An Integrative Research Paper On:
VOLUNTEERING MOTIVATIONS AND THEIR WELL-BEING by Joseph A. Sagadraca
Summer 2015 Practicum at the American Red Cross
University of North Florida
Dr. Jody Nicholson
July 31, 2015
ABSTRACT
With considerable amounts of psychological research focused on volunteers, this paper will attempt to indicate and reiterate the motivations of volunteers in non-profit organizations through an integrative style of thinking. A lot of research is based on the well-being of a person in regards to their motivation, so this research paper will target the potentially important aspects a volunteer associates themselves with, with respect of their motivations and their well-being. No real research has been done, but through an internship at the American Red Cross, this will assist the integrative style of writing to produce helpful information for volunteers and their motivations.
INTRODUCTION For many years, millions of people have engaged in some kind of volunteering act that has contributed to a number of unimaginable hours of work. Of these people though, 49% have represented the adult population with a quarter of them having devoted their time to 5 or more hours per week for volunteering (the motivations to volunteer). These figures for volunteering have been inspiring for psychologists to seek and understand the instrumental factors that lead people to volunteer. Several arguments have been stirred throughout the years, but importantly,
Volunteering is often seen as free labor. However, there is a significant cost associated with the recruitment, training, and maintenance of the volunteer force. A full-time staff to oversee the volunteer program is necessary as well to ensure volunteers are being used effectively. The recruitment process varies from advertising to speaking at schools to
This is the reason why most people volunteer. The Statistics Canada Volunteering in Canada survey found that 93% of volunteers said that making a contribution to the community was the key motivational factor in their decision.
Many people don’t realize the true value of volunteering, but I’ve come to understand the incredible impact of volunteering through my experience at Memorial Hermann. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” For me, his words could not be truer.
The intrinsic of motivation is a type of motivation that focusing on the internal rewards compare to the external rewards such as money. People who have intrinsic motivation will be more likely to enjoy their work because their doing it out of burdens. According to Kendra Cherry From verywell.com intrinsic motivation “ Activities can generate such feelings when they give people a sense of meaning like to participate in volunteer or church events. They may also give you a sense of progress when you see that your work is accomplishing something positive or competence when you learn something new or become more skilled at a task.” Most of the retired people who worked there are attaining the feeling that they are doing something good for others and making their life more meaningful. By having the intrinsic motivation volunteer are making them feel better to go on with their
From personal experience, many people who volunteer truly do go because they want to help out. If they don't go for that reason, then they may enjoy themselves anyway. I volunteered to clean up the streets near Coney Island beach in New York after hurricane Sandy destroyed many homes on the East Coast. Amongst the volunteers with me many were New York high school students who went simply because their school made an announcement that they should go. They also received volunteered hours added to their record. However, all of these kids stayed an extended time than their recorded volunteer hours. These kids stayed, along with me, because we all felt a need to help out the community. Those high school students were rightfully receiving volunteer hours onto their record and a feeling of goodness. This example points out how offering incentives allows charities to gather more people. Yet, it is possible volunteers may leave with an object or prize reminding them of the good they've done. The people who volunteer may not have that initial desire to help if they are going because of the
When one volunteers, it is not for their personal gain, yet rather for the benefit of others. The volunteering opportunity would enable one to make a direct connection with others. Thus, the volunteers get
Volunteering to me didn’t seem very pleasing at first. My focus was simply getting the hours I needed to make my resume look good. However, my perspective changed when I began getting involved with the various activities of the community. I enjoyed helping and serving others, seeing the positive impact I made gave me a great satisfaction. Thankfully, I have volunteered in many areas, however there are a few organizations in which I have invested more time and effort.
However for younger people, who may be interested in a career in healthcare, it can be an opportunity to gain experience to help them to make much more informed career choices. Consequently a key aspect of volunteer involvement in the NHS is
Perhaps, organizations should apply the classical practices of human resource management (HRM) to the volunteer work environment (Studer, 2015). Initially, these activities start with an orientation that allows the volunteer to gain a sense of the organization and its mission, as well as to expose the volunteers to the organization’s culture and method of operation (Brudney, 1999). Moreover, more extensive use of orientation, training and support practices generates fewer problems had by volunteers, which is associated with fewer problems in the retention of volunteers (Cuskelly et al., 2006). It is important, however, for volunteer coordinators to refer back to the preliminary volunteer interest form. Referring back to the form allows the coordinator to grasp a more comprehensive understanding of the volunteer’s motivations as well as their expertise. With this knowledge, further trainings and development opportunities can be catered more to the various job-specific tasks volunteers are assigned to complete. Job-specific trainings and developmental opportunities make for the best use of volunteer energy as a natural resource (Brudney & Meijs, 2009). Because volunteers donate their time and energy, the more an organization is able to better use the a volunteer’s time and energy, the more beneficial the volunteer is to the organization and the organization
The article, “Role-Identity Salience, Purpose and Meaning in Life, and Well-Being among Volunteers”, by Peggy A. Thoits seeks to address that the more roles individuals occupy, the better their mental and physical well-being. Thoits says that social roles have salutary effects on well being because they are identities that provide individuals with purpose and meaning in life. The research problem being addressed here is whether role identities in fact supply purpose and meaning and whether a sense of purpose and meaning actually mediates the link between identities and well-being. The article discusses these issues, focusing on a case in point on the role-identity of “volunteer,” specifically, Mended Hearts Visitor.
Through each volunteer opportunity, I was able to learn self value by helping children trying to heal. “ In conclusion, helping volunteer can produce a feeling of self- worth and respect” (Angood). While volunteering at Le Bonheur, I experienced the feeling of self worth by seeing the children succeed through an obstacle with happy faces. “Participating in volunteering is what is meaningful for you and being able to use the skills that you are best able to provide” (Angood). While volunteering at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, helping the boys and girls out is what meant the most to me. Feeling self worth makes myself want to volunteer more because of being able to see each of them successfully move on in progress and to know that I am trying
Surrendering my free time to serve others, is often times not something I crave to do. Selfish ambitions take over, and consequently, I participate in activities I find pleasing to me rather than others. However, when I take the time to assist others and take action in my community, I have found that it is a rewarding experience. Volunteering has never led me to anything negative, and it has allowed me to be a part of a positive and uplifting experience. My desire to volunteer may consume my time, but the countless rewards I receive from volunteering are priceless. Offering my time to organizations has allowed me to become more humble, see the happiness it brings to people, and improve my social skills.
Volunteering Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience about three main points to be a volunteer. Central Idea: The three main points that will convince you to be a volunteer are problem that people don’t have time to volunteer, cause that most people don’t understand the seriousness of being a volunteer, and solution people feel better when they volunteer. Introduction I. Volunteering helped me get work. II.
What motivated you to do your volunteer work? How did you come up with the idea for your activity? Who or what inspired you to get involved? How did your volunteer activity begin? Why did you feel it was important? (300 words)
This research is being conducted to investigate volunteer motivation, satisfactions and dissatisfactions. As is stated by Becsi et al (2008), much of the literature in the social sciences focuses on predicting volunteering behaviour with underlying theories of resources availability.