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Virtual Volunteering
An anonymous reader writes "Virtual Volunteering is new to me, so I thought that I would pass the info. along. Given the downturn in employment and the need to keep an active resume or CV, becoming a 'Virtual Volunteer', may be just the way to refresh your outlook and your resume. A PC World article talks about two sites which list numerous opportunities; Volunteer Match lists 41,538 opportunities associated with 23,359 organizations, and World Computer Exchange which 'is a global nonprofit organization committed to helping the world's poorest youth bridge the disturbing global divides in information, technology and understanding. WCE does this by keeping donated PCs, Macs, and Laptops out of landfills and giving them new life connecting youth to the Internet in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.' There are most likely more organizations like this out there, anybody have a special one that they are associated with?"
Netaid.org
Pearls of Africa is run entirely by online volunteers who research and develop programs, solicit donations, and run a children's resource library in Uganda geared toward disabilities. Moy traveled to Uganda in November 2001 with the United Nations to open the library.
World Computer Exchange , based in Massachusetts, relies on virtual volunteers in its mission to bring computers to schools in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Since it was founded in October 1999, the organization has helped 676 schools and almost 256,000 students go online, says Tim Anderson, president and founder.
VolunteerMatch , which links volunteers with more than 23,000 organizations offering about 40,000 volunteer opportunities, is helping that cause, says Jason Willett, director of communications. Since 1998, nearly one million people signed up for an opportunity through VolunteerMatch.
As well, there are online mentors like NetMentors , which offers online career development for teenagers. It serves as a virtual career counselor with expertise on 70 different careers. With about 800 mentors, the group has counseled 1000 students entirely through its Web site.
Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. it's the only thing that ever has.
If I virtually volunteer, do I only have to do virtual work? If so, sign me up!
Normally, I don't really say anything during these moralistic threads, but I have seen this post a million times in one form or another. I just want to say, while yes, you are completely correct in thinking we should help those people. However, those are not the only people out there that need help. You can not always help only people at the bottom.
Sure, we could be altruistic about it...but honestly, do you think most geeks (sorry, we are at slashdot, have to refer the herd this way) are truly interested enough in helping a poor kid in Africa eat as opposed to helping them set up Linux? Now, don't say I mean they think they should starve over Linux, but rather, just be honest with yourself. Everyone has a threshold on how much they will help, so any help is good help.
With that said, who is to say this poorest of the poor+1 social strata will not thus reach down and those even needier then them? Don't assume just because they are poor too that they have no interest in helping their neighbors. I am sure most Americans are much more apt to help a starving neighbor then a starving person 15000 miles away. Out of sight out of mind right?
Its human, sure, its not perfect, but no one claimed to be. So anyway, again, no bashing you, just wanted to point out why this argument does not constantly hold water like you would think it would.
...my virtual public spirit and enthusiasm couldn't overcome my real-world apathy and laziness.
God, sometimes it gets so bad that I can't even be bothered to finish my own
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
Thanks to Slashdot posters for having shown me these links in past discussions! :)