- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 12,730
- Points
- 113
Volunteerism is something that should be motivated by an innate desire to help others and bring about positive change. It should be something heartfelt. Volunteers should truly believe in the organisations and causes to which they offer their time and skills — and in doing so, help create solutions that make a real difference.
The same can be said about philanthropy. Individuals should give because they support the causes they identify with and truly believe in the potential positive impact their donations can make.
Casey, however, apparently assumes he can curry favour with Singaporeans (and ‘buy’ forgiveness) by spending some time and money on local community projects. The implication is that volunteerism and philanthropy are simply means to an end. It appears as if, to him, it doesn’t matter at all whether he believes in the community projects he would support.
Of course, the idea of community service as a punishment is something that exists in many places, including Casey’s native United Kingdom (where some believe it was actually pioneered). In fact, in the UK, convicted criminals can be sentenced to community service instead of prison for crimes such as damaging property, fraud or even assault. There, probation officers cited ‘reduction of the prison population’ and ‘penalty’ as the two main purposes of community service orders.
‘Reparation to the community’ and ‘helping the offender become a better person’ were ranked as much lower priorities.
The use of community service as a punishment or as an act of repentance after a monumental screw-up casts in the wrong light what should be a selfless acts of giving.
- http://www.salt.org.sg/making-a-casey-against-service-as-punishment/
The same can be said about philanthropy. Individuals should give because they support the causes they identify with and truly believe in the potential positive impact their donations can make.
Casey, however, apparently assumes he can curry favour with Singaporeans (and ‘buy’ forgiveness) by spending some time and money on local community projects. The implication is that volunteerism and philanthropy are simply means to an end. It appears as if, to him, it doesn’t matter at all whether he believes in the community projects he would support.
Of course, the idea of community service as a punishment is something that exists in many places, including Casey’s native United Kingdom (where some believe it was actually pioneered). In fact, in the UK, convicted criminals can be sentenced to community service instead of prison for crimes such as damaging property, fraud or even assault. There, probation officers cited ‘reduction of the prison population’ and ‘penalty’ as the two main purposes of community service orders.
‘Reparation to the community’ and ‘helping the offender become a better person’ were ranked as much lower priorities.
The use of community service as a punishment or as an act of repentance after a monumental screw-up casts in the wrong light what should be a selfless acts of giving.
- http://www.salt.org.sg/making-a-casey-against-service-as-punishment/
