A survey of 797 extension master volunteers in Ohio received 200 usable responses indicating that achievement was rated as the most important motive for beginning service as a master volunteer. As they continued to volunteer, affiliation became the most important motive. Intrinsic forms of recognition (e.g., receiving compliments) were rated most…

Participants in Educorps, a network of retired superintendents, travel throughout New York State to dispense hard-won advice to fellow school executives. During Educorps's first 20 months, 200 consultants have helped 60 school systems tackle financial planning, curriculum development, and public-relations issues. Services are free, minus…

Nebraska 4-H volunteers (n=714) surveyed were predominantly motivated by affiliation and desire to help others. Many were parents of 4-H members and wanted to assist their children's involvement. There was no relationship between motivation and their preferred forms of recognition. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

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 survey of 97 Indiana 4-H/youth development educators and interviews with staff and volunteer board members indicated that volunteers believe in core 4-H values, recommend reaching more and different youth, and believe that the rural image inhibits progress. Staff interactions with volunteers, lack of parental involvement, group organization and…

Discusses the value that volunteering by older adults brings to individual lives and the benefits to society. Suggests that volunteering provides an enhanced sense of purpose by doing things for others and that understanding why elders volunteer will help identify better ways to support their efforts. (JOW)

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)

Study of determinates of consistent and occasional alumni giving at a small, private liberal arts college over a 23-year period. Finds several similar determinants for both groups: For example, volunteering for the college, playing varsity sports. Occasional donors were male, members of either fraternities or sororities, and close to retirement.…

Two studies with 9- to 12-year-old children supported the hypothesis that lay theories about the malleability of human traits impact judgments of and behavior toward groups in need of volunteer help. The more children endorsed an incremental view (attributes can change), the more they reported liking, desiring social contact with, and perceiving…

This paper discusses a study that examined why older people volunteer for a research registry based at the University of Queensland, Australia. A mailed questionnaire was utilized to explore a list of reported motives developed from an in-depth qualitative phase. An exploratory factor analysis of the findings was conducted, which showed that there…

High schools have recently become a popular source of mentors for school-based mentoring (SBM) programs. The high school Bigs program of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, for example, currently involves close to 50,000 high-school-aged mentors across the country. While the use of these young mentors has several potential advantages, their age…

This paper was developed in the interest of extending the reach and benefits of national and community service programs to larger numbers of persons from disadvantaged populations. In particular, this paper is intended to increase understanding of both challenges and opportunities that may accompany efforts to increase the participation by…

Young people who live in rural areas are less likely to finish high school and to complete college than their urban and suburban peers. These adolescents are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol: rural adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 have the highest levels of drug use in this age group. Out-of-school-time programs in rural areas…

Educators need to help kids help others so that they can help themselves. Volunteering does not involve competition or grades. This is one area where students don't have to worry about measuring up to the expectations of parents, teachers, and coaches. Students participate in charitable work to add another line to a college transcript or job…

Purpose: Research concerned with the relationship between volunteer activity and psychological well-being has typically reported higher levels of well-being among older adult volunteers relative to nonvolunteers. However, few studies have examined nonlinear associations between frequency of volunteer activity and well-being. We examined nonlinear…