Focus groups were conducted with 32 Australian local government officials and interviews held with 18 administrators responsible for sports and recreation. They recognized the importance of training for volunteer sports administrators and believed local government's role included identifying local needs and facilitating training. (Contains 20…

Interviews with 14 volunteers working in disability-related organizations identified six themes in their volunteer experiences: (1) sense of value, (2) satisfaction, (3) social integration, (4) assistance, (5) enjoyment, and (6) interest. Drawbacks to volunteering included financial costs and lack of appreciation. (Contains 28 references.) (JOW)

A national survey of volunteers for The Smith Family organization (n=426) found that 38% participate more than monthly. Higher frequency was associated with age, rural location, lower income, and career motivation. Those in full-time employment or study, had primarily social motivations, or volunteered for other organizations were less frequent.…

Volunteers (n=85) in Australian organizations who responded to a survey indicated that they received both positive and negative feedback from supervisors and coworkers. The feedback environment facilitated or hindered its effectiveness. Effectiveness was enhanced by an organizational culture that was supportive and open and development of…

A survey of technical and further education students in two Australian technical institutes (899 metropolitan, 297 regional) found that those most likely to be interested in volunteering were at the regional institute, female, or full time. Only one-third of metropolitan students willing to be volunteers were actually volunteering. (SK)

A study gathered perspectives of business, employee volunteers, and community organizations in New Zealand regarding employee volunteering. Benefits and issues for each group were identified, and the role of volunteer centers in managing successful employee volunteer programs was highlighted. (Contains 19 references.) (SK)

Develops a typology of learning for volunteering, including the types of learning (instrumental, communicative, emancipatory) and examples of formal, nonformal, informal, and incidental education that take place with each. (SK)

Describes the use of sample surveys to estimate the amount of time spent volunteering. States that it is necessary to estimate the number of hours involved and to establish an appropriate value per hour. (SK)

Examined the experiences and attitudes of indigenous and non-English speaking background people in Australia to conceptions of volunteering, the nature of their volunteer involvement, and supports for and barriers to volunteering. (JOW)

A study examined motivation as a crucial factor in the high turnover of Volunteers in Policing (VIP) participants (n=51). A sound police-volunteer relationship is crucial to the success of the New South Wales Police Service's VIP program. (Author)

A survey of 328 volunteers serving on sports committees in Australia found that organizational commitment was higher in organizations with open decision making, conflict resolution, and attention to group process. Positive, effective committee functioning led to lower turnover. (SK)

Performance feedback methods in paid work can be applied to the management of volunteers. A survey of 32 Western Australian organizations indicated that 21 provided feedback based on performance standards in the job description. (SK)

A survey of 162 Australian college students (70% with volunteering experience) showed that despite concerns about time constraints, 92% would be interested in volunteering. They felt students would be attracted to volunteering by credits, relevant work, references for employers, and flexible time slots. (SK)

Volunteer administrators (n=32) participating in Australia's Voluntary Work Initiative, designed to assist welfare recipients who were required to perform volunteer work, were interviewed. Although volunteering helped overcome isolation and develop job skills, low levels of commitment and short stays (especially among younger participants) and…

Interviews with 44 Australian cultural groups provided an overview of volunteering outside of formal organizations. Results make a case for recognizing nontraditional or informal volunteers and demonstrate the productive diversity that builds valuable social capital in communities. (Contains 41 references.) (JOW)