The Importance of Social Phenomena - Essay Example

Importance of Community Service and the Not for profit sector It would not be an exaggeration to assume that living in a social environment should be considered to be an essential prerequisite for the development of the human potential to its fullest. Indeed, if it had not been for the society, a large number of different abilities which are considered to be characteristic to our kind could not have evolved. For example, one of the most fascinating ones, namely the ability to generate verbal interaction emerged due to the necessity to coordinate actions. However, in every society there inevitably be part of the population that will need help and support. In order to provide it, there are different organizations that facilitate community service and operate within not for profit framework. This paper will explore the importance these two social phenomena. First of all, it would be important to focus on the advantageous elements of community service which contribute towards its significance. To begin with, one might point out the most obvious aspect, namely the fact that the performance of community service greatly improves the social connectivity, reinforcing the ties between each member of the local community. It is easily understandable that the more people feel connected to each other, the bigger is the change that their group will flourish and prosper. Moreover, the notion of social connectivity might also appear beneficial on a much higher level such, suggesting that community service reinforces the bonds between the citizens contributing to the stability of the society as well as minimizing the chances of social disruption. The next aspect which should be taken into account while considering the significance of community service is the fact that participation in it usually contributes to development of correct understanding of one’s place in the community. This is largely employed by the schools who see community service as an effective tool that allows students to develop their personality (Kenny and Gallagher 3). Unlike the previously discussed idea of social connectivity, this particular aspects focuses on the position that is taken by a person which puts emphasis on the importance of a particular person for the community. Indeed, one is able to serve well only if one possess some valuable abilities or skills. Continuing this idea, one should also mention that those people who are engaged in community service often see that they are able to practice different skills that may appear to be quite valuable for their lives as well, thus enriching them. For example, a person who genuinely wants to help the community and has interest in building might be involved in the project of constructing a simple structure. Thus, in the course of it one will acquire and will have a chance to practice some skills that he would have never practiced otherwise. In other words, community service allows people to try on different roles and see which of them fits. It would not be a mistake to point out that there should be a balance between the professional and amateur help, but a person who is really devoted to community service might progress from simple tasks to more complex as well as those which require prior experience or certain qualification. Finally, one of the most interesting aspects of significance of community service is the fact that draws connections between people who would have never met otherwise. This may be explained through the perspective of ethnic background rather easily. Thus, those who comprise the ethnic majority have little chances of interacting with minorities; however, within the above mentioned framework, the former spend a considerable time with the latter which gives the first an opportunity to rethink their position on different issues, possibly resulting in the development of more tolerant views (Hoffman 82). In other words, community service performs the necessary stir in the society. Now, it may be quite advantageous to focus on the not for profit sector and examine its significance. To begin with, one should point out that the above mentioned sector should be regarded as an important part of the economy, often listed together with the public and private ones. Thus, it would not be a mistake to argue that not for profit organizations provide an essential outlet for different skills of the people as well as satisfy the demand for labor. Indeed, the number of people who are engaged in this particular sector is tremendous in the developed countries which contributes to the necessity to take it into consideration while analyzing the social environment. What is more important is that a particular part of the population might find this sector to be suitable for implementing their skills. If one develops the idea of significance of not for profit sector for the economy in general, one will be able to note that in a number of countries it accounts for a considerable share of the overall amount of money that circulates in the economy. Indeed, in spite of the fact that not for profit organizations are not engaged in the commercial activity, they have a steady source of income in the form of donations. The latter is a peculiar social and economic phenomenon since small donations have a tendency to build up and result in tremendous amount of money (Ruppel 53). All this results in the fact that not for profit organizations have significant financial funds at their disposal and they direct them to the most needed areas. That is why one might suggest that the development of not for profit sector is able to reflect the heath of the economy and the society in general. Indeed, if the people are able to think about different matter other than maximizing return on their investment, that means that the society is rather stable and is able to undertake some projects that do not lead to the benefit of only one group of people. In addition to that, the significance of not for profit organizations might also be seen in the fact that they provide a different perspective on various social issues, allowing the government to see the real life behind the numbers of the reports. A good example of a successful not for profit organization would be the one that is called Habitat for Humanity International. It is a not for profit organization that is largely influenced by the Christian religious teaching and focuses on providing affordable and decent housing for the people who are in need of it (“Who We Are”). One of the greatest advantages of it is that Habitat is not focused on one particular activity, such as building houses, but has a large number of other initiatives that aim to help people in different parts of the world. The latter is also a big positive moment of it, since Habitat does not limit the help that it provides to a certain country. Having examined all the examples which were analyzed in the paragraphs above, it becomes clear that the significance of community service as well as not for profit organization is evident. Thus, the former largely contributes to formation of a solid society, helping the people to widen their outlook and try new skills. Speaking of the latter on, one might point out that not for profit sector gradually evolved into a rather important part of the economy which satisfied the demand for labor and accumulated a significant sum of money in form of donations. As a result it is quite logical to come to the conclusion that these two parts of the society are extremely important for the well being of the people. Works Cited Hoffman, August John. Unity through Community Service Activities: Strategies to Bridge Ethnic and Cultural Divides. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2009. Print. Kenny, Maureen, and Laura A. Gallagher. Teenagers and Community Service a Guide to the Issues. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2003. Print. Ruppel, Warren. Not-for-profit Accounting Made Easy. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. Print. "Who We Are." Habitat for Humanity Intl. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. . Read More