Comunity Service

We don’t value community since we don’t make decisions for the whole group we make them for ourselves only. In our jobs we only do what will lead us to a higher paying position, and if our position is in jeopardy we will do what ever it takes to keep it even if it means going against co-workers. This leads many people to ask the question “do I act selfishly or do I cooperate?” (Innes 2) The ways in which we raise our children has a significant affect on how they will act. If they put themselves before others constantly and think only of their own benefits, it can make them become a selfish person which will lead them to be seen as an outcast by our society. In “Behind Grandma’s House” Gary Soto shows us this when he tells us:

I understand the strength of a community is measured by what people put into it. I will actively volunteer my time and talents for the common good.

Service is simply an act of helpful activity and the transferable skills that are gained from service illustrate the importance of being involved. By volunteering in my community and taking part in organizations that are centered on service, I am able to strengthen my understanding of my surroundings, and I am taught more compassion for others. Being involved presents unlimited opportunities to give back to others, and with the skills instilled by service, I am able to make a difference in the lives around me. Experience gained with service creates characteristics in a person that can shape the direction of my life, and I will value that in the future.

I think that citizenship and service are linked in a way. I think that to be a good citizen and properly fulfill your role, you have to help out in the community. I do my part at school by doing what teachers ask of me, always being respectful, and by taking the time to do things the right way such as putting things in the right bins at the end of lunch. I also serve my community by doing community service hours and by picking up litter. I do community service hours by organizing food drives, volunteering at a food bank, and by helping out in a community garden. I help out in this garden by watering it, and I also take the food from it to Friendship Trays.

When I was asked to speak about service, the first thing I had to ponder was what exactly is service. In the world we live in today, there is so many different ways to serve those around you. Whether it is giving back to your school, local community, or even across borders the goal is always the same. Give a little piece of yourself for a greater good while expecting nothing in return.

I believe in a broad definition of community service, one that includes not only charitable and service

Having mandatory national service implies that every young person between ages 18 through 25 will be required to give back to the country through some type of national service. This includes the Military, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other nonprofit organizations. It does not necessarily involve preparing for combat, nor risking a life, but helping those in need, making the world a better place by taking care of the environment. Everyone should have the obligation to serve. John F. Kennedy ones said, “A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. Today’s military rejects include tomorrows hard-core unemployed.” Meaning that national service is something every citizen should be a part of. After all, it provides young adults with strength and pride of their country, as well as training in the career they are leaning towards. (Kennedy)

One deciding to serve their surrounding community in an attempt to better the lives of people living in that community is one of the most selfless actions one individual person can perform. Throughout my time in high school career I committed myself to serving the broader community in order to better society whether it be me serving as Co-President of Life is Delicious or raising money for Special Olympics Connecticut by doing the Penguin Plunge.

My definition of service is a beneficial act performed for someone in need. Examples of service include volunteer work and doing small things for other people when the opportunity arises. It is important for a person to help their community once in a while, because a lot of people are very entitled. I find this present in the majority of people in our society, in my peers and those older than me. I am not exempt from this sense of entitlement, which most likely comes from that fact that we all live comfortably in the middle class of a first world country, which most people would consider not to be in a major war at the moment. It is crucial for people to do things that they don’t really want to for the benefit of others once in a while. For my NJHS service hours, I will be volunteering with SNAP (students need an after party). I helped with the color run, and will be helping make decorations for the SNAP annual after party, which takes place after prom. My family also plans to participate in the USPS (United States Postal Service)’s Operation Santa, which where people adopt letters from needy kids, and then send them a

Community is built of two main elements. First, community requires communal caring. Members need to put themselves in positions where they are able to relate to other members and does everything “within reasonable limits of self-sacrifice” (65). The second is communal reciprocity. Individuals will serve other members of the community, not for exchange of goods, but to provide generosity and support. These elements of community appear in the lives of all individuals, even the most capitalist ones. Humans are entirely capable of these.

As a whole were limited as of what we can do to give back to our community. With every bit of help we can have a significant impact on the rate of poverty in America. There are many ways to get citizens off the streets and into stable homes. Working with a variety of organizations can have a major impact on children, adults and veterans on rebuilding their lives over again.

For this argument one must clearly explicate what is considered a “civic service”. A supporter must identify what is considered a civic service because, it’s a matter of degree and leaves the argument susceptible to attack. Civic service could be mistakenly associated with civic responsibility, for example volunteering and voting. Questions such as “what is a civic service” can disrupt the advocate’s argument. The misunderstanding of what is considered civic service could potentially be harmful to the Advocates proposal, therefore the advocate must be precise to avoid

“Community Service is important for many reasons. Taking part and volunteering teaches compassion and understanding. You can volunteer for something you really believe and have an interest in, and can volunteer as much or as little as you'd like or have time for.” Community service is really easy to get into. I mean, it is not like you have to put out an application and have an interview in order to do it. It is really easy to get into, and is really fun. It is things you wouldn’t even think are considered, like:

Many people don’t understand how important serving is. I have found that at some schools, serving is important and is required to graduate. Service is the action of helping or doing work for someone. Serving can help others learn more about the world and help them position into a mature adult. Although service is required sometimes, people should serve by choice. Service hours are designed to help students grow in a relationship with God as well as discovering new ways to serve and help others.

Think about a service that you receive regularly and put yourself in the wish mode. How would you change the service and the way it is provided?