Voices of Pioneers section features Margaret Harrison of United Kingdom who founded HOME-START movement in Leicester, England, in 1973. Notes that HOME-START now has 150 programs throughout United Kingdom and in other countries and that program trains volunteers to offer support, friendship, and practical help to young families under stress in…

Contends that, although volunteering is usually an activity that is done to satisfy one's intrinsic need to give of oneself to others, volunteers may not realize that they are fostering their own career development through their volunteer activities. Encourages educators, career counselors, parents, volunteer coordinators, and volunteers…

The volunteer pool of social services organizations often does not reflect the cultural diversity of their clientele. Cultural values and past experiences of discrimination are among the reasons for this limited diversity in volunteers. An Australian project found that refugees were reluctant to be clients of agencies whose volunteers did not…

Investigates the attitudes of volunteer counselors toward clients with alcohol problems and the counselors' commitment to their agencies. Results indicate the importance of role recognition by agencies in enhancing counselor attitudes toward their work; levels of experience also appears to be significant. (Author/MKA)

Results of a study of community service organizations (n=12) and their communities indicate that distribution of volunteer funds and time was unrelated to community needs as measured by objective indicators. The most important determinants of resource allocation are members' perceptions of the severity of problems and their willingness to work in…

The distribution of school-business and school-community organization partnerships was examined in the Houston Independent School District. The study found differences in the targeting to schools and students in the most need based on the scope of effort and the sponsorship. (JOW)

Study 1 examined required service learning for 371 undergraduate business students; study 2 compared 63 undergraduates in voluntary and required service. Only for students who felt externally controlled did required service diminish future volunteering intentions. Readiness to volunteer moderated the effects of requirement. (SK)

Service learning is an educational experience that provides students with the opportunity to participate in community-based activities and integrated classroom learning experiences. Presents service learning used in an intervention that builds on the inherent strengths of students with emotional and behavioral challenges. (Author)

A survey of 22 agency directors and 219 volunteer board members showed that 40% of members received 1-5 hours of training in the last 6 months, 47% none. Training needs included board roles and responsibilities, strategic planning, understanding the agency, and fundraising. Preferred methods were facilitated workshop/retreat or board-led training…

A study of 52 volunteer mentors of single parents found that 24 of the 30 successful mentors had higher education levels; 20 had social work or training background; 11 successful and 12 unsuccessful mentors had altruistic motives; 19 successful and 3 unsuccessful mentors had career motives; 6 who were motivated by personal experiences were…

Traces the history of volunteer literacy tutoring in Queensland. Addresses contemporary issues arising from national training initiatives: funding, changes in the volunteer population, ideology, and the attempt to link literacy skills to employment outcomes. (SK)

Volunteers are affected by organizational change, though with a different focus and priority. There may be tension between volunteers and paid staff. Volunteers may pass through stages of resistance, confusion, integration and recommitment; they may have different change styles: resisters, adapters, or seekers. (SK)

A suburban Cook County (Illinois) school district has tapped an invaluable community resource--senior citizens--for two generations' mutual enrichment. Senior Exchange gives residents over 54 a chance to help schools while earning money to pay the portion of their property tax bill supporting schools. Other intergenerational exchanges include…

Survey responses from 79 of 92 citizens serving on boards, committees, and commissions for Carson City, Nevada, showed that 80% were interested in receiving training. Topics of interest included identifying and analyzing issues, understanding community resources, parliamentary procedure, group process, and listening skills. (SK)

Proposes a second, noncommodified sector in which citizens receive wages for socially essential activities. Suggests that those completing two years in the second sector would acquire vouchers for vocational training and further education. (SK)