Already hip to microblogging and microlending? Check out the newest "micro" pheonomenon: microvolunteering.
Recently, NPR reported on this new brand of volunteer work, dubbed microvolunteering. Microvolunteering is essentially a way for a person to volunteer for a cause in short bursts of time. And all they need to help out is a smart phone app and a few minutes.
According to the story, microvolunteering opportunities could emcompass a variety of tasks --
"During your lunch break you could snap a picture of a pothole that needs patching and zap it to the proper authorities. You could report a dying elm to the parks-and-recreation department or spot a rare woodpecker for the Audubon Society."
The company behind this microvolunteering effort is called The Extraordinaries. They believe that microvolunteering is perfect for Gen Y, given that the generation is so used to the instant nature of texting, Facebook and MySpace.
As a Gen Y-er, I think microvolunteerism has its appeal. However, I believe its appeal extends beyond my generation, especially as other generations continue to embrace digital technology in droves.
Kind readers -- what's your perspective? Does the microvolunteering concept transcend the generations?
- posted by Hillary Hempstead
2 comments:
yes -- microvolunteering does transcend generations, however, is the term "microvolunterring" an accurate classification for what the activity is?
sounds a little more like random acts of citizens on patrol. someone else has to pick up the ball and get the action done. i'm not sure how one could truly "give" of their time for the benefit of others in this micro fashion.
kareina c-bus - Some of the other volunteer opportunities that were mentioned in the NPR report did extend beyond citizens simply patrolling their local roads to report a pot hole.
Maybe these other activities that were mentioned sound a little more like traditional volunteering -- just with a more remote, digital spin.
"Through The Extraordinaries, you might be able to use your smart phone — while waiting in the dentist's office or standing in the DMV line — to:
• translate a foreign-language document into English
• add identifying tags to photos and videos for a museum
• give advice to a college applicant
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