The article looks at the roles volunteers serve in providing services for the severely disabled. Examples of specific cases illustrate the points made by the author. (SB)

Criteria for implementation of school volunteer programs include (1) effective incentives, (2) resources, and (3) political and administrative feasibility. Alternatives for state action include (1) maintaining current state policy, (2) providing leadership by endorsement and mandate, and (3) enacting legislation to provide incentives for…

Describes apprentice/mentor relationship as a way of meeting the needs of abusive parents and the needs of understaffed agencies with large caseloads. Mentoring is discussed in terms of the life span developmental need for acquiring a sense of generativity and basic factors in the evolution of a mentoring relationship. (Author/RH)

The Combined Modified Design is presented to overcome problems of internal and external validity in the conduct of true experiments in longitudinal studies. It combines a modified version of the Randomized Invitation Design with the lottery longitudinal experimental field trial situation. (SLD)

Interviews with 20 AIDS volunteers suggested six themes for volunteer caregiving: caring, supporting, touching, balancing, benefiting, and reflecting. The volunteers remained enthusiastic and positive and had effective coping strategies. Ways to train and support them were suggested. (SK)

Religious organizations bring seven assets to community partnerships for social services: a service mission, volunteer pool, usable space, fund raising/grant making, political strength, moral authority, and creativity and experimentation. (SK)

Describes discussion groups, newsgroups, Web sites, and electronic publications on the topics of volunteering and volunteer management. (SK)

Proposes restructuring volunteer roles in order to expand the productive contributions of older volunteers. Recommends the following: examining federal programs such as Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; conducting demonstration programs to test the feasibility of high-intensity, high-responsibility volunteering; and including data on unpaid…

Random samples of Ohio 4-H community club members ages 10-14 (n=504, 25% response) and ages 15-19 (n=504, 27% response) were surveyed. Nearly 100% in both groups are involved in community service. Respondents spent equal amounts of time volunteering through school, out of school, on their own, or through 4-H youth development experiences. (SK)

Describes how the author applies the four Rs of volunteerism: research, recruit, retain, and recognize. Outlines the basics of each and how they can be incorporated in a school program. (SG)

A study examined types of and reasons for volunteering among Canadian adults over 64 (n=1,569) and compared them with those given by adults aged 45-64 (n=5,563). Results indicate that the older group volunteers out of self-interest and are more likely to volunteer because of a feeling of obligation and social value than those aged 45-64. (JOW)

Studied required and voluntary youth community service by high school students. Findings suggest that the two types of service can be viewed as operating according to separate regimens, but that both have potential benefits when service is viewed as providing the opportunity to learn through participatory action. (SLD)

Service learning has focused on elementary-secondary and higher education, but not older adults due to a lack of adult education program experience, resources, or interest. Programs such as Elderhostel, Senior Service Corps, Institutes for Learning in Retirement, and Life Options Centers show how elders can benefit from service learning. (Contains…

Responses from 20 of 22 Texas state government agencies using volunteers resulted in recommendations for volunteer management: standardize data collection, provide liability coverage, expand recognition programs, hire competent managers, support adequate infrastructure, replicate best practices, share best practices, encourage participation in…

In Britain, a Women's Aid program offers practical support and assistance to abused women. Survivors of domestic abuse can benefit from the opportunity afforded by an objective appraisal of the social context of their personal experiences, facilitated by trained volunteers. (JOW)