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Dear Ms. Caskey,
Thanks for the opportunity to write in support of Mr. Ethan Farber's application to volunteer at the Boston Rescue Mission. Here are my responses to your questions:
-How do you know this person?
Ethan has been a student in three of my courses at UMass Boston over the past three years and I am currently supervising his senior capstone project. He has much to offer and I hope that the Boston Rescue Mission will be a place where he can make a positive difference.
-Would you consider them a good fit as a volunteer with us?
I do not know your organization well enough to say, but I hope the answer might be yes. I believe that Ethan will make his best contributions in situations in which there are clear and tangible objectives and where his tasks seem to him to make a logical and efficient contribution to those objectives.
-What values or traits does this person have that would make them a reliable volunteer?
Ethan has a great deal of self-respect and takes pride in being able to capably do what a situation requires of him. He was flawless in his attendance, punctuality and participation in his most recent course with me (this fall). He is very intelligent and resourceful, with good writing and data-management skills, but I think would also be able to take pride in correct fulfillment of basic practical or even menial tasks. I have not actually seen him teach, but I think he could be good at presenting or explaining how to do things and why it makes sense to do them that way.
- Do you have any hesitations about this person working with a population that is at risk?
Conveying a sense of emotional connection and support is not Ethan's strong point. He can be brusque and direct in his social manner and might at times seem condescending. In the classroom when presenting a complicated idea he would sometimes speak so quickly as to be difficult to understand. Ethan is interested in real communication and open exchange of ideas, but not necessarily in making sure that everyone likes him or feels good about themselves.
In summary I would add that Ethan has a lot of energy and gifts and is very eager to be using them in a non-academic environment. He will do best in an environment where finesse of social interaction is not at a premium. He is most likely to be a well-liked and valued member of a team in situations where his supervisor(s) and co-workers are secure and flexible people who are willing to correct him when needed, but not get bent out of shape about every lapse in cordiality. Ethan has a lot to offer and I hope very much that your organization might be a place where he can do that.
