Service can Organize Society

While some believe that money is necessary to motivate behavior, this is false. Significant organizations exist that operate on the basis of voluntary, mutually supportive service. That service is unpaid, and can be highly effective.

One prominent example is Toastmasters. Toastmasters was founded in 1924 —almost a century ago. It has grown from nothing to over 15,000 chapters today. Approximately 1/3 million members participate in its programs worldwide.

This substantial organization flourishes with over 100,000 volunteers and a tiny paid staff of slightly over 100 persons – about 1/10 of 1% of those who provide the services. Toastmasters is a not for profit organization. It serves as a living example of how efficiently a service-oriented organization can operate.

Many join Toastmasters, as did my wife and I, to cultivate speaking abilities. Others do so to cultivate leadership skills, or both.

The club we joined is one that equally values developing skills and having fun. This delightful surprise assured our continued participation, and we have developed deep relationships and friendships with some other members. Obviously, it was serendipity that such a club was near to our Denver home.

Toastmasters has many levels of organization, from local clubs founded by people with a shared vision or purpose, through districts, regions, nations and international management and events.

I enthusiastically recommend Toastmasters to anyone who needs to present or communicate to groups. The cost of membership is nominal. The development of skills is systematic, and the feedback is honest and always supportive. Those who fear public speaking will find their fears respected and gradually dissolved, as one small success builds on another small success – until one is amazed by how much one’s competencies blossom. It is terrific for both self-confidence and one’s ability to influence others. If you fear public speaking – as many of us do – there is no better venue to master this fear.

My larger point is that, if an organization can flourish as has Toastmasters, there is no reason why any number of organizations cannot similarly flourish – or even an entire society!

Toastmasters is far from alone in the voluntary services it attracts. Indeed, according to a recent study, 26% of US adults regularly engage in volunteer activities—and this happens in a culture that prizes work above leisure, often causing sleep deprivation! (http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/agingandwork/pdf/publications/ FS03_TrendsVolunteerism.pdf)

With very few exceptions, work is the yoke around the necks of humans everywhere. It need not remain so. When we free people from their dependency on earning an income, the range of services that people develop to support each other may dazzle us all.

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