Noting a paucity of research on volunteerism, this report examines research on volunteer recruitment, training, and retention, particularly in youth-serving organizations that rely on volunteers to accomplish their missions. The report also proposes questions for further research. The report notes that while the number of individuals volunteering…

This report describes the 1999-2000 work of the Omaha Public School Tutoring Program, one recipient of a Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) grant to support the Department of Education's America Reads Challenge Initiative. McREL was charged with issuing and monitoring four subcontracts with tutoring partnerships to provide…

Describes the role of volunteers which has undergone some rather revolutionary changes since the days of the gift bag lady." (Author/MB)

The results of this study indicate that "need for approval" is a significant motivational variable in college student volunteers and is significantly related to volunteer success among female volunteers. Implications for planning rehabilitation volunteer recruitment programs are discussed. (Author)

Members of an undergraduate course in psychology (n equals 416) were tested for moral tolerance and self acceptance before and after course completion. Sixteen students did concurrent hospital work. The volunteer experience did not significantly affect moral tolerance scores, but did result in greater self acceptance scores. (Author/CJ)

Discusses rewards of being a docent (unpaid teacher contributing knowledge, experience, time, or simply a vibrant dedication toward a common cause). Also discusses opportunities for docents in zoos, museums, art galleries, nature centers, and other locations and several docent-training programs. (JN)

Using survey data, this article outlines the steps administrators can take to create effective community involvement. A table details the task assignment and evaluation of community members in such roles as consultant or member of a task force or committee. (JM)

Communication is seen as the secret to getting the most out of college fund-raising volunteers. Five stages in the communication cycle are identified: establishing the environment; searching, selecting and recruiting; training; motivating and monitoring progress; and evaluating and rewarding. (MLW)

Suggests that volunteerism must supplement and not be a substitute for what should be a gainfully employed work force. (Author)

Describes Alzheimer Support/Tender Loving Caregivers Project which represents the efforts of a mental health center to collaborate with an interfaith coalition to recruit and train church-based volunteers to provide respite care for frail elderly and their families. Describes educational component as overshadowing service. (Author/ABL)

Reviews findings regarding attrition of hospice volunteers. Suggests ways to improve retention relating to several aspects of volunteer administrator's job including selection of volunteers, training, overseeing transition from training to actual volunteering, structuring communication between volunteers and paid staff, and supervising and…

Participation of beneficiaries in the monitoring of public services is increasingly seen as a key to improving their efficiency. In India, the current government flagship program on universal primary education organizes both locally elected leaders and parents of children enrolled in public schools into committees and gives these groups powers…