[hoosierham]

I've recently heard from a local volunteer that the big incentive for being one is getting included on the county's health insurance.

Probably a good thing in the case of otherwise unpaid volunteer fireman and EMTs;not so good for busybody committee members.

[NativeSon]

I don't think my town played that way then again, I was new to the area and "keeping the new-guy in the dark" was sometimes a sport.

This is a good point to state the importance of getting on every committee, board, panel, etc., that you can. The restless do-gooders start there...