Communities across California and the United States face an uncertain future. The economic downturn is leaving many people suffering and looking to government and community organizations for support. Funding for these services cannot keep up with increased demand.In fact,many people and organizations expect to give less next year.

At the same time, we are experiencing a renewal of civic spirit and an increase in interest and participation in volunteering.

Many wonder what would be possible if we transformed public good will into solutions for our neighbors and the organizations that serve them. Increased donations of volunteer time and talent are critical additions to our current philanthropic gifts of money and goods,but it will require a major shift in the way many people think about service. Fortunately, that's starting to occur. The entire notion of volunteering is undergoing a radical transformation; what has long been seen as nice has increasingly become necessary.

In the 2007 Southern California wildfires, thousands of people answered the call to serve. They answered phones; they staffed shelters; they supported first responders.

Today, volunteers continue to help by clearing debris and brush from the lots of elderly or those with disabilities so they can get permits to rebuild. Every one of those volunteers is a necessity for our community.

That necessity has an economic impact. Last year, statewide, 6.5 million volunteers contributed nearly 900 million hours of service valued at $17 billion to the California economy. Every dollar we at Volunteer San Diego receive is turned into $3.64 of community service. Volunteers provide a 360 percent return on investment - a strong case for more seriously considering service as a solution for community needs.

The numbers are impressive, but they don't tell the full story of necessity.Volunteers are on the front lines of sustaining the welfare of our community. Without them, Meals on Wheels can't deliver meals as efficiently; soup kitchens struggle to staff their meal distribution; libraries don't have tutors to assist students; our beaches and canyons fill with trash.

And the companionship, dignity, role modeling and health benefits that volunteers offer in response to each of these situations cease to exist, leaving our communities much poorer.

If any doubts remain about what volunteers can achieve, we need look no further than the presidential election. Barack Obama's campaign, in particular, mobilized tens of thousands of people in an impressive show of volunteer force. Regardless of your politics, the campaign demonstrated what the nonprofit sector already knows to be true - volunteers matter. And volunteers who are highly engaged are very powerful.

That power is summed up well in the saying: "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy." We vote in elections about once a year, but when we volunteer,we vote every day about the kind of community we want to live in.

The campaign slogan "Yes we can" resonated with many people. It held promise and opportunity. Inherent in that promise was the challenge for each of us to take responsibility for transforming our communities. It was a challenge that President-elect Barack Obama reissued in his victory speech when he asked each of us to serve and take responsibility not only for ourselves but also for each other.

Closer to home, Sacramento Mayor- elect Kevin Johnson said he wants to encourage a "citywide initiative" to increase volunteerism and philanthropy. "That's one of the things I'd like to do, especially in a down economy." The challenge is real and urgent and requires not just service from us, but leadership, leadership that is embedded at all levels of our country, our state and our community.

We cannot wait for legislators to try to fix the country. Problems and opportunities aren't waiting; it is time for each of us to take action. The good news is that the stage is set for this action. There is a growing recognition among all sectors about volunteerism's importance.

Sue Carter is executive director of Volunteer San Diego, www.volunteersandiego.org, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes individuals and groups to make a community impact through volunteer action.