Book Description

An insightful debunking of the way charitable giving disguises American neglect of the public welfare. Observing that the United States has the weakest public social welfare system in the industrialized world, What's Love Got to Do With It? explores the extent to which the huge charity enterprise industry legitimates and supports this state of affairs. Independent philanthropy, the book argues, provides a cover for the harshness of America's free market capitalism. It also exposes the warlike posture of a state apparatus that focuses on discipline and correction rather than on eradicating inequality. David Wagner, a professor of social work and sociology at the University of Southern Maine, traces the origins of the charitable mystique from a historical and sociological perspective--from its religious roots in the missions to convert indigenous peoples, through the long period of the poorhouse, the rise of foundations, and the development of new alternative social service agencies. Wagner goes on to show how America has glorified its private sector at the expense of providing material benefits, such as income support, housing, or medical insurance, to its citizens. This has immense social costs, not the least of which is the institutionalization of poverty among many U.S. citizens. One of the few works to examine the overall role of charitable giving in America, What's Love Got to Do With It? is bound to spark debate and, ideally, reform. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent and incisive critique of American charity
David Wagner's book What's Love Got to Do With It, provides the reader to an insightful perspective on American charity. Penetrating the veneer of "do-gooderism," Wagner exposes the abuses, distortions and deliberate social control mechaisms that have been a part of the American charitable entrprise since its inception. This book is a must read for anyone involved in philanthopy, social welfare service provision, or social work education.

Baltimore Sun 2/6/00
"Wagner's book will be interesting reading for donors, policymakers and advocates for the poor...with charities' influence growing, the time is right to raise red flags -- and Wagner's (criticisms) are largely on target....His book attempts principally to raise questions in an unquestioning age."

from Frank Browning salon.com review
"Wagner's concise and vivid chronicle of the rise of paternalistic American charity is a valuable handbook for anyone who wants to challenge the duplicitous nostrums that the vapid stars of both political parties have lately offered up on everything from welfare to the widening class gap to the impoverishment of public education to the more and more degraded public-health system" ... Read more

Book Description

In this age of globe-spanning charitable and relief organizations, can the ordinary individual still make a difference? In HEALING THE WORLD ONE BY ONE, men and women, blue and white collar workers, doctors and housewives, students and retirees answer with a resounding YES! Joyful and sad, poignant and unforgettable, these firsthand accounts of teeming streets of Mexican barrios, backward hospitals of Vietnam, canoe accessible dwellings of Honduras, sewerless villages of China and dangerous bush country of Tanzania chronicle not only medical help and American good will, but individual journeys of discovery through faith and serving others.The narrators-all commonplace Americans belonging to the interdenominational Volunteers in Medical Missions-leave the comfort and safety of home to face challenges and adventure as they bring help and hope to the less privileged. In each instance, a community of strangers from various religious denominations and walks of life merges into a cohesive team.A sunburned midwestern farmer, a shy single mother, a visionary southern doctor, a hard-working trucker, a tortured Vietnam veteran, a retired auditor and other everyday Americans demonstrate that one person can make a difference. Susan Alexis lived and worked in Mexico for seventeen years, holds a Masters degree in Spanish, and has served as interpreter with VIMM teams in Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras, Ecuador and Venezuela. ... Read more

Book Description

Arriving in Japan in 1895, the Salvation Army rose from a position of relative obscurity to national recognition within a space of twelve years. The cultural adaptation of mission and message was most directly influenced by the life and work of Gunpei Yamamuro (1872-1940), who helped transform the Army into an indigenous expression of Wesleyan-holiness mission, uniquely adapted to the needs of Japan's emerging industrialized society. "Salvationist Samurai" is the first English-language work to clarify the role of Yamamuro in relation to the progress of the Salvation Army in Japan. In light of the recent centennial celebration of the Salvation Army in Japan, it is fitting that this illustrated work be published in commemoration of its most prominent representative. ... Read more

Book Description

Camera-ready pages about volunteering, how to work with volunteers, the history of volunteering, and today's trends--for use as training handouts, bulletin board posters, newsletter inserts. ... Read more

Book Description

The story of two commissions (The Commission on Foundations and Private Philanthropy, 1969-1970, founded by John D. Rockefeller III, and The Commission on Private Philanthropy and Public Needs, 1973-1977, headed by John H. Filer) that had a major impact on philanthropic activity and public policy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

So That's Why We Keep Volunteering
Again, Eleanor Brilliant gives us a no-nonsense look at American charitable enterprise and the people who run it. As events and actions of leaders give frequent rise to questions about the caliber and integrity of Americans' non-profit way of serving others, she provides a well-researched analysis of information that people who give their time and money ought to know. Since most don't, the leaders of the agencies to whom they give ought to read this excellent work to become familiar with information important to their constituents. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book for kids who want to improve their communitie
Our world would be a better place if we were taught from an early age how important it is to serve and be active members of our communities. This book offers ways to do this.

