An organizational climate that attracts and retains volunteers does not
happen accidentally. Here are some factors that organization researchers
have identified as important to today's volunteer:
Structure
Volunteers like to be a part of an organized group that has structure, but
allows for flexibility.
Responsibility
Volunteers in the 1990's like the feeling of being one's own boss and not
having to double check all decisions.
Reward
Volunteers like to be rewarded appropriately for a job well done. A good
program will emphasize positive rewards rather than punishment.
Risk
Volunteers like a sense of challenge and permission to take calculated
risks.
Warmth
The feeling of good fellowship in the work group atmosphere is also
important. It helps if a program has a prevailing mood that is friendly
and informal, without cliques.
Support
A good program fosters a sense of mutual support; helpfulness on the part
of managers and others in the group.
Standards
The emphasis should be on doing a good job.
Conflict
A difference in opinion shouldn't be considered a liability. Problems
should be aired and resolved, not ignored. Other opinions are heard and
valued.
Identity
A volunteer likes the feeling of belonging to a group and being a valuable
member of a working team.
Evaluation
Volunteers deserve to know where they stand so the experience is a growth
experience.
Most CASA programs require a commitment of at least one year of the
volunteers. The majority of volunteers actually remain in the programs
beyond the original time commitment.
The Delaware Family Court Report mentioned previously, found that the
principal problems in retaining CASA volunteers were:
- Volunteers with full-time employment find it difficult to allocate
sufficient time to their responsibilities.
- The large number of volunteers and the shortage of support staff
result in the risk of inadequate supervision and of the volunteers
feeling alienated or not sufficiently connected to the program.
- Changes in the family and work-related circumstances of the
volunteers cause volunteers to leave the program.
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