The GN’s paid “volunteers”

Today, our government and their employees are adding a new twist to the word “volunteer.”

The very word means “to give of one’s self freely.” No one is forcing you to be a volunteer. If we give something of ourselves that costs nothing, what have we gained? Nothing.

We have all of these great volunteers willing to give of their time, if and only if they don’t have to use their own vacation time, and only if they don’t have to lose their daily pay.

Where I come from a volunteer gives, but receives nothing — only the satisfaction of knowing they gave something of themselves to help others, to benefit the community, to receive the joy of giving and to receive pleasure in knowing they are part of something great.

You may think you are helping the Arctic Winter Games because you are freely giving them your time, but let’s face reality.

If you have leave with full pay and benefits, the Arctic Winter Games is getting nothing but premium-paid volunteers.

Theresa Rodrigues
Iqaluit