Services Provided by Elderly Volunteers

As the number of elderly persons increases, the social service needs of older Americans will grow too. To provide a variety of services, many social service agencies across the nation are helping the elderly organize to help themselves. This paper represents the second of a series of research reports derived from a federally funded research project to investigate the types of services that trained elderly volunteers provide to other elderly persons in the community. This paper presents a multivariate analysis of elderly volunteers who go beyond providing socializing and reassuring services and provide instrumental services. The independant variables are developed to capture the level of the physical and mental strengths of elderly volunteers. Theses strengths are psychological functioning, perceived health, psychological adjustment, and social resources. In addition, program-participation factors, such as the duration of participation in the volunteer project and the number of persons served, as well as variables related to demographic and educational backgrounds, are included in the analysis as controls. The major findings from this study are the following: (1) Among the independant variables, perceived health is a statistically significant predictor of a volunteer's becoming a provider of instrumental services; (2) The volunteer's level of education and the number of elderly persons served are also statistically significant predictors. One the whole, however, elderly volunteers perfer socialization and reasurance over instrumental services when they try to help other elderly persons.     

Measuring Volunteerability and the Capacity to Volunteer among Non‐volunteers: Implications for Social Policy

As volunteering and its benefits gain global recognition, social policymakers can sustain and increase volunteering through social policy, legislation and other types of involvement. A key performance practice is to measure the rate of volunteering based on the percentage of the population that volunteer or the number of hours donated. The focus of this article, however, is on the capacity to volunteer by non‐volunteers as well as by volunteers. The concept and theory of volunteerability (an individual's ability to overcome related obstacles and volunteer, based on his or her willingness, capability and availability) offers a richer understanding of how people can be assisted to overcome barriers to maximize their volunteer potential and thus increase volunteering. The article details the definitions and benefits of volunteering and covers examples of related social policy, as well as explaining the concept of volunteerability and how it can be measured using existing and new scales. Based on a mixed methods study in Australia, the article offers specific measures to examine the concept of volunteerability and reveals important differences between volunteers and non‐volunteers. The article also details major barriers to volunteering and how social policies can be developed to overcome them.     

探讨西宁社区志愿服务的支持性因素

社区志愿服务是社区服务的重要组成部分,是构建和谐社会的重要内容,是加强公民道德建设,提高公民社会责任感的重要途径。对西宁社区志愿服务现状进行问题分析,尝试依托社会支持网络理论寻找社区志愿服务的支持性因素,以期构建起坚实有效的支援网络系统。     

The ABCE Model of Volunteer Motivation

To meet the growing social service needs of our societies, the social services and other Volunteer organizations need to understand the needs and motives of their volunteers to keep them retained. Although volunteer motivation scales are available and tested, different organizations have to amend and add volunteering motives to best fit their organization and environment. Furthermore, not much guidance is available to volunteer organizations to understand or measure motivation of their volunteers raising a need for a unified model that can be a guideline for managers. This study discusses different approaches to volunteering motivation and links them into four areas of affiliation using an ABCE model: affiliation (A), beliefs, (B) career development, (C) and (E) egoistic. Participants were 496 volunteers from a variety of NGOs including 239 (48.2%) from an international Faith Based Organization (FBO). Findings show that although differences exist in volunteering motivation the actual best fit was an ABCE model. Future research is needed on testing the scale with different cultures and different organizations. A deeper knowledge of volunteer motivations will enable organizations to prosper and utilize the continuous experience of the volunteers and their engagement, thereby ensuring enhanced quality social service delivery.     

Attitudes,Motives, and Demographic Predictors of Volunteer Commitment and Service Duration

This article reports the findings of a study of 147 volunteers at a midwestern crisis and information telephone service. It was hypothesized that demographic and motivational variables may be more predictive than attitudes toward their work of volunteer commitment and tenure. Discriminant and multiple regression analyses were used to test the strength of attitudes, motivations such as need for a job or training, and demographic variables. Education, gender, viewing volunteer work as having value and desire to learn a new skill were significant discriminators between levels of involvement. But aspects of the volunteer experience, along with education played a more important role in predicting service duration.     

社区志愿服务活动调研分析——以山西省太原市H社区为个案

通过对太原市H社区进行的志愿服务活动调研,了解到社区居民倾向于参与志愿服务活动,但对怎样做,做什么并不十分了解。针对这一问题,课题组与社区联合启动了一项为老服务项目,在运行这个项目的过程中,明确了社区志愿服务活动的推进需要解决一些具体的问题。     

Participation in Science Service: Factors Influencing Volunteers’ Intentions

In spite of previous researches in large-scale volunteerisms have explored volunteer’s theory of planned behavior (TPB), little has been known concerning the scale development of volunteers’ Satisfaction and Motivation in related to science volunteer service. This study tested an expanded TPB model with a sample of 443 volunteers taken from a project for science volunteers run by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan. To explore volunteers’ perspectives on their involvement in science service, structured questionnaires examined their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, Satisfaction and motivation via continued observation throughout the duration of the project. The findings from the path analyses suggest that the TPB is a useful tool for understanding event volunteers’ intention. In addition, Satisfaction emerged as the exclusive determinant of sustained volunteering and also as the potential predictor of the effects of other variables on future volunteering behavior. However, it was found that the science volunteers’ motivation had significant negative correlation with behavioral intention. In general, the expanded model of TBP provided an appropriate framework for understanding the factors associated with volunteering. Practical implications and future research directions for science volunteer management are also discussed.     

