September 12, 2000
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Five years ago, Robert Papas, an educator who had been president of the IAPHC in the mid-80's told us of an article titled "Bowling Alone." The article by Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam reported the statistical anomaly that while participation in bowling leagues was plummeting, more people than ever before were bowling. He concluded the only possible explanation was that people were Bowling Alone. And he used that catch phrase to explain the dearth of civic involvement. In the five years since, we have often wrestled with apparently contradictory evidence of the growth, or was it the death, of volunteerism.

We have read wonderful stories of young people volunteering with tremendous dedication and imagination. Yet we also know that our local chapters, and local chapters in myriad other organizations, are finding it difficult to find people to volunteer to sit on boards or committees.

Mr. Putnam himself, began to doubt his own thesis in the face of anecdotal evidence of committed volunteers banding together to build a house under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity, and etc. However, in his just published 500 page study also titled "Bowling Alone" he says the argument is pretty much over. The pressures of time and money, the advance of suburban sprawl, the insidious pervasiveness of television and a certain self absorption have all contributed to the Bowling Alone phenomenon.

So the question becomes -- what hot button causes some folks, and arguably more people than ever before, to volunteer their time for specific events or tasks?

And therein lies the answer and an opportunity for all organizations seeking to motivate volunteers. A specific task, a defined project can still move people to say "Yes I will help."

Ask someone to find one hole sponsor for the upcoming Golf outing as opposed asking them to chair all fund raising activities for the next decade. Shorten the time frame, limit the task to a defined objective, and you might be surprised how many people will help you build a house of accomplishment.

Gallery News

Award winners from the hugely successful year 2000 International Gallery of Superb Printing are now being shipped worldwide. If you are interested in an update on your shipment, please e-mail this writer. And always remember: Success in the International Gallery can lead to new business half a world away. Make plans now to set aside pieces enter in 2001!

We would be remiss if we didn't share two comments from the gala 26th International Gallery Awards Show at the IAPHC's 81st annual and utterly fabulous Convention in Reno, Nevada. The first was from Mr. Joe Casper, Senior VP of Kohl & Madden who commented afterwards that he met the nicest people and had such a wonderful experience that his firm will be honored to sponsor our premier program once again in 2001.

And from our Best Envelope Award sponsor, Western States Envelope's own Pete Peterson we quote this gem which brought the house down: "Just remember to tear up an envelope every time you send an e-mail."

International Printing Week Poster

Our thanks to Walt Herip of the Akron Club for the wonderful design; and to Dr John Leininger of Clemson University for arranging the imprint; and most importantly, to the Heidelberg press demonstrators at Graph Expo who will print more than 50,000 copies of the 2001 International Printing Week poster on a Heidelberg Speedmaster 52. The poster celebrates the 54th annual celebration of International Printing Week which is sponsored again this year by the IAPHC and by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL). If you are attending Graph Expo please make a point to stop by the Heidelberg booth to secure your poster and to thank the fine folks at Heidelberg for their ongoing support.

PS If you are going to Graph Expo and would like to rendezvous with other IAPHC members, drop this writer an e-mail and we will try to hook you up. And don't forget to tear up another envelope!

That is all Folks! -- 30 --

Yours in Craftsmanship,

Kevin Keane
IAPHC
7042 Brooklyn Blvd
Minneapolis MN 55429
USA
800-466-4274
www.iaphc.org

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