The deeper benefits of volunteering
Thursday, January 19, 2012
This is the third in a five part series on volunteers.
According a paper presented by the Smith Family there are, “Six categories of motivations or psychological functions that may be met by volunteering have been identified” (Clary et al 1996).
The six categories are:
1. Values function: people may volunteer to express or act on values important to the self (e.g. altruism)
2. Understanding function: people may volunteer as they see it as an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the world and develop and practice particular skills
3. Enhancement function: volunteering may allow people to engage in psychological development and enhance their self esteem
4. Career function: people may volunteer to gain experiences that will benefit their careers
5. Social function: volunteering may help people ’fit in’ and get along with social groups they value
6. Protective function: volunteering may help people cope with inner anxieties and conflicts.”
(1996) ’Volunteers’ motivations: Findings from a national survey’ Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 25(4), pp.485-505.http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/webdata/resources/files/Briefing_Paper_4.pdf
Help them achieve their volunteer goals
To make sure you are tailoring your volunteer roles to suit each individual’s needs, you might find it helpful to ask your volunteers from the outset what they want to get out of their role as a volunteer.
If they want to gain work experience in a particular area –team them up with someone with experience to help them achieve their outcome. If they are interested in meeting new people, be sure to place them in a role that helps them do this.
By listening to the reasons people volunteer and trying to help them get the most out of their role you make it that much easier for them to come back and donate their time next year.
For more information on volunteers check out the other four parts of this series of blogs.