ASAE Publishes Book on Volunteers
-- Tradeshow Week, 8/11/2008
Why do some people have the urge to volunteer their time while others never try it?
ASAE & The Center for Assn. Leadership will attempt to answer that question with a study on why association members volunteer their time; “The Decision to Volunteer: Why People Give Their Time and How You Can Engage Them.” A book based on the study will be released at the ASAE & The Center Annual Meeting & Exposition Aug. 16-19 in San Diego.
“Our new publication is a great resource for all associations and nonprofit organizations that rely on a volunteer workforce,” said John H. Graham IV, president and CEO of ASAE.
The study analyzed research from more than 26,000 participants that looked at why members choose to volunteer and what keeps them engaged, according to ASAE.
Some of the study's findings are:
- association members committed more of their time than the national average;
- career growth and values drove member volunteers;
- age, career status and family status motivated individuals; and
- younger volunteers were stronger believers than older ones, although they were not as engaged as their older peers.
“(The study) advances knowledge about association members' community volunteering and points to a way that charitable and philanthropic organizations can benefit through collaboration with associations for their volunteer needs,” Graham said.
ASAE officials said the publication is part of the Center's “Decision To” series, following “The Decision to Join.” The new publication was co-sponsored by 23 organizations that utilize volunteers.
“The Decision to Volunteer” authors Monica Dignam, ASAE & The Center vice president of industry and market research, and Beth Gazley, assistant professor of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University, will be at ASAE's meeting.
“This research is vital not only for associations, but for all organizations that rely on volunteers,” Dignam said.
