THE COST OF VOLUNTEERING (EDITED AND UPDATED 4/23 - 4/25, 12/7, 12/9/2013) as well as 3/10, 3/12, 3/20, 3/21, 3/23, 5/21, 5/30, 5/31, 6/5, 6/6, 6/13, 7/10, 7/25, 8/7, 9/1, 9/27 & 10/4/2014 in addition to 9/24/2015

Introduction:
Volunteering typically requires an investment of time and effort and for, which there is no remuneration or reward in the truest sense of the word. The idea for this post resulted from a review of that Daily/Weekend Business Street Publication from November 23, 2009 (A1/17) entitled “Wikipedia Volunteers Log Off As Web Encyclopedia Ages.” This article examined the reasons for the drop off in volunteers to this popular online source of information. In the case of Wikipedia, the “volunteers” received a “reward” of sorts in having their names being associated with the editing of various articles to, which they contributed. An examination of the motivations for volunteering is the purpose for this post, as outlined below.

Background Details About Volunteering:

As it turns out, one of the main contributing factors for the drop off in volunteers centers on the renewed emphasis being placed on tougher editing standards to better control content on the free web encyclopedia. In a manner of speaking, it would be safe to say that there appears to be a direct correlation between the use of stricter editing rules and the significant drop of in volunteers. This would imply that the attraction to “volunteering” on Wikipedia is largely in part due to the idea of having their names listed as editorial contributors.
On the other hand, volunteering in its purest form, would indicate no type of remuneration of any type for the service provided and this is certainly true for my contributions in the mid to late 1980s in the outreach effort conducted in the inner city of New Haven, CT. As a matter of accountability, most of the material used if not all was paid by out of pocket expenses, for, which neither reimbursement was received nor tax deductions claimed. Therefore in this sense, I lost, not gained anything tangible but it did not matter because my motivation was not any corresponding gain and typically when notoriety came it was at a cost. For example, when one of the first outreach activities were coordinated, (then being idealistic), after erecting a large tent from, which to house the awareness activities over the upcoming week; upon my arrival early the following day, the tent supports were found completely destroyed and it appeared as if all was lost (and victory would be gained by those elements who did not care for any change in the status quo, because many, even some unexpected, were benefiting in many ways from conditions as they were and unwanted attention was not desired). Alternate plans had to be implemented to replace the tent supports purchased with some rented at short notice and carry on as planned. The lesson learned was, difficulties are not a barrier to the true volunteer because the tent had to be disassembled and reassembled daily over the course of the week-long outreach effort but it went on as planned successfully.

The Finale/Outcome:

The true test of volunteering are the difficulties or hurdles encountered; for if and when the going gets tough, the effort loses supporters, namely those who were not committed to the cause. Difficulties arise in any undertaking and those who disappear when the road becomes “rocky” were simply along for questionable motives, whatever the cause. Only those who have been on that path and gave without receiving any remuneration or adulation of any type can be counted on in times of difficulty to hold onto for the effort ahead especially when charting a course for, which there is no “established” script.
The following are a few examples of select areas/issues that should be clearly addressed when any voluntary activity is under consideration such as with the Freedom For All Forward activity (that was formally withdrawn as an offer to a specific individual) but discussed on the similarly named Page :

1. Can my actions be considered as quid pro quo was involved? If such is the case then it really was and is not a truly volunteer activity. For any activity to be considered voluntary in the true sense of the word, then, it cannot ever appear as if there was any quid pro quo involved at all (of any type), otherwise how could such be considered truly a volunteer effort.
2. Is the tendency to rely on expedient decision-making under such circumstances clearly addressed consistent with the example provided in comment # 1 on 4/22/2013 on the COMMENTS 2013 Page? These criteria at the outset will contribute greatly towards addressing many of the crucial issues involved because of my unique status as a permanent resident in the most unusual situation of providing assistance even in the one-time ONLY offering  (as has been my practice because the title of citizen was and is NOT needed to provide assistance where a need exists as documented in the first paragraph of the post VOLUNTARY LIFE ALTERING DECISIONS BRING MEANINGFUL CHANGE - UPDATED); such even in a voluntary capacity as a single individual because when such voluntary contributions were previously carried out, it was in concert with my now ex spouse and that will help to clearly show why such a course is most appropriate consistent with the conditions documented in comment # 2 from 4/20/2013 also on the COMMENTS 2013 Page.
3. The personal affairs of the individual to whom voluntary assistance is to be provided from a "big picture" viewpoint, must be a topic for discussion to examine for any potential pitfalls or "roadblocks" in addition to any issues that would be problematic for the individual in order to ensure that a plan of approach is implemented for any potential issues if the path ahead is to be truly properly addressed in the best interest of the individual and 
4. the assurance that the trust placed will receive the level of care and consideration deserved in all areas.

The activities of interest, which support the previous conclusion, include the following:

• success in my undergraduate studies against all overwhelming odds (IN THREE YEARS INSTEAD OF THE USUAL FOUR) consistent with my late Mother's encouragement as depicted in the below photo insert.
  

