reciprocity

I volunteer at a conference called Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership just about every year. Although it is an international organization, I have participated in the Central Pennsylvania seminar almost exclusively.

HOBY, as alumni call it, seeks to engage one tenth graders from all participating schools in critical thinking and volunteer service. Our goal is to encourage students to consider how to think, not what to think. I believe in this goal to be worthy of every single second of sacrifice made by the volunteers who organize the conference.

However, this year, I returned from the conference pondering the concept of reciprocity. What do the HOBY volunteers get out of volunteering? Are we being honest with ourselves about how much we receive and give?

Being honest about what one receives as a volunteer is important. Without acknowledging this reciprocity, a volunteer risks a) becoming arrogant about how wonderful a thing she is doing because she realizes she receives at the same time and b) becoming burnt out from giving to things that do not encourage her spirit.

Another danger lurks when reciprocity is not acknowledged. A volunteer can make the service project more profitable for the herself than for the people who are supposedly benefiting from the service.

I have a lot to consider about my role in HOBY. More to come. I would definitely appreciate your thoughts on the matter of reciprocity in service if you have any. :)

Shalom.