Improving Lives. Improving Texas. Volunteer Trends & Impact An Overview for Extension Volunteer Administrators

Volunteering at a 30-Year High Adult volunteering rate increased by more than 32% since 1989 Growth is driven by three age groups: –Older teenagers (ages 16 to 19) –Mid-life adults (ages 45 to 64) –Older adults (65 years old and over) Source: Reingold, D. and Nesbit, R. (2006). Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974.

Volunteering in America Volunteer Rates in million Americans volunteered –26.4% of the adult population –8 billion hours of service –34.7 hours per resident –Valued at $162 billion Source: Corporation for National & Community Service,

Volunteering in Texas More than 7% of the nation’s volunteers are in Texas. 4.4 million volunteers 25.2% of residents volunteer million hours of service 32.8 hours per resident $11.7 billion of service contributed Source: Corporation for National & Community Service,

Where People Volunteer ( ) Source: Corporation for National & Community Service,

Neighborhood Engagement Less formal ways of serving in communities has increased –31% more Americans worked with their neighbor to fix a community problem –17% more Americans attended community meetings Source: Corporation for National & Community Service,

Teenage Volunteers Growing trend to include community service and service-learning in schools 69.7% college freshmen believe in helping others in need Primarily interested in episodic volunteering More likely to serve with educational or youth service organizations (religious – 2 nd ) Source: Reingold, D. & Nesbit, R. (2006)

Baby Boomer Volunteers The primary reason for an increase in volunteering among mid-life Americans, with two explanations: –Higher levels of education –Delays in marriage and childbearing More likely to volunteer with religious organizations Source: Reingold, D. & Nesbit, R. (2006)

Older Adult Volunteers Most likely to volunteer 100 or more hours a year Health Benefits for volunteers: –Greater life satisfaction –Lower rates of depression –Higher levels of happiness, self-esteem, physical health and a sense of control over life –Lower mortality rates Source: Reingold, D. & Nesbit, R. (2006). Corporation for National & Community Service (2007).

Episodic Volunteers Episodic volunteering is largely driven by baby boomers and teenagers Catastrophes increase “short-term” opportunities Organizations are developing shorter, more flexible volunteer opportunities Source: Reingold, D. & Nesbit, R. (2006)

Why are volunteers important? More than 80% of non-profit organizations rely on volunteers Volunteers do about 1/3 of the work of all non-profits More than 1/3 of non-profit organizations report increasing the number of volunteers they use Half of non-profit organizations foresee increasing their usage of volunteers If all volunteers were paid, they would cost non-profits over $225 billion per year

Extension Volunteer Trends

Extension Volunteers (2009) 104,672 Volunteers Contributed over 4 million hours Average contribution of hours per person Valued at over $82 million* FTE Equivalent: 2,140 employees * Value of Volunteer Time based upon Independent Sector rate of $20.25 per hour

Why Do People Volunteer? It’s tradition They were asked Influence others Use a skill they already possess Fill a person void Interested in learning something new Give back to the community Want to meet new friends Help others Source: Corporation for National & Community Service,

Getting People to Volunteer Show them how they benefit! Offer meaningful work Time well spent Realistic commitments Flexibility Learn about the community Speak to their motivation

What Stops People from Volunteering? Perception of volunteers Fear the time commitment More likely to serve if a trusted friend asks them to serve Source: Corporation for National & Community Service,

Volunteer Retention Retaining volunteers is harder than recruiting volunteers! From 2006 to 2007, more than 1/3 did not volunteer any time with any nonprofit That’s estimated at $38 billion in lost labor! Source: Eisner, D., Grimm, Jr., R.T., Maynard, S., Washburn, S. (2009).

Why do volunteers quit? Misplaced volunteer Lack of recognition and appreciation Lack of training provided Poor management

Implications for Extension Capitalize on growth in teenage volunteers and service Continue to embrace the episodic volunteer movement Recruitment implications Focus on retaining current volunteers Facilitate proper management of volunteers