Clear, contemporary language for a much needed service
This is a great book for mentoring programs, schools, local neighborhood communities, church groups, and after-school programs (or even regular school curriculums). Clearly written and well formatted, it contains information about how to get started on community projects to help others and keep kids interested and stimulated beyond the modern TV and video watching activities, whether it be under adult supervision or even how to start to get the adult support kids need to be able to do the projects mentioned. Descriptive outlines of what you need to do are extremely helpful and easy to follow - the author seems to know how to connect to a young audience and keep the older ones interested, too, using contemporary language and tidbits of her own experiences in some cases. A great resource for teachers, community leaders, churches, and neighborhood activists who want to get their kids more involved and active with services to others. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is about the subjective and objective outcomes of the work of volunteer advocates in nursing facilities. The majority of the volunteers were older, and they served older persons through their work in an ombudsman program. The extent of involvement of older persons in volunteering suggests its importance to them, and it increasingly sustains human service programs for both the young and old. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

not about writing your will
I bought the wrong book, so just to let you know: this is not about making those decisions about what to put in your last will and testament. Unless you want to give to charity,of course, this book is about philanthropy.

CHARITY 101
Are you constantly receiving requests for donations? Are you in a quandry about giving? How does one know which causes are worth supporting? Do you find it difficult to decide who is and is not deserving? "The Ethics of Giving and Receiving", is somewhat like a crash course in charity and benevolence 101, in that it explores how to do good wisely. You may or may not agree with the stated assertions, but you will find them interesting. For example, - philanthropy should be linked with justice which creates standards for wise giving; those responsible for their own misfortune should be sent to the end of the receiving donations line. On the other hand, empathy and compassion is needed to guard against being too strict and too judgemental. Join the debate, read the book. It was written for an audience of intelligent inquirers. That's you! ... Read more

Book Description

Comparative information detailing the cultural, legal andhistorical environments of foundations in international settings hasbeen scarce - until now. Written by scholars from sixcountries, this text covers philanthropic foundations in the world'sbusiest commercial centers - the U.S. and Eastern and WesternEurope. It reports on the structures and mindsets that shapefoundations' gift giving, and discusses different aspects offoundation management. Case studies of the French and Italianfoundation communities and a comparative legal chapter are especiallynotable. ... Read more

Book Description

Where does a retired English professor go to find meaning in his later years?Mr. Rose chose to be a hospice volunteer, a journey that took him down the back roads of Lee County, Alabama, into the sometimes gritty home environments of hospice patients.Mr. Rose calls it the "we of me", that sense of connecting to some larger network of human existence.His memoir captures the patient's simple need to have some one to talk to, listen to, and just be with.Mr. Rose describes the awkward intimacy of relating to patients, making small talk with their caregivers, while trying to respond to their need for "companioning."In the Midst of Life is a rare and detailed look into the experience of hospice volunteering.

--Amanda Graves, former social worker at Capital Hospice and Hospice of D.C. ... Read more

Book Description

Volunteerism is presented as an attractive and accessible means of creating bonds and teaching children the value of helping others in this practical guidebook for families. A wide variety of volunteer opportunities are discussed, including work to benefit the environment, wildlife, young people, the homeless, shelters, the community, the arts, seniors, and the physically or mentally challenged. Suggestions for getting started are provided, along with space for a family action plan, photos, and memorabilia and reminiscences. ... Read more

Book Description

Though central to the social, political, and cultural life of the nineteenth-century city, the urban volunteer fire department has nevertheless been largely ignored by historians. Redressing this neglect, Amy Greenberg reveals the meaning of this central institution by comparing the fire departments of Baltimore, St. Louis, and San Francisco from the late eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth century. Volunteer fire companies protected highly flammable cities from fire and provided many men with friendship, brotherhood, and a way to prove their civic virtue. While other scholars have claimed that fire companies were primarily working class, Greenberg shows that they were actually mixed social groups: merchants and working men, immigrants and native-born--all found a common identity as firemen. Cause for Alarm presents a new vision of urban culture, one defined not by class but by gender. Volunteer firefighting united men in a shared masculine celebration of strength and bravery, skill and appearance. In an otherwise alienating environment, fire companies provided men from all walks of life with status, community, and an outlet for competition, which sometimes even led to elaborate brawls.

