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…

This paper explores the possibilities for building research-oriented, school-engaged teacher education through the professional learning of volunteer teacher-researchers. Volunteerism in education covers a broad spectrum of people and activities ranging from working in school canteens to supporting language and literacy programs. This paper…

The Transatlantic Orientation Exchange/Multiplikatorenschulung im transatlan-tischen Austausch is a collaboration between volunteers and staff in both the US and German AFS organizations. The goal of the project is to increase the level of intercultural learning of German and US secondary education exchange participants and their host families.…

The primary purpose of this mixed-methods study was two-fold: first, to assess diabetes knowledge, attitudes, disease management and self efficacy among a sample of Mexican American (MA) and Mexican-Native (MN) adults living in North Texas; and second, to determine factors which promote or deter diabetes prevention and management using…

A critical component to instituting compassionate, patient-centered diabetes care is the training of health care providers. Our institution developed the Family Centered Experience (FCE), a comprehensive 2-year preclinical program based on longitudinal conversations with patients about living with chronic illness. The goal of the FCE is to explore…

This study examines the history, development, and important characteristics of Project: LEARN, a community-based literacy program in Cleveland (Ohio). The program started in 1974 and is an affiliate of Laubach Literacy International. It has successfully used volunteer tutors to teach basic reading and writing skills to thousands of illiterate…

Information on school/community partnerships in Virginia is provided in this resource guide, which is divided into five sections. The first section, "Building Community/Classroom Partnerships Through Coalitions," by Jane Asche, discusses recent findings that point to the need for coalitions to improve public education. Successful…

This guide introduces volunteer opportunities in the schools to older persons. The first section describes the challenges of meeting the needs of a generation at risk, preparing today's students to be tomorrow's workers, easing the pressures on overburdened schools, and generating support for education. The second section describes the…

A project developed a training program to teach boaters to recognize and interpret properly the lights of other vessels in nighttime or other reduced visibility conditions in the inland waters of the United States. The project followed the Instructional Systems Design model in the development of the course. The target population were members of…

An overview is provided of the benefits and problems associated with using faculty members with classroom teaching duties as volunteers in college-sponsored writing centers outside the classroom environment. First, benefits for the school administration, the students, and the volunteer faculty tutors are outlined. These benefits include the…

A leadership development program was conducted by the home economics department of the University of Florida. The program consisted of an 11-week structured learning experience conducted by county home economics extension faculty for participants recruited from local voluntary associations in four counties. The broad objective of the program was…

Research on the use of paraprofessionals and trained volunteers for visitation programs with elders is limited. To determine the effects of a visitation program on nursing home residents and their college student and elder visitors, and to explore the effectiveness of special training for such visitation, nursing home residents (N=25) visited with…

This booklet is a step-by-step explanation of how Gloucester County, Virginia, developed a solid and effective affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America. It begins with a history of People Organized for Worthwhile Education of Residents (Project POWER). A discussion follows of the planning for this 1-year program for the development of a support…

This handbook is intended to help the volunteer leader become more effective. The first five chapters are designed as self-instruction guides, which will help the leader to lead groups to more effective action. These chapters cover assessing group and community needs; establishing goals and setting priorities; considering alternatives and…