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| appreciation of the historical and cultural legacy of the people on this planet. Ohio’s volunteers have a positive impact on the various communities they serve. Many state organizations provide opportunities for citizens to become meaningfully involved in civic life. Over time, legions of volunteers effect improve-ment in society. This type of social evolution is from the bot-tom up, and is therefore an authentic product of a democratic society in which enfranchisement is understood to include volunteer service. The Ohio Humanities Council (OHC) is one of this state’s greatest assets. Over its thirty year history, hundreds of Ohioans have volunteered as Board members and in vari-ous other capacities. These dedicated individuals possess an array of talents, skills, expertise and levels of education and training. They include representatives from all races, religions, and political perspectives, equally committed to the proposition that volunteer service provides the opportunity to make a difference. All efforts count, however big or small; the rate of progress and the height to which a community ascends demonstrates the level of involvement of its citizens. The volunteers and staff of the OHC have raised funds and cultivated support for innumerable public programs in this state. These volunteers have given generously of their time, energy, talents, resources and expertise. Because of their work, our knowledge base is broader, human experience is richer, there is a higher level of civility, and the vision of our common future is enlarged. It is this universal tendency toward civilision (the art and practice of civilized living) that is at the core of volunteer service. Volunteering is one of the highest forms of human activity, and is a necessary prereq-uisite to a well-ordered, enlightened, healthy and progressive society. Volunteerism leads to a greater sense of personal fulfillment and self-worth in the individual. It is a win-win situation for all concerned. Over the last three decades, volunteer experiences have taken me to the post of mathematics instructor in the inner city of Buffalo; to tutoring and coaching experiences on the Navajo Nation; to numerous community and statewide orga-nizations and neighborhood centers in Omaha; and to a com-munity center and several local and statewide organizations here in Ohio. My volunteer work with Humanities Councils in two states, however, has been very special. Every state in the Union and its five territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, North-ern Marianas, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands) have State Humanities Councils. I have had the good fortune of serving maximum terms in Nebraska (six years) and Ohio |
(seven years), and being elected Chair of both Boards of Directors. This service has afforded me a rare opportunity to see our nation, and those states, in a way that would not be possible otherwise.
I have always viewed the National Endowment for the Humanities and the community of State Councils, of which the OHC is a vital and significant part, as both a safety net and important elements in a Movement for Enlightenment in this country. It is a safety net, in that its focus and concern for the human experience and predicament give this nation a way to reflect and enter into dialogue on all of the great issues of our time—including the ones that stir controversy within our state, nation and global village. This is like a safety valve for the state, nation, and potentially the world. It aids and abets the forces for democracy, in that the OHC becomes a vehicle through which the many voices of our community speak. Humanities praxis, as it can be called, has become a part of the historical Movement for Enlightenment in this country, which can be traced back to the early days of the Republic and the first call for public education by Thomas Jefferson and others. An interesting thing about education, whether it is done in a classroom setting or through public programs sponsored by the OHC, is that when it is effective, it empow-ers the individual. It gives him or her knowledge, skills, sen-sitivities and an awareness that were not there previously. This can be considered the practical value of the Humanities. Simply put, it changes the individual, and generally makes him or her a better human being; consequently, society changes and evolves to increasingly higher levels of civility. The opportunity to be a part of such an important move-ment—one that has the potential to impact positively the heart, soul, and consciousness of the nation—has been irre-sistible to me. Any work of this kind is its own reward, and the citizens of this state and nation are beneficiaries of these selfless gifts of service, coming from the thousands who usu-ally go unnoticed. At the end of the day, the ultimate pay-ment is the sense of satisfaction derived from working with a group of dedicated and committed volunteers, along with a professional, loyal and highly competent staff, with the common purpose of making meaningful contributions to this state and nation. I hope all who read this - if you have not already - will get involved with some volunteer service that has meaning and value to you.
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