社区志愿服务活动调研分析——以山西省太原市H社区为个案

通过对太原市H社区进行的志愿服务活动调研,了解到社区居民倾向于参与志愿服务活动,但对"怎样做,做什么"并不十分了解。针对这一问题,课题组与社区联合启动了一项"为老服务项目",在运行这个项目的过程中,明确了社区志愿服务活动的推进需要解决一些具体的问题。     

The future for Meals on Wheels? Reviewing innovative approaches to meal provision for ageing populations

Winterton R, Warburton J, Oppenheimer M. The future for Meals on Wheels? Reviewing innovative approaches to meal provision for ageing populations The global phenomenon of population ageing is impacting on how community care is delivered, and a key component of health and social care services for the frail elderly is Meals on Wheels (MOW), a service that has traditionally encompassed delivering meals to older people in their homes. However, aspects of this conceptualisation of MOW are being redefined in order to address challenges posed by tightening global financial contexts, a reliance on volunteers and increasing social isolation among ageing populations. Through a review of the literature and websites from selected countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia), this article explores and critically evaluates models of MOW delivery addressing these challenges. Findings suggest that MOW services are utilising a marketised approach, moving outside of the home and incorporating diverse volunteer roles. These findings demonstrate how services such as MOW can develop sustainable approaches to service delivery in a contemporary context. Key Practitioner Message: ?A review of innovative MOW highlights service models of broader applicability;?Varied delivery models and more diverse volunteer roles appeal to new sources of volunteers;?Research into the development of sustainable models with positive client social outcomes is now required.     

Out of the Generosity of Your Heart: Are We Creating Active Citizens through Compulsory Volunteer Programmes for Young People in Australia?

Using governmentality as a theoretical framework, we examine two Australian policy areas where young people are disciplined into becoming good, active citizens. These policies—mutual obligation through the work for the dole programme, and school‐based active citizenship programmes similar to American service learning programmes—both mirror volunteer‐type activities, in a social context where volunteers are viewed as good citizens. In this study, we present findings from a qualitative study that addresses the question of whether young people will develop active citizenship through compulsory volunteer‐type programmes. The findings show that first, young people are very conscious of the lack of choice involved in these programmes and that this weakened their sense of agency. Second, the programmes failed to develop positive community attitudes and active social behaviours. These results suggest that policies that compel individuals to contribute to society may actually weaken their citizenship identities.     

Team-Based Volunteerism with the Seriously Ill: A Qualitative Analysis from 10 Volunteers' Perspectives

Volunteers offer means through which social workers may extend their ability to support individuals with serious illnesses near the end of life. This study explored the experience of volunteers on teams organized initially as a grassroots movement in response to stigmatized and often socially isolated people with HIV/AIDS dying in the community. Volunteer care teams later expanded to individuals with other serious illnesses. This model spread as a means of meeting the growing need for practical support for seriously ill homebound individuals. Yet, little has been reported in the scientific literature about the interworkings of these teams and their optimal level of functioning. Qualitative inquiry, in the form of semi-structured interviews, explored perspectives of 10 volunteers with experience in volunteer team caring and identified the social processes that shaped their work. The volunteers discussed balance between positive life meaning gained from volunteer work, lessons learned, and negative aspects of a volunteer team approach to caring for the seriously ill in the community. Further investigation is warranted to validate the volunteer care team approach as a cost-effective tool to help seriously ill individuals and caregivers.     

公众参与社区志愿服务的影响因素与对策——以湖北省H市的15个社区为例

本文以湖北省H市为个案,通过描述和分析公众参与社区志愿服务的影响因素,主要从社会层面的组织环境与社会环境和个体层面的参与能力两方面进行研究,在此基础上探讨如何使公众更好地参与到社区志愿服务活动中,并在构建和谐社会工作中起到更为积极的作用。     

Trained volunteers for families coping with a child with a life-limiting condition

One hundred and seven families with a child diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, from all over Queensland (Australia), were surveyed on their need for a trained volunteer. Their comments provide important insights into an area which has not previously been researched or documented. In summary, their responses indicate that many families have only minimal or no support, and are coping with extraordinary physical, emotional and social demands from the child's condition and treatment. The majority of the participants are very positive about the need for a trained volunteer and are clear about the activities that trained volunteers could provide assistance with. These activities range from practical assistance such as baby-sitting and help with household chores and errands to emotional support. Not all families would be comfortable using a volunteer, and some respondents did outline perceived obstacles to including a volunteer in family activities. For others there were comments about why volunteers would be perceived as unproblematic. Respondents specified important criteria that would need to be addressed in volunteer training. The largest number of respondents were coping with cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. It is the hope and expectation that, with the communication of the insights gathered from this geographically diverse group of families, encouragement will be given to others working in this area to explore the possibility of establishing outreach volunteer programmes for such families.     