  

  The highlighted enclosed section is the area of interest where
  my late Mother's "let nothing hinder your progress" comment
  excerpt appears in that May 1978 letter and I did not.

• successful completion of volunteer community needs, which ultimately led to the founding of the Lighthouse Project Corporation (LPC) 501c3 organization as depicted in The Lighthouse Project Historical File as well as in the post VERIFIABLE OUTCOMES ALWAYS RESULT FROM SOUND DECISIONS! (UPDATED and indicated in my business card shown below,

 

This Business Card is a Representation of the Above File Containing 14 Photos  

 

• taking the personal requests from close acquaintances seriously when asked to carry out such responsibility as occurred when asked by my dear 1st American friend Lois, to be Michael's godfather, a matter I took seriously. It was her disagreement with my wedding decision/choice that prevented further interaction (see the Implications and Possible Outcome section of the post THE OUTSPOKEN PEN PAL WHO BECAME A FRIEND (EDITED W/INSERTS - UPDATED/AMENDED)  as well as documented in the Additions for 12/26/81, 1/13/82 & 4/18/83 included in the post HOW THE RECORDING OF MY JOURNEY SAVED THE DAY (EDITED AND UPDATED),
• avoiding the tendency to rely on expedient decisions to the best of my ability, because of having learned the dangers that can come with such, by making sound decisions as documented in the post EXPEDIENT DECISION-MAKING, ALWAYS A MISTAKE (EDITED)!, because more often than not, they often lead to the types of compromises that can imperil the most noble of intentions, and send the cause on the path to "whatever works" and eventually failure. On the other hand sound decision even allow for unexpected challenges such that even these circumstance don't detract from the overall objectives and goals as documented in the post VERIFIABLE OUTCOMES ALWAYS RESULT FROM SOUND DECISIONS! - UPDATED. For example, in my opinion, from the manner in, which events unfolded, I do believe that the individual seen lurking in the shadows as documented in the entry for October 4, 1981 when I saw my dear friend Celia safely to the train was NOT just a "happenstance" encounter, but was there with more of the type of sinister methods (associated with this "shadowy" individual) that those of the "free loaders cause" are know for, as documented in the post FREE LOADERS AND THEIR EXAMPLES - UPDATED and supplemented by the details in the post THE METHODS OF  "FREE LOADERS" - UPDATED, than appeared, because the manner in, which events unfolded, did NOT permit more of the same to occur, in an effort to "cover-up" other terrible actions that had been implemented by those who knew better against the unsuspecting, and in this way my being considerate prevented more of the same from taking place and
• sharing in accolades when appropriate as documented in the post GIVING PROPER CREDIT WHERE ITS DUE. 

From these experiences, a synopsis type "glimpse" is being provided into my background to provide the level of comfort that commitments are taken seriously by me even when all factors may not be known by others. For those interested, the facts "speak" for themselves!

The Conclusion:

The criterion that will determine whether or not the matter of Lois Bruno and the remainder of the "The Chisholm family Inclusive" cause will be considered properly championed as described in the  THE QUESTION OF THE MONTH'S PREMISE, is as follows: 

• IT MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THEIR ACTUAL LIFE'S JOURNEYS AS WELL AS HISTORIES (SOME OF, WHICH IS REFLECTED ON THE PAGES OF THIS BLOG) AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY CONJECTURE.

As such, any individual willing to champion their cause as described here, to CORRECTLY carry out this request, will be the recipient of the volunteer assistance as indicated, as long as it is verifiable and respected (by this Blog's HOBBY BLOGGER) as long as the outcome can be considered a fitting outcome that all are entitled, as depicted in the Footnote of the post HONORING GOD AND RESPECTING OTHERS PRACTICALLY - UPDATED, such that it can be recorded as being addressed. The indicated criterion above will be satisfactory, only after the type of evaluation that is typically carried out by this Blog is implemented* (see Footnote). Then, and only then will this be documented as closed for the purposes as described here accordingly.

* Footnote:
Please note, the opinion of "free loader cause" types with their "credibility" problems as documented generically in the post THE "FREE LOADERS CAUSE", "CREDIBILITY", THIS STORY IS NOW TOLD - UPDATED as well as who rely on methods such as those depicted in item # 5 from the listing in the post ETHICAL TREATMENT OF OTHERS SHOULD ALWAYS BE PRACTICED - EDITED AND UPDATED for their fleeting "legitimacy" and would if they could get away with it, place the final location of the heritage and identity of my late dear friend, Lois Bruno in a completely different State to cover-up their misdeeds such as occurred in that BLATANT" example specifically shown in the below photo about how entities  "AWARD"

The above caption is highlighted below for better viewing:

