Iowa's excellence in volunteerism

The Gazette

---Iowans' propensity to promptly pitch in for neighbors in need has long been a hallmark of our state.

So it doesn't surprise us that, for the second year in a row, Iowa achieved the second-highest volunteer rate in the country - 37.9 percent of Iowans took time to help others during 2010, says the Corporation for National and Community Service, which promotes and measures volunteerism and service to community and nation.

Created by Congress in 1993, the agency also invited governors to create their own state commissions. Of course, Iowa was already ahead of the curve. In 1978, Gov. Robert Ray created the Iowa Office on Volunteerism. And since then, successive governors have added their support:

Terry Branstad established what became the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service in 1994.

In 2005, Tom Vilsack signed legislation that expanded the state commission's role with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and to conform with federal guidelines that expanded funding opportunities.

In 2009, Gov. Chet Culver approved establishment of the Iowa Summer Youth Corps and Green Corps programs to get disadvantaged youth involved in service and learning opportunities.

Iowans, of course, were volunteering long before all those government initiatives. But more local and state leadership has helped coordinate and improve efforts, and raised awareness.

Corridor residents take volunteering to heart. In 2010, Iowa City ranked No. 3 among the nation's mid-size cities with its volunteer rate of 50 percent. Cedar Rapids was 14th at 35.6 percent. And with Des Moines at seventh and Cedar Falls/Waterloo at 11th, Iowa had more cities in the top 20 than any other state.

Another telling statistic in the report (www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/): Iowa ranked No. 1 in volunteer retention rate, about 80 percent. With most volunteers staying engaged, recruitment of new volunteers is more likely to be a net gain.

Congratulations, Iowans. And keep it up. The need for volunteerism isn't like to diminish any time soon, especially considering the economic uncertainties facing our state and nation.

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