If their money and other assets are used effectively, voluntary organizations have an impact far beyond their proportionate size. The United States needs effective governments and a strong voluntary sector, but it will have neither if national leaders do not understand the differences in their functions. (Author/JOW)

Volunteers can help extend and expand all types of programs. Issues and trends of volunteerism in the society and its agencies and organizations are explored. (DF)

This document is a transcript of oral and written testimony given by persons testifying about the Older American Volunteer Programs as reauthorization legislation is being considered. Oral or written testimony was presented by: the director of the voluntary agency, ACTION; the president of the National Association of Foster Grandparents; the…

This report examines the management of three areas related to the preparation of volunteers for Peace Corps service: staging, pre-service training, and attrition. The introduction summarizes the activities undertaken by the review. Chapter 2 focuses on staging, which is variously intended to provide country orientation, information about Peace…

An evaluation of the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Literacy Corps was conducted to provide a description of the Literacy Corps, numbers of persons served, strategies used, volunteer activities, and project results; to determine the degree to which the program is meeting its goals; and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the…

The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program was evaluated from the standpoint of its impact on three groups: VISTA volunteers, communities served by VISTA sponsors, and sponsoring organizations to which VISTA volunteers are assigned. Survey questionnaires were sent to 1,250 of the 3,400 VISTA volunteers currently in service, 494 current…

Prison Fellowship Ministries' church and community based Transition of Prisoners (TOP) program in Detroit is examined. TOP mobilizes, trains, and equips primarily African-American churches and volunteers to assist ex-offenders to successfully reintegrate into their community. Preliminary outcome data suggest that participation in TOP reduces need…

A survey of volunteer programs in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy instruction in Illinois is reported. The report begins with a review of literature concerning ESL literacy volunteerism, most of which is descriptive and program-specific. The statewide survey results are then summarized, giving an overview of ESL volunteer programming.…

An idea conceived by federal volunteer agency director Thomas Rauken in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program (VVLP) was officially launched in November, 1981. The program was scheduled to be federally funded for three years, and thereafter to be privately funded and operated. The VVLP formed a network of veteran volunteers who…

Questionnaires were sent to all active Peace Corps volunteers between July and September 1976. Completed questionnaires were returned by 62% of the volunteers who were in the field at the time of the survey. Analyses were conducted to provide basic descriptive information about volunteers, information on differences between groups or types of…

The policy agenda of the UK government has repositioned the voluntary sector as a key player in the delivery of locally responsive, "bottom up" services to address the complex problems of social exclusion, reaching out to sectors of the community which are beyond the grasp of traditional state or market providers. This has drawn many…

Briefly reviews seven books on the following topics: (1) runaway and homeless youth; (2) drug abuse prevention; (3) issues related to helping children prenatally exposed to drugs and alcohol; (4) lesbians and gay men as foster parents; (5) a multicultural approach to child welfare; (6) keys to successful volunteer programs; and (7) single mothers.…

A survey questionnaire was mailed to all active Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in the summer of 1975. Based on an internal analysis of the 3,479 respondents (a 66% return), the following findings represent the manner in which PCVs perceive their volunteer experience. Perceived volunteer accomplishments and morale are very high. Volunteers believe…

Situations and conditions in which Peace Corps volunteers who are ABG's (A.B. generalists, or individuals with a bachelor of arts in English, liberal arts, or social science) are effective in agriculture and the factors which contribute to the ABG's effectiveness were analyzed and assessed in the study. Methodology included an analysis of training…

Ghana first received Peace Corps assistance in 1961 (the first country in the world to receive volunteers) and since then volunteer strength has fluctuated from between 185 to 415 (presently 179). Secondary education has been the major thrust in programing until recently when Peace Corps/Ghana (PC/G) shifted its emphases to agriculture and rural…