Related (from different source):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3716580/posts
Been there for banjo night many times, back when I used to live in downtown Pitt. There are like 25-30 banjo players and the sound is full and infectious. Great time.
I see this lack of volunteering, or any public involvement beyond voting, as a symptom of a fractured, divided nation that has marginalized its white population in general and its white men in particular. Anyone I know who is going to work wants to get paid for it; we are bearing massive costs in this state, and few have the luxury of working for free. This doesn’t just apply to the clubs mentioned; I see it in parish life as well - even volunteer emergency squads. Public schools now mandate “service” as a graduation requirement, but parental networks have figured out how to sign off on each others’ childrens’ projects - my children will never learn they have to work without wages unless they choose to do so.
The few surviving clubs in my area just seem to be a nice place to have cheap drinks without dealing with trash; everyone allowed in is either a member or a guest of one, so there is no riff-raff (membership can be revoked).
I have been active in a civic organization for two decades. It has been a burden. The reason is that there is a lot of work involved in doing good, and so few people willing to do it. I sincerely wish that all these people who seem to be looking for some outlet to do something that would make a difference would look into civic organizations.