FORCED VOLUNTEERS

A proposal to encourage school districts and state universities to require community service as a part of students' graduation requirements is making its way to the Missouri Legislature's agenda for the coming session. The idea is gaining support, mainly because it is difficult to oppose noble ideas. Who wants to be known as the opponent of good deeds by today's youths?

There is plenty of room for opposition, however -- not to the volunteer efforts of students who already contribute countless hours to community service, but to the notion that schools ought to mandate volunteerism. As one critic succinctly put it: This would be little more than compulsory compassion.

The overriding concept is that making students do community-service work as part of the school curriculum will instill both the desire and the experience to be active volunteers later in life. As one Cape Girardeau member of AmeriCorps said during a recent public hearing, "If they had an opportunity to get involved in the community, that would give them a chance to connect."

Sadly, the idea that youths today won't take an interest in the world around them, unless they are forced to do so in order to graduate from high school or college, is more of a commentary on society at large than on any shortcomings of public education. Youths already get involved through Scouting, 4-H, school clubs and church organizations. Even the current Miss Missouri, Erin Phillips credits 4-H for her early years of involvement -- and guess what: She didn't have to do it to get a diploma.

The Missouri movement to tack volunteerism onto the graduation requirements of high schools and colleges is a product of the Community Service Commission, a group headed by Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson and the agency responsible for administering AmeriCorps programs in the state. AmeriCorps is a federally funded program that is a source of great pride for President Clinton. This program also is committed to developing a volunteer spirit among college students. Curiously, it does so by paying students to get involved in community projects.

Proponents of the Missouri plan are careful to point out that the proposed legislation wouldn't mandate volunteerism among students. It would only "encourage" local districts and state universities to adopt graduation requirements that include community service.

But, as usual with government programs, there is a hook. Local school districts that participate in the program would be eligible for grants and other technical assistance. The real-world success of any government program hinges on the money factor, and holding out the grant carrot to local school districts could be too much to ignore, even if the idea of forced volunteers is repugnant to local school board members.

Encouraging today's young people to develop a responsible attitude about community involvement is a responsibility of parents, church leaders and supporters of the many clubs and organizations that seek young members. When doing good for your fellow man becomes a requirement -- perhaps subject to a grade? -- it is instantly tainted.