推展社区志愿服务须注意的两个问题

目前,中国正处于大力推广社区建设、社区发展之时期,而社区服务则是社区发展的主题。在社区服务中,强调培育、规范社区志愿者组织,可以讲是促进社区发展的一个有效途径。对于如何培育、规范社区志愿者组织,笔者认为应该注意两个问题:一是避免出现行政化、政党化之倾向;二是尽快建立组织制度化,对之进行规范化。     

推展社区志愿服务须注意的两个问题

目前,中国正处于大力推广社区建设、社区发展之时期,而社区服务则是社区发展的主题。在社区服务中,强调培育、规范社区志愿者组织,可以讲是促进社区发展的一个有效途径。对于如何培育、规范社区志愿者组织,笔者认为应该注意两个问题:一是避免出现行政化、政党化之倾向;二是尽快建立组织制度化,对之进行规范化。     

城市居民社区参与意愿及相关影响因素分析——以苏州城市老新村改造为例

本文利用2010年对苏州市接受老新村改造的四个区中的450名居民的抽样调查数据,对老新村改造中居民的社区参与意愿、日常生活中居民的社区参与意愿进行了定量分析和比较,对社区硬件基础设施和社区软件建设与居民的参与意愿之间的关系进行了初步探讨。结果表明,老新村改造中居民的社区参与意愿较高,日常生活中居民的社区参与意愿较低。社区硬件基础设施的完善和充分利用、社区软件中的社区工作者的工作内容、工作方式的改善和服务的质量的提高可以提高居民的社区参与意愿。     

大学生志愿者社区服务的实践与反思

大学生志愿者社区服务是目前社区精神文明建设的重要途径。这一活动的深入开展,无论对大学生自身综合素质的提高还是社区功能的开发和利用都将有着十分重要的意义。当然,要使大学生志愿者社区服务在实践中产生应有的效果,就必须在实践活动过程中进行不断的总结和反思,以促进大学生个人、学校、社区与社会四者的协调运作。     

Social Service Outreach Programs Using Elderly Korean Immigrants' Church Ties

ABSTRACT

This study examined how Protestant Korean-American churches and their pastors can serve as ties between Korean seniors and agencies that offer social services. Working in partnership with the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging (NCTAAA) and 2-1-1 services at United Way, the researcher asked 53 Korean pastors in two counties in North Central Texas to participate in the study. Each was asked about his willingness to host an outreach program. Thirty telephone surveys and 11 face-to-face interviews inquired about current services and pastor willingness to serve as gatekeepers for seniors. Translation and transportation were the top social service needs. All pastors in the study agreed that their churches should be a vehicle to provide social service information to seniors. Indeed, five churches accommodated program outreach offered by the NCTAAA and 2-1-1 services. The host churches tended to have highly structured, regularly scheduled programs (e.g., ethnic senior schools) already in place. A total of 405 Korean seniors participated in the outreach events, and 28 seniors were assisted in benefit counseling by telephone. Altogether, the results suggest that social service agencies can use the church ties of Korean seniors for program outreach.     

“It's not all tied up with bureaucrats and funding”: Autonomous volunteer participation in the rural resettlement of refugees

This paper reports on a study that explored the experiences, perceptions and motivations of a new type of autonomous volunteer emerging in modern society, in particular, those working to assist in the rural resettlement of refugees in Australia. The volunteers filled a gap left by under resourced government and community services. In‐depth semi structured interviews revealed that their motivation was due in part, to the lack of bureaucratic' red tape'. Their drive to address social issues was based also in part on values to see social justice expressed in their community. Some challenges and tensions due to cultural differences were identified. Questions for community development and social capital are raised. Implications are raised for volunteer groups' and resettlement organisations' policy and practice to enhance the resettlement process for both the host community and those with a refugee background.     

Measuring the Propensity to Volunteer

As charities are expected to take on more and more of the provision of services to the disadvantaged, they will be calling on volunteers to support that work. The use of volunteers means important cost savings when compared to the use of paid service providers, thus giving one advantage to the voluntary sector when bidding in the mixed economy of welfare. Given the potential for increased use of volunteers, questions of motivation and commitment become very important. Volunteers make up a significant proportion of the human resources used to service social needs, yet previous research has not made it clear why and how volunteers come to give so much of themselves. This research demonstrates that there is an underlying Volunteerism–Activism Attitude which can be measured, and which holds within its four dimensions the key motivations for volunteering. Use of the scale measuring this attitude allows prediction of those people who are most likely (and least likely) to volunteer for charity activity. For charities the scale might provide a useful tool in managing the personnel with whom they are now expected to bid in the quasi-markets of service provision.