A survey of volunteers, offenders, and prison personnel in a volunteer mentoring program in Oklahoma prisons uncovered problems caused by inadequate mentor training due to lack of resources. Lack of funds forces correctional agencies to use volunteers, but it also prevents them from using them effectively. (SK)

Workplace volunteer councils (WVC) are associations of representatives from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors working together to enhance grass-roots volunteerism. Volunteer administrators can play an integral role in supporting partnerships formulated through a WVC by providing opportunities and expertise to ensure that the experience is…

Includes three papers: "Trends in Volunteerism: A Canadian Perspective" (Paddy Bowen); "Shrinking Government--A New Zealand Story: The Effects on Volunteers, Volunteer Agencies, and Their Clients" (Mary Woods); and "Public Issues Facing Non-Profits and Volunteerism in the United States" (Jeanne H. Bradner). (SK)

Describes a series of training modules and a process for volunteer advisory boards to assess the current degree to which their organizational structure, policies, and programs are inclusive for diverse audiences. Includes illustrations and assessment tools in 13 appendices. (JOW)

An urban nonprofit residential treatment program for chemically dependent teenagers uses the Myers Briggs Type Indicator as a team-building tool for volunteers sponsoring teens through the 12-step recovery process. Training in team building and personality types increases understanding of communication style differences and conflict management.…

Summarizes the principles of asset-based community development and indicates that it is more relevant than traditional methods. Explains its characteristics and requirements and identifies critical barriers. Encourages volunteer administrators to apply current knowledge and practices to asset-based community development. (Author/JOW)

New York University's Zen approach to community service focuses on the principles of mindfulness, awareness, compassion, and engagement in the present moment. It enables a more holistic approach to the measurement of volunteer management objectives. (SK)

Volunteers may experience grief when working with clients in life-threatening situations or having experienced personal loss. Volunteer administrators can provide support through education and recognition of potential problems. (SK)

Organizational policies regarding termination of volunteers should specify careful screening, consideration of all alternatives (resupervise, reassign, retrain, revitalize, refer, retire), and documentation. When termination is necessary, it should involve the volunteer administrator, supervisor, and an ombudsperson; counseling and confidentiality…

Responses from 214 of 500 volunteer agencies determined that 1.1% of their volunteers have developmental disabilities/mental retardation (DD/MR) and identified barriers and benefits that volunteer coordinators perceive regarding volunteers with DD/MR. There was interest in learning how to accommodate volunteers with disabilities. (Contains 14…

An experienced volunteer discusses the importance of volunteer evaluation and encourages volunteer administrators to consider their policy of volunteer evaluations from a volunteer's point of view. (JOW)

Targeting Outcomes of Programs is a model used to assess volunteer program inputs (resources, activities, participation), outcomes (reactions, changes in knowledge, skills, opinions, aspirations), and impact (practice changes and societal, economic, and environmental impacts). (SK)

Survey responses from 86 of 125 volunteers for the Nature Conservancy-Ohio Chapter revealed altruistic motivations for 62.7%. They had multiple reasons for volunteering, including social and egoistic, which should be taken into account by volunteer administrators in making assignments. (SK)

Core ethical values of the Association for Volunteer Administration are citizenship and philanthropy, respect, responsibility, caring, justice and fairness, and trustworthiness. An ethical decision-making model shows how to apply these standards to actual cases. (SK)

Defines and explains key concepts associated with experiential learning and describes practical exercises. Encourages volunteer administrators to investigate and use experiential learning in their work and lives. (Author/JOW)