Benjamin Center for Public Policy Initiatives at SUNY New Paltz Volunteerism Discussion Brief

The Benjamin Center for Public Policy Initiatives at SUNY New Paltz has released its latest discussion brief, “The Who-What-Where-When-Why of Volunteerism in Ulster County,” which documents the breadth of volunteerism in our county. Utilizing survey data at the national and local levels, as well as interviews with nineteen leaders in volunteer-reliant organizations, the authors demonstrate that volunteerism is alive and well in Ulster County. The degree to which we will be able to provide and supplement services with volunteers, and the cost if we need to start fully paying for them with tax dollars, is a growing concern. This brief, both directly and indirectly, considers the optimal division of responsibilities for paying for and meeting of our shared needs. Given our robust volunteer engagement here, authors Sue Books, professor in the SUNY New Paltz School of Education and kt Tobin, Associate Director of The Benjamin Center, take up the question of reliance and cost: how much is achievable—and even desirable—through volunteerism? They conclude that, “We must find a way to agree on what we need and want to do together and then to collaboratively attend to the costs.”

Download the Discussion Brief