Bernie DeKoven writes:
>I am troubled by the concept of volunteerism, primarilly because it has
>always been my personal goal to GET PAID TO PLAY.
I suspect that I have achieved Bernie's stated goal. Certainly, as those
who know me will surely vouch, it's hard to figure out how else to
describe how I've spent my time while employed. However the overall
effect on me of this "success" has been that I am troubled by the concept
of getting paid.
Not that I have figured out a viable alternative, but it still troubles
me.
> I think that money is in fact the most genuine form of recognition our
> culture has to offer, that volunteerism results most often in token
> recognition, leading ultimately to token efforts. Systemically speaking.
I think that friendship and trust are the most genuine form of recognition
that people have to offer; I've never really had much commerce with our
culture, per se. I understand what Bernie is saying about "volunteerism",
but I see it as merely a political term (both positive and negative).
The distinction that is meaningful to me is that between professionalism
(doing it for money) and amateurism (doing it for love). Whether the
money takes the form of $$$, paid expenses, or *useful* contacts doesn't
change the reality of the 'for'. [For example, officers of professional
societies are volunteers in the technical sense, but many are obviously
doing well by doing good.]
Systemically speaking, of course.
--P-) ___o - o Peter Marks <marks@halcyon.com> _-\_<, - _\ /\_ 15307 NE 202nd Street (206)489-0501 (*)/ (*) - (*)^(*) Woodinville, WA 98072 Fax:(206)402-3863 ------------------------------ If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!