Understanding the relationship between volunteers and the culture of volunteer organizations /
The use of volunteers is a primary vehicle in promoting the common good within the United States. Volunteer organizations, like companies in the for-profit sector, have distinct cultures. The meaning that volunteers give their association with the volunteer organization, especially to positive aspe...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=765051311&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The use of volunteers is a primary vehicle in promoting the common good within the United States. Volunteer organizations, like companies in the for-profit sector, have distinct cultures. The meaning that volunteers give their association with the volunteer organization, especially to positive aspects of the organizational culture, can be expected to affect the length of their service. The researcher studied the cultures of two volunteer organizations. The first, focused upon meeting human needs related to poverty. Here the researcher was a participant observer. The second organization supported the philosophy that no one dies alone or in pain. Here, the researcher used standard interview. First, volunteers made their connection with the volunteer organization on their own and without the support or encouragement of a religious congregation. The volunteers continued to serve because of their compatibility with the organization's culture. Second, in the process of understanding the meaning volunteers give their association with the volunteer organization, it became evident that they found meaning in the work itself, and not in any spiritual rationale. Therefore, religious congregations should re-evaluate their teaching regarding the relationship between belief and practice. They should also consider encouraging members to serve pressing human needs with organizations not connected to them or their denominations. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Educational Human Resource Development". |
| Physical Description: | x, 103 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-103). |