None who “legitimacy” is based on the filing of fraudulent insurance claims can are be “agents” of “credibility”: from 1) those who pretended to be others (when the “destruction” to the shed shown in the below photo took place at 8263 140^thAve., Olin, IA as end result of a so called “act of god”), in order to receive illicit payout funds, to 2) those entities (organizations) that supported such types as being the legitimate owners of a) the property and b) the authentic policyholders, including 3) the insurance Company that enabled the fraud to take place and now claim to be “on the side” of its policyholders “in the Nation” and 4) this “caper” could not be carried out without the input/involvement of those elected and appointed politico types who eventually devalued ALL the outbuildings on the property at 8263 140^th Ave, Olin, IA to a value of “ZERO” consistent with the property assessment for 1999 after having received an assessment in all the prior years from 1991 up through 1998 when a $8,155.00 valuation was assessed (as shown in the below photo). This in my opinion was to cover-up the obvious fraud that had taken place by this“collection” of “free loader cause” types wanting much by doing very, very little that’s meaningful and then allowed a brand new shed to be erected on the nearby property where NONE of its type had existed previously. My protest at this devaluation would have been of no avail, because of my prior experience with protesting a valuation in 1993 that was documented on my written Petition to the Board of Review dated 4/19/1993 and as a result the “dye was cast in" "concrete" and I was laid off in March the following year (2002).

 

"free loader cause" types their "legitimacy" by the willful misuse of financial tools such as property insurance at the expense of others whose identity, history, accomplishments, qualifications (or solid "foundations") and sphere of acquaintances are being (and have been) ravished and attempt to completely, openly steal as documented in the As previously pointed out bulleted paragraph from The Conclusion section of the post WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GEESE IS GOOD FOR THE WIRELESS "CARNDERS" - EDITED AND UPDATED by those WHO CHOSE TO RELY ON ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH THOSE DOING NOTHING MORE THAN USING MAN'S OLDEST OCCUPATION WRAPPED IN "SILKEN" GARMENTS TO "MAKE MORE HAPPEN" ON THEIR PATHS TO ACHIEVING THE TYPE OF BUSINESS SUCCESSES THEY WERE LED TO BELIEVE WERE NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT SUCH ASSOCIATIONS BY  "ENTITLED" TYPES WHO "APPOINTED" THEMSELVES TO "UNENVIABLE POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY" IN THIS LAND, NAMELY, THAT OF DETERMINING OUTCOMES FOR OTHERS AS DOCUMENTED IN THE POST WHEN SACRIFICING IS IMPLEMENTED BY DECREE - UPDATED. THOSE EARLY "FAIRNESS SEEKERS" SACRIFICED MUCH FOR THIS LAND AS REFERENCED IN Comment # 1 from 5/24/2014 on the COMMENTS 2014 Page in the link to the ARMED FORCES DAY posting regarding the direction of this Country (USA), and supplemented by the details in the Here are Selected Examples for Consideration section of the post AT WHAT PRICE LOYALTY - UPDATED AND AMENDED, IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE THEIR "PARTNERS" WHO ALL SUFFER FROM "ORIGIN ISSUES" AND POSSESS HOG "MANURE" STRUCTURES, FLEETING "LEGITIMACY" AT MY EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT MY CHOOSING BUT THAT OF THOSE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED, WHO CHOSE TO HIDE IT BEHIND MY EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY IN THIS "LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE" as documented in the post THE STRANGE DEATH OF AN ICON - EDITED AND UPDATED AS WELL AS GARBAGE IN, (SWEET SMELLING ODORS), GARBAGE OUT - UPDATED AS NONE OF THE "ENTITLED" FEW WHO MADE THE EXPEDIENT DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF MANY WHO ARE SO "PROUD" OF THIS "CASH COW" WANTED TO BE PHYSICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH IT THEMSELVES AS DESCRIBED IN THE CONCLUSION SECTION OF THE POST THE STRANGE DEATH OF AN ICON - EDITED AND UPDATED.  THIS IS THE TIME FOR THESE TYPES TO FINALLY CONCLUDE THAT MY IDENTITY, HISTORY, QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS (OR SOLID "FOUNDATIONS", WHICH THE GOD OF CREATION WHO IS THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE WAS FULLY AWARE WOULD TAKE AND HAD SUCH DETAILS GENERALLY INCLUDED IN THE BIBLICAL BOOK OF REVELATION FOR THOSE WITH "UNDERSTANDING" TO DISCERN, IN APPROPRIATE DETAIL); ARE NOT THE ANSWER FOR PROBLEMS OF THEIR CREATION AND TO LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR SOLUTIONS. THESE TYPES WITH THEIR "ORIGIN ISSUES" AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ARE NOT IN ANYWAY CONNECTED AND/OR OF IMPORTANCE WITH REGARDS THE SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THIS CRITERION OR ANY OTHER MATTERS REGARDING THIS BLOG OR ANY OF MY PROPRIETORSHIPS REGARDLESS OF THEIR TITLE, AS REFLECTED ON THE PAGES OF THIS BLOG.