DTV Presentation Dec 2008

DECISION TO VOLUNTEER: A LOOK AT THE 2007 STUDY BY

About the Study
Study Rationale
Study Framework
Five Key Findings to Apply to
Your Organization Now

ABOUT THE STUDY What don’t we know about volunteering in the U.S.?

Study Framework
Sponsored by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership
Collaboration with 23 cosponsoring associations:
engineering, health care, education, professional and technical fields
range of tax classifications; national, international membership, demographic profiles

Study Framework
Random sample of the active membership of these organizations + full sample of the known volunteers (weighted)
Internet survey fielded Nov. – Dec. 2007
26,305 respondents, overall 14% response rate (margin of error < 1%)

FIVE KEY FINDINGS

1. NOT ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE ALIKE

Patterns of Association Volunteering

Local Leaders
Focused on local chapter board and committee service
Mentoring, coaching, tutoring, and membership recruitment
Two thirds at entry or mid-career levels of employment.

Writers
The “subject matter experts” of your organization:
Presentations, expert panels
Publishing
Standards review

Teachers
Mentoring, coaching, tutoring, professional advice and membership recruitment
Contribute the fewest volunteer hours for the cosponsor organization
Lower satisfaction levels

Shapers
Engaged in every activity and perform the majority of volunteer work within the associations participating in this study.
Mentoring
Membership recruitment
Local and national board and committee service
Presentations
Fund raising
Older ages, longer membership span, more academic backgrounds, more senior career levels.
Highest satisfaction levels.

Volunteering & the Family Life Cycle
Differences among generations are subtle.
Difference more noticeable along professional & family situations.
Many paradoxes exist …

Many paradoxes
Younger members less engaged in association volunteering now but more likely to see the benefits of volunteerism generally.

Many paradoxes
Older members more engaged in volunteering now but less likely to intend to volunteer in future.

Many paradoxes
Members with families less likely to volunteer for associations but more likely to seek connections to professional world through volunteering.

Many paradoxes
Non-U.S. volunteers less likely to volunteer now but more likely to volunteer for professional reasons.

2. IT’S POSSIBLE TO INCREASE ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERING

First the good news…
Association members an ideal demographic group for volunteer recruitment:
History
Family tradition
Skilled
Satisfied
Link to career path

Address the Realities …
Community and professional volunteering – they need to see value
We need to work harder to demonstrate professional & societal value
Deliver on the professional benefits
Get their attention

3. UNDERSTANDING WHY PEOPLE VOLUNTEER

The “Pro-Social” Volunteer:
Making a difference for others/society*
+
Career Benefits
* Such as building a stronger profession
Reasons People Volunteer

Top Reasons Members Volunteer
Do something for profession/cause important to me
Its important to help others
Feel compassion for others
Gain new perspectives
Explore my own strengths
Volunteering important to people I respect

4. UNDERSTANDING EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

Power of the Direct Ask
How did you first learn about volunteering?
Direct Ask ... 51% were
Asked by staff or another volunteer
Local chapter or section
Meeting or conference
While only 13%
Answered a call for volunteers, ad, website or
Contacted organization

Why do members begin volunteering?
Meaningful opportunity
Right skills
Accessible location
Interest in volunteering / No loss of income
Short-term assignment

Why do members begin volunteering?
More interesting reasons …
More information about opportunities
Organization will train me
My employer supports me
I knew I could make a difference to my profession or work
I was actually asked

5. RETAINING VOLUNTEERS AND ATTRACTING NON-VOLUNTEERS

Why don’t members volunteer?
Uncontrollable reasons:
Time constraints
Family or professional responsibilities
But the #1 reason is controllable!

Why don’t members volunteer?
Top 5 (controllable) reasons:
Lack of information about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer elsewhere.
Never asked to volunteer.
Lack of information about virtual volunteer opportunities.
Lack of information about short-term assignments.

Other barriers:
Lack of follow through
Inadequate expense reimbursement
No tangible benefits
Lack of recognition
Tension with staff or other volunteers
Limitations imposed by job (or employer)

Ten Commandments for Improving your Volunteer Program
Know thy membership.
No cookie-cutter approaches.
Link your volunteer program to your mission.
Match opportunities and skills.
Treat volunteer involvement as a member benefit.
Recognize all volunteer contributions.
Effective volunteer programs must be adequately resourced.
… But money isn’t everything.
Train staff to work with volunteers.
Don’t write off the non-volunteer.

DTV Presentation Dec 2008

by Mariner Management / Peggy Hoffman on Dec 11, 2008

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DTV Presentation Dec 2008 — Presentation Transcript