While this culture was fully respected in the early nineteenth century, changing social norms eventually demonized the firemen's vision of masculinity. Greenberg assesses the legitimacy of accusations of violence and political corruption against the firemen in each city, and places the municipalization of firefighting in the context of urban social change, new ideals of citizenship, the rapid spread of fire insurance, and new firefighting technologies. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very high in historical value, Excellent,Pioneering research
Amy S. Greenberg, Cause for Alarm. (University of Princeton Press 1998). Amy S. Greenberg is an Assistant Professor of History at Pennsylvania State University. She is tackling a largely male-dominated subject, but also one that is for the most part unexplored by historians. Her introduction is jam-packed with information. The introduction is set like that of a Greek drama, bringing the reader up to speed before the meat of the book is consumed. She does an excellent job of placing the volunteer fire fighter on a pedestal and then glorifying him as a demagogue. Later on we see the institution of volunteer firemen corrupted by several factors, and the firemen, like actors, take a great fall from grace due to their tragic flaws.

Greenberg covers several aspects of her work in the cities of Baltimore, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Social, political, and cultural aspects seem to be the main issue here. This book also marks the transition from volunteer fire companies to paid full-time departments as well as the change in the American way of thinking of how and who should fight these fires. It is demonstrated in this book how the volunteers appeared Superman-like on paper as well in the public eye.

The "power trip" some of these men experienced would contribute to their downfall. Always wanting to be the first company on scene, drinking and swearing, and other daralous behavior that the personnel engaged in helped put them out of business.

In an age with any out television, firefighting was a form of entertainment for these men. Simply put, modernization helped to rid the large cities of competitive volunteer fire companies, only to see them replaced by paid personnel. (Don't worry most firefighters of today are every bit as competitive as the ones portrayed in this book) "Firemen provided the stability and order that allowed for the growth of professionalism. And with that transformation, the volunteer fireman fell from grace." Here we see how volunteers started to be seen as a burden, rather than a help to society. Why would a shop owner want to lose his employees for several hours to fight a fire that did not endanger his livelihood? Or better yet why would he close the shop to go to the rescue of some one he had no vested interest in. These are the issues that are struggled with inside the book.

Several documents are used in this book as well as primary and secondary sources. R. N. Seiel gave a favorable review in Choice (January 1999). This book would contribute to anyone's understanding of this subject matter. Today most people would not understand the act of fighting fire and receiving no compensation for it. This book is, as advertised, a cause for alarm. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides comprehensive, practical guidelines on the responsibilites of those who leade, co-ordinate and manage volunteers in small hospices, large specialist palliative care units, and in general hospitals with palliative care teams.Volunteers are key workers, who often perform difficult and always important work.In the United Kingdom alone, there are thousands of volunteers in hospice work, a small proportion doing work with patients, and the vast majority doing equally valuable work such as driving, sitting with relatives, manning charity shops and telephones.As a result, Europe, Australia, the United States and Canada are very interested in the United Kingdom's use of volunteers. Aimed primarily at Volunteer Service Managers in small hospices, large specialist palliative care units, and in general hospitals with palliative care teams, this book covers volunteer selection, training, supervision and support, and legal and ethical considerations.Information is presented in an easily accessible way, using key points, summary panels and checklists.Contributors, who are all Volunteer Service Managers themselves, have included small, clinical vignettes to bring the text to life.This book withh also appeal to the volunteers themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

Not all volunteers are saints; some require special handling. This book helps readers determine root of problem and effective responses. Examines volunteers who are somewhat annoying, seriously disruptive and even dangerously dysfunctional. How to correct behavior, redirect efforts and even fire (if need be!) a volunteers to avoid contaminating the efforts of productive folks. A must for anyone leading a volunteer effort. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Second Level Details, Worthwhile

This book (actually an 8.5 x 11 manual) is one level down from Helen Little's "Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them" (the book I recommend if you buy only one), and it is a tie between this book and Susan Ellis' "The Volunteer Recruitment and Membership Development Book" for runner up.

The author's are prolific on this topic, with many books (manuals?) to their credit, but to the point of devaluing their knowledge. Instead of filtering and distilling and integrating knowledge that can be used, they are spewing out multiple volumes that require the buyer to spend precious time attempting to discover applicable knowledge. Having said that, I recommend this specific manual for purchase.

Among its positive points are its distinction among the five generations from which volunteers are drawn, and the unique strategies that must be adapted to each generation's distinct needs and expectations; its focus on the importance of understanding the differences between staff and volunteers and how to devise strategies that play to the strengths of each in collaborative ways; its direct discussion of "mandated volunteers" who have been sentenced to community service or must perform community service as part of early retirement programs; and its specific attention to how short-term volunteer tasks can be used to attract and evaluate potential longer-term volunteers.

This is a serious manual and an excellent complement to Helen Little's core work cited above. ... Read more