Fred Hewett: What is "success" for a volunteer?

Fred Hewett is a freelance writer specializing in the environment, and a frequent local volunteer. For 12 years, he has tutored high school students through Cambridge School Volunteers, and he donates his time and talents to many other agencies. Fred’s network of some 200 volunteer writers have submitted 3500 Letters to the Editor to inform the public about environmental issues.

CV: How do you define yourself as a volunteer?

FH: I’m just a retired guy, trying to give back. I grew up with parents who frequently volunteered. I care a lot about the environment, I have a degree in chemistry, and I’m a well-published writer. I stay connected to my community in large part by volunteering for many different types of programs in education, environmental policy, and conservation. I prefer to volunteer consistently, over the long term. But not any one thing defines me as a volunteer.

CV: You have volunteered for 12 years with Cambridge School Volunteers (CSV). Tell us more about that.

FH: I guess I’m sort of a “Swiss Army knife” volunteer for CSV. I’ve tutored high school Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Physics, and French, and have also helped with college essay writing. I try to nurture kids’ intellectual development and inspire them around the material. We really focus on academics. In general, I’ve found that students who show up for tutoring are struggling, trying to turn a D into a C. And usually, there is only so much that you can do for someone in one hour a week. But one of my two current students just got a 97 on her last test and when she came in for tutoring, she was thrilled to share her results with me. Of course, it was a great feeling for me to get that kind of confirmation. But I never expect that kind of result or feedback. That’s not why I volunteer.

Many of my mentees come from places that are very different from Cambridge, for example Haiti or Somalia. They may not have had good primary schooling. They may think that a tutor is just another teacher; that’s it’s a job, not our choice. So you can’t expect a thank-you. You may not get one.

CV: So why do you do it?

FH: I am hoping to make even a small difference for someone, to provide some benefit. And I am absolutely sure that I do. That’s the benefit for me. It’s a win-win. Sometimes the wins are a bit lopsided. I don’t get a student shouting that they got a 97 on a test every week. But it’s still a win-win. Volunteering is not pure altruism!

CV: Your WBUR Cognoscenti essay, Mass authorities want to give up on solving the Charles River’s sewage problem, questions the ultimate value of your volunteer time. Here’s the crux of it:

My own contributions as a volunteer water quality monitor [for 18 years] are predicated on the assumption that the data collected will inform policies that protect and sustain the river’s health. The decision to reclassify the Charles, to resign to having millions of gallons of human waste dumped into the waters we love, calls that assumption into question.

So, how do you keep on keeping on despite powerful forces blocking your goals?

FH: My monthly water samples continue to build a body of information on water quality that a new group of policymakers will eventually review. Even if we lost the battle today, our war continues.

Doing something positive is a lot better than sitting at home and scrolling.

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We are indebted to Fred Hewett for this Volunteer Spotlight.

Click here to learn more about Cambridge School Volunteers and how to get involved.

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