Dear Editor,
Lawsuits and similar threats against local nonprofits and their volunteers don’t just target individuals, they weaken our community. They deter public service, drain resources, and distract organizations from delivering vital services many of us rely on. It is a reality that well-meaning community members — in many cases our neighbors and friends — must contend with.
Unfortunately, these adversarial actions have become increasingly common.
Several area nonprofits and their volunteers personally have faced these challenges, in some cases resulting in litigation, but in nearly all cases draining the time, energy, and resources of everyone affected. These individuals are not paid professionals, but local volunteers who help carry on the important work of organizations that deliver essential services to our community.
Most nonprofits rely on volunteers in various capacities to carry out their missions. Without them, the cost of services will rise as volunteer efforts must be replaced with paid positions, or these organizations will stop operating in our community altogether, to the detriment of all who depend on them.
So it is particularly worrisome when everyday community members become targets after answering the call to serve. What happens to one’s willingness to volunteer when a civic duty becomes a potential liability? The inevitable chilling effect impacts us all. Even casual readers of the listserv know that we all depend on those willing to pitch in. From nonprofit board members to municipal appointees and social service volunteers, our lives are enriched by those who choose to serve. Our community would look and feel very different without them. Our community would be a less pleasant place to live without them. The cost of living here would be even higher without them.
As the challenges associated with volunteerism increase, our community risks losing these dedicated individuals. Some may choose not to volunteer locally because the personal or financial risks are too great. Others may opt to step down from current positions for similar reasons. This should trouble us all.
At a time when institutions designed to protect and enrich citizens’ lives are under attack in the United States and around the world, it is imperative that we defend ours here at home and the individuals who make them work. The alternative is a society where volunteerism is discouraged, civic engagement is hazardous, and essential services are out of reach for those who need them most.
What can we do to protect local organizations and their volunteers so they may continue serving without fear of personal or financial peril?
First, take advantage of all these institutions have to offer. Utilize their services. Learn who runs them — they may well be your friends and neighbors. Understanding the role they play in our community will help you become an advocate and spread the word about the good they do. Contribute financially if you can. You are the reason these organizations exist and they cannot exist without you.
Second, find an organization aligned with your interests and volunteer, despite the potential risks. Local institutions need your help and our community relies on the services they provide. In nearly all cases, the experience will be deeply rewarding and the risks manageable.
Third, call attention to these challenges as they arise and support those who are impacted. The bar to filing or threatening lawsuits in Vermont is low, which can invite mischief. The goal of such actions may not be to right a wrong, but to pursue other ends, impose litigation costs on others, or elicit financial windfalls. Discourage this behavior by speaking out when it occurs.
Volunteering is an honorable pursuit but often not an easy one. At its best, this work transforms lives and strengthens our community. It prevents the cost of living here from rising even faster. It forges friendships and brings together people of different backgrounds. It encourages generosity and inspires others to public service. It makes our home a wonderful place to live. Those who choose this path despite the risks should be commended and defended. Not just because they need our support, but the institutions they serve form the backbone of our community and benefit all.
Benjamin Brickner, Pomfret
