Motivation

Race and Formal Volunteering: The Differential Effects of Class and Religion

Marc Musick and John Wilson are doing some of the most interesting and useful studies of volunteer behavior today, and this current article, co-written with William Bynum, is no exception. In what is both a review of available literature and new research of their own, the authors provide a thorough and useful look at whether and how volunteering by African-Americans differs from volunteering by whites.

Among their findings and conclusions (and covering both the literature review and their own additional research):

  1. "...(F)or all kinds of volunteering except the entirely secular, black volunteering is more influenced by church attendance than is white volunteering, a reflection of the more prominent role of the black church in its community...(and) among volunteers for secular activities, church attendance has a negative effect on volunteering, but only for whites."
    To read the full article

Volunteer Retention and Feelings of Connection

Retaining volunteers is both an indicator of and a key to success in volunteer management. When volunteers keep coming back, it is a sign that the program is being managed in a reasonable way. The return of trained and seasoned volunteers gives the volunteer program manager more time to be creative and effective in carrying out the mission.

 
At its simplest level, volunteer retention is simply a matter of making volunteers feel good about their assignment and themselves. If the experience is satisfying and rewarding, the volunteers will continue to want to participate. This is even more likely to be true if the assigned task boosts the volunteer's self esteem. When this experience pervades the volunteer program, a positive, enthusiastic climate is created which, in turn, encourages people to continue to volunteer.
 
This article discusses seven things that "disconnect" volunteers and offers strategies for fostering a positive sense of connection instead.

To read the full article
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