blue Rotarians.