In Tel Aviv, 11 older volunteers were trained in survey techniques and interviewed frail elderly persons. High interrater correspondence and consistency of responses were indications of older interviewers' competence; they had greater insight and understanding of their respondents' situations. (SK)

Compared older adults who volunteered to work for community organization at office or in adult day care center on social-psychological and demographic predictors. Found that day care center volunteers were higher than office volunteers on sympathy whereas office volunteers were higher than day care center volunteers on educational attainment,…

A project at Denman College (Great Britain) to help volunteers document their community work to get credit for a diploma encountered problems in translating community work into formalized academic definitions and in the range of skill levels among volunteers. (SK)

Although parent involvement is essential, state education agencies have provided little financial support for staff and programs needed to improve school-family connections. This article discusses elements of good parent involvement programs and describes several successful examples. Advice is given for creating and managing school volunteer…

Principals can provide overworked staff with some valuable assistance by tapping a frequently overlooked source--high school students. In 1989, a New York district created an innovative program called Students Assisting Students (SAS). These students volunteer as tutors in the schools they once attended. The program benefits all participants. (MLH)

Examined relationship between early career orientation and interest in volunteer work. Entering college students (n=858) completed questionnaires on background, attitudes, and expectations, and Campus Involvement Interest Survey. Results revealed that, although volunteer work can serve as resource for career exploration and job experience, option…

The Communities in Crisis project in Manchester, England, trains volunteers to undertake community improvement. The activities of a tenants' and residents' association illustrate the empowerment through education of individuals as community activists. (SK)

Examined whether and by what means inmates participating in a voluntary counseling program at Hamilton, Alabama, Correctional Facility could be distinguished from those not volunteering for counseling. Results indicated it was possible to distinguish these two group based on Intelligence Quotient, certain demographic factors, two personality…

Examined role of prayer in personal and professional lives of caregivers to dying. Background questionnaires were completed by 78 counselors, doctors, nurses, and volunteers associated with hospice programs. Interviews were conducted with 24 of these subjects. Most caregivers described themselves as very religious; typical caregiver made frequent…

A study of 101 alumni of the Leadership Ashville Seniors program shows that middle class, well-educated retirees who had been professionals/managers want volunteer, leadership, and learning opportunities. Higher education can help develop roles that counter commonly believed age stereotypes. (SK)

Examined stress perceived by telephone intervention volunteers (N=80) at suicide prevention center. Only amount of experience in telephone intervention with suicidal persons predicted stress level before shift. Stress during high-urgency call was related to level of urgency of call; total length of all calls received; and coping mechanisms of…

Data from the Youth Development Study, a prospective longitudinal study that followed approximately 1,000 Minnesota ninth graders for seven years, indicate that performing volunteer work as a teenager had a strong negative relationship to being arrested as a young adult. Age dependencies in the nature and effect of volunteer work are discussed.…

Explores how a community of learners maintains itself through the inclusion of new generations, using the example of new parent volunteers at an innovative public elementary school. Describes four models of community maintenance defining the relationship between the community and newcomers. (Author/SLD)

Studies show that people who volunteer are happier and healthier, perhaps due to enhanced social support, less self-focus, and fewer goal conflicts. Volunteering seems most beneficial for people whose social activities provide cognitive support for coping with major developmental challenges. (SK)

The Pioneers, a group of students in a residential treatment program at Woodland Hills in Duluth, Minnesota, describe how they are changing their lives and community through peer helping and volunteer service. (Author)