In order to effectively and consistently provide services to citizens, local governments have had to come up with creative ways for offering services demanded by their citizens. One popular approach became the creation of volunteer programs as local governments became increasingly reliant on volunteers. Volunteers are one means by which local governments help to increase meaningful engagement with citizens and help meet the increasing needs for public services with limited resources. On a broader scale, volunteers in public agencies provide a variety of services to fill gaps in creating and sustaining collective societal goods that otherwise might have been limited due to fiscal stress on local governments or eliminated.
Public Sector Volunteer Management: Best Practices and Challenges adds to the understanding of how management practices may affect retention of volunteers. It provides an opportunity to add much-needed data to any discussion concerning volunteering at the local government level from the perspective of volunteer coordinators and aims to provide in-depth research on local government volunteer management practices.
This book focuses on best practices identified as necessary for successful volunteer management in the public sector, specifically in a local government setting, making it a valuable text for researchers, academics, and students in the fields of public and nonprofit management, leadership, and human resource management.
Author(s): Aminata Sillah
Series: Routledge Studies in the Management of Voluntary and Non-Profit Organizations
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 176
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgment
Preface
1. Introduction: Introducing Concepts
The Spirit of Volunteering in America
Historical Roots of Volunteerism
Volunteerism
Who Is a Volunteer?
Types of Volunteers
Benefits of Volunteering
Conclusion
Exercise
Questions to Consider
Discussion Questions
References
2. Public Sector Volunteer Management
The Public Sector
Volunteerism in the Public Sector
Sample of Roles Performed by Volunteers
Who Volunteers in the Public Sector?
Volunteer Programs/Organizations
Organizational Models of Volunteerism
Model 1: The Ad Hoc Model
Model 2: The Outside Recruitment/Internal Management Model
Model 3: The Centralized Model
Model 4: The Decentralized Model
References
3. Theoretical Frameworks to Study Volunteer Management
Introduction
Human Resources Management Theory
Human Relations Theory
Bureaucratic Theory
Why People Volunteer
Discussion Questions
References
4. Best Practices in Volunteer Management
References
5. Local Government Volunteer Management
Why Involve Volunteers in Local Government?
Example of the Impact of Volunteers in Local Government
Considerations for Involving Volunteers
Volunteer Coordinator
References
6. Volunteer Programs in Local Government
References
7. Citizen Engagement
References
8. Volunteer Retention and Turnover
References
9. Virtual Volunteering
References
10. Global Volunteering
Global Volunteering
References
11. Case Studies—Texas
Case Study 1
Data Collection Procedure
Participation Procedures
The inclusionary criteria for this study were limited to:
Research Instrument
Survey Questionnaire
Telephone Interviews
Interview Questions
Analysis
Limitations
Survey and Interview Results
Qualitative Analysis of Interviews
Codes and Themes Emergent from the Interview Analysis
Part 1: Human Relations Challenges
Engaging Volunteers
Outreach to Volunteers
Recognition of Volunteers
Annual Evaluation of Volunteers
Meeting the Volunteers' Needs
Recognition of Volunteers
Volunteer Orientation
Matching Volunteers to Positions That Are a Good Fit
Retention of Volunteers
Recruiting Volunteers
Volunteers Sitting on Community Boards
Human Relations Management—Challenges
Part 2: Bureaucratic Best Practices of Volunteer Management
Volunteer Program Policy
Managing Volunteers
Volunteer Program's Budget
Preparation and Planning for New Programs
Training Volunteers
Tracking Volunteer Hours
Training Volunteers for the Right Position
Best Practices in Volunteer Management Challenges
Political Challenges
Strategies for Volunteer Retention
Newsletter
Matching Volunteers to the Right Position
Part 3: Volunteer Program Challenges
Support from City
Showing Value of Volunteers to Taxpayers and City Hall
Visibility of Volunteer Program
Managing the Needs of Volunteers and Departments
Volunteer Program Challenges—Challenges
Limitations of Volunteer Programs
Comparing Long-Time Volunteer Coordinators with Newer Volunteer Coordinators
Summary
Discussion of Survey Results
Summary of Participant Demographic Characteristics
Local Government Volunteer Management Practices and Implications for the Conceptual Model
Community Engagement Opportunities Provided by Local Governments
Challenges Associated with Coordinating Community Engagement Activities for Volunteers
Discussion of the Study Interviews
Volunteer Program Challenges
Human Relations Challenges
Bureaucratic Best Practices of Volunteer Management
Summary
Recommendations
Case Study 2
Background
Traditional Volunteering
Episodic Volunteering
Mandatory Volunteering
Continuum of Care
An Overview of Homelessness in Texas
Volunteer Activities and Homelessness Prevention
The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center
Services Offered and Volunteer Opportunities
Intake Engagement
Reception Desk Volunteer
Library Volunteer
Art Class Volunteer
Karaoke Volunteer
Kennel Companion Volunteer
Campus Organization
Special Campus Projects
Treat Social
Game Day and Bingo Night
Meal Services
Volunteer Risk Management
Conclusion
References
Appendix
Survey
Volunteer Management Practices
Citizen Engagement
Citizen Engagement Challenges
Appendix A. Qualitative Interview Protocol and Questions
Qualitative Interview Protocol and Questions
Interview Guide
Volunteer Management Practices
Probe
Best Practices of Volunteer Management Challenges
Probe Questions
Questions Linked Back to Survey
Citizen Engagement Challenges
Linked to Survey
Probe Questions
Appendix B. Codes
Codes
Appendix C. Coded Participant Responses to Challenges Questions
Coded Participant Responses to Challenges Questions
Coded Participant Responses to Challenges Questions
Index
