Volunteer…who me?!

“Hey everyone I need a volunteer.” And no one raises a hand; no one says I’ll help. Some people even ignore the fact that it was just said. Why is that? Why is it so hard for some people to give up some of their time, part of a day, sometime in the next month, over the next year for free? I don’t believe in karma so for me that is not a motivator at all. I mean I could give up an hour on a Saturday to help someone or an organization, which would otherwise be spent getting fatter in front of the TV. Couldn’t you? Do people shy away from it because in the past they have volunteered and gotten shafted, or because they are lazy, or some other reason that I am too simple to point out? When I first joined the army I was told by someone that had only been in about a day longer than I, to “never volunteer for anything in the army because you always get screwed.” Didn’t we both just volunteer for the army? What kind of logic is that? Time has shown me in the army that you have about a 50/50 shot at getting screwed when you volunteer. If you are an optimistic person though you can find plus sides to any of your experiences. Does it make you a better person if you volunteer?