Friday, February 27, 2009

Volunteerism is the Beauty of Winning Societies

Volunteerism and collective efforts result in winning societies, it helps in achieving synergy. I found US, a country built by vigor of volunteerism, it is a country strengthened by non governmental organization. I came across range of think tank organizations, such as CATO, BROOKINGS, all striving to provide quality policy recommendations. I remember CATO published a full page advertisement, carrying the names of leading economists including noble laureate, giving feedback on Obama’s stimulus package. Brookings is also active in coming up with all kind of research and policy recommendations. These think tanks are all working as non profit organizations, aiming to strengthen US policy formulation.

Another interesting organization I came across was SCORE “Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.

SCORE's 11,200 volunteer counselors have more than 600 business skills. Volunteers are working or retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders who share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. America’s labor movement is interesting to focus, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions. I had an idea that union only focus on collective bargaining but AFL CIO impressed me, they enabled retired US marines to be part of US economy. They enabled them through imparting training programs and short courses. They have helped thousands, all voluntarily. One may disagree with US foreign policy but socio-economic foundation strengthened by the spirit volunteerism, teaches a lot of lessons to developing countries. A model of development one can not afford to ignore.

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